I like a good
challenge.
About a year and a half ago,
I pitched making my own version of a fortune telling teacup to Anthropologie. This product design project represented a huge leap
for me because what I proposed required me to move beyond ceramics as a design
medium: I had to design the cup and saucer in addition to packaging.
Now, the fortune telling teacup
had to have instructions; how else would anyone know how to read the leaves? I
thought that using the format of a traditional tarot card would serve as a fun and magical device for the directions. After the clumps of tea wind up in the bottom
of the cup, you consult your cards. The cards help to define the symbols on the
cup and give meaning to your reading. Obviously, there’s some room for
interpretation!
It’s always been a secret
dream of mine with my roots as a studio potter to design tea packaging. So, when
my teacup design was put into production, I approached Anthropologie about offering
tea as a product to sell alongside the teacup. I know that if I were to
purchase the cup, I would want loose-leaf tea to go with it. Delighted by the
idea, the folks at Anthropologie agreed.
I definitely pitched the loose-leaf tea idea to Anthropologie with my favorite local tea company Tea Guys in mind for the project (here in Western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley) When I approached Tea Guys about designing labels for five of their flavors they were more than
happy to oblige.
I set about quickly to design
labels. Initially, Anthropologie wanted a small order
from Tea Guys. Over the next few months the order grew and grew—until it became
one of the largest orders that Tea Guys had ever had to fill.
Fill it they did, though. You
can find yourself a fortune telling teacup and tea at
Anthropologie. I can’t wait to hear about what your future holds!
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