A sneak peak at what I'm working on in the Studio today. I'm painting a Shelley teacup which was on loan from a friend. I love its curviness and blue accents on the rim and handle.
This is my second attempt at this design. My first painting was OK, but not exactly what I had in mind, so I choose to do it over. Glad I did, I'm much happier with this one.
Here's my personal critique of my original artwork:
I wasn't thrilled with the bright background color or design, nor the color of the ribbon, or the flowers in the foreground. The overall color of the shadows on the teacup were too warm making it look muddy. I also thought a tighter weave on the lace over a richer blue would look better.
Posted at 10:11 AM in ARTWORK, TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (0)
Is milk added to the teacup first, before the tea is poured, or is milk added after the tea is poured?
If you're like me, Breakfast teas are my favorite, and they are delicious with milk.
The practice of adding milk to the cup before scalding tea is added was to ensure the fragile teacup wouldn't crack from the heat. Completely understandable, a cracked teacup is heartbreaking.
Modern, even vintage, china can withstand heat better than antique pieces, so the practice has died down some. I would guess for traditions sake, or as a familiar childhood memory, milk is still added to the cup before the tea.
Once when I was about ten and my brother nine, we went to a friend's house after school. His British parents offered to bring us a snack of tea and cookies. First the tray of teacups arrived with the cookies. In each cup was a splash of milk, and to me this was new. In fact, I thought the teacups were dirty and the milk was left from previous use. When the tea arrived my confusion was explained and we enjoyed a wonderful treat.
Adding milk after the tea is poured to to ensure just the right amount is added without overpowering the tea.
So now the big question, and I think you know what I'm going to ask. Yep, you guessed it.
When do you add milk to your tea?
I'll be the first to answer my own question. I love adding milk last. It's the simple pleasure of watching the white milk swirl in the dark tea making what often looks like weather patterns in my cup.
Posted at 06:51 PM in TEA CUPS, TEA TIME | Permalink | Comments (1)
This is the cutest little teacup, emphasis on little. The set sit just over 2" tall.
I enjoy using my tiny vintage teacups. They are perfect for serving punch at little girl's tea parties, or as an elegant desk accessory to hold paper clips. My favorite use for demitasse cups is to hang them as ornaments on my pink Christmas tree.
Though it looks as if it's never been used, my search has lead me to believe this vintage cup is from the Art Deco era. If this little set is your cup of tea and you've thought of another charming use for it, it's available in my vintage Etsy shop, LivingOldSchool.
Posted at 11:27 AM in GREETING CARDS , TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (0)
A lovely rose teacup and saucer by Royal Vale up for consideration as a new birthday Teacup Greeting card for kimberlyshawgraphics.com
Posted at 07:19 PM in TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted at 03:51 PM in TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (1)
It's amazing how certain colors effect each of us personally.
For me, that color is aqua, also known as teal or turquoise depending on how much white is in the mix between blue and green. When I saw this Royal Grafton teacup I couldn't resist it.
What color, or color combination, are you most drawn to?
Posted at 11:54 PM in TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Being a California girl who worked in downtown L.A., I couldn't pass up this humble teacup I found at a local thrift store. It brought back memories of going to lunch at the Farmers Market with co-workers.
It also maked me wonder who created it and what was it created for. Maybe it was a tourist souvenir similar to the State plates I collected as a girl.
As an artist, I can appreciate the work that went into creating this design.
Posted at 03:01 AM in TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Out of the blue, I received this beautiful teacup from my sweet Aunt Wynona. It wasn't my birthday, anniversary, and nowhere near Christmas. Seeing the box was marked Franz, I was ecstatic! My family watched me in equal anticipation as I carefully lifted the pieces out of the box, we admired them, and then I carefully returned it to the box for safe keeping.
Silly me, these teacups are meant to be enjoyed, "Who wants tea!" I asked. I enjoyed my tea in this gorgeous teacup while the family was forced to enjoy their tea in more common English teacups. :)
Posted at 07:51 AM in TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
The history of the Haviland China Company is interesting, spanning several generations. I was unable to find the name of these patterns.
The little cutie pie with her arms out is ready to receive your used teabag. In my favorite aqua color it's made by Josef Originals, probably in the 1960's. The inside reads, "Your teabag please."
Posted at 10:34 PM in TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 09:19 AM in TEA CUPS, TEA TIME | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
The complete Moss Rose set includes two Teacups with Sauces, a Teapot, two Plates, Salt and Pepper Shakers.
It now graces my home, received as a birthday gift.
To honor her I created this "You Are Special" Teacup Greeting card, but as you can see I redesign the Teapot to fit the card size, left the lid off where I insert the tea bag, and gave it a napkin tucked under the saucer.
Posted at 11:10 PM in GREETING CARDS , TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 05:40 PM in TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 05:34 PM in TEA CUPS | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)