The 'Cuppa' Collection is a unique, purposeful and whimsical range of vases I make out of stacked tea cups and saucers. They are sold online here and at random markets, fete's etc announced here on this blog.
Once the teacup vases are noticed I usually see wide eyes, an inquisitive look and the pondering begins. So of course what do I do, I nonchalantly pick up an entire teacup vase by only it's top handle. 'Oh my gosh they are attached!'[said with a big smile] is always the reaction I enjoy getting.
Yes, the design of the teacup vases is such that all the tea cups and saucers are all tightly secured to one another.
Well...! The enthusiasm ignites and we're engaged in a wonderful game of 20 questions. This fun game is played with online buyers as well. It goes like this...Q #1. Taking a closer look... So, what part of the teacup vase is used as the vase?
A. The top cup is filled with water and used as the vase.
Q #2. Is there an opening [hole/s] from the top cup into the bottom cup?
Nope I can say confidently, there is no opening or holes from the top cup into the bottom cup.
Q #3. Perplexed... Why not?
Excitedly I explain, having no openings is actually the key feature of the teacup vases.
The current design, with no openings, has the enhanced value of being extremely versatile and functional, lending itself to many uses.
Having openings, limits the scope of how it can be used and takes away from it's utilitarian features.
For example, instead of displaying flowers you decided it would make a great way to serve nuts, and it does. But then with an opening you realise the nuts will fall into the bottom cup through the openings and will be impossible to reach. Your right, that is exactly what happens.
Q #4. Oh, you know all this from experience do you?
Sure do! The first couple of prototypes I designed had various openings through the top cup and top saucer so both cups filled with water. What ended up happening was the water in the bottom cup stagnated quickly which shortened the lifespan of the bouquet of flowers and the smell was awful.
The other downside to the openings is that they made it impossible to clean the bottom cup properly so the stagnation was never completely removed and contaminated any fresh water and then the smell takes over again. The hassle of all this meant the teacup vase got used less and less.
Also, when used as a server for nuts, small sweets, dips etc everything is impossible to reach once it falls though the opening into the bottom cup. Change & tips, business cards jewellery, keys etc are all very awkward to access from the botton cup also.
As you can see the design with no openings offers greater value, is easy to use and clean and encourages many joyful uses.
Q.#5 So, how do the flower bouquets stay stable in the vase [top cup] with no openings?
Many just do!
I personally delight in the unexpected outcome of letting the handpicked flower bouquet creating it's own natural composition.
I have to admit, there is secret I also have for getting a perfectly arranged bouquet. Now I can't be giving away all my secrets so that will only be revealed upon the purchase of a teacup vase.
Q.#6 How did you come up with the idea for teacup vases?
Slightly blushing, like most of my ideas it was accidental. One day I was cleaning out a cupboard, after removing and stacking the contents onto the bench top I looked over and saw the tea cups in a completely different way, as teacup vases!
I made a few for my home, friends and family thought they were a fantastic idea, I gifted a couple and the recipients were thrilled and the demand for teacup vases took off from there.
End of game, many thanks for your curiosity...
Ok that wasn't actually 20 questions but it brings us full circle back to the current whimsical & purposeful teacup vase design.
Teacup vases beautifully display a variety of handpicked bouquets successfully large and tall, small and short, minimalistic and lush, heavy and light etc. They are extremely versatile in their use, easy to clean, enhance the day, make people smile and will be admired.
Because they are so joyful and easy to use, myself and happy owners are continually finding new and creative ways of using them:
~ simply to enhance the everyday with nature and loveliness...
~ as a floral centrepiece for a tea party, relaxing brunch with friends or an elegant evening dinner party
~ to brighten any space such as your office or reception area, waiting room
~ wake up to the beauty of fresh flowers each morning with a teacup vase beside your bed
~ to fill a room with the wonderful smells of scented flowers
~ for a wedding or party where each table has a lovely teacup vase as a feature centrepiece!
~ as a serving plate for delicious biscuits, decadent handmade chocolates and fresh fruit
~ soothing and uplifting as a get well soon offering
~ to display business card, increasing visibility and inviting people to take a your card
~ tips 'vase' in a cafe or restaurant, attracting the customers eye to leave their change
~ jewellery display and storage
~ a place to keep your keys
~ just to give you a few ideas.....
~ as a floral centrepiece for a tea party, relaxing brunch with friends or an elegant evening dinner party
~ to brighten any space such as your office or reception area, waiting room
~ wake up to the beauty of fresh flowers each morning with a teacup vase beside your bed
~ to fill a room with the wonderful smells of scented flowers
~ for a wedding or party where each table has a lovely teacup vase as a feature centrepiece!
~ as a serving plate for delicious biscuits, decadent handmade chocolates and fresh fruit
~ soothing and uplifting as a get well soon offering
~ to display business card, increasing visibility and inviting people to take a your card
~ tips 'vase' in a cafe or restaurant, attracting the customers eye to leave their change
~ jewellery display and storage
~ a place to keep your keys
~ just to give you a few ideas.....
Ceri
[Photo Credit | Ceri Muter ]
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