‘Nana Did It!’ by Peggy Ann Turner

Hello Tea Pot Lovers! This is my first article for the Cardew website. I thought I’d introduce myself, and how my Tea Pot mania began.

I’m the daughter of a WW2 British War Bride. She hailed from London, but my Tennessee GI Daddy met Mom in Dorset. His unit was headed south. Momma was a Land Girl, and her hostel was invited to a dance that the GI’s Company was hosting. So there you are! I arrived in 1951.

I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and when I was 4, my Nana came to America. Little did I know that her enormous handbag harbored a set of two child sized teacups and saucers. She made tea in one of Mom’s pots for me and my year old sister. I was hooked from then on. My Nana was only 4′10″ just as I am, and she was shaped like a Brown Betty. I can see the image of our first tea party as if it were yesterday.

The next step toward my lifelong love affair with teapots arrived when my American Grandmother, Mima presented me with a smashing child?s tea set adorned with an old wild rose pattern.

I think it was made in Japan. Excellent crafts person ship. It is white porcelain with gold rims. This wasn’t a miniature tea set, mind you, but proper child size. There was the teapot of course, 6 cups and saucers and dessert size plates for her little princess. Was I ever a happy Little Miss.

This Tea Set has traveled the world with me. There’s not a piece missing, chipped or broken, and it’s still in the original box. I was a fastidious child! While my baby sister dug in the dirt and searched for worms and such, I was having Tea Parties with my dolls.

Later on, I discovered miniature tea sets and have a collection of those as well. However, I have banned myself from collecting anymore. The real thing is my true addiction.

Fat, round, proper Tea Pots are my favorite, as well as character pots. This is one of the major reasons I love Cardew pots. They are strong crockery and wonderfully whimsical. I don’t collect any Tea Pot that I cannot use.

I’d love to hear from all of you with stories of your childhood memories of Tea Pots, Tea Sets, and the best of all Tea Parties. If you have childhood pictures of your Tea Pots, and your Tea Parties let me know!

I’m writing to you from New Zealand today: however, I am immigrating to England in the next two weeks. So the next article will be coming to you from the Mother Land.

I will don my tiara and a cuppa for the next article! This communique’s for all of us, and I hope you will help me make this article a fun and informative forum. Let’s get to know each other due to our love Cardew Tea Pots.

I need a cup of tea now, as it’s chilly this morning here at the bottom of the world! Thanks for reading my first communique and I look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,
Peggy Ann

PS: Oops I almost forgot! During my professional life, I am a Graphic Designer and illustrator (now retired from that madness). I gave up the big bucks and entered Academia, teaching design, visual arts and Design History. I am a practicing visual artist working in mixed medium. I’m currently filling my sketchbook with Tea Pot designs!