Cardew Club News » 2005 » June

Accidental Teapots
The glory of Evan Jones’ ceramics is in the unpredictable surfaces
(this article was taken from newtimesbpb.com and written by Michael Mills)

There is something momentous about a teapot. In the harried business of 21st-century living, it is, in a way, a monument to time, or rather taking time — say, tea time.

A brewed pot of Irish breakfast or Darjeeling is an occasion for a more leisurely chat with friends or a spouse. It eschews the cardboard cup and plastic lid that is an icon of life on the go.
No, a teapot says, “Sit down, dear. Relax. How are you? Cream? Sugar? Lemon, perhaps?” Conversation set to the meter of a stirring spoon on porcelain seems to be of more import than espresso-wired chats over cups-to-go.

The tastes of British holiday-makers range from the homely to the bizarre, with some happy to tuck into English fry-ups and baked beans and others willing to sample baked Armadillo.
Some of the strangest dishes eaten by Britons abroad include cactus worms, dragonflies, chicken feet and sheeps eyeballs.

There will be quite a tea party over the weekend in Bellevue. “The Artful Teapot” is one of the highlighted exhibits at the newly remodeled Bellevue Arts Museum. But these aren’t your grandmother’s teapots.
The 250 pots on display are from the collection of Gloria and Sonny Kamm, a collection that numbers 7,500.
“It’s a very generous amount of teapots,” admits Gloria Kamm, “It’s sort of become obsessive and taken over our lives.”

The Cardew Signing Day on June 11th was a very successful event, with lots of designers, guests, new designs and a BBQ to finish. You can see photographs from the event in the members section here. Be sure to check them out for a look at what happened on the day; hopefully the start of many more fun events we’ll be organising for Teapot Collectors.

THE oldest cafe in Maidenhead celebrated its 25th anniversary this week and it’s owner has vowed to keep serving for many years to come. Jeff Pullin has run the Teapot Cafe since he was 18-years-old and has become one of the town’s most popular faces.

Along with his wife of 17 years, Debbie, 37, he has served thousands of fry-ups, teas and coffees to hungry Maidonians. And on Wednesday he celebrated his 25th anniversary in style by giving away goodies to his customers and donating every penny spent on coffees and teas to Breast Cancer Awareness and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Whether you are hoping to one day make a trip to China to sample the tea ceremony, or you simply want to add some dignity to your own afternoon cup of tea, here are some Chinese traditions to make that cuppa just a bit more calming and gentile.