Hello!! Starting a new interview series called TEA WITH where I ask tea lovers who inspire me about their relationship with tea. The first person I asked to participate in this series is my friend, jewelry designer and artist, Alice Waese. I wear Alice's jewelry every single day - one ring was a gift for myself, and the other, my engagement ring. There's kind of a cool connection between something like a tea "ritual" and objects like jewelry that we incorporate into our lives. I remember my grandmother wore the same pair of earrings every single day and she drank black tea every single day. The small details of how we spend our days in the short term wind up becoming part of our legacies and who we are in the big picture. BUT this is supposed to be an interview with Alice, not one of my thought trains --- here it is <3
When do you typically drink tea?
Late morning, early evening, all day.
What ceramicists do you love and/or what tea cups do you gravitate towards?
I have two tea cups that I love, both are gifts from my boyfriend, one an oversized light mauve colored mug by BDDW. The other is a beautiful small white Astier de Villatte, all glossy glazed and white and perfect in its imperfections. I’m slightly afraid to use this one. I also have some antique cups I bought when I lived in England, they’re floral and have cracks that have been repaired with staples. Such a nice contrast.
Do you have a favorite Masha Tea?
At the moment I love Earth, I also love the Mint and Holy Basil. I happily went through a massive bag of 4th when my baby was born which was a beautiful daily ritual.
Currently reading or listening to anything during tea time?Currently listening the chaos of a toddler or the silence of her napping.
Does tea have a place in your work?
Sitting down with tea and looking at stones or starting a new water color always go well together.
How do you make tea?
Leaves spooned into little loose tea sachets. Cup or pot, boiling water.
Last thoughts on tea memories/ sensory experiences?
Making someone tea feels nice.
Moving to England and discovering builders tea.
Breaking a very special teapot in Shanghai.
Clotted cream at the Hackney flower market.
My sister as a teenager, always drinking two different cups of tea at the same time
For more of Alice's work, visit her (really cool) website alicewaese.com
