“Tea feels like permission to refocus and take a breath in the middle of it all.”
Can you share your earliest memory of drinking tea and how it made you feel?
My earliest memory of tea is tied to my mom and North Carolina. She always kept a glass jug of homemade peach and mint tea in the fridge. She would steep it in a silver pot for hours and after school, I’d head straight for it.
What role does tea play in your daily life or routines?
Tea definitely feels like an invitation to slow things down. When I make a cup for myself or someone else, it signals a shift that says time to sit, talk, catch up. It’s less about the drink itself for me and more about the space it creates for conversation and comfort.
Is there a particular tea or tea moment that holds special meaning for you? Why?
I think of many moments, mostly with friends and family. I grew up in a big card-playing family, and there were almost always mugs of tea scattered around us at the table while we played.
How has your relationship with tea evolved over the years?
I’d say it’s shifted from something woven into my upbringing to something more intentional and personal. I can get easily overwhelmed by work and often forget to pause and enjoy where I am, and tea feels like permission to refocus and take a breath in the middle of it all.
If you could share a cup of tea with anyone—past, present, or fictional—who would it be, and why?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, probably? I’m not sure if she came to mind first because I love her writing and think she would be a blast to hang out with or just because she’s British and that makes me think of tea 😂. Either way, I imagine it would start out humorous and a little awkward (in the best kind of way) and end somewhere deeper, with dark humor as the backdrop.
How did you first get into ceramics, and what about the medium drew you to it?
I took a wheel throwing class in college and was hooked right away, even though I wasn’t very good. What drew me in was the process more than the outcome...ceramics feels quiet and intuitive, a space where I don’t have to overthink, things just sort of unfold.
What role do you think the cup plays in the tea experience?
A huge role, it almost shapes the taste because it shapes the experience and solidifies memories. Think of the Anthora cup in New York or those heavy diner mugs we all know, even the favored mug you reach for at home. These objects become a comforting part of the ritual, turning ordinary moments into something that feels uniquely yours.
