Welcome to Tea'l Cup Studio! It's a joy to share how this little business came to be, and I'm so grateful you're here to learn more.

about

The Studio Origin Story

Tea in a personal gaiwan with tea tasting journal in a sunroom

Me and Tea

I've been drinking tea for a long time. Beyond the childhood tea sets, I still have fond memories of Sunday mornings shuffling to the church's coffee station and browsing the different flavors of teabags with my dad before service. And despite still indulging in a yummy coffee concoction every now and again, I remain firmly rooted in camp "tea" for its healthier, daily-drinking attributes. It's for this very reason that I became interested in learning more about wellness and tea practice, and found myself learning all about the handicraft of tea and how it is enjoyed among the people who cultivated it. I soon adopted the East Asian "gong fu" method of tea brewing, and continue to enjoy the art of tea as both a hobby and a drink.

A New Chapter

Like the rest of the world, I experienced major life change in 2020. Halfway through college, I made the nerve-wracking decision to leave behind the comfort of studio art and instead pursue an online business degree with a completely different university. And despite the challenge I'm so glad I did, because it allowed me the freedom to develop myself outside of all the remote schoolwork. But I wasn't any more certain of my direction than I was when I began, and the year that followed graduation was a personal battle of anxiousness and faith. As those final months loomed closer I had a time of prayerful surrender that changed everything; God gave me direction through a gentle word. The thought "children's book author" came to mind with such a peace in that moment that I knew it was the Holy Spirit's guidance! Just when I was afraid that all my time had amounted to nothing--not knowing what to do with the experience I gained--the Lord gave me a job to do and I realized with gratitude just how purposeful my path had been.

Hand in blue sweater holding small teacup resting on a window sill

first visit to a local Chinese teahouse

two girls sitting at a white picnic table at a cafe laughing under an umbrella

laughs with my sister on our adventures

Travel watercolor kit and sunhat sitting on a picnic table

painting in the park

A Story To Tell

While I was completing my college degree online, God was creatively teaching me lessons outside the virtual classroom. He made me aware of the spiritual analogies that were present in the hobbies that filled my freetime, and convicted me that "being in flow" is necessary for healthy growth. A plant's roots will rot if the soil never drains, and a teacup that doesn't pour out can never be refilled. These and other lessons helped nurture my faith and taught me the importance of being generous with the gifts that He gives. I grew to learn the message, and in His time God gave me the method to share these reminders with others. Tea'l Cup Studio is dedicated to meditating on God's loving wisdom and sharing that wisdom in creative ways for every age.

pouring tea with a celadon gong fu tea set outside on a picnic

Personal Values

Discerning the Unique

Ability to see each person's gifts, talents, skills & offerings. A deep desire to allow and free people to be themselves.

Communication

A focus on clarity and exchange of ideas. Words are important and are stewarded like dollars. Gathers stories and illustrations that highlight points.

Bridge Building

Sees all things connected to one another and part of a larger picture. Enjoys placing people, needs and solutions together.

Lifelong Learning

An ongoing pursuit of knowledge in chosen areas of passion and beyond. Craves new learning even if it's about a known subject.

Watch The Little Tea Cup read-along

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