"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Sea Urchin Teacups & Teapot

 I saw this teapot and the teacups in an Etsy shop and knew I had to have them because what they represent is special to me. I intend to gift them to someone I love in the near future. For now though, I'll enjoy them , maybe have a sea themed tea party this summer .
 Look at the exquisite seahorse handles of the teacups. The bowls of the teacups look like the shells of sea urchins , probably because the people who make these cups and the teapot cast the porcelain "directly into a collection of shells harvested in the mid-twentieth century off the Oregon Coast " . ~Beyond Jordan Coastal Collection
 The lid of the teapot is also cast from a sea urchin and the handle of the teapot looks to me like a starfish appendage. ( Sea urchins are abundant in Puget Sound and along the Pacific Ocean coastline. They are easy to find during low tides .)
 My husband & I met each other in high school and got to know each other better during our semester in the marine biology class there . My husband originally intended to become a biology teacher, and teaching marine biology was his goal. Together we spent much time walking and exploring the beaches around  Puget Sound which was practically in our backyard. My husband knows the scientific names of most of the sea life in our area and can rattle them off easily.
 We were both still going to college and working to support ourselves and pay school bills when we had our 3 children . We managed to do this with one car and juggled class and work schedules so we could care for our own children. ( look at the detail of the seahorse teacup handle ! ) Our children spent a lot of time on the beaches with us and my husband would talk to them about the sea life. I don't think my sons remember much of this but our daughter soaked up the scientific names my husband taught her as if they were her native language.

During the time our children were very young my husband was also student teaching in a local high school that had its' own marine biology lab. Sometimes he would bring our daughter to class with him ( when it was appropriate ) and have our daughter who was barely 4 years old recite the scientific names of some of the sea life the students were learning about. The sea urchin was one of them. Can you say strongylocentrotus drobachiensis ? She could. It means , 'green sea urchin'. She knows the name for the purple sea urchin too. I could go on & on about how memories of the sea mingle with memories of my courtship, falling in love with the man I married 41 years ago next month ,times there with our children now grown , but I think you get the picture. The sea , Puget Sound, and so many other beaches where the Pacific Ocean roars on into our coastline will always hold a deep abiding place in my heart and memory.
I am linking with these ladies for Tea Time Tuesday ~ Sandi*  , Martha * , Bernideen * , & Ruth *.

22 comments:

Sally said...

Exquisite pottery, it looks too good to use. Lovely memories they evoke for you as well.

Anonymous said...

It is a lovely set and so very unique. I have seen cups etc. molded inside a gourd, which is a similar technique. I love reading about your courtship, marriage etc. Congrats on your upcoming anniversary.

Snap said...

I love the sea urchin teacups and teapot. What wonderful memories you have of the sea! Very special. Happy Tea Day!

June said...

What a lovely story. My late husband studied Marine Biology (on the East Coast) once-upon-a-time. How I still miss the sea. I am a "mountain-girl" now, and he is buried a mile down the road. If we get to choose our Heaven (as it says in the Galway Bay song), I will get to again live by the Sea.

A.K.W. said...

Lovely! We're headed that way soon.

Amy

Christina Paul said...

A delightful post your photos and words are just wonderful!

Pondside said...

We are so fortunate to live by the sea - I am thankful every day, and not a day goes by that I do not have a glimpse of the straits. The tea set is a treasure! I can just imagine your delight at finding it.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Good morning Kathy,
We are blessed to live by the sea as well. My husband grew up right on our North Shore and has so many wonderful memories. My family used to go camping there and someday he and I would meet. Now we enjoy the beach as much as possible once our warm weather arrives. We are not gardeners, we are beach people! As much as we love a garden, we would much rather walk along the beach and breathe in the fresh salty air. It is our favourite place to be.
Your tea things are really unique. I have never seen a teacup with a seahorse handle before. Very cute!! You are going to make someone very happy! Thank you for sharing your lovely story with us and joining me for tea. By the way, we have a son who knows the scientific name of birds, bugs, fish etc. He loves wildlife. Have a beautiful day, my friend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Antiques And Teacups said...

Wonderful post Kathy! Lovely to hear your history. As another by the Sound (do you call it the Salish???), I love the teaset as well! So cute! And I absolutely love your felted balls! I used to stock china ones with patterns like that in our shop in the 1990s, and those were heavy! Yours are prettier. Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Cynthia said...

Beautiful! I love the teacups and teapot, but most of all I love the story you shared today.

The Charm of Home said...

Oh, I love your teacups and teapot! Beautiful for summer!
Sherry

Tea in Texas said...

Your new sea tea set is so gorgeous with it's lovely shapes. I adore your story about your family and how you balanced your studies with your children at the beginning of your married life for it is so heart warming, What a wonderful family you have as shown in the side photos. Have a great week!

Pam

Beth in NEPA said...

We were lucky enough to live very near a beach when we lived in Puerto Rico and our children loved searching for the shells and sea life. I am sure they look back at that time with many fond memories though we are miles from beaches now.
I enjoyed learning about your story too.
Your tea set is lovely!

Two Cottages And Tea said...

A beautiful post about precious memories and a darling tea set!
Nancy

Carrie said...

The sea horses are terrific! What wonderful memories they inspire in you. Thanks so much for sharing.

Stella Jones said...

Delightful post Kathy. I love the teaset (never seen one like that before!) and the story that goes with it is magical. Don't the blue and white go well together. Just lovely, all of it.

Deborah Montgomery said...

Such pretty and unusual teacups! And I love the sea urchin on the top of the pot. When I was growing up we went to Maine a number of summers and explored at low tide. Wonderful memories. The Michigan Great Lakes near us are beautiful, but there is something about the salt air and sea creatures that is very special. thanks for sharing Sandra.

Connie said...

This is a lovely post, Kathy. Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary. The tea set is really beautiful and very unique. I can see why it brings up so many good memories for you.

Bernideen said...

Thanks for sharing at Tea In The Garden - you have a very pretty teapot.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

I so loved reading about you and your husband's early years! Such pretty teapot and teacups! I love your colorful wool balls!

Deanna said...

i would love to visit the sea!
What you have made is so unique and beautiful!!!
Blessings to you,
d

Anwar Fazil said...

lovely posts