Hi All! I know the name “Traveling Teacup” may be a little odd, but keep reading and it’ll all make sense in a minute! Starting with the Instagram post, as always.
Teacup Tuesday 05 May 2020
This week’s Teacup Tuesday is actually a photo challenge! Come by the blog for all the fun details, plus this beauty’s info and backstory! Just click the link in my profile or visit MANTELandTABLE.com.
What Can You Do With A Teacup? Send It Traveling To A Friend!
Don’t you love sharing tea with friends?
That’s always been one of my very favorite things. So many of my friendships have blossomed over tea!
And the teacups themselves can hold such lovely memories. For instance, I had tea with a former neighbor at least once a week for many years. During that time, she turned into one of my closest friends.
When I moved, I gave her the teacup she used to use, and I kept the one I used. To this day, every time I see it I think of her.
I got this lovely cup and saucer from a wonderful friend, who had gotten it herself from someone else. It was her idea that it could be a traveling teacup, which I thought was brilliant!
Of course, that was way before our current social distancing situation. But how great would it be, especially now, to send a traveling teacup to a friend?
After they received it, you could even have a virtual tea party!
The Traveling Teacup Photo Challenge
Which brings me to the traveling teacup photo challenge! It’ll be a little like the traveling gnome, except with a teacup!
I’ll send this teacup off to one of you, (packed much better than this, obviously!) Then you take some photos of it, and send it off to the next person!
If you want to be part of the Traveling Teacup Photo Challenge, just leave a comment below, use the Contact form, or email me at barbara@mantelandtable.com.
When you get the cup, take a couple photos of it somewhere in your home/yard/town. Send the photos to me with a description, observation, or story.
Then wash up the teacup, repack it, and send it on to the next person.
You’ll get pre-paid mailing labels, so it won’t cost anything.
I’ll do posts of its travels!
I can’t wait to see where it goes!
And in the meantime, here’s some interesting info on our little traveling teacup.
Manufacturer’s Info
Have you ever heard of Hankook China? I hadn’t until I turned this cup over and saw the backstamp.
It’s from South Korea! Hankook’s website says they’re the number one chinaware manufacturer in Korea. Even though it is fine bone china, it’s heavier than a lot of my teacups, and very solid. I also love that fun circle handle!
This article from the Korea JoongAng Daily tells us quite a lot about the history and philosophy of the company. Here’re a couple snippets from their Jan 2020 story:
Hankook Chinaware was founded in 1943, during the final years of Japanese colonization (1910-1945). It started out as a small pottery factory in Cheongju, North Chungcheong, run by Kim Chong-ho, a Cheongju native. In the era after the Korean War (1950-1953), which was marked by poverty and devastation, it mostly made makgeuruet, regular bowls good for everyday use.
Like most chinaware companies in Korea, Hankook is a family business. Chairman Kim Dong-soo is the oldest son of the company’s founder, President Kim Young-shin is the oldest grandson and Vice President Kim Young-mok is the second-oldest grandson.
Korea JoongAng Daily Jan 20, 2020
Traveling Teacup ~ Behind The Scenes
I took these photos next to one of the clinker brick pillars on my front porch. If you’re a regular at Teacup Tuesday, I’m sure you’ve seen parts of them before. I liked that brick color with the teacup and pink roses, plus the light is always best on the front porch!
The vase with the roses was too tall if I put it on the table, and too short if I put it on the porch. So I had to get a little creative with the elevation! A very large candlestick, a fat dictionary, and another book did the job. (That other book is called Humans of New York and is totally cool, btw!)
Since I was thinking about memories, I added the photograph. Which also happens to include the beautiful friend who gave me this cup!
Join The Traveling Teacup Photo Challenge!
Here’s how it works:
- Get on the list by Commenting below, using the Contact form, or sending me an email at barbara@mantelandtable.com.
- I’ll get in touch with you about where you want it sent, etc.
- When you get it, take a few photos of the teacup somewhere pretty/interesting/fun.
- Send the teacup to the next person on the list, using the pre-paid labels.
- Send me the photos and a description, observation, or story.
- I’ll do a post so everyone can see all of the traveling teacup’s destinations, caretakers, and stories!
I hope you’ll join in!
Teacup Shopping
If you love teacups as much as I do and want to start or add to your collection, Click HERE for the Shopping Page. Then scroll down and click on the picture of the teacup.
And remember, a portion of anything you buy from MANTELandTABLE.com goes to Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground. With our purchases, we get to help people build homes for their own mantels and tables!
Pin The Traveling Teacup For Later
Update: The Traveling Teacup Is Traveling!
Yaay! The teacup has made its first stop – a beautiful Oregon farm!
Sandra Jean Sweeney says
This is like “Flat Stanley” but with a tea cup! Love this idea! And since we’re all getting a bit tired of the pandemic restrictions of late, I think I can start one here in the mountains! Maybe in a basket, with some sweet treats and samples of tea. And as it makes the rounds, my friends can add their names and comments to a little journal I’ll tuck into it!
Thank you for the suggestion!
Barbara Leone says
What a fabulous idea Sandra! I love the comments in the journal – that will be so fun to be able to read over later and remember how we all coped with the pandemic! Thanks so much for stopping by – I’m so glad you were inspired! Happy Saturday!
Sandra Jean Sweeney says
Oh, I found out that I will have to wait until April 21, when I am out of quarantine, before I can head to some great local thrift shops in search of my traveling tea cup! But what fun it will be! While I’ve had my second vaccine shot, it takes two weeks to be “fully vaccinated” and I was exposed to Covid at not even one week. No problem, though! I’m already planning my basket of goodies!
Barbara Leone says
Well I think it’ll be worth the wait! 🙂 Glad you’re staying healthy out there!
Lilly says
What an absolutely lovely idea! I would love to be a part of this tea party, if it isn’t too late.
Barbara Leone says
Hi Lilly! Totally not too late – we’d LOVE to have you host! I’ll send you an email soon with all the details. Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the fun! 🙂
Chloe says
I am so happy to finally get to share in this wonderful adventure and wonderful connection of people throughout the world!
Barbara Leone says
Yaay – I’m so excited Chloe! I know it’ll be a ton of fun! 😊
Sandra says
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful idea. I would love being a part of this. I hope I am not too late. I have teapots from all over the world and enjoy using some of them. Some I just love looking at because they are so beautiful. I am looking forward to joining and visiting with the traveling tea cup.
Sandra
Barbara Leone says
Hi Sandra! You’re not too late at all – the journey just keeps going! 🙂 I’m so happy you’ll join us! Your teapots sound wonderful – I hope Tessa Rose will get to meet some of them! I’ll send you an email within the next day or so with all the details. Thanks so much for being here – and Happy Thanksgiving!
Barbara Leone says
Hi Sandra – I sent you the teacup info, but your email bounced back. Do you have another one I could use? Let me know how you’d like me to reach you. Thanks so much!
Linda Johnston says
Well, here ti is November and I am just now getting around to exploring the story behind the Traveling Teacup journeys. Is it to late to join?
Barbara Leone says
Hi Linda! Not at all – I’d love to have you join us! 🙂 I’ll send you an email very soon with the details. Yaay – that’ll be so fun! So glad you found the stories!
Ann says
Barbara I luv this idea so much and would luv to be a part of it❤️❤️❤️
Barbara Leone says
Yaay! We’d love to have you join! 💗💗 I’ll be in touch via email soon to give you all the details, etc. That’ll be so fun! Thanks!!
Mary from Life at Bella Terra says
Barbara, How did I miss this blog post? I was reading your post on Tuesday and thankfully I was able to click back and reference this. What a fabulous idea!!!! It reminds me of a school project our children had in 3rd grade, where they sent a bear around the world. The bear would appear in photos and then the recipient would tell the bear about their lives. Eventually the bear came back to the children and they had such fun reading the stories, looking at the pictures and sharing it all with their classmates.
If it is not too late to get on the list, please include me. If not, I will continue to enjoy the adventures of the Traveling Tea Cup. You are so clever! Love this idea so much I may just send teacups to my siblings…
Barbara Leone says
Hi! Oh the bear around the world sounds like a wonderful thing for the kids! And I bet your siblings would love a teacup from you! 😉 YES – you’ll absolutely get on the list! I’ll send you an email soon with all the details! I’m so happy you’ll be joining us!! 💗
Alicia Alvare says
I love this idea! I would love to join the tea party too! I will be more than happy to pay for the shipping for the person I have to send it. I loved discovering your account through Suzanne’s beautiful post! I love tea cups too and post them often. I cannot believe we had not crossed paths before! Nice meeting you! 😊
Barbara Leone says
Alicia – how fun that you do teacups too! I saw your IG for just a bit this morning, and it was beautiful! I can’t wait to get to know you better! 🙂 I’d be so happy to add you to the teacup’s itinerary! I’ll get in touch in the next couple days via email and give you all the details! Yaay! Thanks so much for coming over, and nice to meet you too! 💗
Cheri says
If the teacup still has openings in its itinerary, I’d love to entertain it.
Barbara Leone says
Oh wonderful, Cheri! Yes – we’re just going to keep going. 😉 I’d love for you to join us! 💗 I’ll get in touch via email within the next couple days with all the details. In the meantime, thanks so much for stopping by – it’s lovely to have you!
Kathy says
Hello Barbara! I would love to join in on the fun! Such a beautiful way to spread joy and kindness to others!
Barbara Leone says
Hi Kathy – Oh Excellent!! I’ll get in touch via email over the weekend and give you all the info. I’m so excited to have you join us! Thanks so much! 💗 💗
Julie Briones says
I’m in! This sounds like so much fun, and my mom does NOT have this tea cup! 😉 I would love to show and share with her, and my readers, as well!
Barbara Leone says
Excellent Julie – I’m so glad! I can’t wait to see what you mom – and readers – think of this one! 😉 Take care my friend!
Kim | Shiplap and Shells says
This is the cutest idea Barbara! I definitely want to be a part of this! Thank you for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens link party!
Barbara Leone says
Yaay! I’m so happy you’ll be joining us Kim! I’ll be in touch with everyone next week to get started. 💗 And you’re welcome – I love Charming Homes & Gardens!
Candace says
This is such an exciting idea! I definitely want to be a part of this, Barbara. Sounds like so much fun!
Barbara Leone says
Yaay – excellent! You’re on the list! 💗 I’ll be in touch next week to get your mailing address, etc. It’s going to be so fun!! Happy Thursday!
Martha Hufton says
Hi Barbara, I’d love to join the Traveling Teacup journey. Sounds like fun!
Martha
Barbara Leone says
Yaay – you’re the first! Thanks so much for following along Martha! I hope you’re both doing well over there! I’ll be in touch soon! 💗
B.