Three cups of tea

Three Cups of Tea Ceramics is a creative collaboration between daughter (Elise Johnston) and mother (Karen O’Neill). Their range of ceramics are handmade in small batches in their Dunedin studio.

Tell us a little about what you make.

Guided by a desire to create well-made and beautiful tableware, that enhances the users experience, we design and handcraft functional ceramics in small batches from our Otepoti Dunedin studio.

What was your creative journey like, what led you to being a designer/maker?

Elise has a fine art background, having completed her bachelor’s degree in 2006, and Karen draws on her experience in art and fashion design, including running her own costume design business.

How would you describe your design aesthetic/identity and where do you find your inspiration?

At the heart of our design is the joy and ritual of sharing tea with friends and whanau.

We often draw inspiration from the earthy tones and distinctive wildlife of Aotearoa and a clean, understated elegance of Scandinavian design can be seen in the form and feel of our work.

Do you have any advice for other makers and budding creatives?

Stay curious and keep exploring different materials, styles, and ideas until you find the ones that you love, and you just can’t wait to dive into. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way, sometimes that’s when breakthroughs happen.

What is the best part about being involved in GUILD?

We’re very grateful to be part of GUILD. It’s a friendly community of like-minded creatives and the collective model means we get to chat with the generous people who support the store and make it all possible.