Category: Behind the Design

Native Artists x Tea Collection: Meet Benjamin Harjo Jr.

January 17, 2018

Benjamin Harjo Jr.

One of the nation’s leading American Indian artists, Oklahoma-based Benjamin Harjo Jr. is an award-winning Absentee Shawnee-Seminole painter and printmaker best known for his highly stylized geometric forms and use of boldly saturated colors. His art evokes a vibrant, storytelling quality, with imagery that echoes traditional Seminole, Navajo, Plains Indian, and Northwest Coast designs. A very busy and talented artist, we were lucky enough to catch him for a brief Q&A. Here’s what we learned about his life and work.

Native Artists x Tea Collection: Meet Gregory Lomayesva

January 17, 2018

Gregory Lomayesva

An internationally recognized painter, sculptor and mixed-media artist, Santa Fe-based artist Gregory Lomayesva is a master of many mediums. Born of Hispanic and Hopi roots, his whimsical pieces have a wonderful folk art flare that weave together the colors, motifs, and stories reminiscent of his rich cultural heritage. We had the unique chance to chat with Gregory to get a behind-the-scenes peek at his world. Get the inside scoop below.

Native Artists x Tea Collection: Meet Jessica Osceola

January 17, 2018

Jessica Osceola

A passionate ceramist, sculptor and multimedia artist, Naples-based Seminole artist Jessica Osceola looks to her multicultural roots to meld traditional Native American themes and materials with contemporary art. Her work is infused with traditional tribal patterns and patchwork, which her grandma (a 19th-century Seminole leader, artist, and activist) taught her to sew when she was a small girl. Not only were we lucky enough to have her adapt one of these classic Seminole patterns into a bold and playful Tea print, we had the chance to chat with the artist herself and get a glimpse into her colorful world.

Meet Our Makers: Lace Inspired Details

November 8, 2017

Scottish Lace Inspired Details

When dreaming up the designs for our dressy special occasion looks, we couldn’t help but think back to all of the lovely lace we set eyes on in Scotland. As it turns out, the Scots have mastered a lot in the way of the textile world – from their famous Fair Isle patterns to their iconic Harris Tweed – and lace is yet another craft they lay claim to their repertoire. Follow along to learn more about the inspiration behind our Scottish lace inspired designs!

Meet the Makers: Tea’s Take on Harris Tweed

October 20, 2017

Lewis and Harris Blackhouses

On the magical Isle of Hebrides, under cozy thatched roofs of traditional “blackhouses”, crofters have been hand-weaving Harris Tweed for centuries. See how our designers found inspiration in age-old techniques.