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SUBSCRIBE TO THE TEA HOUSE TIMES Original T Bag Designs is a wonderful company and you need to read all about it right here and support this group by purchasing these unique designs. Go back to Gift Shoppe page to order. More info and photos below: Click headings or scroll down for more info.
ORIGINAL ART CREATED FROM RECYCLED TEA BAGS--Article by Jodee Hetzer Coaster Set, Suncatcher/Holiday Ornament, Earrings, Necklace HOW TO SEND IN YOUR USED TEA BAGS TO HELP!
Original Art Created from Recycled Tea Bags, By Jodee Hetzer, 07/31/06
The enterprising women of Original T-Bag Designs may live in an “informal settlement” in South Africa but they are not allowing their lack of education to keep them in their shacks. The women have become artists whose work is increasingly in demand in the United States and in Europe.
Their medium? Discarded used tea bags. Recycled tea bags are collected by churches and hospitals, by groups and individuals. Each tea bag is dried in the sun and then emptied of leaves. After being ironed, it becomes the artist’s canvas and is then hand painted with an original design – some bold, some intricate – all lovingly handcrafted. The painted tea bags are then transformed into gifts: coasters, tea light holders, journals, greeting cards—even earrings!
The money the women earn by selling the products helps support their families. Two of the women have moved to brick houses – Nomsa says “the most wonderful thing in the world is hearing the rain on the roof and knowing her children are warm and dry”.
Jill Heyes, the group’s founder, was originally from England. When Jill and her family were transferred to South Africa, they moved to a beautiful neighborhood near Cape Town; nearby was the informal settlement –with its shocking poverty --where the future artists lived.
Jill decided to do something: she would teach a craft which residents could market and sell. Five women showed up weekly at a community center. They learned to hold a pencil, then a paintbrush. They tried potato printing, and then collage. They learned to paint using their imagination. Nothing sold. Finally, after three years and many disappointments, they discovered recycled tea bags: Original T-Bag Designs was born.
Now the women have their own workshop. They operate both a retail shop at Cape Town’s Waterfront market and a tea café where tourists watch them at work. The original five artists now number 18 and an additional staff of 5 help in the shops. The project supports 95 people—but the T-Bag artists don’t plan on stopping. Lots of people drink tea, after all, and there are all those canvases waiting to be painted. For more information, see www.originaltbagdesigns.com.
A Note From Lady Gayle~The Tea House Times~ This is a very touching story. I met Jodee of Original T-Bag designs at the 2006 Coffee/Tea Festival in New York City and she shared this touching story with me. The artwork upon these used tea bags is beautiful and the sales are helping so many people ~ it really is a wonderful product to purchase. Not only are these designs very high quality, they really are beautiful works of art. Be sure to order this unique jewelry or an ornament for yourself and your friends. The ornament is also a beautiful year-round sun catcher. Enjoy!!
PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS BELOW:
Glass Coaster
Gift Set
4/set. $40.00 TOTAL $45 INC. S/H
Suncatcher/Ornament
$15.00 TOTAL $18
INC. S/H
Spotty Dangler Earrings
Necklace
HOW TO SEND IN YOUR USED TEA BAGS TO HELP! Click here--this will open to a new page. Find out how to send in your MUCH NEEDED used tea bags.
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