Pepys' first Cup of Tee

I like this extract from Samuel Pepys diary, 1660, which I came across recently......

September 25th

To the office, where Sir W Batten, Collonel Slingsby, and I sat a while; ... And afterwards did send for a Cupp of Tee (a China drink) of which I never had drank before

Apparently it is one of the first references to drinking tea in England - it must have been a real luxury considering the cost and length of time it took transporting tea from the Far East. It was only drunk by the fashionably rich in England for the next 100 or so years.

 Chinese porcelain and a Yixing teapot

Britain has since become the country with the largest per capita tea consumers in the world.


I like this Dutch Golden Age painting by artist Roestraten (1627-1698) showing a Chinese tea set used in Europe. 

Clerkenwell Show this weekend

The Private View last night was fun and if you missed it, you can call this evening after work - 4-8pm - or over the weekend. 

You'll love the incredible range of talent and stunning creations at Craft Central Gets Hitched 

(whether getting married or not!)

Wedding Show in central London

Call in to 'Craft Central Gets Hitched' - central London's premier Handmade Wedding Fair 21-24th March - where I'll be launching my new silver branch necklace with blossom, alongside my classic red, white and butterfly collections. 

Free entry for lots of  inspiration for your wedding from 60 selected designers:)