Large Planter made from tea waste
Our latest homeware collection transforms tea waste into elegant objects using a unique process we have developed in the studio. We make the planter moulds using traditional origami techniques. We begin with a sheet of paper; scoring, folding and pinching to create the desired form. A key part of this technique is balancing the tension between the curved facets. We then reinforce the paper and work through a series of steps to create a robust and seamless silicone mould. Preparing the planter object for making the mould is a key part of the process to make sure we achieve a smooth surface texture on the finished pieces.
We collect the chamomile tea bags, thoroughly dry them out and blend them so that they are ready to mix with a non-toxic binder. After much experimentation, we settled on jesmonite as our binding material. A key process in the making to ensure the strength and surface finish of our coasters is balancing the ratios of the chamomile tea waste to the binding material. Once we have achieved the desired consistency, the material is ready to pour.
The planter can be filled with soil which can be watered. It is therefore suitable for a range or indoor or outdoor plants.
Working with tea waste allows us to do two things; the first is to create a range of natural pigments and subtle textures in the planters we create. The second is to raise awareness of the way materials are conventionally used and to challenge the perception of what sustainable design can be. A planter made from tea waste paves the way for those conversations happen. As a nation of tea drinkers, we find that people can relate.
We are working with an organic material which can produce slight variations in the surface finish of our planters. We celebrate the fact that each object we cast is unique and ask our online customers to bear this in mind when purchasing from photographs.