Our Story

About The Brooklyn Teacup

The happy accident that started it all

The idea for The Brooklyn Teacup emerged in the Spring of 2018, when, out on a late-night run on the sidewalks of Cobble Hill, I nearly stumbled over a collection of beautiful fine china that had been put out with someone's trash. After rescuing the delicate treasures from certain destruction by the NYC Department of Sanitation, and inspired by something I saw on my sister's wedding registry, I resolved to upcycle the pieces into tiered cake stands—my favorite type of whimsical serving piece—to gift to friends and family.

The only problem was...I couldn’t find a single business willing to drill holes through my assortment of treasures!

So, like any woman on a mission, I set my mind to learning how to do it myself. In the process, I learned just how many people I knew had beautiful dinnerware sets tucked away in storage just waiting to be claimed...After more than a few requests from friends and family to repurpose their china for gifts and events, I knew I was on to something....

"Did you always have a thing for china?"

 

In short, no—but the symbolism behind it always resonated with me.

Growing up, I watched the important women in my life take out these delicate and decorative pieces for special occasions throughout the year—holidays, birthdays and celebrations of important milestones. I didn't realize it then, but setting the table with the elegant, intricate dinnerware—the "good china"—was a ritual that set the tone for the gathering to come; It helped create the time and space to slow down and savor the moments togetherness, not to mention my mom's phenomenal cooking.

It was my desire to give new life to others' tucked away vintage pieces that ultimately sparked my appreciation for the dainty artform. It's also what inspired me to start The Brooklyn Teacup.

Preserving family memories

This is my grandmother, Ruth “Granny” Davis." At nearly 103, she remains the family matriarch and the keeper of so many of the memories and traditions I hold dear. In addition to hosting many holidays and Passover Seders with this china set, which she received as a wedding gift in 1941 (!!), Granny also used it to host tea parties for me and my two younger sisters.

Naturally, all three of us continue to share a fondness for the china. As adults, though, none of us wanted to keep the entire set. So, with her blessing, I upcycled Granny's entire collection of china to make parting gifts for the friends and loved ones who came to celebrate her 100th birthday.

After two decades of sitting in storage, Granny keeps the little stand I created on display and for serving treats to company. It reminds her of times when the family was all together and gives her pleasure knowing that so many of her loved ones have a little pieces of our family in their homes too.

Our moment in the spotlight

It was so cool (& I was so nervous!)

 

 

An interview with
NBC 4's New York Live
with Joelle Garguillo
in The Brooklyn Teacup's home studio

Watch the interview

Our journey so far

How it started

Where I stored teacups...in my spare dresser drawers.

How I stored inventory in our first apartment (next to our bikes, under the condiments in our open pantry shelves) 😂

My shipping station/living room.

Before there was a studio to visit in (and at the height of the pandemic) customers came to shop at my stoop.

My first drill press, located in my parent's garage in the 'burbs. Every time I got an order I would drive out there from Brooklyn to make the pieces.

My first "large" order, delivered by hand.  

The sets of china I first found on my run in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

The sets of china I found on the street that fateful night in 2018 (that sparked the creation of The Brooklyn Teacup!)

First night in the Park Slope apartment, unpacking china in what would become the new studio.

How it's going

An entire closet dedicated to blue and white teacups and bowls.

Expanding the product line to include accessories like necklaces and ornaments.

Studio shopping sessions

Space to organize, store and display inventory.

Space to work on large custom orders.

Converted the storage space of our apartment into an office, workshop and retail space.

Teacup wall!

Some things never change...it turns out I still prefer to work on the floor.

Thank you for being a part of our story!

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