Tempest
in a Teapot
Tempest
in a Teapot is a combination of talents between long
time friends and partners, Barbara C. Ryan and Elsa
M. Mikus. Elsa had been actively involved in crafts
and craft shows since 1991 doing decorative painting
and, most recently, primitive dolls. In June 2001,
Barbara decided to retire from Avaya (the new spin-off
from Lucent Technologies). As she was casting about
for her new career, friends decided that they too
wanted to retire and offered to teach Barbara their
techniques on how to make wind chimes from recycled
items. Determined never to go back to an office again,
Barbara eagerly accepted their offer and in September
2001, Tempest in a Teapot was born. After making (and
selling) the first few chimes, it was clear that people
were interested in these different looking chimes.
Around the holiday season, they are were a popular
item at craft shows for gift giving. Taken as a look
at Americana, glorified junk or even recycled history,
they cross over ethnic and religious boundaries, making
them the perfect gift. Barbara & Elsa search at least
one flea market per week to come up with enough stuff
to create their chimes. In 2004, Barb & Elsa participated
in many retail craft shows. They also made custom
orders for people that have their own history to recycle.
Customers are welcome to provide their motherŐs or
grandmothersŐ flatware, teapots, creamers, sugar bowls,
baby cups, etc., so they can have their own personalized
piece of history hanging in their homes. In August,
2005, they participated in their first wholesale show
and now their chimes are available in galleries and
gift shops through out the United States.
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