four questions
Betsy Besl chats with Platinum.
They elicit images of warm, cozy winter mornings,
more information, Besl can be reached at (248)
little girls' tea parties and elegant ladies gather-
553-8801 or at betsy.teapot@gmail.com .
ings. But, in the hands of BETSY BESL, vintage
"One of the best things about teapots is
teapots are transformed into one-of-a kind works
was also able to share her talent for doing so with
generation after generation of children is a remarkable
accomplishment.
that each one is unique," Besl says. "There's
of art.
always beauty, charm, whimsicality or cuteness
"I love salvaging things from basements or
to be found."
garages and giving them new life," says the 49-
Here, we ask Betsy Besl our version of the
year-old artist from Farmington Hills. "I like to take
Four Questions.
an old battered teapot and discover and release
— Robin Schwartz
its essential personality."
Besl, a mother of two daughters — Sophie,
22, and Sadie, 17 — started Specialteas, the
business she created to sell her unique, decora-
tive teapots and "dream jars" made from vintage
sugar bowls, after a chance mishap in her kitchen four years ago.
A floral magnet from her refrigerator serendipitously stuck to an
enamel teapot, and the idea to embellish teapots with buttons,
beads and other found items was born.
WHAT BOOK, CD OR
OTHER MEDIA ARE YOU
LONGING TO SHARE?
I often find myself wanting to give
or tell people about the little books Zen Judaism and
Haikus for Jews by David M. Bader. They combine
Eastern philosophy with good old-fashioned Jewish
guilt, making for a delightfully amusing read.
"I find materials in typical places like antique stores and on
eBay, but I also look in unusual places like novelty machines at
A) IF YOU COULD HAVE BRUNCH WITH
the front entrance to the grocery store," Besl explains. "I've been
Asi ONE BIBLICAL OR HISTORICAL
making teapots long enough now that I often come home to find a
JEWISH FIGURE, WHO WOULD IT BE?
I would choose Sydney Taylor, who wrote the All-of-
a-Kind Family series of books. I admire those who
find extraordinary beauty in everyday life. That Taylor
bag of goodies someone has left hanging on my door."
Her work can be found for sale at a variety of Jewish chari-
table events, private showings and in several local stores. For
3
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JEWISH
• FOOD?
Throughout my childhood — until I went away to
college — I ate Shabbat dinner at my grandparents'
house each week. My Grandma Bess died before I
realized there were no written recipes. She made a
carrot tzimmes like I've never seen or tasted again. It
was one layer of thinly sliced, very sticky, caramelized
carrots. Her potatoes were miracles. I dream about this
food sometimes.
A
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE
SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Considering that I've created and sold hundreds and
hundreds of teapots, I think it would surprise people to
know that I don't drink tea. I find the teapot uniquely
appealing as an art form, and I'm also drawn to the
teapot for what it represents — companionship, cama-
raderie, comfort and coziness. As Chaim Potok wrote,
"Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about
happy things."
oking forlhat
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