At the Tea Table with Daniella Elias of Amity Created

Give yourself permission to pause is a kind reminder from Daniella Elias. Start with a cuppa is the follow up advice from the founder of Amity Created, a self care brand. It was 2016 when Daniella sketched the designs for her very first teacup line. The goal was, and still is, to design high quality teacups that would encourage and create magical me time moments. She firmly believes that taking 5 minutes for something as simple as a cup of tea can alter someone’s day for the better. At the tea table Daniella chatted about her earliest tea memory, the stories behind a couple of her designs, and a short tea meditation.

The kettle is on and I can hear it about to sing. What tea are you going to steep for us today?

I’m getting out my favorite blend from Tea at Henry’s, it’s Vanilla Earl Grey and it is beyond delicious.

Tell me a bit about your journey with tea. How did your love for tea eventually grow to you designing your own teacup line?

My earliest tea memory happened to be on one afternoon in the Winter. I was walking home from school in the rain and I remember feeling so annoyed because my socks had become wet. With each step I felt more and more miserable with the situation. When I opened the front door, I was welcomed with the warmth of the the oven, the smell of cake and my mother was waiting at the table for me with a hot cup of tea. I remember feeling this wave of love sweep over me and with each sip I felt comfort. My mother created a sanctuary that afternoon. The peace that was found through our quiet conversation, over a hot cup of tea – never left me.

From that day, I always found myself making big decisions, having meaningful conversations and creating time for me – over tea.

How did that lead to me designing my own teacup line?

Well it wasn’t a direct connection, but one that I believe had been conspired by the Universe a long time before I recognized it.

I was working as a High School teacher and was extremely committed to my career. It was hard work and for 5 years I rode a rollercoaster of emotions. At one stage in particular, I was so incredibly overworked and stressed – I had neglected myself in so many ways. My well-being was beginning to really suffer. My only place of peace, was the portable sanctuary I was able to escape into through my tea drinking at school.

One day I decided that if I was going to take my tea time seriously, I wanted to drink great quality tea out of something beautiful, something that made me feel special. My search for the perfect teacup fell short and it was actually my husband that suggested I design my own – so I did.

Since then, I have stopped teaching, changed my lifestyle to better my overall well-being and have created some really lovely pieces along the way.

You certainly have! Your line is absolutely gorgeous. If you had to pick a favourite teacup, which one would it be and what’s the story behind it?

Oh gosh, how to choose? I tend to gravitate towards a teacup that best suits my emotions at a certain time. At the present moment I am really loving two in particular:1. My Pink Blossom teacup set. This was one of my first ever teacups designed and I remember feeling so overwhelmed when I first saw it in teacup form. I had sketched it roughly, found an amazing UK based artist to paint the individual water coloured flowers needed, and then had a really wonderful friend of mine (who now does this officially for Amity) digitally place the flowers into the pattern needed for the teacup.

Getting it from paper to teacup form was a whole year process and it still amazes me to this day. Especially because I was new to the world of design and manufacturing, so many mistakes were made, yet each mistake held a lesson which has allowed both me and my brand to grow.

2. The Enchanted teacup holds a special place in my heart because when you look at the cup for the first time, you see this gorgeous spread of leaves and greenery. However, what not many people know is that each leaf, each stick and each bit of foliage, is a singular watercolour print that was fit together like a jigsaw puzzle to create this enchanting design. So much work goes into these pieces, I get quite attached to them all.

As a self-care advocate, what are some of your daily tea rituals? 

Tea makes up part of my morning ritual every day. If I am not meditating through tea drinking, I am sipping silently post meditation as I take some quiet time out for myself.

This might sound a little bizarre but I also have teas that I consider my ‘work teas’ and tea that I drink to indulge in my me-time moments. I created a distinction between the two because I wanted to make sure that I actually stop and pause throughout my day to indulge on tea, rather than drinking tea on the go for energy.

I love that you have made the connection between tea and mindfulness. You even co-host a workshop on the two! What are some steps you take to meditate with tea?

Yes! The mindful workshops are great in encouraging women to take time out. I always start them off with a guided tea meditation. The steps go a little like this:

1. Brew yourself a cup of tea, let it be whatever you are most drawn to that day and choose a teacup that makes you feel good. As it steeps, be mindful of the water colour slowly changing, the steam gently rising and the aromas that start to revel themselves.

2. Sit somewhere comfortable, perhaps put on some relaxing music, close your eyes and take in deep, intentional breaths.

3. Inhale the aromas and as you exhale, relax your muscles.

4. As you slowly sip, notice the delicate flavors, the way your taste buds respond to the tea and the comforting feeling of the tea as it soothes your souls.

5. Make sure to keep your sips mindful and slow. Let your mind be as clear as possible, as thoughts come in, acknowledge them, but let them go away. This is quiet time for you. Time to relax, recharge and re-align yourself.

6. Continue letting your body relax into the peace and take comfort in the quiet. Once your tea is done, you can choose to continue the meditation or you can end it for the day by acknowledging your gratitude for having that quiet moment to yourself.

Speed Round:

Black, Green, Yellow, White, Oolong or Puerh?
Black

Hot, Iced or Cold?
Hot

Teapot, Infuser or Gaiwan?
Infuser

Straight, Sweetened or Latte?
Latte

Cheese or Chocolate pairing?
Chocolate

You’re stranded on a desert island and you could only bring 3 tea related items. What did you bring?

Enchanted teacup – non-negotiable because I need something lovely to drink out of and the green would suit the surroundings.

Fruit infused green tea – Can be had hot or cold.

Glass bottle infuser – For tea on the go when I’m exploring the island.

Find Amity Created:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Tea tells stories and when connected with humans, more are created. That’s where the idea for this blog series, At the Tea Table, originated. With this series, The Cup of Life asks tea lovers around the world to take us inside their tea lives to share their favourite steeps, spaces, routines and more. Meet some of your fellow tea drinkers here.