Since launching Three Little Teapots, I’ve continued to evolve the project, both in form and meaning. What began as a stoneware-based exploration of pig biodiversity has now expanded into a new direction: porcelain pig teapots, hand-built, individually hand-painted, and glazed with the same attention and care.
Porcelain brings a new kind of tactility to these pieces. It’s lighter, more delicate, and slightly translucent. These are the qualities that feel aligned with the message I want these pigs to carry: sensitivity, fragility, and the quiet importance of visibility.
Each teapot still begins with a hand-sculpted model and is cast in a six-part plaster mould, a technique I first developed during my studies at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Once the mould is dry, I fill it with porcelain slip, to create a hollow form. The lid is carefully built by hand from the same slip, keeping the surface consistent and unified.
After bisque firing and touching-up, I glaze the interior with a transparent, food-safe finish. The exterior is painted by brush. In my current work, I’ve been exploring with a variety of different glazes for their ability to emphasize the pig’s rounded silhouette and playful curves. The final firing is done at 1200°C, creating a durable, functional teapot.
The blue painted details on the porcelain teapots are inspired by Delfts Blauw, traditional Dutch ceramics known for their hand-painted blue patterns. This style started in Delft in the 1600s as a local take on Chinese porcelain. These are often found in display cabinets, meant to be admired.
By hand-painting each pig, I connect to that tradition while telling a different kind of story, one about animals, care, and the value of what we often overlook.
Each pig teapot waits patiently, ready to be welcomed into a new home. If one speaks to you, wander through the teaware collection to welcome it home.
Grandma's cabinet
To see more of my projects, you’re welcome to check out my portfolio: https://romina-rems-design.webflow.io/portfolio
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