Welcome to Kintsugi House
Kintsugi House (pronounced kin-TSOO-gee) is a woman-owned business rooted in the values of sustainability, creativity, and ethical practices. Named after the Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold to highlight its history rather than hide it—the business reflects a belief in finding beauty in imperfection and meaning in intentionality.
Kintsugi House combines two passions: sourcing high-quality loose-leaf teas from growers who prioritize sustainability and fair treatment, and creating one-of-a-kind textiles from repurposed materials. These practices are guided by Andrea Connolly, owner of Kintsugi House, whose year living and working in South Korea and travels throughout Asia deepened her appreciation for both tea culture and traditional fiber arts. Both aspects of the business emphasize thoughtful craftsmanship, respect for resources, and a commitment to ongoing growth and discovery.
Meet the Owner
Andrea Connolly is a textile artist and tea entrepreneur based in Spruce Pine, NC. With over a decade of experience as an educator and librarian, she brings a love of learning and community to her work at Kintsugi House. Andrea’s textile practice, based at Treats Studios in downtown Spruce Pine, focuses on repurposed materials and visible mending, and she has taught workshops on sewing, crochet, kumihimo, and mending techniques. Currently pursuing certification as a tea specialist through the World Tea Academy, she combines her dedication to tea culture with a commitment to ethical sourcing and education.