Kintsugi House Launches Post-Helene
I toured this tea garden in the Boseong region of South Korea in the autumn of 2015, enjoying also a brief introduction to their production process.
The past year has been one of learning, preparation, and excitement as I worked towards launching Kintsugi House (pronounced kin-TSOO-gee), my dream of bringing together high-quality teas and handcrafted textiles from my home base in Spruce Pine, NC. After months of strategizing with Mountain BizWorks, moving into my sewing studio at Treats Studio in downtown Spruce Pine, and progressing toward my tea specialist certification with World Tea Academy, I was ready to debut my work during the Toe River Arts Fall Studio Tour earlier this month.
Life, however, had other plans.
When Hurricane Helene struck our region, it brought widespread flooding, damaged infrastructure, and upended lives. My family was incredibly fortunate—our home remained safe, and we didn’t lose anyone close to us. But parts of our property were destroyed, and many businesses, homes, and roads were not as lucky. Treats Studio, where my sewing practice is based, suffered significant water damage, and I had to temporarily move my materials out of the space to avoid mildew.
For a while, I wasn’t sure if I could, or should, move forward with launching. Selling tea and handmade textiles felt frivolous in the face of such upheaval. But conversations with family, neighbors, and fellow artists reminded me that recovery is multifaceted. A strong community needs thriving businesses, and creating something beautiful and meaningful can be its own form of resilience.
This past week, I moved back into my studio—grateful for the quick recovery efforts that have made the space usable again—and I’m pivoting to launch Kintsugi House primarily online. It’s not the debut I imagined, but perhaps it’s fitting. “Kintsugi” is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, embracing flaws and imperfections as part of the object’s story. This launch, too, is about finding beauty and purpose in unexpected circumstances.
I’m incredibly excited to share this journey with you. On the website, you’ll find teas sourced from growers who prioritize sustainability, hand-sewn textiles made from repurposed materials, and updates on my projects and process. While I learn to adapt—like figuring out how to photograph my larger textile pieces—I’m embracing this as an opportunity to grow.
To kick off, I’m sharing a few snapshots from this season: the first snowfall on my small, personal tea garden (where I learn hands-on about tea cultivation), my studio being reassembled, and some tea and textiles ready to ship out. I hope they bring a little peace and inspiration to your day.
Thank you for your support, whether that’s through a kind word, a purchase, or simply taking the time to read this post. Together, I believe we can rebuild, recover, and create something even more meaningful.
Warmly,
Andrea
