I am Simon, the founder of Teapot Craftsman.
My interest in handcraft began at a very early age. As a child, I was deeply drawn to anything created by hand—woodworking, clay, and the structure and proportions of functional objects. This fascination was never a passing curiosity, but a long-term and sustained focus.
At the age of seventeen, I formally began learning Yixing teapot making under my father’s guidance, starting with the most fundamental processes: slab preparation, hand-forming, and trimming. During that period, I spent far more time repeating basic exercises than completing finished pieces. It was then that I first truly understood that a Yixing teapot is not simply “made,” but gradually developed through accumulated experience.
Learning from Multiple Masters
Skill Is Accumulated, Not Shortened
Over the years that followed, I studied systematically under three masters, each with a distinct approach to traditional Yixing craftsmanship. Each teacher deepened my understanding of the craft in a practical and grounded way.
Some emphasized structure and proportion, others focused on line quality and rhythm, while some were extremely rigorous about clay characteristics and firing conditions. Through this long-term, multi-perspective learning process, I gradually formed my own standards—respecting tradition without blind imitation, insisting on handcraft while rejecting superficial or formulaic “antique-style” reproduction.
These experiences made one thing clear to me: true traditional craftsmanship is not a fixed set of movements, but an integrated system of knowledge built through time and practice.
The Origin of Teapot Craftsman
As time passed, I became increasingly aware of changes in the market. Rapid replication, industrial substitution, and the widespread use of non-original clays have made the Yixing teapot—once a disciplined and restrained craft—progressively more commercial and superficial.
It was against this backdrop that I founded Teapot Craftsman.
The purpose of this brand is not scale, but commitment: to continue making genuine, hand-crafted Yixing teapots from original mineral clay using the most time-tested and reliable traditional methods. We reject chemical clays, machine production, and any process driven purely by efficiency.
Original Clay and Tradition
A Non-Negotiable Foundation
All Teapot Craftsman works are made exclusively from natural original Yixing clay that was legally mined in earlier years and carefully stored long-term. Through natural aging, these clays have developed stable properties and excellent workability—resources that are increasingly rare today.
In production, we adhere strictly to the most traditional hand-forming techniques:
slab preparation, hand-built bodies, trimming, and hand-fitted lids. Every step relies on the judgment and experience of the craftsman, not on industrial tools or standardized molds.
To me, original clay and traditional handcraft are not selling points—they are the minimum requirement. Once compromised, all further refinement becomes meaningless.
The Studio and My Role
Today, Teapot Craftsman maintains long-term collaborations with nine experienced artisans, each focusing on the forms and techniques they know best. They do not pursue output volume, only consistency and completion quality.
Within the studio, my role is that of a long-term quality gatekeeper. From clay selection and form approval to functional evaluation after firing, every piece must pass my review before being presented on our independent website.
Made to Be Used
I firmly believe that the true value of a Yixing teapot does not lie in the moment it is completed, but after years of daily use.
The evolution of hand feel, water flow, and patina is where a teapot reveals its purpose. We do not seek short-term visual impact, nor do we rely on excessive storytelling. Time itself will provide the explanation.
What We Aspire to Be
Teapot Craftsman aims to be an independent brand worthy of long-term trust:
We do not follow market hype.
We do not compromise on materials or craftsmanship.
We do not pursue unnecessary scale.
If you are looking for a teapot that can accompany you for many years—or even a lifetime—we hope you may find the one that truly belongs to you here.