The copper tea kettle is one of my favorite things. I bought at a flea market on a weekend trip to the Appalachian Mountains many years ago. I am relatively certain it won’t hold water as it was repaired on the bottom and you can see through the repair. What is lovely about this kettle is the patina of many years of use with dents and hand crafted solder joints adding to its beauty. I can only speculate how many souls have been warmed by the contents of this vessel. The Blue Willow teacups are English and belonged to my grandmother, the saucers are too cracked to use and are kept for their patina as well.
As neither the cups or the kettle can be used for tea, this is a party for the natives. The native flowers in the kettle, of course. The arrangement is primarily native plants of South Florida, the yellow flowers are Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis), the orange tubular flowers are Firebush (Hamelia patens), Boston Fern, the purple foliage is Purple Hearts (Setcresea pallida), native to North America says the Florida plant database, and joining the party some Painted Fingernail Bromeliad foliage with the cerise tips, from somewhere south of the border.
As I was arranging the flowers in a pickle jar to place inside the kettle, it occurred to me I should go antiquing to see if I could find some copper friends to join the kettle.
The Shrub Queen 
Gorgeous kettle—made by folks who knew how to make a still? Agrees so pleasantly with the firebush and its colorful companions.
LikeLike
Thanks, I had not considered the possibility of moonshiners! This is from the area where Deliverance was filmed!
LikeLike
As you say, the patina on the kettle really emphasises the colours of the blooms. Thanks for sharing Amy
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
I love seeing natives from other parts of the country so this was a treat….and an even bigger one with that stunning copper kettle.
LikeLike
I find natives interesting as well, thank you.
LikeLike
What a great find. You’ve created a lovely design for the kettle and altogether a nice vignette.
LikeLike
Your native arrangement is lovely and looks perfectly at home in the copper kettle. The teacups are beautiful – blue and white china is popular here in the UK to this day.
LikeLike
Thank you, I still look for and collect the Blue Willow but try to find Buffalo Pottery Blue Willow (American from New England) because that is what my grandmother used.
LikeLike
Heavenly arrangement…now where did I put that copper kettle?
LikeLike
Another great idea! I have some old Blue Willow from my grandparents.
LikeLike
The copper patina really does enhance the warm colors of the yellow daisies and cute peachy tubular flowers. I also like copper, I have gelatin molds and plates hanging in my kitchen. I like blue and white china too, though mine is Blue Onion. I admire your keeping your scentimental family objects, I like to do that too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Hannah I like those gelatin molds as well. My mother’s were all tin and not so pretty.
LikeLike
You are so good at this! That wall is great. The crooked teapot belongs in a children’s story, along with those sweet cups. You make scenes not just vases. I am learning from you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The wall? Thank you, are you Becca from Facebook? I am Amelia or Amy.The teapot would make a great home for something in a Fairy tale.
LikeLike
I am Becca from facebook. I am making a fairy garden now. A post coming soon will show how I am cleaning and sculpting the roots of the giant oaks in my yard. I have been traveling around collecting tiny plants for it. I am also painting up some fairies to look extra magical.
LikeLike
Aha! great to meet you. I am looking forward to seeing your fairy garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes a very pretty arrangement with your teacups too. I agree, some other copper accessories would be lovely too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, lovely, lovely — sumptuous sums it up!
LikeLike
Thank you
LikeLike