The Nourish Co. Sakura Tray + An Interview with Tina Frey

The Nourish Co. Sakura is a collaboration with celebrated San Francsico-based artist, Tina Frey. Only a limited supply is available. Get yours here.

It was always puzzling to me that when we create a sacred moment around our dinner table for Shabbat or a holiday, we would set down an heirloom pair of silver candlesticks on an old piece of junk mail or foil to protect the table from burning wax. I wished there was something just as special to use instead, so when I couldn’t find one, I set out to have one made!

In this collaboration, we’ve reproduced a tray in a design that has come to be synonymous with San Francisco-based artist Tina Frey. While they look and feel like a ceramic piece, the trays are handmade and cast in resin and hand-shaped initially in clay by Tina Frey herself. The custom color brings to mind the shade of sakura or cherry blossoms blooming that make our walks and commutes more beautiful for just one fleeting week in the spring.

I was first introduced to Tina Frey years ago when I worked in residential interior design. We would often juxtapose her decidedly modern tableware and bath accessories against the background of a historic San Francisco Victorian home. If you live in San Francisco and are in the design world, you know Tina Frey. She seems to be everywhere at the moment! That’s why I was over the moon when she invited me to meet with her in her studio, and we got to work on this special collaboration. Here’s more of Tina’s story:

Nourish Co.: What were some of your your first inspirations that drew you to creating objects made specifically for the home?  
Tina Frey: I always love having fresh fruits, flowers, and vegetables at home. I find there is a use for various vessels like bowls and vases and you can never have enough of them. My first creations were bowls since I always thought they would be useful for everyone also.

NC: Why is it important for your products to be handcrafted and for you to be hands-on in the creative process?
TF: I love being able to sculpt the pieces in clay and molding and casting in resin. There is a human quality to being able to form the clay with your hands and there is also an imperfection to the shapes since you can see where each finger pushed on the material and created the uneven edges of the vessels, which I love. It is the best way to get the wabi-sabi feel from the clay. Even though I do create some collections using 3D computer generated designs, I still always love going back to sculpting in clay since I could do this for hours.

NC: I’ve read that your company began with just two bowls, how did you choose what products to create from there?
TF: I knew I wanted to focus on working in resin since it is truly a unique material and not many people work with it. I also knew there was a wide range of possibilities for designs. It can take on qualities to look like glass when it is transparent, it can look like marble, stone, porcelain, or something soft.  It is also more durable than glass or porcelain. Hence, I could create an endless amount of designs depending on my imagination from vessels, serving pieces, furniture, or jewelry. I still have an endless range of ideas that I could make as a result.  There doesn't seem to be enough time to create the things in my head!

NC: What feelings do you hope your products bring into people’s homes and spaces?
TF: I hope the pieces bring joy and a smile to people's faces when they see the pieces and use them. The designs have always been meant for a variety of uses— from being a vessel for serving food, for your desktop, for putting your jewelry on the vanity, or just being empty since it is sculptural just on its own. I also hope the colors bring an emotion and the pink pieces created for Nourish Co. reminds people of soft and comforting things from childhood.

NC: For your customers, some of your products are objects they will use or see in their everyday lives. How does that make you feel to know your work will play a role in someone’s life when they are using it every day or for special events?
TF: I love this idea very much. I really like the idea of utility and also multi-utility. They have more than one use and it is a good investment to purchase something that is multipurpose. I like that they are not so precious and that people feel like they can use them for everyday, but also there is something special about them as a sculptural object when not in use. It is also nice to mix them with precious and non-precious things at the same time. The most important thing is that the pieces are getting use and enjoyment in someone's home.

NC: Do you have any favorite stories about how your pieces have played an important role in people's lives or been a form of expression for them?
TF: People have been able to relate to the "Lapin Collection" since the covers of this collection has little rabbit ears. There is also the sculptural object "Woofy" which was modeled after our dog, Zoe. I think everyone loves animals and can relate to some nice memories with their pets. It is nice that a simple object has some little part that reminds them of a memory of something cute from their lives and makes people smile.

*All photos by Nicole Morrison

Thanks so much, Tina! It has been an honor and a longtime dream to collaborate with you.

Only a few of these limited-release trays were created, so be sure to purchase one before they’re all gone! Once they are gone, this exact design will never be produced again; the beauty of handmade in small batches.

To shop the sakura candle tray, head here.

To read more about the other makers in the Nourish Co. Heirloom shop, head here.