What's with the teapots?

Those of you who know me know that probably the thing I do most in life is drink tea! First thing when I get up, when someone is visiting, after a meal, when there is crisis...even in the summer when it is really hot! It is such a familiar experience, wrapped up with family, friends, comfort. But if you know me, you will also know that I am very particular about the tea, the cup and the pot...bad versions of any of these drive me crazy. So I spend a fair bit of time looking at mugs and teapots, deciding what makes them function well and what doesn't.
A number of months ago, I was having a lovely chat with a friend about generosity and the art of developing a giving heart. She had embarked on a project to give something to someone everyday - it could be a cup of coffee, it could be some of her time, money in a parking meter, whatever. I loved the mindful way she was approaching it and thought I would like to bring some of that into my life. Right about the same time, I was attempting to make a very large teapot for our family (still have been unsuccessful with that!) and was frustrated with the feeling that I didn't really understand the construction of teapots. What I made was ok, but never quite right and I couldn't tell why....
So, I came up with a project for myself: make 30 teapots and give them all away!
A great way to really understand the construction of a teapot woven together with the thing I like best about having tea - sharing my life with the people I love.
I have made the first four now. At this rate, I should be finished by 2014!!! Hahaha. Hopefully I will be able to make them faster than 4/semester...