“Tiny Tea Party” combines the nostalgia of an old-fashioned tea set with the playfulness of a band of frolicking mice.

Imagine a friendly band of tiny mice filling the air with merriment as they host their own little tea party. Hallmark artist Ed Seale had visions of such a party when he created “Tiny Tea Party,” the first Keepsake Miniature Ornament set ever offered.

Tiny Tea Party
set of 6 ornaments

As the 1991 miniature line was coming together, Lorrie Kreit, who helped develop the offering, proposed designing a whole miniature scale tea set. Then Seale envisioned merry little mice inside the dishes, and the idea for “Tiny Tea Party” was on its way.

“From the beginning, I wanted to use mice because their size fits in with a miniature set like this one, and they just seemed perfect,” Seale says. Other animals such as bunnies and chipmunks were considered, but mice won out.

Seale and the Keepsakes staff wanted the six-dish set to resemble a real glazed china tea set, so the dishes were made from fine porcelain.

“We wanted the set to be a little piece of nostalgia,” he said.

And the mice, who are having their own little party, add a hint of fun and playfulness. One of the mice, “Teacup Taster,” is busily stirring while “Teacup Lounger” appears in a moment of quiet repose as he takes a break from the festivities.

All six pieces can either hang from a tree or stand on a table, mantel or other setting in your home.

Reprint of: “Tiny Tea Party,” First Keepsake Miniature Ornament Set, Serves Up Fun and Nostalgia
Collector’s Courier: Volume Five, Number One 1991

NOTE: For a complete listing of all Ed Seale’s beloved tiny mice sets and other coordinating pieces, click on the “Unofficial series” button (located on the right sidebar) and then scroll down to “Tiny Mice Sets.”