Written by Maria Summers
Tiffany Melenzio is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill majoring in psychology and dramatic arts. She started Cup of T in Summer 2021 to combat the hardships of the global pandemic.
Cup of T sells handmade crochet tote bags, clothing items and accessories, with each item representing its own unique story, often resembling a song or piece of art that moves her. Elements of different creative works allow her to translate the pieces into new art forms. For her “my funny clementine” tote bag, she used the colors and themes represented in the novels “Macbeth” and “The Games People Play.”
“My great-grandma said each person in our family represents a part of the tea,” Melenzio said. “One sibling is the water, one sibling is the tea bag and I was the cup – how I came up with the name Cup of T.”
She developed her handwork skills through her great-grandmother’s knitting and sewing lessons. With her guidance, Melenzio became dedicated to embodying the beautiful artwork. As Melenzio’s art skills progressed, she wanted to show her loved ones the reward of investing into oneself.
As the eldest daughter in an immigrant family, she took on a motherly role her siblings to inspire them to chase their passions and live up to their potential. She has done just that and more.
Melenzio was the first in her family to go to college and carried the baton within a family of entrepreneurs. As the “cup” in her family, Melenzio felt the most content supporting others and spreading love. She also played that role through her business ventures by creating art that brings people comfort
“When people buy from Cup of T, I want them to feel warm, loved – like I just gave them a big hug,” Melenzio said. “I hope the long hours spent during creation translate to the same amount of love they feel.”
As her business grew, Melenzio faced a major challenge balancing her desire to keep the sincerity of handmade art with meeting demand for work that requires significant time. She overcame this hurdle by discovering the potential of crochet, an art form that takes less time than sewing while still ensuring the love within handmade work shines through.
As a full-time student active in theater, Melenzio constantly has to balance her own well-being with maintaining her business, grades, and theater responsibilities. She designates certain days for her to spend crocheting and tries to take advantage of every break in her schedule to create.
Cup of T allowed her to live life in color during a time when everything seemed black and white.
“During the pandemic, everyone was just surviving,” Melenzio said. “I reached a point where I didn’t just want to survive, I wanted to live. The best way I could do that is creating art that moved others.”
One of the best ways to celebrate Black History Month is by amplifying Black business owners while recognizing their unique journeys. You can support Melenzio and Cup of T by purchasing from her Instagram store or visiting her Student-Made UNC profile. With each purchase, look out for a tea bag picked just for you.
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