Dear Ti,
I'm so excited to invite you to be a featured guest on my blog series, "Tea For Two with Melanie Rose." Thank you so much for considering taking this journey with me!
This series is really my little corner of the world to connect with and celebrate the amazing creatives, artisans, designers, and educators whose work lights me up—and honestly, you were one of the very first people who came to mind.
As a seriously admired industrial designer, your impact on the world of pleasure products over the past 15+ years has been nothing short of transformative. You've brought a whole new level of luxury and elegance to intimacy. Of course, you're probably best known as the brilliant mind behind the iconic Vesper vibrator necklace—and I have to say, I adore the two I own! It’s such a perfect mix of style and function, and it totally deserves all the love it’s gotten (including from some A-list fans!).
And now with the Tease Ring in the mix? Genius. It’s such a gorgeous addition to the collection—I'm thrilled to have that one too!
What truly captivates me is how seamlessly your designs blend cutting-edge technology with genuine artistry and a deep understanding of intimacy.
So, let's dive in!
What was the initial spark, the "aha!" moment, that led you to bridge the gap between high-end jewelry, wearable tech, and personal pleasure? Can you take us back to its origin story?
I was simply craving beauty—beauty in how we talk about pleasure, and in the objects we use to experience it. As someone who’s emotional, visual, and deeply tactile, I was frustrated by the products I saw on the market. They felt clinical, overly anatomical, and lacking imagination. As a designer, I knew there had to be a more elevated design language for pleasure—one that honored both function and aesthetics. That realization was the beginning of what would become pleasure jewelry.
I'm so excited to invite you to be a featured guest on my blog series, "Tea For Two with Melanie Rose." Thank you so much for considering taking this journey with me!
This series is really my little corner of the world to connect with and celebrate the amazing creatives, artisans, designers, and educators whose work lights me up—and honestly, you were one of the very first people who came to mind.
As a seriously admired industrial designer, your impact on the world of pleasure products over the past 15+ years has been nothing short of transformative. You've brought a whole new level of luxury and elegance to intimacy. Of course, you're probably best known as the brilliant mind behind the iconic Vesper vibrator necklace—and I have to say, I adore the two I own! It’s such a perfect mix of style and function, and it totally deserves all the love it’s gotten (including from some A-list fans!).
And now with the Tease Ring in the mix? Genius. It’s such a gorgeous addition to the collection—I'm thrilled to have that one too!
What truly captivates me is how seamlessly your designs blend cutting-edge technology with genuine artistry and a deep understanding of intimacy.
So, let's dive in!
What was the initial spark, the "aha!" moment, that led you to bridge the gap between high-end jewelry, wearable tech, and personal pleasure? Can you take us back to its origin story?
I was simply craving beauty—beauty in how we talk about pleasure, and in the objects we use to experience it. As someone who’s emotional, visual, and deeply tactile, I was frustrated by the products I saw on the market. They felt clinical, overly anatomical, and lacking imagination. As a designer, I knew there had to be a more elevated design language for pleasure—one that honored both function and aesthetics. That realization was the beginning of what would become pleasure jewelry.
What does designing "pleasure jewelry" mean to you on a personal level? How does creating these intimate, beautiful objects connect with your own design philosophy or values?
To me, pleasure jewelry is a form of reverence. It’s a way of honoring those who seek out pleasure and choose to center it in their lives. Designing these pieces means bringing dignity, beauty, and intention to something deeply personal. It reflects my belief that design is not just about solving problems—it’s about shaping how we experience ourselves and the world.
Your pieces are often described as empowering. How do you envision jewelry like the Vesper or Tease impacting the wearer's sense of confidence, sensuality, or connection to their own body and pleasure?
To me, pleasure jewelry is a form of reverence. It’s a way of honoring those who seek out pleasure and choose to center it in their lives. Designing these pieces means bringing dignity, beauty, and intention to something deeply personal. It reflects my belief that design is not just about solving problems—it’s about shaping how we experience ourselves and the world.
Your pieces are often described as empowering. How do you envision jewelry like the Vesper or Tease impacting the wearer's sense of confidence, sensuality, or connection to their own body and pleasure?
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It’s like the feeling you get when you walk out of a salon or slip into an outfit that just fits—there’s a different energy in your stride. When someone wears a piece like the Vesper or Tease, I want them to feel that quiet power, that inner knowing. It’s a reminder that pleasure is theirs to claim—on their own terms, and with style. That’s the kind of empowerment I design for. |
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Creating these pieces involves a unique blend of considerations. How do you navigate the intricate balance between stunning aesthetics, ergonomic comfort (both as jewelry and for its intended function), material safety, technological innovation, and achieving that desired sensual experience? What does that process look like?
I always begin with a feeling—what do I want the wearer to experience emotionally and physically? How should it be worn, how should it feel against the skin, how should it be seen when layered with other pieces or standing alone? From there, I collaborate closely with our engineering team to build the technology stack that will support that vision. It’s a constant back-and-forth between design and function—we prototype, test, gather feedback, and refine. It’s never a straight line, but that iterative process is essential to creating something that’s not just beautiful or functional, but truly intimate and intentional.
Following the Vesper's success, you introduced the Tease Ring – another clever design merging form and function. What inspired this particular concept? Could you share a little about its development journey – for instance, how long might it take to bring such an intricate piece from initial idea to the final retail product?
I loved the idea of a design that could be both a statement accessory and a powerful tool for intimacy. It took over 10 years to get it right. From refining the mechanics that would allow it to transform from a ring into a finger vibe, to ensuring it would be comfortable for a wide range of users, the process was incredibly long and complex. Part of the delay was due to the fact that we were working with technology that is incredibly small—on par with what's inside AirPods—and simply didn’t exist when we first conceived the Tease. We had to wait for the electronics to catch up before we could move the design forward.
I loved the idea of a design that could be both a statement accessory and a powerful tool for intimacy. It took over 10 years to get it right. From refining the mechanics that would allow it to transform from a ring into a finger vibe, to ensuring it would be comfortable for a wide range of users, the process was incredibly long and complex. Part of the delay was due to the fact that we were working with technology that is incredibly small—on par with what's inside AirPods—and simply didn’t exist when we first conceived the Tease. We had to wait for the electronics to catch up before we could move the design forward.
Have you observed a shift or increase in the demand for luxury pleasure jewelry in recent years? What factors do you think are driving this trend – perhaps changing societal attitudes towards sexuality, a desire for discretion and beauty, an appreciation for high-quality design, or something else?
Absolutely. There’s a growing appetite for intimacy products that don’t look like traditional “sex toys”—because people are tired of hiding parts of themselves. I think we’re witnessing a cultural shift where pleasure is becoming part of the wellness conversation. People want products that reflect their identities: aesthetically elevated, discreet, and intentional. There’s also more awareness of how design impacts emotional experience—people want things that feel good and look good. That’s exactly where pleasure jewelry lives.
What are some common misconceptions you encounter about pleasure jewelry or the broader field of luxury intimacy products? What do you wish more people understood about the intention and artistry behind your work?
A common misconception is that because these objects are small and beautiful, they must be gimmicks or novelties. There’s an assumption that if something is decorative, it can’t be effective—but that’s a failure of imagination. In reality, making something small and powerful is exponentially more difficult than designing something large. What we create at Crave is deeply technical and carefully engineered. Every piece is rooted in respect—for the user’s experience, for craftsmanship, and for the emotional significance of pleasure. Their beauty isn’t separate from their function—it is part of it. When someone feels seen, honored, and empowered in their pleasure, that’s where the real magic happens.
Okay, stepping away from the blueprints for a moment – tell us a fun fact or a surprising hobby/interest that your audience might not know about Ti, the person behind the innovative designs?
I collect chairs—yes, actual chairs. I’ll spot one on Facebook Marketplace that I have to have, and suddenly it’s in our house, much to my partner’s dismay. Each one feels like a small sculpture to me, a study in form and function. I’m also a total sunscreen fanatic. I geek out over the latest formulas with the most advanced filters. I’ve been wearing SPF 50+ religiously since I was 14, and honestly, it pays dividends.
Looking ahead, what's on the horizon for you and Crave? Any exciting new designs, innovations, or directions you can tease us with (pun intended!), or are your lips sealed for now?
Absolutely. There’s a growing appetite for intimacy products that don’t look like traditional “sex toys”—because people are tired of hiding parts of themselves. I think we’re witnessing a cultural shift where pleasure is becoming part of the wellness conversation. People want products that reflect their identities: aesthetically elevated, discreet, and intentional. There’s also more awareness of how design impacts emotional experience—people want things that feel good and look good. That’s exactly where pleasure jewelry lives.
What are some common misconceptions you encounter about pleasure jewelry or the broader field of luxury intimacy products? What do you wish more people understood about the intention and artistry behind your work?
A common misconception is that because these objects are small and beautiful, they must be gimmicks or novelties. There’s an assumption that if something is decorative, it can’t be effective—but that’s a failure of imagination. In reality, making something small and powerful is exponentially more difficult than designing something large. What we create at Crave is deeply technical and carefully engineered. Every piece is rooted in respect—for the user’s experience, for craftsmanship, and for the emotional significance of pleasure. Their beauty isn’t separate from their function—it is part of it. When someone feels seen, honored, and empowered in their pleasure, that’s where the real magic happens.
Okay, stepping away from the blueprints for a moment – tell us a fun fact or a surprising hobby/interest that your audience might not know about Ti, the person behind the innovative designs?
I collect chairs—yes, actual chairs. I’ll spot one on Facebook Marketplace that I have to have, and suddenly it’s in our house, much to my partner’s dismay. Each one feels like a small sculpture to me, a study in form and function. I’m also a total sunscreen fanatic. I geek out over the latest formulas with the most advanced filters. I’ve been wearing SPF 50+ religiously since I was 14, and honestly, it pays dividends.
Looking ahead, what's on the horizon for you and Crave? Any exciting new designs, innovations, or directions you can tease us with (pun intended!), or are your lips sealed for now?
We just launched the Tease Necklace on Kickstarter, and it’s probably our most transformative and transparent statement yet. One of the special rewards features a 3-in-1 design that functions as a necklace, ring, and finger vibe—the first of its kind. But what makes this launch especially bold is the transparency: we’re inviting people into the conversation around how things are made. For the first time, you can choose how your necklace is manufactured—Made in the USA, Assembled in the USA, or Made in China—and we’re showing exactly what those choices mean. Beyond that? Let’s just say there are more innovations in the works that will continue to push the boundaries of what pleasure jewelry can be. My lips are mostly sealed… but stay tuned.
Finally, Ti, before we wrap up this wonderful chat, and staying true to the "Tea For Two" spirit... let's talk tea!
Which of the below would be your preferred cup?
Silver Needle White Tea (Yin Zhen). This tea consists purely of unopened, silvery buds and is renowned for its delicate, smooth, subtly sweet flavor and elegant profile.
Blooming Tea (Flowering Tea). These are hand-tied bundles of tea leaves (usually green or white) wrapped around dried flowers, which unfurl dramatically when steeped in hot water.
High-Quality Jasmine Pearls. Made by rolling young green tea leaves into tight pearls and repeatedly scenting them with fresh jasmine blossoms, this tea offers an intoxicatingly sweet, floral aroma.
Sugar? Yes or No?
Milk? Yes Or No?
Jasmine, no sugar, no milk.
Finally, Ti, before we wrap up this wonderful chat, and staying true to the "Tea For Two" spirit... let's talk tea!
Which of the below would be your preferred cup?
Silver Needle White Tea (Yin Zhen). This tea consists purely of unopened, silvery buds and is renowned for its delicate, smooth, subtly sweet flavor and elegant profile.
Blooming Tea (Flowering Tea). These are hand-tied bundles of tea leaves (usually green or white) wrapped around dried flowers, which unfurl dramatically when steeped in hot water.
High-Quality Jasmine Pearls. Made by rolling young green tea leaves into tight pearls and repeatedly scenting them with fresh jasmine blossoms, this tea offers an intoxicatingly sweet, floral aroma.
Sugar? Yes or No?
Milk? Yes Or No?
Jasmine, no sugar, no milk.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of jasmine tea pearls (per cup, about 8 oz)
8 oz (240 ml) of water (filtered, if possible)
Optional: a few jasmine blossoms for garnish
Instructions:
Heat water to 160–180°F (70–80°C). Do not use boiling water, as it can scorch the delicate tea and make it bitter.
Pearls:
Use about 1 teaspoon of jasmine pearls per cup. The pearls will unfurl beautifully as they steep. I would use a glass teapot to enjoy the experience.
Steep:
Pour the hot water over the tea. Let steep for 2–3 minutes for the first infusion. You can re-steep the pearls 2–3 times, increasing the steep time slightly with each infusion.
Serve:
Pour the tea into glass cups. Optionally, add a jasmine blossom for a fragrant touch and visual beauty. No sweetener is typically needed, but you can add a drop of honey if you prefer.
1 teaspoon of jasmine tea pearls (per cup, about 8 oz)
8 oz (240 ml) of water (filtered, if possible)
Optional: a few jasmine blossoms for garnish
Instructions:
Heat water to 160–180°F (70–80°C). Do not use boiling water, as it can scorch the delicate tea and make it bitter.
Pearls:
Use about 1 teaspoon of jasmine pearls per cup. The pearls will unfurl beautifully as they steep. I would use a glass teapot to enjoy the experience.
Steep:
Pour the hot water over the tea. Let steep for 2–3 minutes for the first infusion. You can re-steep the pearls 2–3 times, increasing the steep time slightly with each infusion.
Serve:
Pour the tea into glass cups. Optionally, add a jasmine blossom for a fragrant touch and visual beauty. No sweetener is typically needed, but you can add a drop of honey if you prefer.
