Here's a little secret that ornithologists have known for years: a partridge would never actually sit in a pear tree. They're ground birds — practical, sensible, not particularly interested in climbing. But the song is beautiful anyway. And Nolan Benzing painted it anyway. And we love it anyway. Some things are too good to fact-check. 😄
This mug is for the dreamers. For the people who know that the best stories aren't always technically accurate — they're emotionally true. A partridge in a pear tree is about wonder and abundance and the joy of giving. That's worth painting. That's worth sipping. Every single morning, all year long.
These mugs are built to last — premium white gloss finish, vibrant art print that won't fade, and a handle that stays cool even when your water is boiling. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Available in 11 oz, 15 oz, and 20 oz.
Cover Art by Nolan Benzing & the Kate Shu Collective
Nolan Benzing is an Iowa-raised conservation specialist, wildlife ecologist, and visual artist whose life has been shaped by a deep, abiding reverence for the natural world — and an unwavering commitment to protecting it. The middle child of a large family that included triplet brothers, Nolan learned early what it means to lead with integrity, show up with accountability, and stand firm in what matters.
After earning his degree in Animal and Wildlife Ecology from Iowa State University, Nolan spent years working with landowners, farmers, and ranchers across Iowa and South Dakota to design and implement conservation programs that balanced operational success with meaningful environmental stewardship. For nearly a decade, he has continued that work as a landscape designer, conservation community specialist, and land development field operations manager — a subject matter expert in native prairie restoration, wildlife ecology, and natural ecosystems.
But perhaps Nolan's most profound gift lives in his art. Through painting, drawing, and graphic design, he renders the landscapes, wildlife, and creatures he has spent a lifetime protecting — bringing the prairie, the woodland, and the wild into spaces where people can carry a piece of it with them every day.
"Goodness is something hard to measure but easy to feel. From the minute I met Nolan, I knew he was a gem." — Kate Shu
About this Mug:
• Available in 11 oz, 15 oz, and 20 oz
• Premium white gloss finish
• Printed using dye sublimation technology — the image is fused directly into the ceramic surface for vivid, true-to-life color that won't fade, crack, or peel. Ever.
• Handle stays cool even when your water is boiling
• Microwave and dishwasher safe
• Print quality is exceptional — exactly as pictured
Here's a little secret that ornithologists have known for years: a partridge would never actually sit in a pear tree. They're ground birds — practical, sensible, not particularly interested in climbing. But the song is beautiful anyway. And Nolan Benzing painted it anyway. And we love it anyway. Some things are too good to fact-check. 😄
This mug is for the dreamers. For the people who know that the best stories aren't always technically accurate — they're emotionally true. A partridge in a pear tree is about wonder and abundance and the joy of giving. That's worth painting. That's worth sipping. Every single morning, all year long.
These mugs are built to last — premium white gloss finish, vibrant art print that won't fade, and a handle that stays cool even when your water is boiling. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Available in 11 oz, 15 oz, and 20 oz.
Cover Art by Nolan Benzing & the Kate Shu Collective
Nolan Benzing is an Iowa-raised conservation specialist, wildlife ecologist, and visual artist whose life has been shaped by a deep, abiding reverence for the natural world — and an unwavering commitment to protecting it. The middle child of a large family that included triplet brothers, Nolan learned early what it means to lead with integrity, show up with accountability, and stand firm in what matters.
After earning his degree in Animal and Wildlife Ecology from Iowa State University, Nolan spent years working with landowners, farmers, and ranchers across Iowa and South Dakota to design and implement conservation programs that balanced operational success with meaningful environmental stewardship. For nearly a decade, he has continued that work as a landscape designer, conservation community specialist, and land development field operations manager — a subject matter expert in native prairie restoration, wildlife ecology, and natural ecosystems.
But perhaps Nolan's most profound gift lives in his art. Through painting, drawing, and graphic design, he renders the landscapes, wildlife, and creatures he has spent a lifetime protecting — bringing the prairie, the woodland, and the wild into spaces where people can carry a piece of it with them every day.
"Goodness is something hard to measure but easy to feel. From the minute I met Nolan, I knew he was a gem." — Kate Shu
About this Mug:
• Available in 11 oz, 15 oz, and 20 oz
• Premium white gloss finish
• Printed using dye sublimation technology — the image is fused directly into the ceramic surface for vivid, true-to-life color that won't fade, crack, or peel. Ever.
• Handle stays cool even when your water is boiling
• Microwave and dishwasher safe
• Print quality is exceptional — exactly as pictured
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