Finding Ways to Connect

T'is the season for remembrance... and recently I was fondly remembering how much easier blogging was when it was the only en masse communication which I used to talk about my favorite subject.

With the advent of social networking, as fun and exciting as it is, we have more places to go, more things to read, and more ways to connect, that a longer blog post often gets lost in the shuffle of numerous tea-related tweets and Steepster posts, and Myspace or FaceBook status updates. (For the record, the FB people will not allow Madam Potts to have a personal Facebook Page - both a blessing and a curse....we are however working on this) I've had to take a break from my virtual existence in order to spend some real-time one-on-one with my friends and family. I've been downing cups of Tulsi Tea in order to get through it all.

I received an awesome tea swap this year from the Tea Gschwendner -- 2 types of Earl Grey, Imperior and Earl Grey's Lady Violet, which I have been brewing every morning. My swappee had no idea that I have recently been on an Earl Grey kick -- it has been by far my #1 choice recently. So I guess it will be awhile before I run out. And one of my dearest friends gave me a tea timer that looks like a tiny tea pot - sooo cute! (see photo!)

Coming soon: New Year's Resolutions, and interview with Jason Witt of Spirituality of Tea, introductions of the newest Mad Pots of Tea! PersonaliTEA blends,Talks about Tea and Music and Cocktails and of course more Mad Pots & Random Art.

One of my resolutions that I am making personally is to invite someone new to tea every month. That may be in my home, at a tea cafe, but out of all the ways to connect about tea, the best way is to do so while actually enjoying it.

So let there be tea parties and friends and good conversations and fun times to look back on...

Holiday Tea Contest by Steepster

The good folks over at Steepster.com teamed up with product designer Joey Roth and a bunch of awesome tea companies to bring you the Ultimate Holiday Tea Contest!

Check it out for a chance to win a ridiculous prize bundle totaling over $750, including Joey's Sorapot and teas and accessories from eleven different companies. It's free to enter and only takes a few seconds. The contest ends this Friday, December 18th at 8PM EST, so don't miss out :)

Catch Madam Potts LIVE: December 11th

Tis the season to share the warmth of friends and family -- and what better way to do that than with a pot of tea? As many of you know, my company only sells custom blends of tea. Obviously, as a tea artisan blender, these PersonaliTEAS are not the only blends I have, in fact I make many many blends of tea. So anyone hoping to find other Mad Pots of Tea! blends must seek me out in person. It just so happens that those local to the Jersey Shore region will have their chance next Friday, December 11th.

Just in time for the Holiday Season,
Mad Pots of Tea! is releasing 3 Seasonal Blends ~

* Silent Night: This herbal mix of soothing, relaxing, caffeine free herbs will help your find your calm amidst the holiday rush. Great before bedtime too!
* Peppermint Dreams: This minty white tea mixed with candy canes and peppermint will have you dreaming of a white Christmas... and
* Chocolate Orange Spice: Chocolate and spice and everything nice in a black tea blend! Yum!

These 3 Teas will be featured at the Ocean Avenue Holiday Bazaar!
Come and Meet Madam Potts
When: Friday, December 11th
Time: 6-9pm
Where: Ocean Avenue PTA Holiday Bazaar
Address: 235 Ocean Avenue,
North Middletown, NJ
See Map

Now if you would like any of these teas (loose, bagged or in Mad Bags) and you don't live in the New Jersey area, email me and I will ship your order anywhere in the world!

Mad Pots of Tea! Sponsors the 2009 Qs House Artist of the Year Competition

For the 2nd year in a row, Madam Potts and the Mad Pots of Tea! company have been asked to sponsor the 2009 Qs House Artist of the Year competition. Qs House is a weekly internet radio show (available live or podcast) out of Orlando Florida. The show boasts itself as the place that brings musicians and music fans together. Each week features new bands/singers for fun-filled interviews and live performances -- and at the end of every year listeners and industry panel work together to bring you their personal favorite choices for the Artist of the Year.

There are two categories: Best Acoustic Performance and Artist of the Year.

Rules for the voting procedure and other information about this annual look-back & tribute can be found here. There will be a listening party on Dec 29th, and the winners will be announced on the show January 26th.

Last year when I was asked to be a sponsor, and to design 2 custom teas for the winners, it was uncertain how these rock-n-rollers would respond. I guess it should be no surprise that any serious singer would want to/need to take care of their voice. So as it turned out the custom designed teas were a big hit!

LAST Year's winners for 2008 were:
Spiral Trance - Artist of the Year - Lemon Trance
and
Clayton Senne - Resident's Choice Artist winner: Sweetly Sings the Blues

Both of these teas are available for purchase on my website
(come on - show just how big of a fan you really are wit this incredibly unique merch!)

Wanted Madly: Tea Ring

I've been scouring the Etsy.com site lately because it is chock full of little gems and the most unique items, like this adorably kitschy Tea Ring!

The more I've gotten into tea, the more I have also amassed a gathering of crafty people who love to sew, craft and create. Many of my friends have opened Etsy stores. If you haven't checked out Etsy.com I most certainly would. Being an artist in many mediums myself, I love the DIY (do-it-yourself) spirit that is Etsy.com

(Make a Difference - Support Artists this Christmas Season!)

So it is no surprise that if you search "Tea" you will find things you never thought existed.

And this next Wanted Madly is no different. And for only $19 (+s/h) I ran to order it, however it is sold out. I have contacted the artist and hope to be able to...."ring" in the new year (ouch...so bad!) with this cute little band of Fun!