Learning

There are so many things to learn about a new business, until you hit your first year mark I think a business is still very new.

I like to think that I did a good job with keeping every receipt that I ever got when it came to business stuff. I understand a lot better how to arrange them all now than when I started, which is a good thing because there are a lot of them!

Then there's marketing. Whew, marketing is something that I don't think I'll ever be anywhere close to perfect with. I have a facebook page, a tumblr, a twitter, an etsy shop, a blog (you're reading it).... I'm thinking about a Pintrest account too. Still playing with that though. It's really a lot to keep up with! Do any of you use Pintrest? What do you think of it?

Tea Balls

Also known as "tea steepers" or "infusers" this nifty little tea balls are a great way to brew loose leaf tea.

Especially when they're decorated with handmade lampwork beads! 

Cranberry Pink with Goldstone designs. Available on Etsy.

Metallic shades of gold blue and purple over a magenta base. Available soon.

Periwinkle blue swirled with grass green and encased in clear. Available soon.

Deep pink overlaid with metallic blues and purples. Available on Etsy.

Organic ivory yellow with shocks of purple and green. Available on Etsy.

Purple with mirrored silvers and golds. Available on Etsy.

Ivory and blue. Available on Etsy.

Things I've Been Doing

Here are some of the things I've been working on:

Kickstarter #2 successfully finished.

Started a Tumblr.

Working on all sorts of Etsy stuff for Dryad Tea.

Getting ready for holiday tea parties.

Lots of cleaning.

Sewing. Less than I want, but more than I was.

Finally!

I haven't been so happy to be this close to the end of a project in a very long time. Tonight I finished all of the things for the Kickstarter. Yes, that Kickstarter. The one that came to life back in April and promptly ate my soul.
Well there's the end of the tunnel. After 7 total supply orders, countless cursing and test tasting, getting opinions and running around like an insane person. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Tomorrow I finish packing the boxes.

See, I managed to get most all of it done in stages, up to the $60 rewards. But when looking at what I had left, I couldn't do it in stages. I had to put nose to the grindstone as it were... and I packed and packed and packed. I blended and prayed.

It's really exciting to be honest.

Will I do it again? Probably. I have too many ideas swimming in this brain not to. Will it be soon? Probably not. Maybe in two months? Maybe next year? Who knows. All I know, is that I have SJ Tucker songs on my brain, screaming to be brewed into tea. Oh yeah, and I have her permission. :)

Faerie Market

Once upon a time there was a market in Faerie. In this market you could find almost anything, from keys to glitter to scraps of fabric fashioned into bits and bobs. Then there were the jewels, the broaches that could only have come from the highest royalty's clothes, and sometimes, if you were lucky you could find an item of true magic.

That market faded away with the changes of the tides of time, and I was sad to see it go... 

Missing it has spurred something new in me though; the possibility of creating a new market, one made of magic and whimsy. One that you could get the shiny bits of Faerie even in the mortal world.

I'm sure that I have enough baubles that I could easily start this market all on my own, from beaded bits to glass, to keys that I rescued from abuse in Faerie. It's going to be an interesting start, and I really really hope that all of my friends will take a gander and pass the magic on when it starts up!

With Love,

Rubiee

Busy!

Well, let me tell you that life isn't slowing down at all!

From gigs to work to kickstarter and back. Crazy days have come and gone and I hope that they're winding down... knowing full well that they most likely are not.

This weekend Pandora Celtica heads to Beltania. This is where I will be... camping. Imagine it with me now, this Pooka... camping. I'm not going to fib, I'm kind of worried about it. I don't so much do camping, I haven't in the past because I don't consider anything but sleeping in a tent to be camping. I've been sewing, broke out my new serger and everything. I thought that maybe I was crazy yesterday- see, I'm making coats... and then the rain started, and I saw the forecast for this coming weekend. More rain. So! I refuse to be a wet Pooka. Coats it is!

Gearing up for Scarborough too... and then there's the Kickstarter.

So, I officially have so much tea to make that my head is threatening to spin right off my neck. I am sooo grateful for the people that have offered to help keep me sane. You all are so amazing!

And the band's kickstarter... I'm hoping that's going to go up... tomorrow? Don't hold me to it though :)


Time to run!
<3

Choices

In the last post, you found me at the brink of realization. I ran with that realization... right into a wall. Which I scaled, and found the other side full of... choices.

The past month has been so very full of choices it isn't even funny. I have made many of those choices gladly, and some I have made begrudgingly. Regardless, the choices have been made and I can not and will not look back. ....Growth can really suck sometimes.

But then! I reach the other side of these choices, and look at the vast field between where I am and where I might want to one day be- and let me tell you, it is breathtaking. 

I have started a new business venture. Inspired by three things, my once best friend and forever sister, my love of tea, and my band. This was one of those choices that I made that I wasn't fully aware of the.... path it would take me along.

But, I am there. No use looking backwards.

There is a Kickstarter to start the project off right. And after the Kickstarter you will be able to find the teas at Pandora Celtica shows. I am very excited about this.

And a new chapter starts.

Of new endeavors and emotions

Along with my distraction post I can't help but think about how blessed I am to be able to be so creatively... erratic. There really is no other way to say it.

I have this amazing friend, we've known each other for years and years. When I visited her she and her wife took me to the best fiber shop I've ever seen. I bought so much roving I almost couldn't get it all home in my suitcase.

This led to the interest for spinning and felting from my best friend and her wife. I was sad at first, and to my embarrassment it wasn't because we live too far away to spin together. No, it was because I wasn't sure that I was "special" anymore. That was my inner emotional parts talking, as logic quite often takes a while to catch up.

So I sat there and I talked it out, and felt foolish for it (logic caught up). I realized that there are so many arts and so many people that do said arts in the world, even if two best friends do the same thing, that thing will end up completely different. It's always going to happen that way.

Take spinning for example, my best friend took up needle felting with the wool, her wife? Spinning. She then commented to me that she didn't know how I got the thickness I did and made it look so easy- and that she was still very excited to get the skein that I'm making her.
I think all art can be like that. Trying something new gives you an appreciation for those that already create with that method.

I also think that we can learn from one another, even if we do the same thing. :)

(Random thoughts of the Pooka brought to you by the color Tangello and the letter Cookie.)

GalaxyFest 2012

About a week ago Pandora Celtica was down in Colorado Springs gearing up for GalaxyFest 2012.

As a new con we really didn't know what to expect but I have to admit I was rather impressed. Now, let me state that the hotel was this weird maze of halls that all intersected in an almost box-like pattern, and I was lost for the first... day. (Ah, the joys of being a directional-challenged Pooka.) But even that couldn't stop the fun!

Our first night's performance was in a room that was no where near the dealer's room, it was past main events and I admit that I got lost. But the performance itself was really good! We had fun and I was oddly hyper, it was great to be bounding across the floor and dancing. AND! I got a shiny from a very amazing lady.

Saturday was long. I managed to make my feets all sorts of thrashed and paid for it the rest of the weekend. Yay ace bandages to the rescue! Saturday's sets were downright fun, and I managed to catch a touch of the fashion show even!
Though I missed the kilt blowing because I went to change.. and fell asleep. Whoops.

Sunday was just as amazing as the rest, I got to see even more of some of my favorite people and got hugs! Bought shiny things in the dealers room in the form of leather bits and just had FUN! But boy was I ready for 6pm to go home.... :)

Here's to next year!

Distraction (Or, why Rubiee does many things)

Many of you have seen me go through stages. From jewelry design to lampwork, to singing and tea blogging to spinning yarn and everything in between. I am a creative soul, an artist with a desire for the new and exciting.

(Photo thanks to Broken Glass Photography)

Yes, I still make jewelry. (Mainly keys for the band table)

I still torch (less than I'd like,but it happens.)

and I still blog. 

I'm working on some super awesome things that have been in the works for over a month now. Things that I haven't talked about because I want to make sure that the time is right, that the energy is right, and that I'm doing it right.

Yes, more projects mean less time. But also along that same vein is the idea that I don't like having idle hands. So I find projects, new and exciting things that pique my interest. It's both a blessing and a curse. I can try new things almost constantly, but at the same time there is the constant spending of monies to try new things and the fear that I can't try to focus my art to a pinpoint.

There are some things that I have been able to focus on. Glass being one. I'm very happy for this, and won't ever question my changes in art interests. From here on out I have no idea where the Muse and the creative arts will take me, but I am so very much looking forward to it!

Again...

Again with the lack of a "real" tea post. I'm sorry guys. I swear I haven't lost it! I swear...

Recently I've been thinking back to my NaNo novel from 2011, and even before that, my novel from 2007. I took a break at the end of November, after I crested the 50k mark. I haven't touched it since.

Instead I moved to editing the novel from 2007, one that I love but one that needs more work than anything else. So I started to it, with a printed copy and a red pen in hand. I tore that manuscript to bits....

And now I have to re-type it. The bane of my current situation.

So here it is, how do you push through the hard parts of writing? How do you keep going?

Tuesday Tea Post

On Tuesdays I normally post a tea review. I admit, I slacked off this week and I've been drinking some old favorites (that I've already reviewed). So what does that mean for this Tuesday's post?

A question.

How do you like your tea?

These lovely teacups are made by Carol Broadley of Carol Broadly Pottery on Etsy

Friday Random Post!

Today's post is going to be one of random and shiny!
Are you ready?

 A bottle wrapped with Sterling Silver wire, with added shiny in Citrine, Carnelian, Aventurine and Swarovski Crystal.

 The focal for a seaside piece I made. Biwa stick pear, shells, Opalite, Swarovski and Mother of Pearl beads.

 Carnelian and stunning champagne colored freshwater pearls with Thai silver in between.

Sterling, Swarovski crystal, rose quartz, ribbon and a lampwork focal.








See anything you like? Feel free to email me!

Blessed Imbolc!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Imbolc!

What is Imbolc? Here's the Wiki link.

And a Link from The Wheel of the Celtic Year

I'm not planning anything too huge, I have some Imbolc incense to burn and I'm going to be making a list of my wishes and dreams for the coming year. 

What are your plans?

Tea Review - Red and Green Company: Red Plum Tea

Blend Name: Red and Green Company Red Plum Tea

What the company says:  Grown at the famous Dragon Well Tea Plantation in Hangzhou -renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty- red plum tea is processed using a unique method of fermentation and roasting which produces a smoky aroma and rich, malty flavor. Appropriate with sweets or rich foods.

Sweetener Used: None
Milk Used: None

Steeping Time: 3 minutes

Overall Opinion: The tea smells like any other black tea. Upon steeping, there is a slight plum taste, but still a very strong black tea. It's a good tea but it probably needs sweetener to accent the flavor.

Tea Review - Fae Inspired: Minterrific

Blend Name: Minterriffic

What the company says: A tea to turn your taste buds upside down! A blend of spearmint and peppermint, combined with the boldness of cinnamon, spicy cloves, and rose hips for an extra kick of vitamin C, not to mention my “secret ingredient”. What is it? I’m not telling! This herbal infusion is perfect for those who don’t imbibe in caffeine.

Sweetener Used: None
Milk Used: None

Steeping Time: 3 minutes

Overall Opinion: Wow. Okay, wow for real. I love this blend! The smell is an amazing mix of mint and clove. The taste of the the is minty but not overpowering. The clove adds an amazing note as well. Super soothing on sore throats and upset tummies.

Tomorrow...

Dear readers,

This time tomorrow I will be in Texas. Not only am I blessed with the ability to visit my very best friends but I'm getting a visit from the tooth fairy. Apparently once in the mortal realm one must abide by mortal rules... this means dentists. I think I prefer to call them tooth fairies. 

I am not looking forward to that part. 

Well.. maybe I am. I like knowing my teeth are shiny so you don't all come up to me and stare at them. (You're going to do that anyway, not that you've read this, aren't you? *sigh*) Anyway! While I am in the great land of Texas, I will be drinking tea, searching for trinket shops to add awesomeness to my collections... and possibly writing. I'm bring my spinning along too. 

I promise photos, because blogs are always so much more interesting with photos.

<3

Rubiee

Tea Review - Cozy Leaf: White Jasmine

Blend Name: White Jasmine

What the company says: (Organic Contains Caffeine) Warm and smooth start to your day! Green tea has a tremendous amount of health benefits including its potential to fight cancer and heart disease as well as lowering cholesterol, burning fat and preventing diabetes. Not only is this incredibly good for you, it also tastes fantastic!
Organic Ingredients: Jasmine Green Tea, White Peony Tea, Heather Flowers, Rose Petals
Taste: Smooth and flavorful with a soft floral touch

Sweetener Used: None

Milk Used: None

Steeping Time: 3 minutes

Overall Opinion: First sniff yields a tea that smells like any other jasmine green tea. My first sip: Green tea, but softer than most. I didn't taste any of the floral notes either, just green tea. I'm not saying it's a bad green tea, just more... bland than I was expecting. I will try this tea again, perhaps with sweetener and a longer steeping time. 

Pooka Post: Homecoming

Today, just a bit of writing:
-----------------------------------------------
Shadow Grove was beautiful as always. The weather was gorgeous and the trees in the area shaded my cottage from the sun, making the day even nicer. Shadow Grove was home, no matter where Mab's whims sent me I could always return to Faerie and to the home of my heart.

I looked down to the roses that lined the front wall of the cottage, they were every color imaginable and dappled with the spots of sunlight that escaped from the leaves of the trees overhead. Some of the roses had come from the mortal realms and others yet came from Faerie itself. The trees around the cottage whispered in the breeze and I tilted my head back to listen to their song.

"You're home!" I heard his cheerful cry before he threw himself at me. I had to laugh as I gathered the canine creature into my arms. He looked like a mortal dog, a terrier to be exact. In truth neither of us knew what he really was.

"I've missed you too, Tobias." I scratched behind his ears and let him back down to the ground. I would joke how much of a mutt he was, we sometimes would sit in the gardens and try to figure out exactly what mix of fae was in his blood. It was our game.

He guarded Shadow Grove while I was away and he was my best friend no matter what court politics were underfoot.

"I see the roses are all in bloom." I commented and he padded over to inspect them.

"They weren't yesterday, they must have known you were coming back." His words made me get that happy warm feeling that so many mortals would talk about, I laughed.

"Must be. Come on, let's go inside... I have so many things to tell you about my adventures this time." As I walked towards the door of the cottage I couldn't help but whisper a word of thanks to anyone that would listen.

I was home.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a smattering of the life of a Pooka Fae when not in the mortal realms. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it!

Tea Review - Ashby's of London: Cinnamon Plum Tea

Blend Name: Cinnamon Plum Tea

What the company says: Flavored with fresh ground cinnamon and the rich essence of plum.


Sweetener Used: None
Milk Used: None

Steeping Time: 4 minutes

Overall Opinion: The smell of this tea threw me off. Too sweet for my personal tastes and it reminded me of a pie or something similar. I couldn't smell the cinnamon or the plum, just sweet. The first taste yielded a tea too sweet for my palate, even without sweetener. I admit that I only tried one more sip before giving up, this blend just isn't my thing.

Shiny Bits Thursday!

Yet another post of shiny bits! These are shops that I love, mostly from etsy.

Fairy Folk

Needlefelting awesomeness. Seriously, have you ever seen such cute toadstools? They also have felted acorns, which are just gorgeous.

Beadfreaky

Gorgeous, stunning porcelain buttons that I drool over. 

Emergent Glassworks

Okay really, who can live without octoplode earrings!? And they have octoplode hairsticks and all of these neat things. (Octoplode = Octopus) 

Bread and Badger

Awesome glasses. Seriously. Go look.

So there they are! The shiny bits I'm currently loving! 

Tea Review - The Tea Table: Lychee Congou

Blend Name: Lychee (Lichee) Congou

What the company says: "Lichee Congou tea is made by combining fine China black tea with the exotic taste of lichee fruit, which adds an amazing fragrance and and natural sweetness. This tea is great hot, but just stunning as iced tea! Also great blended with either Earl Grey or Jasmine Yin Hao, then serve over ice."

Sweetener Used: None
Milk Used: None

Steeping Time: 3 minutes

Overall Opinion: I love Lychee, I have to say that first. This of course means that I had high hopes when trying this tea. The smell of the tea (in the tin) was really great. Very much the lychee I was hoping for. After steeping and the first sip, I found that the black tea is not overpowering at all. The lychee flavor is still very strong after brewing. The tea itself felt more like a green tea to me, most likely because I went for 3 minutes and not the full 5 that they tend to allow.
Even cold the tea is very light and flavorful.