Product Spotlight: Puzzles

On Monday November 7th I will be releasing two puzzle in my shop for the first time! Make sure to check them out then and if you buy on release day, you’ll save a few bucks! You can preview everything coming out for the release on my website now.

Why Puzzles?

You may have noticed the uptick in puzzles during early pandemic lockdowns, and it makes sense! Puzzles are a great way to pass the time and have fun, they also tend to be a good group activity but can also be done solo.

Last year while Christmas shopping, I noticed so many puzzles with a variety of different artwork featured from designs to photographs and I wanted to give it a shot.

I’ve always had a soft spot for puzzles because theyrre an activity I always enjoy and I have fond memories of them. Specifically for me, I think to summers in New Hampshire breaking out a tough 1000 piece or more puzzle to do on rainy days or to do a little bit every night after dinner. Working together with the same goal made it a fun activity since I get a little too competitive with other games.

I loved that you could just dive right in and help where needed or have a strategy or work on one area. Getting two pieces that fit together is the best feeling and I was determined to try to make a puzzle with one of my designs. This past summer, I took a sample of “the overgrown teapot” to New Hampshire and we did it as a family! I was such an amazing feeling to do it together.

My original idea was to take this winter window design I created and turn it into a puzzle because I thought it was a good candidate. Along the way working with a printer, It made sense to get two designs and since the floral teapot had been so popular and the design means so much to me that made the second slot!

Both puzzles are 500 pieces and have several different shaped pieces to keep things interesting. I would categorize these puzzles as intermediate. They’re a little easier because they have 500 pieces as opposed to 1000 however both designs have areas that have similar design elements and colors which can make it difficult. When I got samples, I put both together on my own so they are definitely doable! Of the two puzzles, I would say that the overgrown teapot design is definitely more difficult because of the similar flowers and purple background. The final size for both puzzles is a 47.5 cm square. I also know how easy it is to lose pieces so I’ve opted for a drawstring bag for each puzzle!

If you decide on getting a puzzle, I want to thank you for your support and hope that you have a wonderful time solving them!

Tea Thoughts Gift Guide

Do you have a tea lover in your life and want to surprise them with something special? I have a ton of products in the shop that fit the interests of a wide variety of tea lovers! Sometimes when there’s so many things to choose from, finding the perfect gift can be difficult!

I’ve created a guide that will help you cut your search in half and find a great gift!

If you want to view the gift guide as a PDF with embedded links, you can find it below:

Gift Guide with Embedded Links

I’ve also shared them below, using categories that might fit your loved one perfectly!

You can find everything and more in the shop! Please note that several items will be in stock starting 11/19.

The Shop

We all have that friend who hoards stationery, for me….it’s me ! Diversify their stationery with these tea themed items! The wax seal kit adds a classic touch to letters and gifts. The kit includes a was seal stamp, handle and 2 wax sticks, there are also 2 other designs in the shop. Washi tape is so fun to use to wrap gifts, hang small prints and to use in planners! This special stamp kit collaboration between Justine Gilbuena and I features two flowers that we felt represented home - The Philippines and Iran. The kit includes 3 stamp colors, a makahiya stamp and a honeysuckle stamp.

Wax Seals

Washi Tape

Stamps

All Stationery

I have a special connection to gaiwans. When I was first given a tea I didn’t know how to brew, the first guides I found suggested getting a gaiwan and I’ve been hooked every since. The simple design of a lidded bowl enhances the tea tasting for me as there are so many aromas that come through due to the wide opening. The gaiwan is also featured in a lot of my products because I wanted to have gaiwan merch and couldn’t find it so I started making my own! Gaiwan studs and socks allow you to flaunt your love of this brewing vessel and also look pretty stylish :D I also have some actual gaiwans in the shop as well like the persimmon design shown. I also have several different designs on this same style gaiwan.

Gaiwan Studs

Moon Gaiwan Socks

Persimmon Gaiwan + Cup

Especially when it gets colder, we all know that one person who loves to be cozy or to have cozy things. These fuzzy socks are a new addition to the shop and something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time! They are soft and have a fin embroidered piece on the side, I highly suggest pairing these with some leggings or your favorite onesie! The sloth magnet is a great gift for someone who likes cozy and chill vibes! He likes to hang around and really space out that gong fu cha session!

All Socks

Sloth Magnet

Pins are great for collectors and people who love to add some flair tot their outfits! I’m featuring the camellia sinensis, pangolin teapot and sakura pins because I am running low on all of them! Make sure to grab some pins soon as I wont have new or restocks until next year! In addition to enamel, I also have a few wood pins.

All Pins

Matcha and green tea are thins I’ve seen be a huge hit for the American tea market recently. They are sold as health hacks but honestly, they are just delicious! While I don’t drink as much green teas as I’d like I do rally enjoy a bowl of hot matcha or a pot of genmaicha or gyokuro! For the matcha lover I have stud earrings of matcha bowls and a wood pin that makes you part of the chasen club! For all other green teas, I have this lovely kyusu!

Matcha Studs

Chasen Club Wood Pin

Kyusu

Some people collect pins and some people collect teaware! This year, I’ve added lots of teaware to the shop that I either sourced like the gaiwan shown or designed like the bamboo mat and highball glass! This landscape gaiwan is one of the other options of the persimmon gaiwan shown earlier. These have a good shape if you have smaller hands like me as the opening isn’t super wide. The bamboo tea mat is perfect for tea times where you don’t need a tray and need a lot of space for your setup. Highball glasses feature a tea leaf design and are great for iced tea or tea cocktails and mocktails!

All Teaware