Irresistible Tea Fundraiser for George Brown College Scholarships and Nanny Angel Network on April 10

  I was contacted over the weekend by some lovely ladies about "TEAlightful".  Their e-mail  touched me that all the proceeds go to both George Brown College Scholarships and the Nanny Angel Network.  I love it when people give back to those around them.

   You must be wondering what is planned during the event. First of there are two sessions : 10am till 12:30pm  and 1:30pm till 4pm.  Attendees have a wide arrange of things to check out! There will be plenty of tea and food samples, but also some workshops, tea leaf readings, photo booth, live entertainment, raffle and more.
   This group responsible for this fun filled are in their last year of the George Brown College Special Events Planning Program. Props to these lovely ladies and their selfless efforts to promote tea through their final project!
   I put together this post to promote their event as I believe in their cause and also wanted to support them as a George Brown College Alumni. Much love ladies and to all who attend this event.
       For more information check out their website TEAlightful , twitter or instagram.

How tea effects art for me - 2 Year Anniversary for Tea Journey!

For my TWO year anniversary post I decided to put together a little montage to visually show my growth with Tea since I began consuming tea regularly. To do this I used my own art work as they both grew together over these years. Please enjoy~

First step towards my ink style.  ukiyo-e  with screen printing  ( Abe no Seimei 2008)
Drinking tea regularly and learning new styles around this time. Stopped drinking coffee due to a seizure around Thanksgiving

One of the few first works I have done in ink  at OCAD U  ( Dream or reality 2009)
Regularly looking for new teas in Toronto and regular customer for Davids Tea.

Began to learn other methods of painting with sumi-e ink.
Bought Matcha for the first time and used a fork. Soon after
purchased a chasen to prepare it right. (Fetus Fear 2009)

Purchased first Yixing from Tao Tea leaf. Bought first porcelain gong fu set and a glass gaiwan. Began to understand more about Oolongs and a little about Puerh. Finally moving FAR away from Japanese sencha and genmaicha! Utilized old watercolour skills with Sumi-e, encouraged by thesis professors to  be bolder and less controlling with future work.( Hold 2010, Thesis at OCAD U

Utilized tea in a work for the first time. Visited Majestes regularly for quality teas. And learned of
the Tea Guild of Canada. Joined Summer 2011!

Attained another Yixing from Majesteas. Working for Teaopia for
over a year! Attained more yixings from work. Began tea antique collection
and began to read The Way of Tea. My second tea book after a tea handbook!
Began to work slowly towards the direction I was told to go by professors. Been graduated for over a year.
Started to take Japanese lessons!
(Lace 2011)

Became a Public Relations rep for The Tea Guild of Canada.  Now has too many teas, extensive knowledge
byond what I need for work. Helps out with "World in Your Tea Cup" Event! Great fun.
Now has too much tea ware (no such thing!) and too much tea (blasphemy!).
Began to experiment more with "tea" as tone. (Hair 2011)

Brings tea where ever I go practically! Creating many entries on tea to Tea Journey!
Reviewed Do Matcha! Made more tea friends at the Guild, two I knew from work. Encouraged a co-worker to join Guild!
Began Tea Sommelier classes, been taking Chanoyu classes when able (I love to learn!). Working on promotional materials for the Guild!
Me working in the back in a Sumi-e workshop at the JCCC in March  2012

Tried some amazing teas at Majesteas and Tao Tea Leaf for Spring!
Learning more about processing of teas in the process outside of class. Been
 supporting The Global Tea Hut since February! Enjoying the large selection of spring teas
 and refined taste of my pickings~ My chop for new work, It says " Guren" Crimson Lotus.
I will have it by next week! I picked these characters as my hair is red and the lotus symbolizes
 growth for me. Growing out of the mud and into the world as a flower.

Been with Teaopia for 2 years (June 10th 2012) and have had Tea Journey for
just as long. Now I work for Teavana, and hope to grow some more as a  茶 人 (Tea person), Artist and as an individual in
general.  I truely hope to meet more wonderful tea people and have long lasting
 friendships (Tiffany, Grace, Kingkoh,
Brooke  etc <3 Love you all!) I will be meeting with the Guild
board this summer to plan out fall meetings. I can not wait to get things rolling~
  I am on my second tea class
and I am having one more before I start my super summer. After that third class I am
 about half way done the program.
Certification exam to follow there after and my N5 exam for Japanese Proficiency as well!
"Sheng Nong" in progress for 2012!

  

Surprise at my door!

Thursday, I went outside to get some fresh air after watching a lot of Chinese dramas, I set up The Sorcerer and the White of Snake(白蛇传说) to load and went out the door. Upon opening it I found a box at my door which the customs label stated there was a tea cup inside. At first I thought I had forgotten about an e-bay or Yuuki-cha purchase I had made perhaps over my vacation. 
    Once I finally opened the box I came to realize this was the package from KingKoh who also sent me incense.
    This tea cup is a beautiful chawan. I am still in shock that I have this piece of art. Strangely enough I had just purchased a cast iron pot to use for chanoyu practice this very same day. Since opening it I have been starring at the bowl, picking it up and feeling the unique textures it has. 

     Koh left me a note inside of it, " I put this tea bowl in that I made as a suprise. It has a white Shino glaze with a white oak ash on the outside that turned green. The inside has crawled and stayed white. I also infuse my bowls with reiki energy. I hope you enjoy it."

 On a smaller green note says" Shinorei", which I believe is this bowls name. I am curious as to which kanji is used to write it's name. On another note, I am glad that this came when it did. I have been working on an assignment for Tea classes which I am to create a Problem-free-contemporary tea service. I choose Chanoyu to use as a basis, which I am slowly studying. The tea bowl, I am sure, will inspire such assignment. This gift made my week much better after having an Asthma attack on the way to work Tuesday, I am fine now though as I am taking various medications. I am off to grab a few things so I may work on an art piece this afternoon (after going to Tao Tea Leaf~). 
   I can not thank my friend King Koh enough for this amazeing surprise!

Spring Teas at Majesteas!

I had a great Saturday afternoon last week at Majesteas. Nothing beats sleeping in, small lunch and then a few hours of stories and tea.

     I was very glad that the turn out was intimate, more focus on the tea.
     The set of teas Robert brought back was to die for, especially the Purple Puerh. That which I need to go back for as I did not grab it last weekend.

    I did end up purchasing a set of the springs teas (no Puerh) and I am very glad I have it.

  The teas we had (hopefully in order) were : Jing Ping (Red Tea), Yin Jun Mei (Red Tea), Dragonwell, Bi Lo Chun and Silver Needle. In the set they also included Spring Mist which I got to try earlier this year. I took it to Tea Sommelier class in a glass tumbler, used 60-70 degree water, and it was excellent even after a street car ride to George Brown College. I am very pleased with it as it was not bitter at all when I sat down to enjoy it.

 
  This coming Saturday is when I booked to have a tasting at Tao Tea Leaf with two friends. I will try to post a follow up a few days after to that I can gather my thoughts and drink what I end up with. Both shops are part of The Tea Guild of Canada.  Please support your local shops!