by Flock of Tea Cosy | Flock's Diary of modern wool felt teaware
No surprise, but in these COVID-days delivery times for parcels are erratic — what normally takes 5 to 8 days has sometimes taken up to 16 (!) All the more reason to order early this year if you’re thinking about one of these tea or coffee or mug cosies as a Mother’s Day gift.
MOTHER’S DAY 2021 : SUNDAY, MAY 9th
We’re having a week of soft grey April showers — absolutely perfect for pots and pots of hot tea (or coffee) and getting on that indoor to-do list. Or maybe just finishing that book.
by Flock of Tea Cosy | Flock's Diary of modern wool felt teaware
As for everyone else, there’s no overseas traveling for me this winter and that means the shop will stay open through to spring (ah spring). More time cutting and sewing and keeping the mind and body occupied during these strange times. Also, it’s bl**dy cold out there these days and I’m not so good with that kind of cold.
In other news, there are a couple of new colours in the workshop. Somewhat limited supply, but beautiful while they last.
A wonderful deep Indigo Blue — very elegant — and tropical Coral Orange.
It’s orange with a little pink in it. There’s also a fresh batch of Moss Green which always evokes spring and new forest growth for me.
A fresh pot of tea — or coffee — is just what the doctor ordered these days, isn’t it. Whether it’s after a good walk in the park or during a video teaparty with friends or family.
Tea Cosies Coffee Cosies
by Flock of Tea Cosy | Flock's Diary of modern wool felt teaware
A wee shoutout to thewirecutter.com for their unexpected mention of FlockofTeaCosy’s wares as a good gift for mom on Mother’s Day. Chest puffed out, head swelling, generally feeling chuffed.
Their item from April 30th, written by the clearly lovely Alex Arpaia was titled “A not too twee tea cozy”:
Does your mother’s taste run more to Heath Ceramics than Blue Willow china? Danish modern rather than Louis Quatorze? Assam loose-leaf instead of Hawaiian Kona dark roast? Then she might just be in need of a tea cozy that doesn’t look like it came from Queen Victoria’s drawing room. One of these simple yet colorful wool-felt cozies—handmade in Toronto by Michaelle McLean, a certified tea sommelier—will keep the tea in her teapot warm all morning. (McLean makes cozies for French press coffee makers and mugs too.)
Thanks et merci!
(Postscript: sadly there’s no more of that lovely Peacock Blue wool felt which I got in Spain, perhaps another year, when travel is back. But other lovely colours can beguile.)
by Flock of Tea Cosy | Flock's Diary of modern wool felt teaware
Finally had some time at the work table the other day — more of the colourful “Ribbed” cosy design.
The one above is sized for a standard 4-cup teapot but because the design cleverly expands like a puffer fish it can accommodate one a little larger or one with a wide spout to handle dimension when it’s popped out like a tent (see instructions below).
Shop “Ribbed”
If your teapot is large — or you just like the look — pull gently on opposite sides and the stiff felt will pop out like a puffer fish to wrap around the teapot.
by Flock of Tea Cosy | Flock's Diary of modern wool felt teaware
Every now and again the growing pile of tea cosy wool felt scraps starts to grumble, so the other day I started on another table runner (aka table topper aka hot pad) and several hours of puzzling the pieces together.
A dark comet with a fiery tail is what I had in mind. A friend suggested it could also be a volcano, and another thought a fish.
Over the two following afternoons — while listening to podcasts — it was sewn together with zig-zag. Far too many hours in its making to be sensible, but looking pretty smart. Now in the shop.
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I was inspired in part to keep all the felt scraps — besides the fact the felt is so dear — by Ray Anderson, CEO of Interface, an American rug manufacturer who, in the seminal 2003 documentary The Corporation, talked about reclaiming the wasted roll ends of carpets to make more beautiful carpets. By doing this they reduced the amount of petroleum that had to be pulled from the earth and saved their company money all at the same time. That’s eco logic. Waste not, want not.
by Flock of Tea Cosy | Flock's Diary of modern wool felt teaware
2020 has certainly not been the nicest of years but look, we’re 3/4 through and there’s a holiday season on the horizon. I’m opting for the glass-half-full view today (am not focusing on nixed winter travel plans, for instance).
Today is National Coffee day in Canada and the USA and Thursday, October 1st, is International Coffee Day. Even though this is Flock of TEA Cosy, we’ve got you covered if you’re a coffee drinker — beautiful cosies sized to fit Bodum’s popular Chambord french press in the 8cup and 12cup size and designed with a modern sensibility. And they fit many other french press makers as well.
Shop Coffee Cosies
In addition, a tea-drinking client told me last year that the coffee cosy was an excellent fit for her tall, narrow (elegant) teapot. Talk about multi-tasking.
