News from OneMarkCreations

Spring has finally come to OneMark Creations

2011-04-26T16:45:00.000-07:00

It been a long, cold winter and a stormy spring for most of us. Here in Oregon we have had record amounts of rain - even for Oregon - it's been something to see.

I've been using the time to "hatch" some new websites - each designed around a different but related theme. I decided it would be easier to manage if I could keep each site more tightly focused. Each of these sites is still a work in progress, some are further along in their development than others.

The result of all this work? You can now find me in all the following places:

OneMark Creations

OneMark Creations: My primary e-commerce store offer a wide range of my original tea, coffee and kitchen accessories.

OneMark Creations on Etsy: This store is where I am able to offer my original tea, coffee and kitchen accessories in limited availability fabrics.

In the Kitchen with OneMark Creations: Recipes, Cookbook Reviews, Menu Ideas, Resources, Tips, Product Reviews and Ideas for the Home Cook

News From OneMark Creations: New products, special and promotions, positive thoughts to ponder and news about what's coming up at OneMark Creations.

Always Time For Tea: Resources, book reviews, information about enjoying tea and the many ways in which tea can be used to enhance your health and your life.

OneMark Creations on Twitter: @onemarkcreation

OneMark Creations on Facebook: www.facebook.com/onemarkcreations

Handcrafted and Online

Handcrafted and Online: Resources, tools, tips and advice for the online artisan.

Handcrafted and Online on Twitter: @onlineartisan

Handcrafted and Online on Facebook: www.facebook.com/handcraftedandonline

I'd be honored if you would take a minute to check out some or all of these new sites. Hope to see you soon!

Deb @ OneMark Creations and Handcrafted and Online

Book Review - The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook

2011-03-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

Looking for a good book to learn more about tea? My most recent favorite is The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook - A Guide to Enjoying the World's Best Teas.

I received this book as a gift recently and have been enjoying it immensely. Written by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss this book is a useful guide to the teas and tea growing regions of the world. The reader is taken on a journey from the growing of the Camellia sinesis bush, through harvesting practices, the handling and processing of the tea leaves, purchasing the tea leaves, proper storage and enjoying of the finished tea.

The authors cover in some depth - the unique characteristics of the six classes of tea:

Green Tea
Yellow Tea
White Tea
Oolong Tea
Black Tea
Pu-erh Tea

Not included in the scope of this guide are herbal teas, infusions or tisanes. The authors commenting - "Many of these beverages are delicious and refreshing, but they lie outside the scope of our book and we leave the discussion of them to others".

I particularly enjoyed the photographs of the finished tea leaves alongside the cup of tea made from that leaf within the discussion of each type of tea included in this well written book. Tea enthusiasts will also appreciate the glossary of terms included at the back of the book. All in all - I find The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook to be a great read - and the perfect gift for the tea enthusiast.

Book Review - Tea with a Twist

2011-01-21T15:01:00.000-08:00

Greetings! It's mid January and I'm on the hunt for the perfect recipe for my next newsletter. I've been looking for something that would incorporate something from my tea cabinet (yes folks - it is an entire cabinet). I've shared recipes for sweet treats, starters and side dishes - all served with my favorite teas. This time I wanted to find a recipe that incorporates the tea into the recipe. I've been playing around with my own recipes and poking through my cookbooks for inspiration.

Low and behold - while wandering through my favorite Made in Oregon store I found the perfect book. Tea with a Twist by Lisa Boalt Richardson came out in 2009 but it's taken me until last week to find it. Clearly I need to get out more.

This informative and beautifully photographed cook book is a collection of recipes and ideas that celebrate the use of tea as an ingredient to the recipe itself. Organized by tea party themes - from the Flower Power Tea Party to the All About Chocolate Tea Party and more. Also included are basic recipes for sweet and savory scones and the basics of brewing a pot of hot tea and iced tea. The stage for each theme is set with a charming introduction by Lisa followed by the menu and recipes for that theme. The accompanying photographs will have you making a grocery list in no time at all.

Which to try first? Since it's football season - I think I'll start with the recipes from the Southern Tailgate Tea Party. Lisa has a recipe for Smokey Tea First Down Barbeque and another for Touchdown Tea Infused Pecan Brittle - both are calling my name!

Happy New Year - All the best to you from OneMark Creations

2010-12-31T12:15:00.000-08:00

A year is done, a new one just begun – I love this time of year! I’ve been busy planning lots of exciting things for 2011 and look forward to sharing them with you throughout the year.

I've also been spending some time thinking about making new choices, moving forward with ideas, learning new tools and setting goals. That also means it's time to review past results and do inventory - yikes!

Positive Thought to Ponder: We can chart our future clearly and wisely only when we know the path which has led to the present. Adalai E. Stevenson

Looking forward

In 2011, I plan to share more recipes, positive thoughts to ponder, reviews of my favorite books about tea and introduce some new products.

The first of those “new things” is our new Etsy store. I’ve been thinking about opening a store on Etsy for quite some time – it’s an amazing marketplace for handmade items from artists and craftspeople from all over the world.

OneMark Creations on Etsy

The new store will complement our main store OneMark Creations. We are featuring our original tea, coffee and kitchen accessories in limited availability and one of a kind fabrics. We will also include a few of the favorites from our main store. Check out the new store and let me know what you think – I’d love your feedback! OneMark Creations on Etsy.

News from OneMark Creations - January Newsletter

Want to keep up with what's new, monthly specials, more positive thoughts and a recipe of the month? Check out our Monthly Newsletter.

Happy Holidays from OneMark Creations

2010-11-28T04:54:00.000-08:00

It's the time of year when we look forward to enjoying treasured family traditions and sharing time with family and friends. We think back to all the memories made over the past year and are thankful for the opportunities we have received.

At OneMark Creations - one of the things we are most thankful for are the many customers who supported us and encouraged us all year long. It is our wish that you and your family enjoy the happiest of holidays.

May your holiday table be surrounded by family and friends

Favorite Recipe of the Month - Cranberry Tangerine Relish with Scones

This month I have two recipes to share. One is a family recipe - created by my mother. The other is one I recently discovered from a line of gluten free mixes made locally a company called Laurel's Sweet Treats. This month I tried her Delightful Scone Mix. She has a variation on the label for Cranberry Orange Scones. This variation paired well with my mother's amazing Cranberry - Tangerine Relish. This combination would be perfect at any time of year but seems especially festive for the holiday season.
Beverage suggestion: I like these tasty treats with a cup (or 3) of steaming hot tea. This month I'm drinking Orange Spice by Stash Tea.

Click here for the Recipe - print it, try it and let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Positive Thoughts to Ponder

Time for Home

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand

and for a talk beside the fire: It is the time for home. - Dame Edith Sitwell

Holiday Gift Ideas

Need a teacher / hostess / last minute gift? - Consider a Tea Bag Travel Wallet. Each comes packaged ready to give in a pretty gift box with a ribbon and a clear window on the front to display the tea wallet inside. Each tea bag wallet also includes a sample selection of premium Stash Tea bags.

Have a loose leaf tea lover on your list? - Our Loose Leaf Tea Travel Wallet comes in a clear gift box with a ribbon and includes the loose leaf tea travel wallet, 2 food safe tea tins and a box of 100 cup size tea filters. The perfect gift for the serious tea lover.

Know someone who makes their coffee or tea in a French Press? - They will love how hot a cozy designed just for their press will keep their favorite brew.

Planning on baking lots of holiday treats? - Think about gifting yourself - or someone you love with a custom cover for your (or their) Kitchen Stand Mixer. Available in three sizes and dozens of beautiful fabrics.

Holiday Shipping Calender

We are committed to making sure your order arrives in time for your holiday gift giving. Please note the following dates.

Custom Orders: Please place your order by Friday, December 10th
In Stock Orders: Please place your order by Friday, December 17th
Last minute / express orders: Please call - 503-819-2955

As always - we appreciate your support of us at OneMark Creations. May you and your family have the happiest of holidays.

Sincerely,

Deb Messina
OneMark Creations - Original Tea, Coffee and Kitchen Accessories

Here come the holidays!

2010-11-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

Greetings from OneMark Creations!

We have created a special tea cozy to take us right through the holiday season. Right now we are using it with the beautiful maples leaves on the outside, once we've celebrated that last bit of Thanksgiving pie - we'll reverse it to show off the festive poinsettias. This special cozy is available in three sizes though the holidays.

The air is crisp and the leaves have taken on the colors of fall - soon all those holiday invitations will fill the mailbox or the inbox. I know I'm thinking about what I'll take to those get-togethers with family and friends. Do I take the same appetizer I've taken for years or do I spice it up a little?

My solution? Jalapeno Poppers - a tasty appetizer that nearly everyone loves and one that we don't usually make at home. Check out the recipe, I've even included a "cool" option for those who don't appreciate hot & spicy flavors. Add a little grated parmesan cheese on top - it's an amazing flavor. Try out the recipe and let me know how you (and your guests) liked it.

Postive Thought to Ponder:

Do not wait for ideal circumstances, nor the best opportunities; they will never come.

- Janet Erskine Stuart

November Special:

Free shipping (to any single address in the USA)
for the month of November

Use Code: ShipFree at checkout

New places to find us:

Welcome to Fall!

2010-10-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

With the changes in the weather - we are starting to think about things to keep us cozy and warm. I'm making a big pot of Moroccan Mint Tea and enjoying some Chocolate Date Muffins. I've been working on perfecting this recipe for a long time and I've finally come up with a winner. I make mine gluten free (and no one ever believes it's really gluten free) but this recipe can be made with any good quality baking mix. Print out the recipe, give it a try and let me know what you think.

Also new this time is our new monthly newsletter - check out the current (October) issue.

We've also introduced some new fabrics this month - a beautiful landscape fabric in two different colorways. These fabrics are available made up as tea cozies, french press cozies and stand mixer, toaster and blender covers.

Landscape Blue

Landscape Orange

We got some new fabrics coming for November as well - stay tuned!

Enjoy the tea & muffins!

Deb @ OneMark Creations

We've updated our website and added lots of new features

2010-09-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

The OneMark Creations website has undergone quite a change over the past few weeks. We have updated our look, added lots of new products and customers are now able to:

Create and save wish lists
Enter product reviews
Forward information about specific products to friends
Request gift wrapping for items purchased as a gift

Check out the changes and let us know what you think - we would love your feedback.

Last posting - I promised to answer the question - why is this cozy square? (It is, after all - an unusual shape for a tea cozy- or for that matter - a French press cozy).

Why is this tea cozy square? The functionally elegant square shape of this tea cozy allows it to sit flat on the table, completely surrounding the pot - including the spout and the handle - keeping the teapot hot and the tea ready to enjoy for hours. This beautiful cozy is also completely reversible allowing the user to enjoy two coordinating looks with the same tea cozy.

Where are the openings for the spout and the handle? We have found that the openings for the handle and spout found in many more traditional cozy designs allow heat to escape. The opening for the spout - while convenient for pouring - allows all those drips to stain the cozy. We prefer a really hot pot of tea and a clean cozy - so we have eliminated the openings.

Handcrafted tea, coffee and kitchen accessories

2010-07-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

Beaverton Oregon based OneMark Creations is devoted to the creation of handcrafted tea, coffee and kitchen accessories. Our current product lines include Tea Cozies, French Press Cozies, Tea Wallets and Appliance Covers. Each is an original handcrafted product made using the finest materials and our own copyrighted designs.

The design for the Tea Bag Wallets came from my years of business travel. I always carried my favorite tea with me in a plastic bag - and have been a little embarrassed as I pulled that (useful but not pretty) bag out in a restaurant or a meeting. It seemed to me that it would be much nicer to be able to pull out a pretty little wallet with my tea bags - instead of that plastic bag. The result is the original, copyrighted design for the Tea Bag Wallet - made up in a wide variety of fine quality 100% cotton fabrics.

We continue to design and offer other original fabric tea, coffee and kitchen accessories that we feel meet the needs of the discriminating customer who seeks out beautiful, functional, high quality products to use personally and to give as gifts. Check out our current offerings at OneMark Creations.

Next Posting: Why is that Tea Cozy square?