A Passion for Tea

Sweet Necessi-Teas opened for business in May, 2006. It was the sweet fulfillment of a lifelong dream, fueled by necessity, and embraced the owner's passion for all things related to tea.

The owner, Karen Hattaway was a stay-at-home mom, married to an airline pilot. For many years she earned fun money by selling her tea apparel and linens at seasonal craft shows and at a booth in an antique mall. 9/11 and the resulting economic uncertainty and turmoil in her husband's industry forced her to look for a better way to bring in extra income. Desiring to remain at home, she began selling her tea clothing and accessories online in early 2004 through an e-commerce mall, Ruby Lane, under the shopname, Dressed For Tea.

After 2 1/2 years, she gained enough confidence to take her business a step further and in May 2006, opened her own website boutique, Sweet Necessi-Teas. Her product line expanded from tea time clothing, aprons, tea cup and saucer totes, and linens to include tea sets and accoutrements.

The first step she took to gain exposure was to join a women-owned boutique mall and networking website, Make Mine Pink. Along with the daily website exposure from having a 2nd level boutique at MMP came opportunities to participate in various magazine ads that would have been out of reach financially for a new business. The exposure brought traffic to her website and her customer base grew steadily.

In Feb. 2007, Sweet Necessi-Teas had an opportunity to become a Front Page Boutique at Make Mine Pink. That move, along with participating in several co-op magazine ads, having a product spotlight in Romantic Homes, and a product review of her Tea Cup and Saucer Tote in a tearoom publication, Tea House Times, spurred further growth. The addition of the Royal Patrician line of fine teaware in late July added a new dimension to the shop.

2008 will bring new opportunities for growth and expansion through exposure from independent ads planned for Tea Time magazine and other publications.
A gracious welcome from Karen:

"Welcome to Sweet Necessi-Teas! Tea, teapots, tea cups, vintage linens, lace, romance, roses, all things beautiful, and feminine are the essence of my shop. Combining my passions for sewing, needlework and tea led me to create a line of one-of-a-kind clothing and coordinating accessories, tea aprons, tea cup and saucer totes, tea linens, and decorative tea-themed home

accessories. To round out my shop, I also offer tea-themed gift boxes and vintage and new tea-related products.

In this fast paced world we live in, taking time to smell the roses or spending time with loved ones over a cup of tea is a respite that refreshes. My hope is that I can inspire you do just that! Have a cup of tea and browse awhile!"

Finding New Life for Time-Worn Things

"Hello everyone, my name is Judith Pittman of SomewhereInTime It is such a pleasure to meet and make new friends by doing something I love. It is by a circuitous route that I find myself here.

Growing up in Fairmont (pop 800) and then Lincoln Nebraska, I was very fortunate to have the influence of my maternal Grandmother. At a very young age she would help me sew doll clothes and with doing embroidery work. She was the youngest of 10 and although she went to College, she spent most of her years working retail, gardening and sewing. This is also where I developed my love of all things old and lovely.

I too spent many years in retail - but in the Fashion Industry. First as a buyer in Lincoln, and then for Macy's Midwest in Kansas City - then on to being a sales rep for women's fashions. However, it was by working for a couple of major corporations that I realized that my "happy" place was in being an entrepreneur - working for myself.

My husband Scott and I moved to Florida about 20 years ago. He was raised in the oil fields of Eastern Venezuela. Being fluent in Spanish is very helpful. (Si, habla Espanol) We moved here via another great place, Overland Park, Ks. We still venture back to Nebraska and Kansas quite often to see my family and to watch my adorable young niece & nephews, Jessica, Griffin and the newest nephew, Nicholas.

While in Florida, I ventured back to my artistic side and opened a skin care salon where I did paramedical makeup for people who needed reconstructive surgery or had birth defects. Very interesting work and did help me have a sense of artistic accomplishment. The sales person in me then took over as I re-entered the Real Estate Market. A couple years ago, I took up my paint brush and began painting furniture as a means to relieve stress and to feed my need to do something artistic. After creating several of my lovely cottage chic pieces (finding new life and purpose for time-worn things that have been put aside) I had to find an outlet for my new lovely things.

The "Buyer" in me has fed my absolute passion for poking around flea markets, antique stores, garage sales and auctions. So, my Rachael Ashwell inspired Shabby Chic (TM)/Cottage Chic vintage painted furniture business just naturally evolved. I love the charming and sweet as well as the French-inspired Romantic Style. This now includes one of my newer artistic endeavors, my broken china mosaic work as well as sewing pillows and cushions.

A big thanks to my husband Scott. I absolutely could not do this and work with some of these big heavy pieces without his support. I am so blessed that he also loves to poke around all these wonderful places in our constant quest to find just the right piece.

I am pleased to share my found, mostly one-of-a-kind, treasures with you. Spend some time looking around and we would like to invite you to come back again soon."

All our best to you and yours.

Judith & Scott

"Textile Art for the Dear to Heart"

Meet Michelle and the bunnies of The Raspberry Rabbits.
I'm a textile artist that has an obsession with rabbits. I've have always loved to create with my hands and give handmade gifts. I have been a quilter for almost twenty years and I taught quilting for ten years. My taste have evolved and I truly enjoy working with different textiles and mixed media. I like my work to bring a smile to someone's face while giving the viewer a little bit of enchantment. The best part of life is sharing it with others.

Learn the Language of Flowers @ Vintage Charm

Design has come naturally to Susan Cudahy of Vintage Charm. Her life has been filled with love, laughter, family and good friends. “I remember listening to stories of how Mom and Dad worked together building our first home in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. As a child I watched my Grandmother, Aunts and my Mother around Grandma’s old oak dining room table. I’d hear them laughing as they lay out the material and pattern for a pretty dress. They’d sit at the table, knitting needles in hand; making those warm winter mittens we each received every year for Christmas. As a child music filled the rooms in our home. I remember Mom teaching us how to dance on beautifully polished oak floors in our living room. My love for God, family, friends and a romantic home…were instilled in me from the wonderful creative women and men in my family”.

As a child Susan designed gift cards for family members and later created floral arrangements for family and designed wedding flowers for both family and friends.
“I’d have to say my first designs were flowers picked from my Grandmothers beautiful garden. Every time we’d visit, she’d grab her old garden gloves, fill her galvanized bucket with water, and her and I would go out and pick the most beautifully, fragrant flowers. We’d place them in milk bottles filled with water, and set our floral picks for centerpieces on the dinning room table and around the house. Her garden was packed full of sweet peas, peonies, roses, gladiolas, dahlia’s, snowballs and pansies. You’ll find many of my Grandmothers favorite flowers in my designs”.

In 2004 Vintage Charm was created in celebration of family, friendships and all those occasions that are endearingly feminine. Weddings, Showers,and Tea Parties! Susan designs and photographs many of the products you see on her website. She also works together with other artisans that have woven the loveliness of the old and new with the charm of days gone by. Passionate, classic visions have been hand-crafted and designed especially with ‘you’ in mind. Making many of her accessories and gifts heirloom keepsakes made right here in the USA.

What makes Vintage Charm so unique? Susan’s designs are created by using the meaning of color and expressed in the Victorian Art of The Language of Flowers. Much time has been dedicated to each step of the creative process. Gifts are embellished using hand crafted, vintage and current styles of silk flowers as well as china, lace and vintage jewelry when available. Susan offers gift giving with a touch of elegance and that element of surprise, gift giving with a message! Vintage Charm is an online gift boutique offering floral art, hand-painted, hand designed and hand detailed porcelain china, and accessories for weddings, showers and tea parties.
Susan credits her online boutique success to networking with other women in small business. “I have been blessed to have a wonderful husband, family and great friends that are very supportive and have encouraged me to purse my dreams. There are many unexplored roads for us to travel. My hope is that one of those roads traveled…will keep leading you back to Vintage Charm!”

A Stroll Through the 'Walking Trails' in Camp Diva

Allow me to extend a huge welcome to you!

"I am one who loves painting, embroidery and mosaic artistry.......and who absolutely adores all that is
Shabby, Rustic, Country, Retro, Cottage,
Funky and Whimsical!"says Lori~owner of Camp Diva.

At this moment in time, my favorite creative ventures are:

* Painting roses on white china and ceramic tile
* Embroidering silk ribbon, beads, pearls and rhinestones on
silk, organza, velvet or just about any type of fabric
* Designing cottage and shabby
* Vintage china mosaics



Most of what I create goes directly onto the shelves of campdivas.com

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

Be sure and take a look at the 'Custom Order' information on the 'Hand Painted Ceramic Murals' page where you and I can design a personal mural for your home that will beautifully reflect your unique style!

I strive to reflect my style, not only through the designs I create, but also through emphasizing and extending kindness in the business transactions conducted here.

Take a leisurely stroll through the walking trails in Camp Diva and let the whimsical, shabby and retro-chic breeze gently refresh you. Take a breather and get inspired with a new vision for your decorating passion.

Don't hesitate to request my assistance, via email, while you shop. Most days I am readily available and near my computer all day - Pacific Standard Time : )

New items are always being added at Camp Divas so check back often!!

(Photo courtesy of Britta's Victorian Tea Party's)

While we get ready for our Mother's Day Garden Party why not try this recipe for "Perfectly Pink Party Mints"~

This is a super easy recipe and suitable for all occasions such as weddings, showers, graduations or afternoon tea:
mix
1-3 oz package cream cheese
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
flavoring~ coloring~ pinch of salt
knead like bread dough~
add additional 1/2 cup powdered sugar~
let set a bit (maybe even refrigerate)
make small balls~
dip in granulated sugar~
press in mold~
unmold at once on wax paper
let set overnight~ refrigerate or freeze until needed.

Stop back and check as our plans progress for our Mother's Day Garden Party. Take a momnet to stop at the other MMP Blogs and see what they are planning for their parties.