Brewing

Join us for a class packed full of information about that ever-so-common of beverages, Black Tea. You will be amazed at the variety of tastes and aromas in this category of tea which most of us became acquainted with through the supermarket tea bag brands like Lipton, Red Rose, Tetley, and Salada. We will taste teas from the most common exporters of Black Tea: China, India, and Sri Lanka, and compare the tastes while we learn about the cultivation and production of them. After class you will enjoy pots of your choice with simple tea treats. You are also welcome to shop for any of your tea needs before adjourning.

When: Sunday November 22 nd

                 1:00 to 3:00 PM

Where: Nellie’s Tea and Gifts

                  5 Industry Rd. Suite 2 C

                  South Portland, Maine 04106

Cost: $5.00 per person.  ( Registration fee will be waived with purchase of $10.00 or more on day of the class.)

Call ( 761-8041 ) or e-mail ( nellie@maine.rr.com )to reserve your spot, as space is limited. If leaving a message, please leave your name and a phone number to contact you. I look forward to seeing you in class! Marianne

Want to know more about Oolong tea, that most complex and satisfying of teas?
Join us this Saturday October 17th, from 1 to 3 PM.

5 Industry Rd. Suite 2 C

South Portland, Maine 04106

We’ll get acquainted with the growing regions, how they are made, and the endless varieties available. Then we’ll taste some of the most exquisite teas around and enjoy a light snack.
Cost: $5.00 per person(applied to any purchase of $10.00 or more on day of class.)
Call or e-mail to reserve your spot. Space is limited.

761-8041 or nellie@maine.rr.com

At long last we are in our new space and open to receive the public. Business hours will be somewhat irregular, so I will plan to post them here weekly. I hope you’ll come and see us soon. Our location is a little unusual to say the least, but we’re easily accessible from the highways, there’s plenty of parking and once inside, the collection of products and the atmosphere is what you have come to expect at Nellie’s. As always, knowledgeable and friendly assistance is our goal.
Business Hours for week of July 27, 2009
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 1-6 PM
Wednesday: 10-5 PM
Thursday: 10-5 PM
Friday: 10-2 PM
Saturday: by chance or appointment
Sunday: Visit us at the Scarborough Farmer’s Market, behind Town Hall from 9-12

I’m looking forward to soon announcing new plans for Nellie’s. Things are not quite ready yet, but before the month is out, I hope to have news to share with you.

Meanwhile, we had a marvelous time during the Scarborough Project Graduation ” Tea by the Sea” fundraiser last month. Held at The Breakers Inn at Higgins Beach, the day was gorgeous and the turnout perfect.

Wedding season is upon us. We have in stock Harney and Sons Wedding Tea, a favorite blend of white tea with vanilla essence and rose petals to give it a beautiful visual appeal. The light subtle taste of this tea is always popular and well received. Its packaging in a beautiful silvery tin makes it a perfect gift for a bridal shower paired with an beautiful family tea pot. Or the small tagalong tins make wonderful favors for your guests at a bridal shower tea party or a bridal luncheon for your wedding party.

We were so pleased with our Holiday shopping event at The Breakers Inn of Higgins Beach in Scarborough. Held the first weekend in December, the weather was very cooperative, and everyone seemed to enjoy their respite from the hustle and bustle of other shopping venues. Let me take this opportunity to share some photos from the event with you. At the top you will find all of my helpers for the weeekend. I could not have survived without them.

Our patrons were a joy to have, and everyone seemed to enjoy their tea and scones.

The choices for shoppers were unique and plentiful. Although my son tells me I just can’t keep transporting the whole teashop all over creation. He is not up for helping me continue with my traveling teashop!

My grandaughter is ready for her FIRST Teaparty! Stay tuned for our future events. And wishing each of you The Happiest of Holidays!

Marianne

Change is inevitable in life, and this autumn season of 2008 has seen an evolution in our politics, our economy, and here at Nellie’s. If you’ve been to Biddeford, you’ve noticed that the shop at 265 Main Street has closed. It has been a sad time, but also a heartwarming time as customers, fellow business owners, and others in the community have commented on how much they have enjoyed having our shop in the Downtown. All have commented on how its ambiance and character have added to the development of the area.

With change comes new opportunities, and I am so excited about the Holiday Event which will be held at The Breakers Inn at Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine. Check out the events page of the website for details.

In the near future I am happy to receive questions or orders by phone or e-mail while I build the e-commerce features of the website. Hopefully I will find another suitable space to locate Nellie’s physical presence, as I will greatly miss the face to face contact with customers. As always, I am available for tea tasting events and educational presentations with your group.

Wishing everyone a warm and cozy Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends and a joyous holiday season.

As ever,

Marianne

The ground is white, the wind is blowing, and whether you’ve been out trekking in the cold all day or snuggled inside where it’s warm, there is nothing more welcome than a fragrant cuppa at a certain time of day. I suspect this is the reason January has been officially designated as “Hot Tea Month”. Whether you have one favorite that you drink all the time, or prefer to try something different each time you have tea, THIS is the month to treat yourself to something special. Maybe it will be your standby favorite English Breakfast blend, or an aromatic Oolong. If you need a decaf, I have been getting excellent reports on our new Comoro Vanilla by Harney and Sons, a smooth decaffeinated black tea flavored with just the right amount of vanilla.

If your Valentine is a tea drinker, try giving a different type of flower this Valentine’s Day: a Blooming Flower Tea. There is nothing more beautiful than these globes of hand tied tea leaves as they open in a clear glass of boiled water to reveal the inticate floral design hidden in the center. Scented with Jasmine, these flowers create a mini-vacation in the midst of a busy day as they can be re-infused up to three times. What better way to say ” I love you ” to your special person?

Be sure to join us this Thursday December 27th from 5 to 8 PM for this month’s Downtown Biddeford Art Walk. The featured artist this month at Gallery 265 will be Elsie Reese. She will be here to meet you and anjoy some light refreshments with you. So bundle up and enjoy the combination of freesh air and art as you stroll from shop to shop.

For a complete listing of Art Walk participants, visit the website at www.biddefordartwalk.com

Be sure to join us for our Holiday Open House next Saturday December 8th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We will have special purchases all day, drawings for doorprizes featuring unique and lovely items from the shop, demonstrations by the artists, and refreshments all day. We have something for everyone on your holiday gift list.

AND, for your holiday shopping convenience , we will be open Sundays from 12 noon to 5:00 PM for the month of December! Be sure to stop in soon and enjoy the holiday spirit with us. We’ll look forward to seeing you.

Our featured artist this month is Iona Desmond. If you have never seen her work, you must defintely join us this Thursday to view her diverse body of work as well as to meet her in person. Iona’s skill at a multitude of media will be immediately evident, whether it be pastels, sculpture, watercolor, oil, or acrylics. Her ability to capture a moment is a skill she works at constantly, as you will always find her with a sketch pad and drawing utensil. She has a wonderful way of interacting with her subjects, whether they be inanimant or animal in nature. As you can tell, I am an enthusiatic admirer of her work and do hope that you will join us for refreshments, mingling, and shopping.  We will look forward to seeing you between 5 and 9:00 P.M.