The best way to make tea is to use boiling water. The important point is for the water to be boiling when you pour it over the tea, either in a cup, mug or best of all, a teapot. By doing this you obtain the most flavor from the tea. The longer that you leave tea to brew, the more bitter tasting tannin will be enter into the water.  Using a microwave to heat your water is slower, can be dangerous and produces a lower quality tea and is not advised.

TERRACOTTA TEAPOT

Best results are obtained using loose tea in a teapot rather than teabags. I appreciate that tea bags are simple and convenient to use but loose tea is not ground as fine as the tea in tea bags so it has more room to circulate in the pot. In addition, the finer ground tea used in tea bags allows for more bitter tannin to be released – so for a perfect cup of tea – loose tea wins every time. But don’t forget to use a tea strainer to avoid getting tea leaves in your cup.

SALT FIRED TEAPOT

1. Use one teaspoon of loose tea per person plus one for the pot.
2. Use fresh water because when water is re-boiled it loses oxygen which prevents the full flavor of the tea being released.
3. We suggest warming the pot first! This helps the brewing process by maintaining the brewing temperature for longer, to extract more flavour from the tea. It is very important to use boiling water to make the tea. Water which is not boiling does not allow the tea to brew properly.
4. Brew for 4-5 minutes as using a shorter time will not allow the full flavor to develop. Longer brewing will result in a bitter tasting tea as Tannin will start to be extracted from the tea leaves.
5. Stir the tea in the pot once while it is brewing. Note about using tea bags – the same basic rules apply as for loose tea. But you will get best results brewing in a pot. If you must brew in a cup then brew for a much shorter time, say - 2 - 3 minutes.

Enjoy your tea!

PEARS DESIGN LARGE TEAPOT

Tea Pots make superb gifts and are a \’must\’ for any household or family. Tea is acknowledged as one of the most healthy drinks that you can find and drinking 3 cups a day is believed to be good for you heath. You can find a great selection of hand crafted Tea Pots & Mugs at http://www.sidestreettudio.com/catalog/pottery-pots-c-1_116.html

Drinking three or more cups of tea a day is as good for you as drinking plenty of water and may even have extra health benefits, say researchers.

QUASIMODO TEAPOT

The work in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition dispels the common belief that tea dehydrates.

Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers, UKnutritionists found. Read more at the BBC article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5281046.stm

All of these beautiful Tea pots are locally made on Vancouver Island. They are available at Side Street Studio, Oak Bay Village, Victoria, B.C. Canada or on line at www.sidestreetstudio.com

CLASSIC TEAPOT & INFUSER

(Serves 4 – 5)

There are few things that I would rather have after a walk or returning from skiing on a cold winter’s day. The combination of beans and pasta tastes delicious; the two food complementing each other perfectly.

LARGE SOUP BOWLS

This soup is a nutritious & satisfying meal in itself. Serve with fresh wholemeal or crusty white bread and follow with fruit.

8oz (225 g) dried kidney or haricot beans.

1 oz (25 g) Olive oil

1 clove garlic

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

1 stick celery finely chopped

2 tablespoons (2 x 15 ml) finely chopped parsley (fresh is best)

2 oz (50 g) smoked bacon. (Unsmoked if you wish)

14 oz (397 g) can chopped tomatoes with their juice

2.2 pints (1 liter) beef stock – home made or water & 2 stock packets

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

6 oz (175 g) Conchiglie (shells) or Fafalle (twists) pasta

Fresh grated Parmesan (or mature cheddar) cheese

Put the beans in a large bowl, cover and leave to soak overnight. Boil for at least 15 minutes the next day, before using. You can substitute for pre cooked cans of beans if desired

APPLE DESIGN SOUP BOWL

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sauté the onion, carrot, celery, bacon & parsley until softened – then add the garlic for the last 2 minutes. The bacon should be just turning brown. Now add the tomatoes, stock and boiled and drained beans. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer until the beans are tender – about 3 hours, but possibly less, depending on the beans.

FRENCH ONION SOUP BOWL

Scoop out a good cupful of the beans and puree in a blender or though a sieve. Put back into the soup and add salt & pepper. Bring to the boil again and add the pasta and cook until the pasta is tender (al dente) – about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

SALMON DESIGN SOUP BOWL

Serve in soup bowls with grated cheese and more freshly grated black pepper.

Note: the soup should be very thick. You may have to cook it uncovered if there is too much liquid, or add a little more stock if it has reduced too much during cooking.

SOUP or BRIE BOWL

All these beautiful bowls and the tureen are hand made in British Columbiaby some of Canada’s finest pottery artists. The pottery is available from Side Street Studio, Oak Bay Village, Victoria, B.C. or on line at www.sidestreetstudio.com

SOUP TUREEN & LADLE (BOWL)

Marlyn & Dave – of Quasimodo Pottery have been creating beautiful functional pottery for many years. They have written some good tips for caring for their pottery to help you use & enjoy these superb pieces for years to come;

Food Safe

This hand made pottery has been fired to a high temperature that makes it suitable for everyday use for food preparation and serving. No lead or other harmful materials have been used in the clay or glazes.

LARGE RIMMED SALAD BOWL

Oven Proof

This pottery may be used in a conventional electric or gas oven. But to avoid ‘temperature shock’ we recommend NOT to place cold pottery directly from a refrigerator into a pre heated oven; rather allow time for the piece to warm to room temperature as you pre heat the oven. Similarly, do not place hot pottery directly into cold water or a refrigerator. Avoid placing hot pottery directly onto any surface including marble or other stone countertops. Use a heat mat underneath.

COVERED CASSEROLE

Microwave Safe

This pottery is safe to use in a standard microwave oven. The glaze contains no metals that may spark or react.

FAT MUG

Dishwasher Proof

Our pottery can be cleaned in a standard dishwasher and is durable enough to withstand everyday use and cleaning.

HINT; For easy clean up – fill with soapy water, let soak for a few minutes and then use a plastic scrubber to remove the worst bits of food before placing in the dishwasher.

BRIE BOWL

Candleholders

Do not pry wax out of the candleholders or you risk breaking the rim. Use hot water to soften and then easily remove the wax.

CANDLEHOLDERS

Spouts

Be sure not to bump spouts on teapots, wine carafe’s or decanters etc while cleaning or filling.

WINE CARAFE WITH HANDLE

Protecting your Table

Use cork pads on decorative ware or dinner ware to protect scratching glass or wood furniture and use a mat under any pot containing water.

CHEESE PLATTER & KNIFE

You can find this superb pottery at Side Street Studio, Oak Bay Village, Victoria, B.C. Canada. You can also purchase on line at www.sidetreetstudio.com

 A casserole, from the French word for “saucepan”,is a large, deep dish used both in the oven and as a serving vessel. The word casserole is also used for the food cooked and served in such a vessel, with the cookware itself called a “casserole dish”. (Source: Wikipedia)

Large Casserole

A rich red wine flavored casserole of chicken, bacon, onions and mushrooms. Serves 4 – 6, (hot). Perfect for a cold winters day!

Apple Design Casserole

1. Defrost 4 skinless chicken breasts & cut into 1 inch pieces. Slice bacon into small 1 inch strips. Peel & slice onions & wipe then chop the mushrooms. Finely chop garlic.
2. Melt 1 -1 ½ oz butter and fry bacon & onions until they just start to colour. Then add the garlic for 2 – 3 minutes. Remove to casserole and keep warm. Fry chicken pieces in the same butter until they are just browning. Remove to casserole.
3. Pour the red wine into the pan and bring to the boil; lower the heat and slowly to reduce the quantity by ½. Add the stock and bring to a slow boil for 5 minutes. Season with salt & black pepper. Pour this sauce over the chicken in the casserole. Add herbs. Bring to the boil. Then remove to oven and cook for 45 – 60 minutes.
4. While the chicken is cooking melt the remaining butter and cook the mushrooms. Add to casserole for the last 20 minutes of cooking time.
5. Serve with green beans and baked potatoes.

Covered Casserole

4 skinless chicken breasts

4 rashers smoked bacon

2 medium onions

12 – 16 mushrooms

2 cloves garlic

2 oz butter (olive oil can be substituted if desired)

½ pint inexpensive red wine

½ pint good chicken stock

1 teaspoon dried parsley (2 – 3 sprigs of fresh parsley if available)

1 sprig thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme.

1 bay leaf.

Pre heat oven to 325 degrees F or 160 degrees Celsius.

Small, medium or large, all of our casseroles are unique and hand crafted in B.C and will grace even the most discerning of tables. All are of course, oven, dishwasher and microwave proof. Foodsafe. Our casseroles make outstanding gifts just for you or for that someone special. www.sidestreetstudio.com

Pear Design Casserole

‘Pit Fired pottery is the oldest known method of firing clay and the ultimate source of all the modern firing variations used by potters. Each vessel is burnished twice, once when it is leather hard and then again when it is bone dry.  This picture shows the second burnishing.  Various shapes and sizes of agates, quartz stones etc. are used’. 

‘After the second burnishing, the pots are bisque fired in an electric kiln to cone 012.  If they are fired any higher it would cause the pots to loose their shine.

‘A 3” layer of shavings is put on the bottom of the pit and then the pots are nestled into the shavings’.  ‘Each piece is layered with combustibles such as dog food, pine needles, fine sawdust, coffee or anything else that is available’.

‘Paper and kindling is added on top and the fire is started.Usually I use alder and maple firewood, simply because that’s what is available’.  ‘More wood is added until I’m happy with the amount of hot embers’. At some point the metal lid is dropped and the fired is allowed to burn down for at least two days. 

‘Most of the combustibles will have burned away but there is usually enough ash to protect the pots’. ‘It’s so exciting to see the finished process’.  ‘The fire leaves flashes and patterns as does the combustibles; each pot wears the result of its experience during the firing’.

‘Many more hours are spent washing the pots and then they are left to dry.  When completely dry they are finished with a coat of paste wax and a good polishing to protect them’.

‘My pit fired pots have a high sheen and that is very important to me as the high shine seems to give the pieces some depth rather than the pattern from the fire just being on the surface’.

Maeva lives & works on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and you can see more of Maver’s fabulous work at www.sidestreetstudio.com

“As a self supporting professional potter and since graduating from art school in 1976, my partner Harriet and I moved to Cobble Hill and  established our studio; Cobble Hill Pottery in 1988.  We have enjoyed our life of carrying on a time honored traditional handcraft with a huge scope for personal creative experimentation and fun!”

            “During my career I have followed my passion through the clay world, working in earthenware, reduction stoneware, and raku and primitive firings. This current body of work consists of high fired, reduction stoneware, glazed in a palette of personally formulated glazes perfected during my years of experimentation. I enjoy utilizing brushes I construct consisting of various animal hair glued and wired to bamboo, to apply combinations of oxides and under glazes to enrich and enliven the glazed surfaces.”

     “My work is mainly thrown on the wheel, altered and trimmed while damp, then bisque fired once dry. Some of my regular production items are made by flattening clay with a slab roller and then formed over a plaster or Styrofoam hump mold; while damp they can be decorated with stamps I have carved from wood or plaster.  After the initial bisque firing the foot of each piece is coated in glaze-resistant emulsion and then dipped into the liquid glaze. At this point the oxide brush work, scraffito, glaze-on-glaze, wax- resist brushwork, or other decoration is done. The downdraft propane kiln is then carefully loaded, taking all of its idiosyncratic hot and cold spots (where only certain glaze combinations will reach temperature) into account”.

“An overnight warming is started  to lessen the occasion for pots cracking and then a 12 hour firing to reach maximum temperature of 2350 degrees F., the kiln is then quick cooled to 1800* to achieve the desired glaze effects. The kiln needs at least 24 hours to cool before it is opened, the pots removed, the bottoms sanded to ensure furniture friendly texture and carried to the showroom. From there each piece of pottery will set out into the world.”

“When time allows I also work in other mediums, painting, mixed media wall pieces, assemblages with wood and metal. These are a creative outlet as well as fun. The other passion in my creative life is as a jazz musician playing the string bass with different jazz bands in the Cowichan Valley and Victoria area”…

You can find more of John’s beautiful and functional work at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=80499

GIVERNY BOWL - AMETHYST

2. KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUYING FOR! Spending just a few moments thinking about those who you are buying for allows you to plan for specific, tailor-made gifts. Such as a pottery baker for a keen cook or a glass vase for someone who loves flowers. Given a few days notice, local jewellery artists can custom make a piece for you.

COPPER RED OVAL CASSEROLE

3. SET A BUDGET! In these difficult economic times it is so very important to set yourself a budget and stick to it. Locally made gifts offer exceptional value for money.

Carnival Pearls

4. LOOK FOR LOCALLY MADE GIFTS. Locally made gifts are always appreciated and more thoughtful. The uniqueness and quality of local crafts is outstanding and they cost a lot less than you might think. One stop shopping at your local craft store saves you a great deal of time and stress.

REDWOOD (SEQUOIA) LARGE SALAD BOWL

5. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY. By shopping locally you are supporting your local economy and helping to keep jobs in North America. The major department stores and shopping malls are full of produce imported from far off countries. Supporting your local artists & crafts people helps keep your $ at home.

STERLING SILVER, AGATE & AVENTURINE NECKLACE

6. TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT. This is the only planet that we have and we need to take care of it. Your local arts & crafts people leave a small carbon footprint. They use local materials, advertise less and use less packaging – all to the benefit of our planet.

LADIES WOOL SLIPPERS

7. PERSONAL SERVICE. Look for stores that offer a personal service such as gift wrapping and shipping.

Christmas Gift Wrapping

8. LOCAL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Locally made decorations stand out as being unique and original. They also last a lot longer than the mass of cheap imports which you see thrown away after each holiday season. Buy cheap, buy twice is not clever in today’s tough economy.

COBALT GLASS DECORATION

APPLE DESIGN SMALL CASSEROLE

These individuals appreciate the importance of supporting local arts & crafts. Beyond the expensive forms of ‘wall art’ an abundance of fine crafts still exist (in some cases “only just”) within many local communities.

LARGE CASSEROLE

 1. Locally made pottery is unique. One or two individuals (often husbands & wives) work hard to create pieces that are unique. Every single piece is turned by hand and therefore one-of-a-kind.

COFFEE POT

2. Locally made pottery is beautiful and of outstanding quality. Each potter takes great pride in their work. Many local potters have their work in national galleries and major collections but you can still find them at your local craft studio.

COPPER RUBY VASE

3. Locally made pottery is affordable and prices often do not reflect the skills and time spent creating the work. Take a moment to check out prices at your local arts & crafts stores – you will be pleasantly surprised.  

LARGE GRAVY BOAT

 

4. Locally made pottery is Green! By using little transportation, packaging or advertising and by involving local skills greatly helps reduce the carbon footprint.   

COPPER RED & BLUE LARGE TWIG JAR

5. Locally made pottery helps your local community by supporting the hard learned skills of local crafts people and retaining your $ in the community.

Large Honey Coloured Baker

6. Locally made pottery adds unique style to a home and reflects your confidence, good taste and concern for the environment. 

 

LARGE NOODLE OR SOUP BOWL

 

 

 

COVERED CASSEROLE

GRAVY BOAT

 Side Street Studio represents over 320 local artists and has been supporting local arts & crafts for over 26 years. Our web site www.sidestreetstudio.com has over 2000 pages! of artists’ work and is the largest of its kind in Canada.

Finding the perfect wedding gift is often very difficult! You want to give the bride and groom the very best gift that you can, but there is often questions of “Will they really like this”? or “Is this to their taste”?

 By following our list of “9 Tips” you can be certain of finding a gift that the couple will love and appreciate for many years.

1. Identify with the Bride & Groom – While this seems obvious, it is the most common mistake made when purchasing a gift for the couple! It important to understand the couples’ likes and dislikes; their décor style and colour schemes. So why not ask them if there is something you are unsure of or if you have a suggestion; particularly if you do not know the couple well. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Meadow Glass Bowl

WESTERN MAPLE SALAD BOWL

2. The Wedding Registry – If there is one, then use this as the key guide, especially if the couple is collecting a specific range e.g. dinnerware. Often Registry Lists are meant as guides; so be confident and seek out original and personal gifts.

3. Look for locally made Alternatives – Too often much of what we see in our department stores and boutiques is mass produced work made in a far off factory overseas. Wherever possible look for gifts that are made in North America and not just some import whose reputation has been built on advertising.

Apple Casserole Dish

4. Focus on Uniqueness – Consider locally crafted work. Most of this is unique and, unlike items made in some anonymous factory, local crafts people make work that is individual and one-of-a-kind. This does not just apply to a magnificent vase or a glass bowl. Even with a humble coffee mug, each one has a very slight difference. When just one person or a husband & wife team makes an item the numbers are small. It’s great for the couple to have something that is genuinely unique.

5. Focus on Quality – Local artists always take personal pride in their hand made work. I have yet to meet an artist who was not passionate about their work. From potters to glass artists to textile makers – this is their life and they are justly proud of their art. If treated well much of this work can last a lifetime. How many things can you say that about today?

CHARLES VAN SANDWYK 'AFFAIRS OF THE HEART' BOOK

6. Find a source for true Personal Service – Given time most artists will custom -make work to your specification. A unique wedding gift that has been made just for the couple is something that they will remember and cherish.

7. Check out local Availability – Many items may be matched or repeated. Full ranges are available that can be added to or simply collected over time. Not just pottery but wood or even glass. This can be very useful for the couple as time and money allows them to add pieces to their collections. 

8. Help your local Economy – Shopping locally helps your local economy and by supporting local artists it keeps money in the community and ensures that these hard learned skills are alive for future generations.

Large Pie Dish

9. Support your local Community and Help the Environment – A locally handmade gift helps reflects the community and region in which it was created. It has greater relevance for the person who purchased it and to the wedding couple to whom the gift is given. Local arts & crafts produce a minimal carbon footprint – little transportation and excess packaging is involved.

Mocha Pottery Mug

Side Street Studio has been supporting local artists for over 26 years. More than 300 local artists from pottery, jewellery, textiles, glass art, wood turnings, aromatherapy, cards, books, and lots more. Shipping is world wide with FedEx and Canada Post. http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/

1.  Uniqueness – locally crafted work is unique. Unlike items made in a far off factory; local crafts people make work that is individual and one-of-a-kind. This does not just apply to a magnificent vase or a glass bowl. Even with a humble coffee mug, every one has a very slight difference. 

Humble Cat Mug - Very Rare!

 When just one person or a husband & wife team make an item the numbers are by the nature of the process – small. It’s great to have or give as a gift something that is genuinely unique.

WESTERN MAPLE SALAD BOWL

2.  Quality – artists always take a personal pride in their hand-made work. I have yet to meet an artist who was not passionate about their work. From potters to glass artists to textile makers – this is their life and they are justly proud of their work. If treated well much of this work can last a lifetime.  How many things can you say that about in our society today?

GIVERNY GLASS BOWL

3. Value for money – Contrary to what many people still believe, buying directly from the artist or their local retailer can most often cost less than buying some mass produced item from a department store. Reduced transportation costs, no middle men and low advertising helps to keep costs down.

4. Excellent after purchase service. The artists really do care about their work! Artists are available to repair, alter, clean or replace your purchase. They are interested to help if there is ever a problem. You never need to speak with some remote Customer Service line.

CARNIVAL PEARL NECKLACE, EARRINGS & BRACELET

5. Personal service – many artists will custom -make work to your specification. If you need a gift for a special occasion then very often, provided that you allow enough time, the artist will make to your requirements.

6.  Availability – Most ranges are always available so that you can add to your range or just collect individual pieces  over time.  Not just for pottery but jewellery or even glass.

COPPER RUBY VASE

7.  Help your local economy!  Shopping locally helps your local economy, by supporting local artists it keeps money in the community and  ensures that hard learned skills are alive for future generations.

BABY WOOL SLIPPERS

8.  Help the environment! Local arts & crafts produce a minimal carbon footprint – little transportation is involved. Conservation is important to all of us. Much of what local artists use is recycled – including what little packaging is ever used!

9. Fun and Learning. It really can be a fun shopping experience – you get to meet the artist and find out about their skills, how they make their work, the huge time and effort that goes into a single piece. 

CHARLES VAN SANDWYK ANIMAL WISDOM BOOK

10.  Support you local Community. A locally handmade gift reflects the community and region in which it was created. It has greater relevance for the person who purchased it or the person to whom the gift is given.

APPLE DESIGN CASSEROLE

 Side Street Studio has been supporting local artists for over 26 years. More than 300 local artists from pottery, jewellery, textiles, glass art, wood turnings, aromatherpy, cards, books, and lots more. Shipping is world wide with FedEx and Canada Post. www.sidestreetstudio.com

BRONZE JAPANESE STYLE NEOLITHIC JAR