Time for Tools
How do you measure time? How do you hold on to time? If you ever watched your father or grandfather tinkering in the shed and look back on those memories with nostalgia, you’ll love Time for Tools. These one of a kind clocks are made from antique tools by Nigel Burgess from Bayswater. They are made from vintage irons, doorlocks, machinery clogs, shears, planes, spanners, chisels and welding helmets. Each piece is named simply after the tool: a clock made from an old saw is called Saw Time. Nigel started Time for Tools as a hobby and was inspired by his love for antique tools, which he collects. Some that he had collected were beyond repair so he started tinkering around with them and putting working clock hands on to them. His friends began placing orders, then friends of friends began placing orders and Time for Tools spread by word of mouth in popularity. Now, they are exclusive to Basic Elements, a Guildford studio which sells handcrafted ceramics and artifacts. They can be custom made for sentimental value from any vintage tool for a personal gift. The clocks range in price from $70 to $135.
Tea Blossoms
Blooming Teas are a delicious and sweet treat to enjoy mono, duo or en masse. It is quite an unusual experience to watch the small flowers bloom in the bottom of your teacup. Each bud starts off looking like a small anemone and blossoms when steaming hot water is poured over it. As it steeps, the dark fronds unfold unveiling delicate petals. The tiny box the two Tea Blossoms came in revealed nothing about what flavour they were so it was a surprise when my Tea Blossom opened to reveal a Chrysanthemum. The aroma was soft yet musky, almost like vanilla. Most Tea Blossoms are green tea flavoured with flowers but for the purists there is a simple Tea Blossom of green tea. The tea is combined with flavours such as Jasmine and Lilly; Camellia and Marigold; Camellia, Globe Amaranth and Jasmine and Marigold, Jasmine and Lilly. There are health and beauty benefits reported to be associated with the teas too: apparently they have anti-ageing properties, will whiten and moisturize your skin, boost your energy and immune system, diminish inflammation, relieve cough and asthma symptoms and are good for your heart. That is a lot of stock to put into a small flower but then again, we have pills to cure the flu, so who knows? Either way, sitting down with a steaming cup of tea on a crisp day, watching a flower bloom in the bottom of your cup is a strangely meditative experience. For stockists, call Tea Blossoms in Glenhuntly, Victoria, on (03) 9571 4511. Bon appe-tea.
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