Organic Needle

Meet the New and Improved Organic Needle Tea Bag with Tagua Nut Tag

I am finally ready to put my tea bags up on Etsy after thinking over my test piggies’ comments and making some design tweeks.


*First I made the bag a little larger. It is still small enough to fit nicely in a mug, even a travel mug, but now has a little more room for loading and cleaning. (Thanks Arduous!)


*The second change was I added a small wooden bead over the cording to allow the bag to be cinched closed to prevent any tea leaves from escaping. (Thanks Joilie!)

Price wise I am thinking $4.50 per bag, or 4 for $15. They are actually quite a bit more labor intensive than a regular produce bag.

I am still working on a simple pouch that could hold the bags and some tea. I have some great organic Harmony fabrics that are beautiful and would make for a very nice gift presentation. Trying to keep it simple to keep the cost down. My goal is to make organic gifts practical for any budget. Not always easy.

Single Tea Bag Reviews: My Test Piggies Have Spoken

My Single Tea Bag with Tagua Nut Tag inspectors have spoken. Great feedback guys. Now I was hoping all of you would write me telling me how your lives have been forever changed; you are making more money, your teeth and eyes are shinier, your neighbors no longer scurry away when they see you coming etc. etc. But I guess I will settle for…they brew tea without exploding. There is definitely some tweaking that needs to take place.

Allie’s Review:

I’ve been using the tea bag you sent and LOVING it!

I thought it might leave a lingering taste in the tea, but it didn’t seem to at all. I think my metal grabby tea spoon thingy actually alters the taste of the tea more. It’s easy to clean out — actually easier than the metal steeper, because the tea doesn’t get stuck in the holes at all. I just rinse it and hang it out. It gets doused with boiling water every time it’s used, so I figure that keeps it clean and sanitary. Some tea got caught in the corners, but it wasn’t hard to get it loose.

The weight works nicely and is so attractive.

The first time I used it, there were a few threads that found their way into my tea (from the fabric, not sewing thread), but hey, extra fiber! And it didn’t happen with following uses.

I drink tea that has fairly large leaves. I’m not sure if a finer tea would fall through, but if it would, it would on my metal steeper as well. I’m guessing if you drink fine tea you’re used to a little silt at the bottom of the cup.

1) The mesh fabric can fray along the seam. I have ways of dealing with such disobedient threads…don’t you worry.

2) Excellent point about gunpowder teas seeping through. (For you non tea drinkers…gun powder is not actually made from ammunition.) As a big leaf gal myself, I forgot about that. I will definitely put a note explaining that in the description on Etsy. But like you mentioned…the holes are finer than a tea ball…so….

Joilie’s Review:

I like it a lot. The only possible room for improvement I can see is that it sometimes comes open when I don’t want it to. Maybe I’m not cinching or tying the top tight enough? I love the shell/bead thingy!

Excellent observation. I originally intended for it to be tied by looping the nut through the string but thought that might be a pain to do and undo. However, that would totally prevent the escaping of the tea. I could either go with the original tying idea and include a handy-dandy diagram…or maybe a bead. If I put a bead on the 2 strings together it could be slid up and act like cinch. I will have to think about this one. It would have to be a natural material and not take away from the simplicity of the design and not actually poison my customers. I find 9 out of 10 tea drinkers DON’T enjoy being poisoned. I do my research.

Arduous Review:

And the Winners of the Organic Needle Tea Bag Give Away Are…………………………..

Arduous and Allie! I will e-mail you both so you can send me your info. or you can post your home address in huge letters on your blog along with a map to your valuables and what time you are usually asleep or dead drunk to the world…which ever method of information transference you prefer. And because I trust that you will do your research throughly, I won’t even make you stay in the guinea pig cages. Aren’t I swell? As for the rest of you, don’t fret my lovelies…I have a few more ideas rolling around in the space between my ears that will need some lab rattery.

***Make sure to check out Burbanmom’s green challenge of the day. It is the most brilliant world saving idea anyone has ever had ever! So…if you love the world follow her instructions exactly…if not…well, I guess we can just make another Earth. You know…whatever works for you.***

Calling all Teetotalers! Organic Needle Give Away…with a Teeeny-Weeeny Clause

About gosh darn time, hey? Well here they are. My little beauties. At first I was just going to go with the single cup version…but then a voice inside my head pointed out that it is summer and people are drinking ice tea by the jug. (Okay the voice in my head is Burban Mom…she likes to hang out there…what can I do….I have had worse head house guests….and who can complain when one actually provides design ideas?) So…after scratching my head for a good long while…I knew just what to do…sorta. (Why yes…the Sun Tea Bag does have a striking resemblance to my small produce bag.)

The tag on the single cup version is actually a tagua nut…what the hell is a tagua nut you ask?

Well…until recently I didn’t know either so don’t feel out of the loop…well…for that anyway. Tagua is a nut that is similar to ivory in look and feel…so in addition to providing a reason to keep the rain forest, and a financial opportunity for the local artists, they can also replace the evils of ivory. Hard not to want to incorporate all that, huh? Actually the woman who represents the company who creates my organic cotton cording sent me some samples to see what I thought and if I could incorporate them into my designs.The chips I was sent instantly made me think of tea tags…don’t ask why. They could be worn for jewelry…but that’s not my racket people. I’m a bag lady…so this explains the birth of the organic cotton reusable teabag with a tagua nut tag.

Now Burban will be getting the sun tea bag to give a good work over since it was really her idea I’m stealing. If Jabster is still out there somewhere she would be getting one of the reusable single bags, if she drinks tea, since she is the one who found me someone to actually make me organic cotton cording. That leaves 2, yes two single tea bags that need guinea pigs to check them out. Now…I will expect some feedback on how well they work…so don’t take one and stuff it in your drawer for prosperity sake. Things I want to know…

1. Ease of use. Is the opening large enough? Does it close tightly enough to keep the leaves in?

2. Is it big enough? (Single Tea Bag= 2×3, Sun Tea Bag 7×7) I want it large enough to allow the leaves to brew properly, but small enough that it can go in a dainty cup or even a narrow thermos.

3. Ease of cleaning. Do the leaves rinse easily out? (You may have to turn it inside out to get the little ones.)

4. Cuteness. Yes…It is important.

Now here is the million dollar question for us all to work on collectively as a class. I need to create a counterweight for the sun tea bag…the thing that keeps the tea bag from falling into the jar/jug and causing you to go elbow deep in everyone’s tea. The tagua slices are too small…and adding bunch would drive up the cost to an impractical level. I would love to use a recycled item…or better yet design it in a way that a common household recycled item could be used…hence the buyer creates their own weight…and saves something from the landfill. Do you think people would see this as a copout or a clever waste reducer? Creating your own counterweight would also keep the price lower and reduce shipping weight.

If you are interested in being my little piglets, just leave a comment. I will post next Monday who is getting a bag. Hopefully in a month…after we have a little trial time/you guys do all my work for me…they will be up on Etsy in all their perfected glory.

(Oh…and I’m thinking of calling them Big Dipper and Little Dipper.)

Tie Me Up…But Skip the Peanuts

I warn you now that this post is entirely about green cording. If you are expecting circus clowns or hot male models…not going to happen. Homer is as close as you’re going to get today. (For those of you drama-fiends, there may be a mini rant half way through if you pay close attention.) If you are still here than you are probably a little geeky too and thrilled when you find a product that does a job AND isn’t going to make the planet implode. Up until now, I have been hand braiding bamboo yarn for my bags’ drawstrings. It was the only eco-thing I could find that was strong and flexible enough for tying and untying. The problem? Extremely time consuming. The final blow? A health food store contacted me and started throwing out 3 digit numbers for bag requests. Little ol’ Needle can’t braid all that people. So I sent out a little green sewer’s SOS here on the site and to some possible suppliers. Here’s what I found.

First Up...Waxed Natural Hemp Twine. This twine is made by Ecolution. It is 100% hemp, which by nature is a more environmentally friendly crop than most conventional fibers. A solid green choice. It is made, however, in Romania. Not sure if that is a deal breaker, but something to consider. It is strong, flexible, and easily unties. It has a unique smell…kinda sweet and earthy…like a horse. Not sure if I dig it. [Okay…here is the mini rant as promised…the distributor who sent this to me, who will remain nameless, sent it packed in Styrofoam peanuts!!!!!!!! Now…in his defense I did not request it to NOT be packed in peanuts. I also didn’t request for it to NOT be packed in a gerbil’s rump….but details, details. It never even crossed my mind that it would need such protection. It is basically rope- it could have been mailed in a paper bag. So…the “ecological solution” arrived here in a cushy little sea of waste.] Now I haven’t completely ruled this out for other things. I suppose if someone is a die-hard hemp or horse-ass fan I could use it upon request.

Next up…and the winner I hope….Organic Cotton Cording made by On the Surface. I would have never found this company if it weren’t for a suggestion by Jabster, a brilliant reader. The rep sent me samples right away and I LOVE them. They have the perfect shade of olive. They are incrediblly strong and still small enough to easily feed through the tops of the bags. 100% organic cotton. Sweeeeeeeeeeeet. Just put in a big ol’ order and can’t wait to kick back and NOT braid. (Really hard to drink wine when you’re twisting yarn.) They are also sending me some dyed nuts…more on that later. A lady can’t reveal ALL her secrets in one post.

For those of you who REALLY like the smell of horse plop when you shop, put a little note in your order and I will gladly give you hemp cording instead. I am that good. I also promise you that even if you do not explicitly tell me to NOT pack in a gerbil’s butt, I will still choose a recycled paper envelope. I am committed to 100% gerbil-free packaging.

Gervis the Gerbil says say no to unnecessary gerbil packaging!

How the Challanged Mind Designs

1. See something really wasteful
2. Complain endlessly about it until no one wants to be near you
3. Continue whining on your blog where no one can really shut you up
4. Get 4 glorious minutes alone to create a thought…yes you are probably peeing at the time
5. Sketch the perfect design
6. Misplace perfect design
7. Create decent, but not perfect design
8. Choose and order the perfect material
9. Get notified that said perfect material is out of stock
10. Wait 3 months for restocking
11. Receive notice that perfect material has been discontinued
12. Pick new “perfect” material at 2x the price
13. Create pattern
14. Chase toddlers around for 45 minutes trying to retrieve pattern
15. Catch toddlers and retrieve pattern
16. Chase toddlers for measuring tape
17. Console toddlers for stealing “the magic lasso” and make amends by playing magic burrito for 45 minutes
18. Cut fabric incorrectly
19. Cut fabric correctly
20. Sew sample
21. Chase toddlers who are now wearing samples
22. Convince toddlers to play hide and seek
23. Cut a new sample minus jelly stains while said toddlers are hiding
24. Take 437 bad photos and 1 okay photo of sample
25. List sample…

Oh…eventually find toddlers.

Why Yes….Yes I Do Make Reusable Organic Cotton Coffee Filters

A few weeks back I received an organic cotton distress call from one Beth Terry….AKA Fake Plastic Fish. (Yes I have a special hot line for just such emergencies.) After I was done squealing in delight that SHE was requesting my little needle’s help, I actually bothered to read what her dilemma was. Her need…an organic cotton reusable coffee filter not packaged in plastic. My solution….well…an organic cotton reusable filter not packaged in plastic. Clever, aren’t I? So I set out to create a cone 4 filter…which was lucky because that is just the size I have too. Using the paper cones for pattern fodder, and my little noodle to figure out how best to keep grounds in the bag without it clogging…I was able to create a few demos…with the help of my assistant of course.

Using myself and Beth as test piggies…we gave them a few weeks trial and guess what…they are pretty darn good if I do say so myself. So…if you too are in need of an organic cotton reusable coffee filter click your little self over to Etsy and pick yourself up a little reusable joy. Heck buy one for everyone you know. I’m getting slick, aren’t I?

Thanks Beth for the idea, being a test piggie, and for writing nice things about our little project.

Oh the Details of the Teeny Greeny Buisness…Eco-Printers, Organic Cording, Recycled Labels, Oh My,

So…I had some ideas for bags to help me and others overcome the plastic addiction. If I only realized that was the easy part. Running a business requires stuff…running a teeny greeny business requires a lot of well researched stuff. And math. So here is the rundown.

The fabrics were the fun part. All organic for the most part. Exploring bamboo and other fun things…but very little stress. The only real stress has been trying to find organic cotton or organic hemp cording for the produce bags. It would be a hell of a lot easier than hand braiding the bamboo yarn. So far…no luck.

For packaging…I am using USPS on the recommendation of the very talented and lovely burbanmom. Their flat rate envelopes and boxes are made from recycled paper…and are recyclable. Plus, as la burbarina pointed out, the truck is going there anyway. Easy peasy.

Invoicing…obviously recycled paper is the way to go if paper is involved. Easy to get. Relatively affordable. One problem. After contributing 3 printers in 10 years to the landfill, my husband and I kinda put a ban on getting another one. Might have to take that back. I could skip the whole paper thing entirely for invoicing and do e-invoicing, but I have a feeling that will bite me in the rump at some point…and hard. Is there such thing as an eco-printer? How comfortable are people with shopping on-line without any paper trail? Can I run an entirely paperless or at least printerless business?

Address labels…I found an English company that makes labels out of 100% post consumer waste…but they don’t personalize them and they are on some weird peg hole system from like the 1800s. I was also hoping to get bright green ones…but can’t find anyone that makes green labels on recycled paper. Hard knocks life…I know.

Obviously the whole point of this rather dull post is to trick you into doing research for me. Go my minions…go forth and find me proper greeny office supplies. Okay…maybe a slightly less bitchy tone would be better. I would seriously appreciate any info. and opinions anyone has.

Brainwashing at its Finest Part II: MacGuyver Has Nothing on My Boys

A few weeks ago in the park my 4 year old stopped me from throwing out the bag that previously contained a questionable rice cake snack given to him in yet another party bag from PreK. (How 10 kids can manage to have 433 birthdays in a year is beyond me.) “Ma…I could totally reuse that for my snack tomorrow.” So…I rolled it up and popped it into my purse and just smiled. There is hope for our little planet.

*********The Boys Prepare for Their Next Mission ********* As you start reducing the incoming tide of plastic and other wasteful disposables into the home…you soon discover that the “waste” you do have needs to play 3 or 4 rolls before making its exit. By all means include your little people in these discussions!!!! Let the little monkeys raid the recycle bin. You would be amazed at what their brains come up with. My two year old will take any container…M&M dispenser, old sippy cups, Ming vase and deposit it in the tub indicating that said object has passed his rigorous examination and has earned the second use of the elite…a tubby toy. (If you ever BUY a toy for the bathtub I order you to smack yourself right now. Go ahead. I’ll wait. Now that we all feel better we can move on.) If all else fails…art supplies. My husband and son love taking toilet paper roles, a shoe box and a little scrap paper and making AT-ATs. (Never saw a family get so excited over using toilet paper up. More fiber STAT; we have a fleet to make!) I guess my boys are lucky. They come from a long line of reusers. Their Uncle Brian, at around the same age, once discovered the remarkable similarity between a slide whistle and a tampon applicator at one of my mother’s parties. She must have been beaming at his pure ingenuity. When I am stumped…I turn to my little superheros and say..what the hairy heck could we use this for? Trust me…they’ll come up with something. It may be mortifyingly embarrassing, but it will be something. More importantly…they will hopefully see that things in life are not so disposable if you are just willing to think a little.

Good Help Is So Hard to Find

An inside look into the vigorous testing each of my designs must endure!

My assistant.

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