Tea Escapade & Authori+ea
Co-op Tea Swap
How it works: Jessica (Authori+ea) and Nikki (Tea Escapade) have decided to throw together a tea swap involving anyone & everyone who wants to sign up. The swap will take place every two weeks (allowing new members to sign up). There is no limit on members, and membership is free.
Each member will be asked to mail four samples of loose leaf (or 8 loose sachet/silken pouch; 2 of each kind) to someone else every month. These samples can be sent via standard mail, and each sample has to be at least 1/2 oz. (or two silken bags). Regular tea bags cannot count as part of the swap, but can be included as a bonus.
Each sample sent MUST include information on origin/brand/type. Any and all information possible is appreciated so that other swappers can explore and have information to purchase or research if desired.
Who’s involved: This swap is open to anyone and everyone. Keep in mind that a swap involves giving someone else your address, so if you are not comfortable doing so, please do not request membership. Each month an address will be passed to a different member and tea samples will be sent.
How to sign up: Please turn in your information prior to the 1st of each month. Because the Swap occurs monthly, membership will be closed for the session on the last day of the month. E-mail the following information to Nikki:
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Name:
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Mailing Address:
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Phone Number:
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Sample Preferences (if any):
- Sample Restrictions (are you allergic to any herbs or ingredients?):
- Referred By:
Additional information:
Rules & Regs: Each member of the swap must mail 1 tea package (that includes 4 samples) every month, and can expect to receive 1 tea package every month. If you do not mail your sample you will not be permitted to participate in the next swap.
You can receive bonus samples from Jessica (Authori+ea) for submitting a short review of your tea(s). You will receive one additional sample per review (limit two per swap, obviously). Please include pertinent information including name, brand, etc.
The Co-op Tea Swap is for personal purposes only; not for commercial use. Solicitation of members is not allowed. Those who do use this group for solicitation will be removed from the swap.
Bonus:
Sign a friend up and receive an extra sample!
We’ve got a referral program! Sign up a friend (or however many you’d like) and receive a sample straight from Nikki or Jessica! Remind your friend to list you as the referrer on the application….you’ll receive your free sample in the first swap that includes your friend!
Contact Information: Feel free to contact us: Nikki at teaescapade@yahoo.com to become a member or both Nikki and Jessica at jessicapezak@gmail.com with any additional questions. Now you can visit us on Twitter!
Let’s swap!
Who’s talking about the Co-Op Tea Swap?
- Cha-Cha-Cha – http://www.teavancouver.com/2009/02/tea-tea-tea-%e2%80%93-always-a-surprise/
- Lainie Sips - http://www.lainiesips.com/?p=475
- Swap Dex - http://swapdex.blogspot.com/2008/10/co-op-tea-swap.html
- TeaThis – http://teathis.com/author/rebecca/
- The Scrabblequeen Knits, Too - http://scrabblequeen.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/so-many-good-things/
What a cool idea!
Thanks Leng! You should join our little swap group. We are still pretty new, but it has been fun thus far.
Tried some fabulous tea from my Tea Escapade swap partner (Special Teas – Green Chai No. 949).
This is the first Chai Tea I’ve tried and I really enjoyed it with milk and honey- the tea is colorful since it contains citrus peels, almonds and rose petals, cloves, vanilla and cardamom pods.
Nice spicy smell – tastes less spicy than it smells.
This must have some caffiene in it – thanks so much for sharing such a great tea.
Lisa M
I’m so excited to hear that the swap is going well for you! I love chai tea – but I have never had Special Teas – Green Chai No. 949! Sounds scrumptious!
I can’t wait until we become swap partners… maybe you can send some of that No. 949 to me!
I suspect I’ll sound like a nutcase… but I’m confused as to why anyone would take someone from a complete stranger and ingest it.
I’ve not at all a newbie to the ‘net, and I’ve met (virtually), gotten to know, and accepted edible/drinkable gifts from various people I’ve not stood toe-to-toe with, but trusted.
But someone who’s just signed up as part of a swap and is a 100% unknown?
Why would *anyone* take that kind of risk?
Thanks, in advance, for any light you can shed on this. I think the idea is generous and gracious and all sorts of really sweet things. I just also think it’s wildly fraught.
Stacy,
I don’t know if I can allay your concerns other than to say… it works. We connect, email each other, and now twitter together. I’ve gotten to know what I believe to be great people thus far. Some are friends of friends and some are complete strangers who then recommend friends.
You could join and try out the Co-Op Tea Swap for yourself.
I am so excited about this. I think it will be tremendous fun and will give me a chance to try out new teas for my blog!
Thanks ladies!
Lainie,
So glad you joined! Can’t wait for the December Swap and the chance to meet my new swap mate.
Let me know how it goes for you!
This is awesome- I’m on board! Of course, I guess we can see the point of the comment entered on November 24th from Stacey. But I’ve been swapping with Laura through Twitter and it’s really been a wonderful experience.
I’m a lawyer though and it does seem that you guys should have some disclaimers and disclosures here to protect yourselves, plus a way of tracking what tea came from whom, just in case. Contact a local Small Business lawyer to help you.
Rebecca,
Not one to be completely naive, I can see Stacey’s point as well. But as you said, I’ve met and swapped with others online and it has been a wonderful experience.
I am excited you want to join. Please send membership information to sign-up for the January Swap.
Also, I would like to chat a little more with you about your comment via email. Let’s chat.
this is a neat idea i like its have some questions and ideas. there needs to be a way for people to know what teas have already been swapped by each member so no one has doubles or gets the same tea over and over again. there needs to be some kind of pricing system so someone doesn’t send a ridiculous expensive tea while some one else sends some generic green tea. and i still have a concern over the whole safety like if some jackass just sends something weird in an envelope. i still like he idea though
Nickck,
Thank you for visiting and commenting. If you have additional questions about the tea swap, feel free to send me an email so we can discuss in more depth.
I would like to be apart of the tea swap, how do I get involved?
Will Rhoads
Wonderful!!! I hope you decide to join us for the Co-Op Tea Swap. You can also chat with us on Twitter.
Never mind I just read above
Hey you guys, I was wondering if I can join you, came across the blog by accident, but I’ve been looking for something like that for ages. Drop me a line if it’s still going on and if you accept newbies. cheers
Hey Tsetsi!
We are accepting newbies for the April 2009 Swap. Check out the Tea Swap Page here at Tea Escapade and send the requested information to TeaEscapade@yahoo.com.
Looking forward to swapping with you.
This is a such a “cooling” site and the swap is a great idea. Wish I could take part!
jyotsna,
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. You are more than welcome to participate in the Co-Op Tea Swap. Sign-up has started for the May swap. Send an email to TeaEscapade@yahoo.com with all pertinent information.
Hello,
I would love to join the tea swap! I’m just new to loose leaf teas so I don’t have a whole lot I could swap with. Is it okay to send the same tea to more than one swap mate?
Also, is there any time requirement to stay in the swap?
Hello Emma,
I am thrilled that you want to join the Co-Op Tea Swap. To sign-up, please send all requisite information to TeaEscapade@yahoo.com. We look forward to swapping with you.
Awesome blog! Subscribed on rss. Regular will read it. Good job.
Hi are you still doing the swap could you email me some more ifo about it please?
Yes, the Co-Op Tea Swap is moving full steam ahead. An email has been sent to you. Hope you join us.
[...] Co-Op Tea Swap!!! [...]
Sounds interesting guys,I have never been in a tea swap before but I may be willing to give it a try if its ok with you guys,and you Teaescapade.Can guys join too?
Gregory,
You are absolutely welcome to join! Please submit information requested in post via email to sign up.
Looking forward to swapping with you!
are we still doing the swap? i d like to join
Juliann,
Yes we are still doing the swap. Would love to have you… please email requested information to teaescapade@yahoo.com.