I’ve had a tea blog in some form or fashion over the last 14 years. During that period, I have had to change hosting platforms, themes, post copy, and adjust to technology changes. Many times I ask myself, why do I bother?
I continue to pay for my personal domain name and website hosting. I don’t, and won’t ever, be a monetized blog asking people to subscribe or pay to read it. I’m not the greatest writer but refuse to use AI to write my blog posts and some of my photos are sub-par compared to those I’ve seen on other blogs and Instagram accounts. They certainly do inspire me though.
Some of the photo shoots, which are 98% at my own home, often times require a LOT of pre-work and prep. I don’t have a professional studio, nor even a great, well-lit corner to do indoor shots and I only use my iPhone for photos now. I find myself exhausted after some shoots – take for instance these three Autumn shoots I did the last couple of years.
Those crates weren’t out in the open to be used at will. I had to dig into a shed on our property to find them. I KNEW we had some, I just couldn’t remember where and truly what kind of shape they were in. I moved plants and pieces from other locations to accomplish these photos. I even grabbed my husband’s electric chain saw and cut the small logs of birch wood. And for what? So seven people could see them? Seems like a lot of effort for a low ROI. And by “I” I mean the investment of my time and energy. Seven subscribers after 14 years is pretty dang sad.
Do I enjoy it? I guess I do, but it’s not DOING anything other than me working, showing it to the world for one minute, hoping for some kind of approval from strangers that I did a good job and “Ooo…it’s so pretty!” comments. But that’s about it, then it just fades away into the internet attic.
Oddly, the post that has had the most visits over the years is this one about a Sugar Doilie from 2020. I don’t get it. It had 1,000 views – over 6 years. Yes, it’s a Christmas post, but it’s not my best work and, if you read it, I don’t exactly tout this particular product as something “good”. 🙂
Each season I look at photographs as I flip through my grand collection of old magazines to inspire new photo ideas. It’s funny to see how my tastes have changed over the years. Something I dog-eared in 2012 isn’t that appealing to me anymore. But, hold on, look at the table setting on the next page! Bookmarked and tag for the next photo shoot. My magazines consist mainly of these three:
- Tea Time Magazine (I mean, duh)
- Victoria Magazine
- Cottage Journal
I have had long-standing subscriptions to each of them, all owned and published by Hoffman Media. I save every issue and keep them in bins under the bed out of the way. There are those rare years when a new editor takes over and changes the look or feel of the magazine where I haven’t dog-eared a dang thing, and most of those DO end up in the recycling bin, but for the most part I keep them. I am especially partial to the Christmas issues.
One thing I have noticed going through my posts over the years is that my photography skills and the cameras I use have improved a little, but I have the same teaware photographed every single year. That must be boring for my “readers”.
So, what is the point of this rambling post? I guess it’s to start thinking about either trying to do better and get out there and actually market my blog and take it seriously as a “venture”, or just stop doing it. Neither one is appealing to me right now, but I think that’s where I am.
Here are some of my favorites from each year from 2025 back to 2012. The exception is 2015 when I only had 2 posts and none of them are worth highlighting in any way.
« Swipe left to view each year
Tea Time With Heidi 
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