Prologue to the Author's Journey
for longer than you'd care to admit?
Join us to find out if the Author's Journey program is right for you. Whether you just need a push to get started, want someone to hold your hand each step of the way, or need a shoulder to lean on to get you to the finish line, we offer a variety of trainings in person and online, ranging from self-studies, workshops, all day intensives, weekly topic lessons, and feedback + writing sessions
Learn more at our
Taste of Authorship Tea
Sunday, June 1, 2025
10:30am
Spring Tea Garden
501 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton
$47.50 includes afternoon tea & information on the program that will take your work from inspiration to publication
(as well as tax, gratuity, and payment fees)
Get started writing this summer!
2024 Wrap & 2025 Sneak Peek
Happy 2025 to all who have supported our philanthropic activities in 2024! It occurred to us you may be curious as to where your funds go, so herein you'll learn a little bit about what we did in 2024 and what you can expect in 2025. We've also updated our SPONSORTUNITIES offerings for 2025.
Whimsicalitea is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) arts philanthropy founded to nurture creativity and inspire artistic expression with an emphasis on lifelong learning and connection.
Along with the Academy of Omniosophical Arts & Sciences, we have given more than $100K in financial assistance & patronage to creative individuals to help them prosper in their endeavors as they bring beauty and wonder to the world. We also support established organizations such as museums and humanitarian charities.
Over the last two years we launched a number of programs specifically designed for children and families, and we are honored to have been invited to work with Scoutreach and Sea Scouts on a variety of projects as well to participate in their merit badge program. Equally thrilling, our Magic of Omnimmersive Learning curriculum launches this year.
📸 2024 Snapshot:
💐 Kindness Counts — our story-based anti-bullying program created for members of the whole family with an interactive novella, 30-day Advent{ure} Calendar, Teachizz™ edition, immersive learning lessons, author narrations.
🏴☠️ Shared Treasure Hunt — our kids-helping-kids activity. We made a wonderful connection with Scoutreach (the arm of Scouts that serves under-resourced children) and hope to work with them more closely. (They experienced some internal communication problems that left us twiddling our thumbs for an hour at the park, but they plan to rectify that). The great news is, more than 40 backpacks of school supplies were delivered to children in need, and those who did come to the park had a ball. Our contact at Sea Scouts thinks our setup was phenomenal and she's given me lots of hugs since!
🎨 Omnifête — our arts & crafts & vendor fair was held at a new venue (Old World Village in Huntington Beach) with a WitchCraft theme. Attendance was a steady trickle, and as always, lessons were learned.
🥳 Kids Club in New Jersey was a hit during its first full year with growing numbers and very happy participating families thanks to club-runner, educator, family success coach, and mother of 3 Heather Brims, Ed.S, CPC, ELI-MP.
📚 The Reading Revolution — Joy & Heather have put together a number of free online training courses for parents to help them get their kids into reading & learning.
🧦 We held a mini book drive and gave away books in Christmas stockings hung on the fence at Joy's place (which is in a high-foot-traffic area that is popular during the holidays). Folks loved it (based on their comments that they didn't know I could hear heehee). I plan to do this again, potentially for Easter (using baskets).
🔎 We hosted 4 mystery games at Pamela's Tea Room (in SoCal) as a favor. I think all may have been sold out? The last one required a 2nd seating, so yay!
👫 We added delightful board members in various parts of the country.
💰 Our fundraisers, sponsorships, and donations brought in enough to cover the costs of Shared Treasure Hunt & Omnifete plus our overhead for the year (approx $800 per month in 2024) and we were able to pay a number of music professionals the going rate for their incredible services.
👏 Thanks to the talent and tireless efforts of Bradley Miller, Emma Hutchenson, and Patricia Miller, our Phantom MusicaliTea gave us our first standing ovation at a Whimsi event!
🎆 Here's what to look forward to in 2025!
🥳 Kids Club has outgrown its previous digs and has locked in a new temporary location while looking for a permanent home. From here on out, we will have to pay for space at the rate of about $25 per session + supplies. Our overall budget is thus now $900+/month.
🏴☠️ We'll be revisiting Shared Treasure Hunt based on what transpires with Scallywag Camp, Scoutreach, and Sea Scouts. There are some fun options to consider.
🎨 Omnifête is tentatively scheduled for Saturday September 27 in Old World Village with the theme of Mystery. Accepting vendors now!
📚 Omni Tale stories are being released as Kickstarter campaigns and will include options such as interactive novellas, Advent{ure} Calendars, Teachizz™ editions, immersive learning lessons, author narrations. First up will be Time Stowaways featuring main characters ages 8-16 years
The free Reading Revolution training programs for parents to help them get their kids into reading and learning (as mentioned in the 2024 section) will be running on a cyclical basis throughout the year. Because they're free we can put promotional flyers up everywhere!
The darling library on the bay (by me) has been closed for refurbishment for ages (way more than a year). It was supposed to open back up in August, but surprise surprise, the date came and went. The good news is, it's finally on the verge of opening in just a few weeks! I saw a tour video where they showed off some of the upgrades, so it's really close to complete. This would be our West Coast base for Scallywag Camp, Novel Ninjas, and our MagicOL (Magic of Omnimmersive Learning) programs designed to get kids excited about books! Heather is already looking into the library near her for the same programs with an eye toward starting them live in-person with kids weekly this Spring
🎵💰 9 people have already signed up for our spring fundraiser MusicaliTea My Fair Lady — Sunday April 6 at Sip & Sugar in Anaheim Hills (with performers Brad & Emma from Phantom playing the roles). The place holds #30, so we're hoping to sell out!
🎵💰 Our fall fundraiser will be a MusicaliTea as well: The Land of Oz which is a mashup of Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, and The Wiz
🚂 🔍 We hope to host a 1950s-themed weekend train trip in fall to Napa Valley, the beautiful wine country in California
Additionally, Joy is hoping to write a few books which might involve launch teas ... and she is dying to host a Krampus holiday tea (the first Sunday in December) followed by a walk around the festive canals of Naples, Long Beach, CA all decked out with lights.
Thanks for making it to the end of this lengthy missive. Each of you is invaluable to Whimsi and all that we do.
~ With gratitude & hugs from your intrepid Whimsi board.
Debut author offers a delightfully new approach to getting kids moving
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| Animated video version included! |
Educator, dancer, and artist Kerry Allan welcomes you to a world of imagination and wonder with 1 2 3, MOVE WITH ME! A Creative Movement Adventure.
"Stretch like a butterfly, stomp with giants, and leap over clouds with our friend, Emily, as you explore what moves you in this magical dance adventure picture book for ages 2+. Interactive creative movement pages invite young readers to participate and be inspired by the lush, colorful pages and whimsical verse. Perfect for guiding movement time at home or in a preschool/early education classroom.
"Children will learn body shapes, dynamic qualities, beginning dance steps, and – most importantly – how to unlock their creative spirit in this joyful celebration of moving together!"
Visit Kerry's whimsical website for details, story access, event information, insights, and more.
Whimsicalitea's E. Gads Hill Press is honored to include 1 2 3, MOVE WITH ME! as part of our Twinklings imprint family.
Kerry did absolutely all of the work. We merely have the privilege of shining a light on her talent.
Kerry did absolutely all of the work. We merely have the privilege of shining a light on her talent.
Omnifête – It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Crafts Fair!
Artisans, Artists, Authors, and Vendors Converge in Old World Setting to Kick Off Spooky Season
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — Eclectic arts nonprofit Whimsicalitea is back with another arts-and-crafts event, this time with a Witch Craft fair featuring delights of the season.
Hosted in Old World Village, outside of Pamela’s Tea Room (unit #19), guests are invited to meander the outdoor tables, all hosted by vendors purveying wares with a spooky theme, while enjoying live acoustic bluegrass music performed by multi-talented musicians from throughout Southern California. Shoppers can look forward to seasonal gifts, fabric creations, candles, teas and tea wares, handmade cards, custom-created purses, original mixed-media art, jewelry, baked goods, garden décor, books, journals, notepads, and more.
Event activities include Broom Driver's License certification, book readings and signings by authors, craft demonstrations, and Anytime Tea Service at Pamela's Tea.
Vendor Merilou Labio Benson who makes custom-created cards and journals states, “Omnifête has a special place in my heart. It gave me the push to move my business forward. Everyone was helpful and encouraging. There was a variety of items to shop for, and I'm excited to see what treasures there will be this year.”
The event is sponsored by DJ Piper, Paris In A Cup, Omnimmersive Learning Experiences, Whimsicalitea, and The Academy of Omniosophical Arts & Sciences. Whimsicalitea was founded in 2017 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to nurture creativity and inspire artistic expression with an emphasis on lifelong learning and connection. We achieve this through numerous off-beat do-gooder programs, by supporting creative individuals, and working vigorously to cultivate the genteel arts.
Visit Omnifete.org for details and Omnifête afternoon tea info. Admission and parking in the venue’s two spacious lots are free.
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Join us for a WitchCraft tea!
Saturday, September 28
Fair & Anytime Tea ~ 11am-2pmTea with the Vendors ~ 3pm (by advance reservation using payment link below)
This year's theme is a Witch Craft fair, so expect the festivities to have a spooky feel.
AFTERNOON TEA will be available throughout the day, with a special TEA WITH THE VENDORS event at 3pm, after the conclusion of the fair which runs 11am-2pm
Free activities include:
- Broom Driver's License certification
- Themed Afternoon Tea Service at Pamela's Tea Room
- Book Readings by Authors
- Craft Demonstrations
- Live Acoustic Bluegrass Music
$49.95 includes finger sandwiches, scones, sweet treats, and tea (along with tax, tip, and payment fees)
Reminder: All sales are final and there are no refunds. But if you're unable to attend, you may give your spot to someone you think would enjoy the event.
Titania's Tea & Trimmings auction basket partea
If you have items for a silent auction gift basket valued at $50 or more, you're in for an afternoon of creativity, laughter, tea treats, and good will as we assemble baskets for both the auction and drawing.
- There is no charge for this event
- Light refreshments will be served.
- Please bring your own packing supplies and preferably some extra to spare and share.
- Seating is limited.
- Address to be given out a week ahead.
- To RSVP please write to us at whimsicalitea2017 at gmail dot com telling us what sort of goodies you'll be donating.
- We appreciate you!