Like a page taken straight from a Martha Stewart book, I'll be teaching you how to sharpen your skills and hopefully help you make a more refined brew along the way. Getting a feel for what you're brewing is the first hurdle we must clear, I usually go for what I'm familiar and comfortable with so a healing potion is more my gig. Now, you don't have to do a healing potion to say. If you're angry about elves and their damned laws raising the price on muffalo wool or how they outlaw pop up boutiques in the woods because "Trees have feelings too" nonsense then you're probably better off making a poison... like a lot. Sorry, getting off track... "Mad cuz elves" is not a politically correct thing to be promoting. You also should keep in mind that the color you'll achieve will tell the story. What I mean by that is, if say you do go for that poison and you make a mistake... Instead of getting a nice green color, you could end up with a yucky black or lumpy brown color. It's not too important for personal use, but if you plan on selling your creations then you should keep the presentation in mind.
Alright so with your mind set on what you want to brew the next step is getting comfortable in your brewing station. A cluttered station can lead to stress and panic when you're needed to be quick thinking. Panic can lead to the brew being completely ruined and we don't want that. So your fire source can be natural or enchanted. I advise natural because enchanted relies heavily on you and your skills in the arts. If you can't adjust your heat because your skills aren't the greatest, then again, that could lead to a ruined project. A natural wood fire is amazing. The crackling is relaxing and the smells of the burning wood are great as well! Next would be your cauldron or a pot for those who are more modern. This will be where your brew will be... well, uhh brewed! So make sure it's big enough or small enough for your project! Your ingredients should all be sorted out, keep flesh or bloods away from your vegetation and herbs so you don't cross-contaminate. Salts should be in respective bowls for easy pinch access. Ya know? Make yourself comfortable! You'll be here a while.
Lastly, your tools and bottling prep. Tools, like boning knives or mixing spoons, should all be kept either on your person or an arms reach away. Do not crowd your space with scattered tools and your brew books! It's important you have room to move and breathe without knocking over anything while working. Keep a clear head and be neat! Note that there are special tools needed when handling some items you may be brewing with. Brews that are poisonous will release fumes and could kill ya dead without proper respiratory masks and proper ventilation. Use gloves when applicable and keep a rag or two nearby in case of spills. Spills are important because pets don't know any better and will lap up a good helping of growth potion, like my cat "Jellybean". He grew as big as a house and eventually we had to put him down... with a ballista... Still very hard to talk about.
After brewing your mixture you'll need to let it cool for a bit before testing and transferring over to a bottle. Picking the perfect bottle to compliment your project can be difficult and require some crafting on your end to give it some flair. Little metal fixtures or some ribbon can go a long way! After you're satisfied, let your finished project rest at least a day, or more if the recipe calls for it. Start cleaning up your area of operations and look at that! You're done! Whether you're working or brewing as a hobby, it can always be fun! Going that extra mile pays off in the long run! See? Now you're a fully-fledged brewmaster! I hope this helped you with your potion brewing journey! Till next time!
With Love,
