Studio Journal: December 2025
“Kindness is like snow—it beautifies everything it covers.”
– Kahlil Gibran
I don’t know many small business owners, especially those who are also makers, who find December especially restful or even creative. It feels like the kiln is repeatedly on the go, lots of ‘final pushes’ and postage reminders to customers so that everything can arrive in time, to be perfect, for the ‘big day’. On Christmas morning, between watching my own children open their presents in delight, I find myself wondering about our own pots under other peoples’ trees. Will they like them? Will they be well received? Did we do a good job? That was a lot of energy we all collectively spent, I am humbled our customers have chosen to spend even a little of it on our pots.
Thankyou.
Earlier in the month I spent some time in London for the Toast festive market and it was such a busy and full three days. Thanks so much to anyone reading this who journeyed out to see us and perhaps buy a pot or two, it was much appreciated and it was great to meet so many long term customers in person for the first time. The market was wonderfully organised and put me right in the festive mood (although I did come home with the flu, but I won’t bore you with that now). I met some truly lovely fellow makers too. My stall neighbours were Corrie Williamson and Sally Lacock, both makers of the most beautiful jewellery and supremely good company too, which is so vital when exhibiting at markets. I also loved seeing Emily of EOT ceramics again, who brings such good energy and gorgeous pots, plus knitting wisdom! I came away with a cherished wood fired mug by Simon Horton which I seem to be using daily, and had a catch up with fellow potters and artists Danny Smyth, Kate Semple, and Lucy Rutter. Many more others too. I am really grateful to TOAST for their enormous effort in putting together this event. It felt great to have our work in this bustling setting and whilst away from home and the children I did get some time to think about our business. Number one realisation, which is also probably an obvious one to anyone who has been frustratedly trying to buy our sold out pieces this month, is that we need to recruit some help in the pottery. Two pairs of hands, pulled in many directions with having three small children at home, aren’t quite enough for the pots we need to make and also the space and time we require to be creative….
This month we also completed two commissions. The first was for Skar Organics, whose candles I have become a bit obsessed with! We have made some aromatherapy and votive candle holders for them which I hope will be well received. It was such a pleasure to work with Fraser on this and I am proud of what we have achieved.
Secondly a top up batch of coffee sets for Katto. Again it has been a total pleasure working with Katto on this. Please go and support these small craft businesses, show some love, spread the word…..
A 2025 self portrait of me and Matt in the studio.
Whilst generally the first half of December leaves little time to think and is just a mad rush to get everything done, those jumbled in between days between Christmas and new year, sometimes leave a little too much time to think and can leave you in a confusing state of overwhelm. So many ideas and intentions yet very little energy. Matt and I are getting started on a sizeable tableware commission (thankyou pottery gods, all potters love a post Christmas commission!) and so these days are spent dividing family festivities with making, mornings at the wheel, afternoons building den forts out of cardboard. For me though this is the best time to think, alone in the studio with my thoughts, busy hands, I don’t get so overwhelmed because I am being productive.
But naturally, with a new year incoming, we all look for new beginnings and fresh ways of being. I do wonder as I know so do others, whether in the darkest depths of winter, this really is the best time?
My middle child has just completed his first term at school and I have watched him struggle throughout December and half of November. He was depleted and exhausted. Out of respect for him I won’t share too much but we watched him experience regression in things like going to the toilet, sleeping, eating. He was not interested in anything much. He caught the flu from me and was in bed for one whole week and took two more to recover. He asked me ‘why are we getting out of bed when it so cold and dark?’. He is well again now thankfully and pretty much back to a suitably energetic and delighted state a five year old should have over Christmas. But it has made me realise that he is just a more exaggerated example of us all at this time of year. We have learnt to cancel plans for him, focus on the basics like eating and sleeping and just letting him know that that is enough. He needed to be cocooned. I feel like he’s taught me so much about his needs this month. None of this is particularly new for him, we’ve been here before, many times, but this is the first time I have actually understood, and perhaps learnt a little wisdom from him. Perhaps I too should put my ambitious plans on hold until we have some spring warmth, get through this months quietly and slowly. Like the bulbs I planted in the Autumn, working away beneath the ground ready for the warmer days.
And so, behind all our truly ambitious plans for 2026, in which there certainly are some significant ones, that is my main task for January. To work quietly, at my own pace, one task at a time. Be a snowdrop. With lots and lots of candle light, baths and early nights. (Video below from February this year, showing how to use Kenzan and a candle holder to arrange snowdrops).
Using a candle holder and Kenzan as a small dish for snowdrops
Things I’ve enjoyed listening to: the January Hibernation playlist I made a few years back.
Things I’ve enjoyed reading: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Things we’ve enjoyed cooking (and eating): So much. Caramel frogs by Edwin and Irwin have been a hit! We also have been loving using our tins by Field Blends (I especially enjoy the maple chilli salt) and can’t wait for some warmer weather to do some outdoor cooking with them….