Small, Beautiful Things

New creative offerings, the joy of buying handmade and supporting small businesses this winter

Nov 06, 2025

I am sitting writing this in Glasgow Waterstones, my cafe of choice because it is large, quiet, and I can surround myself with books and not feel uncomfortable sitting writing or reading for hours. I love sitting on the floor choosing books, and going home with way too many. I will be organising my tiny bookshop in The Galerie this winter, because my heart is leading me to create one. With small stools to sit on and read if you like, because that saved me yesterday, whilst in a beautiful bookshop in Edinburgh that Ewan took me to - Toppings. I was hot and breathless after catching a very early bus to Edinburgh and then walking about to various appointments. I saw Miranda Hart’s new book and a stool in the window and sank down onto it, putting my overnight bag down gratefully.

Miranda Hart is my heroine and has been throughout my life, mostly because she always seems to be there when I need her to feel uplifted. I talk about her like she is a friend, and in my head, she is. I have no idea why, but my mind skipped to my mum as I sat down and how she would have loved to be with me and see Ewan climb the bookcase ladders and pause reading a book. How suddenly my lips tingle with sudden realisation that she isn’t here… again. How easy it is to forget, and how suddenly it can feel like recent news.

I am easing back into business and being visible now that it is almost two years since mum passed, and although pulling back was essential, it may have been the worst possible time. Small businesses are struggling in this strange economic time.

So, as I reassess after a long period of slowness, these are my thoughts;

I’ll be bringing back the podcast. It never actually ended, I just ran out of recorded episodes back in March and started cutting back on anything that took energy and time but wasn’t earning. The longer I left it, the harder it became to get back into the rhythm of recording.

Lately, I’ve been questioning social media and where a solo business owner’s limited energy is best spent so there’s still time left to actually create. I recently listened to a podcast episode by Jenna Kutcher about a small business that grew while taking time off social media entirely. It wasn’t about doing nothing and magically growing but it highlighted how often we overlook other ways to build a brand, such as SEO and blogging, writing for magazines, or guesting on podcasts. All still meaningful, but probably just as time-consuming.

Ellis O’Connor recently talked on Instagram about how the world is speeding up and demanding more from artists to be online, connected and productive, and how she spends only about 5% of her time actually painting.

I think we may see a lot of small businesses run from homes and kitchen tables, mums with young children finding ways to earn through craft, supporting families in small but vital ways, struggling to survive this year. I feel it myself for the first time in over twenty-one years in business - and my business has been through it all, including a couple of recessions, six house moves, three relocations of area and raising my children on my own.

Each year, I like to shine a light on small, creative people in the lead-up to Christmas. Those who feel genuine joy every time an order comes through. You’ll find a list at the bottom of this email of those who replied to my request to share links, along with a few I’ve added myself simply because I love their craft. Please consider supporting them when choosing gifts this year.

You may think you can’t change lives, but I know differently.

Online Shop now Open

I have opened my own online shop for the winter whilst I work on creating some new ideas ( I hope to add them to the shop as soon as possible! ) Watch out for journals and books…But for now, the shop has some new products and prints as below:

New Creativity Gifting Boxes

Give someone (or yourself!) the ultimate present to spark creativity.
Inspired by the breathtaking Hebridean landscape, this box has been put together by myself and wrapped with care to make you feel truly well-treated. Pre-wrapped and ready to go, which is ideal if you’re looking for something special and hassle-free. I can even gift wrap and send direct with a hand-written note to the recipient.

Including: One art print by Margaret Soraya, One Jackson’s A6 Sketchbook, Three of Margaret’s favourite art pens, One A5 notebook, One handmade, hand-painted bookmark, Three notecards , One bar of A.S. Apothecary handmade soap or shampoo bar

“Liminal”

A new series of Ink Paintings in print inspired by the Hebridean sea & land colours and texture. Each piece is named to evoke movement or transformation. They are also currently in the A.S.Apothecary shop if you are in Leverburgh anytime.

Photography Prints

I have hard drives full of images made around the islands, yet haven’t ever really put many for sale, so I spent a few days looking through and choosing some images last week. It was lovely to bring these to light and find those really special moments I managed to capture. These are available in 3 sizes for you to frame at home.

Limited Edition Fine Art Photography Prints

My collection of Limited edition images, some featured in the Bosham Gallery solo exhibition “Quiet” that haven’t been for sale before. Wild, beautiful seas, flashes of turquoise and green, and expressive movement in a painterly style through using Hahnemühle German Etching paper.

Limited edition of 50 per artwork. Each print has a white border and is hand-signed and numbered, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Sale on original art prints

Currently offering original ink & acrylic works (4×4 in size in an 8×8 mount) on sale as I go through my stock in preparation to open The Galerie in the spring. I am going to be adding some more tiny framed originals next week. These are all Harris-inspired.

Max Soraya Prints

Yes, he has the same signature as me! My son, Max, has been drawing characters all his life and has developed them into colourful and quirky art prints that come from his dreams. If you look really closely, you see more objects and characters that run through all his art - the detail is incredible and real fun to look for. He is still studying at college, so I offered to pop his art prints on my shop for now. A total contrast to my own art, but a really lovely one!

And so, here is the list of artists and makers to take a look at, think about buying choices this year and maybe support these super talented and gorgeous artists.

Rhiannon Connelly - Botanical Silver pendants to connect you to nature

Red Ruby Rose - Beautiful bags and purses from nature photography

Soo Burnell - Cinematic photographs - often related to water

Pencil Me In - Everything stationery & fun printed pencils

Emma Simpson - Breaking Waves book - a great read

Max Soraya - Listed on my website

Cuan Tir - Handmade interior crafts created with natural materials & foraged finds

Carien Borst Art - Beautiful heartfelt art, prints and oysters.

Uig candles - Handcrafted candles, soy wax melts & reed diffusers from Uig

Lynsey Walters - Beautiful colourful felt jewellery - really mood enhancing

Harbour Print Studio - Monoprinted cards and calendars from Lewis

Janet Jamieson - Cyanotype - Hand-crafted greeting cards & prints