As we get closer to one of the biggest shopping days of the year with Black Friday, I would like to encourage you to try shopping small - from independent businesses rather than the big hitters of the high street.  It may seem strange at first opening that small little door and being greeted with a smiley face....but thinking big,  it really does make a difference both to the high street, helping to keep a diverse range of interesting shops in Towns and Cities, which helps things such as  tourism,  as well as supporting the wider economy - including the artist - designer like myself who make our living from getting sales from these inspiring Independent shopkeepers...

In these unique shops you will often find a wealth of high quality and unusual goods that the bigger stores just don't have..along with a knowledge and passion for the product that they are selling. Take one of my latest stockists -  Botanic in York for example...A wonderful urban jungle in North Yorkshire which has quickly become a go to place for all types of plants from lush tropical  leaves, succulents and cacti ,  Not only does the lovely Emma have a great range of plants, Botanic also stocks botanical inspired gifts and cards - great at this time of year for buying for the gardener or plant lover in your life....

So  from the Independent Shopkeeper and Me - Thank you!  for shopping small....

Are you a pile them high or a keep it simple type? Or are you what the heck! Shelf decorating?! Is that really a thing?...

Decorating a shelf...sounds simple doesn't it, but I would like to share a few design tips that can help your shelves look their best, and no I'm not going to ask you to throw out all of those nik -  naks from Great Aunt Edna ...although the William Morris quote is often quoted for a reason - " Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful".   I get it,  some things have a  lot of  sentimental value,  but do you really need to have everything on display?
Think of it as curating your space - it doesn't have to stay this way forever,  it can be changed whenever you like...but it allows a few beautiful objects that you own to have the space to breathe and bring you joy each time you look at them...

• Books - They don't have to be stood up - you can stack them in small groups, especially if they have beautiful spines.
• Group like with like - you may have a few pottery jugs or ceramics that could make a pleasing display, try to think in terms of a odd number though as this is more pleasing to the eye.
• Consider contrast for example with height, this can add interest and help the eye move over the pieces more freely.
• Keep it Simple - Minimalism doesn't mean that there needs to be nothing on the shelf - maybe think in terms of colour and display items that have a similar tonal value, or texture for example matching things from nature such as pebbles with a nicely woven basket, or a few shells that you picked up on the sunny beach , where your feet sunk into the soft sand and waves lapped softly near the shore while Bertie the dog dipped his toes and his tongue into the salty water!  Each object holding a memory so that when you look or touch it the memory is released again and again and brings a smile to your face...

And whilst you're taking the time to organize why not listen to some great music from Rebecca Ferguson, remembering that all that glitters is not gold... feed your soul instead...your shelf will thank you for it!!
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The autumn season is well and truly here... the trees have shaken their leaves and the ground is a wonderful carpet of golden colour... I can't help but shuffle my feet through the fallen leaves...