Spotlight on The Simple Latte Jewellery (plus WIN a stunning piece of your own)

Sharon Harris is the very talented maker behind The Simple Latte, an online jewellery shop which has recently been given a brand new online home. Sharon's handmade jewellery is the very essence of timeless and as when I discovered her range I knew immediately that we shared a similar ethos for minimal pieces in terms of both style and quantity!  

I featured her chevron necklace in a Wishlist Wednesday post a while ago, and was delighted when she not only sent me one of my very own, but also to agreed be featured in a spotlight post and support a giveaway! There's more on that at the end of the post, but first, it's over to Sharon as we discuss how a 'non-crafty' person ended up running a small business as a maker and how jewellery making can be the perfect end to a long week. 

1: Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?

My name is Sharon, I'm a wife and soon to be Mama based in the Midlands, UK. My shop is The Simple Latte where I make and sell minimal, simple jewellery pieces for people who want something personal and timeless.

2: How did your life as a maker begin?

I don’t actually consider myself a particularly creative person! I was brought up by a Mum who is into anything and everything crafty: papercraft, needlecraft, knitting – you name it.  Our house was always full of glitter glue, embossing powders and glue guns, yet I never really took to any of it as a kid, and often declared myself ‘not a crafty person.’ 

I have always loved jewellery though and had enormous collection of necklaces and the like when growing up. However I was always frustrated with the quality of the more simple pieces which looked so perfect and timeless in the shops but would quickly tarnish, turn my skin green, and sometimes red as I have rather sensitive skin!  

So, I delved into research online about metals and jewellery making and starting making some pieces for myself to wear. Very soon I was getting compliments on the pieces I had made from people, and questions about where they could buy something similar. I found I was more than happy to make items for them, as I really enjoyed the process of making even with the patience it requires. I had obviously found my creative streak!   

3: You're jewellery is beautiful and everything in your range is very minimal and well considered. Where do you find your inspiration? 

I consider myself a fairly minimalist person, not in the extreme sense, but in owning fewer pieces that are of better quality. This concept made it's was through my wardrobe and into my jewellery collection which was downsized dramatically! I then began creating the pieces which, quite simply, I would like to wear! Everything you see on my website are things which I wear myself, I often get (well meant) suggestions from people about pieces I could make or types of jewellery I could go into, but I'm quite specific in my choices and want people to see the charm in the simplicity. I really enjoy making items which can be subtly worn on their own to add a little shine to the day or layered and mixed with other pieces to make more of a statement. 

4: What is your favourite item of jewellery to make and to wear?

Anything with a hammered finish! I cannot tell you how joyful it is to get the hammer out after a long week and get to it! It's also my favourite type to wear, the Hammered Gold Bar Necklace was the first piece I made and is still my favourite. I love how each hammered piece is unique to the person who it's made for; there are never the same hammer markings on any two pieces.

5: You like to buy all your materials from the UK. Why do you think it's important to support local businesses and makers? 

I think its really important to support local makers where you can, it's these people who are real inspirations to others. To show that the hard work and imagination they put into their work really can pay off gives them the ability not to be eaten up by the cheap and cheerful larger companies. I think of it like doing your bit for the environment; it's not always easy to buy small or UK based, but where you have the option, no matter how small, I think it's important to make the right decision. You might not be able to do it every time, but every time you do it makes a difference to that persons life! 

6: You've recently launched a beautiful new website. What are your future plans for The Simple Latte?  

Moving from Etsy to my own website was a huge leap for me and has really tested my technical ability but, all wrinkles smoothed out, I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.  With a little one due in January, I'm realistic in just hoping to keep my current rate of orders ticking over, however deep down I'm hoping to grow the business to a point where it might mean I can do what I love for a full time living, which would be amazing!

***

Thank you so much Sharon for a wonderful interview, I think we would all agree that supporting small, UK businesses where we can is so important! 

If you would like the chance to bring a little sunshine into your day with one of Sharon's beautiful handmade necklaces, she has very kindly offered the chance for one lucky reader to choose any necklace from her collection! 

There are several ways you can enter, with a total of five entries possible:

1. Head over to The Simple Latte and choose which necklace you would love to win, then come back here and comment below with you choice. 

2. Share this post on Twitter, tagging both @thesaltedtail and @thesimplelatte so we can find you, and make sure you follow us both too. 

3. Head over to my Instagram feed for three more chances to enter! Just look for the image below in my gallery....  

The giveaway will be running for two weeks, and one winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday November 1st. The winner will be contacted via email or DM, and also announced on Instagram Stories. 

Good luck folks, I know the lucky winner is going to adore whichever piece they choose!

(All images in this post, except for the first and last, are courtesy of The Simple Latte. I have been gifted the chevron necklace, but all opinions are entirely my own)

Spotlight: Vandertas Accessories {Plus A Super Exciting giveaway!}

Today I'm really excited to be bringing you another post in the spotlight series, as well as a giveaway! I love to champion small, independent businesses and makers and this post is all about a maker who is local to me which makes it even more special!

I discovered Nienke Vandertas and her beautiful leather and canvas accessories brand Vandertas at the Fresh Artisan Market in Norwich back in May. At the time, my beloved Vivienne Westwood purse was on its last legs and given that I'd had it for seven years I was pretty attached and didn't really want to have to replace it. However, I spotted Nienke's gorgeous purses on Instagram during the lead up to the market and as soon as I picked one up I knew I'd found 'the one.'

I chose a beautiful soft grey leather with contrasting yellow panels and stitching and the happiest gold lining! I've loved using it so far and Nienke very kindly sent me the matching card wallet too as my various cards didn't quite fit!

I was really excited to learn more about Nienke's work and it's a fab interview! She has also sent me two of her gorgeous grey canvas foraging bags to give away to you lovely lot, so read on the the end for the details of how to enter and be in with a chance of winning! 

Over to Nienka...

1: Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?

I’m Nienke Vandertas and I design and make leather and canvas accessories under the name Vandertas. I’m originally from Haarlem, The Netherlands and have lived in the UK since 2000. My background is graphic design, but by chance rolled into freelance event design after a few years living in the UK, which I still do along side my bags.

2a: How did you life as a maker begin? 

My Dad is a gold and silversmith and I remember from a very early age making things and being in my dads workshop. On our family holidays I would make jewellery from shells and sell them at the local market - I think I was about seven. A few years later my Dad started to show me how to use certain tools and I started making earrings and bracelets from perspex. I did consider studying gold and silversmithing, but decided to do graphic design instead.

I didn’t realise I would even like sewing, as it never occurred to me…but after being given a sewing machine for my birthday in 2003 I found my passion! Once I started sewing, I couldn’t stop. Funilly enough I never made clothes, always more utilitarian items; bags, purses and wallets and other accessories. 

2b: When did you start working with leather and why do you love the material?

This was early days. I was already using heavy duty materials like army canvas, but at a market I found some leather offcuts. When I got home and started putting it to the the test I realised my sewing machine was perfectly capable of sewing leather and that was it. Slowly, I started finding out more about the material, where to find nice leather and how best to use it. There were not that many leather merchants online at the time, so it was a process. I love the fact leather is very pliable, doesn’t fray, is very durable and combines very well with all sorts of other materials. 

3: What is your favourite item to make and why?

My favourite item to make is the gladstone (doctor's) bag. Every gladstone I make feels like a little gem, each has it's own character I guess. This character depends a lot on the materials I use make them; a doctors bag made out of a thick shoulder hide has a completely different look and feel as if I was to use a thinner leather.

The exterior is always a plain colored leather, but as soon as you open the bag it will either be lined with beautiful vintage fabric or a bright metallic foiled leather. 

I’m proud that I have doctors and midwives amongst my customers, who use their doctor's bag everyday at work.

 4: You use a lot of recycled and vintage leather and fabrics in your collections. Is this for ethical reasons as well as aesthetics? 

I would say mainly aesthetics, but its very good re-using anyway of course. Vintage fabrics have, in my opinion, much nicer designs. Very rarely I find a modern material I like. Used army canvas I use because it has a nice worn look, which gives a bag character. 

5: Living near the coast has always been a huge inspiration for me. What are you major inspirations?

It’s hard to think of where I find my inspiration as I guess it comes from so many different things. An afternoon lost in the Rijks Museum or Bag Museum in Amsterdam, finding a piece of beautiful fabric at a carboot sale. Any old style typography and design, fashion I like – particularly 1910’s till early1960’s.

6: You also teach leather workshops in Suffolk. What is the best thing about teaching other people to make something with their hands?

To see how proud students are with what they’ve made after finishing the workshop and realising the potential they have to create at home too!

7: What are you plans for the future of Vandertas?   

Keep on making!

***

How stunning are Nienke's accessories! She has very kindly sent me two of her foraging bags which were designed for the Alde Valley Spring Festival in 2012. They're made from used army tents, finished with bronze poppers and are just perfect for foraging or as a bag for general use. They proved so popular they became part of Nienke's main collection and I have one of each size to giveaway! 

So, to be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is: 

1: Head over to Instagram and follow both me (@thesaltedtail) and Nienke (@vandertas) 
2: Comment on the giveaway image (which the same as the one at the top of this post) telling us what treasures you'd collect in your bag if you won! 

For two extra chances to enter you can:

1: Repost the giveaway image on instagram (either in your main feed or stories) tagging @thesaltedtail and @vandertas so I can find it! 

2: Sign up to receive my email newsletter 'The Treasury' (which is launching soon) by clicking 'The Treasury' tab at the top of this page.

Two winners will be chosen at random on August the 11th. The first name drawn can choose either the medium or small bag, and the second name drawn will win the other! 

Good luck! 

(All images except the first are courtesy of Vandertas)

Spotlight: Raubdruckerin - Beauty Hidden in the Unexpected

Printmaking.

It's been something of a slow burner for me; I went to the inductions and I know the fundamentals of various techniques, but it's never been something I've been hugely interested in because I was always more drawn to the ephemerate or spontaneous mediums and printmaking always struck me as rather too planned and laborious. 

However, In recent months I've found my eye drawn to handprinted textiles and have been having a play with some lino cutting and the rather more primitive art of potato printing! I've absolutely fallen in love with it, and (despite a wayward lino tool gouging several chunks out of my hands!) I am now firmly aboard the printmaking train! 

During a recent browse, I came across 'Raubdruckerin' which translates rather pleasingly to 'consuming print.' It's an experimental printmaking project that uses found urban surfaces to create striking graphic prints on clothing, bags and paper - think brass rubbing with a wax crayon taken to a whole different level! 

The father and daughter team behind Raubdruckerin call their process 'exploring the surfaces of cities' to find the often overlooked beauty in apparently mundane objects. It reminds me of the time I went 'colour hunting' in London and saw the city as though I was looking through brand new pair of eyes! They're currently working in Berlin, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Paris but are hoping to tour Europe, and one day explore the surfaces of Japan! 

The nature of their technique: printing live, on site and with minimal equipment makes the audience part of the process in a way that could never happen in a studio, and (contrary to my old feelings about the medium) creates opportunities for 'communication, exchange and spontaneity. Of course, an initial print could be taken from the surface itself then re-prodcutions made at a later date, but the magic of Raubdruckerin's pieces is that they are all printed on site, from the surface and directly onto the item that will eventually be used. 

Add to that the anti-mass-production ethic, with all 'blanks' carefully chosen and minimal materials and equipment used, plus the fact that the pair also run street-printing workshops, bringing their technique to the attention (and ultimately fingertips) of people from all age groups and backgrounds, and I reckon they've got a pretty good thing going! 

I feel really inspired to take the camera, and maybe some paper and wax crayons out into the city and practice the art of looking - really looking, at what's going on around me! 

You can read more about Raubdruckerin here and shop their pieces here! All images are from raubdruckerin.de 

Spotlight: Bloom Remedies (plus 15% off for readers)

Today, I'm very excited to be brining you November's spotlight post! 

This month I have a fab interview with Marie from Bloom Remedies, a Cornwall based aromatherapy  company I discovered while we were on holiday there in May. I recently featured their wonderful essential oil blends in a Wednesday Wishlist, and I use their products every day so I was really eager to find out more about creator and founder Marie, and her fascination with flowers! It's a wonderful interview, and I really hope you enjoy it. 

Marie has a also very kindly offered The Salted Tail readers a special 15% discount off everything in the Bloom Remedies range, including the really beautiful sounding Restorative Rose range which Marie was yet to launch when this interview took place but is now available! 

Over to Marie - grab a cup of something calming and enjoy, lovely people!

1. Can you introduce yourself and your business and describe what it is you do?

I'm Marie Hall, the creator and founder behind Bloom Remedies, affectionately known by many of our customers and ourselves simply as Bloom.  I help organise and run the company - which involves some of the 'boring but essential' bits like paperwork, record keeping, and 'keeping the business house in order' but I also still 'create and make' and am involved a lot with direct customer contact too.  We get a lot of customer queries asking about essential oils and their therapeutic benefits - my background is in essential oil science so I love these queries, and it's amazing when an email comes your way to say that a certain complaint has been really helped by an oil that I've recommended.  Natures remedies are my favourite!

2. You say you have a 'Fascination with Flowers', how did this begin, and how does it continue to influence your products?

The fascination with flowers began early.  I grew up with a family of gardeners, we had a massive allotment and we always grew our food organically long before the word 'organic' became a buzz word.  We would companion-plant to deter certain pests and I became intrigued and amazed by the way in which nature could be relied upon to sort out 'problems and pests' if encouraged to.  We always grew wild flowers on the plot and had bunches of them around the house across the year and I would, when bored, make little potions with them and attempt to infuse waters and oils with their fragrance.  It was a bit hippy, but it was blissful and my love of nature and flowers definitely came from the hours and hours of contact I had with it during my childhood.

3. I adore Cornwall and as soon as I arrive in the county I'm hit with a wave of inspiration. How does Cornwall inspire you?

It's so beautiful I hardly know where to start - the skies, the views, the space beyond when you stare across the sea at the horizon, the feeling of ancient living that has gone here before us - particularly in our base of West Cornwall where there are so many Celtic sites.  It's a beautiful, wild, rugged and free place.  In spring the hedgerows are alive in a way that I have yet to see anywhere else and for a flower lover like myself it is paradise!

4. I love that you keep your prices 'inclusive' so your products are accessible to everyone. Do you think self-care goes beyond the surface?

Absolutely, self care involves so much more than surface level care.  I think we live in a mad dash society and the need for a bit of 'time' during the day to stop and reflect on ourselves, where we are at, how we are feeling, has been lost along the way.  I love our wellness ranges because they encourage you to self reflect and self care from the inside out - if you're feeling low, then uplift your spirits with some Ginger, Lemongrass and Lime from our Deep Release products.  If you're feeling tense - then reach for Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood and Lavender in our Serenity Slumber range.  I love the way aroma can reach to the 'inside' of a person and help with the ritual of self care.

5. What is your favourite ingredient to use and why?

It changes all the time but it is always an essential oil rather than a base oil, and at the moment my newest-yet-to-launch blend (Restorative Rose) is perfect for where I'm at.  I often find that I 'create' products that are perfect for my needs at that time, then I offer them out to the public and realise that there is a whole audience out there with the same need.  The Restorative Rose blend contains Rose which is a heart nurturer and definitely links to Self Care and Self Love and Support.  It also contains Cedarwood - all about inner strength, and Rose Geranium - all about Balance and these are another two of my favourite essential oils. 

***

It's relaxing just reading it isn't it? Oh to be in Cornwall! 

If you'd like to try some of Marie's wonderful products for yourself (I can highly recommend the Serenity Slumber range) she is offering 15% off everything for The Salted Tail readers until the end of November, just enter the code salted15 when prompted at the checkout! 

Thank you again to Marie for another great interview! I do hope you're enjoying this series of posts, and would really love some feedback if anyone feels like sharing! This will be the last one of 2016, but they will be back again in the New Year and I have some more fantastic ones up my sleeve! 

(All images from Bloom Remedies) 

Spotlight: Pedlars (Plus WIN some wonderful stuff for your home!)

Pedlars is a treasure trove of homewares, bags, stationary and gifts based in North Wales, with a general store and cafe in London's Notting Hill, and vast online store. But it's so much more than that too - Pedlars is fast becoming known for it's vintage marketplace, and their website is a fascinating source of inspiration (and cute dogs!) 

I have long been a customer (and fan) of their carefully curated range (these pencils are the only ones worth using!) and eagerly anticipate each weeks vintage additions! So, when I got in touch to see if the lovely folk over at Pedlars Towers would be interested in being featured in a Spotlight Post I did a real-life happy-dance when they not only answered a few questions, but also agreed to support an exciting giveaway! Read on to the end of the post to find out more about the prize and how to enter! 

1. For those readers who have yet to discover it, can you introduce Pedlars and describe what you do?

Pedlars is a homewares brand, which was started by husband and wife team Charlie and Caroline Gladstone. We are primarily based online, with a bricks and mortar General Store and Café just off Portobello Road in Notting Hill. Pedlars offers a curated, considered, beautifully designed range of homewares, and a huge range of vintage from all around the world. We have recently launched our Vintage Marketplace, a new venture that enables vintage dealers and enthusiasts to offer their goods for sale via Pedlars. We have a solid reputation for sourcing and selling the best vintage items and a large and eager customer base, so our aim is to expand our offer by inviting sellers to show our customers their goods. 

2. Your range of homewares, stationary and gifts is so varied, yet wonderfully curated - how do you decide which pieces make it into the shop?

Pedlars founder Charlie is our chief buyer and taste maker. He has a keen eye for top quality vintage and an incredibly strong sense of style. This is played out in all the Gladstone’s businesses; The Good Life Experience, their Farm Shop and their pub The Glynne Arms. We also try to source from British and European manufacturers where possible. Oh and if it’s orange, it stands a pretty good chance of making itself into the shop, Pedlars loves orange!

3. I'm becoming more and more disillusioned by the mainstream high street and increasingly wanting to support local, independent makers. Pedlars is a big supporter of British designers and makers - why do you feel this is so important? 

We’re interested in products that have a story to tell, and the warmth and detail that you get when you move away from the mainstream and seek out small, often one-man-band manufacturers.

4. Every Friday you launch a new vintage collection, often with a french or military connection. How do you decide which pieces become part of this, and how do vintage items influence your main collection?

It’s really a case of whatever catches Charlie’s eye. And as a team, if it’s something that we would want for ourselves, we’re confident that our customers will love it too. At this stage it’s almost the other way around, our non-vintage collection complements our vintage collection, which is what people now know us for.

5. Charlie and Caroline also founded The Good Life Experience festival which takes place in Wales in September. What is the Pedlars definition of The Good Life? 

Charlie and Caroline founded The Good Life Experience with their friends Cerys Matthews and Steve Abbott. For them, and for Pedlars The Good Life is all about good food, friends, great music, learning new skills, new crafts and perhaps a new perspective. And a camp fire, that’s important too.

+++

I love it! Everything about the Pedlars ethos makes me feel all warm and fuzzy (plus the cafe is big in avocado which is the way to my heart!)If you missed my post about The Good Life Festival 2016, do pop over and have a look - it was the definition of magical!

I'm thrilled to be able to share a little of the Pedlars magic with you all, and they have kindly given me a set of three Military Prints to give away to one lucky UK reader! These prints are reproduction of military instruction cards that were bought at auction in the USA, and have been printed on 1950's printing presses in Yorkshire with fluorescent inks!

Fantastic aren't they? I'm a bit envious that I don't get to keep them for myself actually!

There are two ways to enter, and each way counts as one entry so that's two chances to win! 

First - Sign up to follow The Salted Tail via bloglovin or email - (you can find the links to do so on the right hand side) then leave me a comment to say you're in and would love to win! 

Second - Head over to Instagram and find the giveaway post. Follow The Salted Tail, like the image and tag three friends who you think might like to win! 

The winner will be drawn on Halloween (so thats nearly two weeks to enter and tell anyone else who you think might like to win this lovely prize!) and they will win all three, unframed prints. Once the winner is drawn I'll get in touch for your contact details and the lovely folk at Pedlars will send your prize. The giveaway is open to UK residents only!   

Thank you to Pedlars for supporting me in this adventure of mine - hope you all enjoyed the interview! 

Happy entering - and may the odds be ever in your favour! 

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Business Spotlight - Muse Retreats

After the success of September's 'Spotlight' post which featured an interview with Tom of Thorne and Anchor (do you and check it out if you missed it - he carves the most beautiful spoons, bowls and home accessories from wood) I have been collecting lots more interviews to share with you all, and I think you're really going to love this months instalment. 

Shirley, a writer and creative curator has recently launched Muse Retreats, a subscription box with a big difference. Shirley and I met via Instagram, and after reading a little about her and her struggle with her own creativity after her education in the arts came to an end, I immediately felt we were something of kindred spirits.

Shirley set up Muse Retreats after using personal creative retreats to start building creativity back into her own life. When people around her started noticing she'd got her old fire back and wanted a piece of it for themselves, her desire to spread the joy began to grow and when Muse Retreats launched in September, the first month of subscription boxes completely sold out! 

I was really keen to interview Shirley and find out more about her boxes, what inspires her, her thoughts on creativity and what her plans are for the future. She was kind enough to oblige and I therefore have a really inspiring interview to share with you today! 

So, grab a cup of tea (something else Shirley and I share a love for!) and enjoy....

1. Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do.

I’m Shirley, the Founder, Writer & Creative Curator of Muse Retreats. Muse Retreats is a subscription box service which provides gorgeous creative retreats for people to explore in the comfort of their own home to ensure they take time for themselves to reconnect with their joy.

2. We have both experienced the feeling of our creativity slipping through our fingers. Why do you think daily creativity is so important?

I think regular creativity is so important because it reconnects us with the purest part of ourselves. As children, we play without inhibitions. We paint, draw, weave stories, role play, dance, sing, pull funny faces in a beautifully unselfconscious way. We delight in ourselves, in imagination and all of the possibilities life holds. Sadly, whether it be through school, the media or other people’s opinions, we soon get the message that there is no value in creative play, what we create isn’t as good as this person or that. We are told to be sensible, focus on how we are going to pay the bills and generally to grow up. This process squashes the magic inside of us. Without regular creative time we become sad, frustrated and ill. So many of us have received negative comments about our creativity and our dreams, but we all have something beautiful and unique to share with the world. There’s one particular quote by Marianne Williamson which really resonates with me: ‘Virtuosity in life means singing out - not necessarily singing well.’ I think if we shift the focus from what we create to the joy we feel through the process of creating, it liberates us to shake off limiting beliefs which prevent us from being our true selves. Stepping off the merry go round of day to day living to stop and connect with our creative selves allows us to tap into the magic and wonder of life. I believe that joy, magic and wonder are the true essence of us all. 

3. What drove you to start Muse Retreats and what are you hoping your subscribers will get from their monthly box and creative retreat?

Muse Retreats arose out of a really dark period of my life when I was at the crossroads between multiple bereavements and complete burnout. I have a lot of self-care tools like meditation, yoga, walking, shamanic practice and reiki which all helped me to survive the harshness of the time but it was spending time playing with pens, paints, collage and other creative experiments that actually helped me to reclaim a sense of joy. I wasn’t well enough to travel to spend time on a creative retreat for a bit of breathing and healing space so I created my own mini retreats to complete at home. People started to comment on the positive change in me so I shared what I was doing with others and I was surprised at the response. I soon realised that although my situation was a bit extreme, many people feel sad when they are consumed with working, family responsibilities and all of the other ‘shoulds’ in their lives while ignoring the needs of their creative soul. It seemed like people were crying out for a bit of self-care and it was clear that people longed to cultivate a relationship with themselves through spending some time alone to do what makes them happy. Most of us dream of things we want to try ‘one day’ like a pottery class or jewellery making or painting on canvas but other people and responsibilities take priority so we never seem to have the time. Creative retreats tend to be expensive which excludes many people. They require the energy to research a suitable place and also to travel to get there. They require the time off work which is not possible for some. For parents, creative retreats also involve the logistics of finding baby sitters too. For people with fur babies, kennels and catteries need to be thought about, booked and paid for. Something more flexible, affordable and accessible seemed to be needed to spread a little wellbeing and joy, so Muse Retreats was born!

4. What things inspire you every day? Do you have one particular Muse, or are there several in your life?

Oh, I find inspiration everywhere, which is why my Facebook and Instagram feeds are so eclectic! My dogs, Suzy Q and Jasper inspire me every day. Their playfulness and sense of mischief is a delight! Walking with them daily means I spend time in nature everyday which is a massive source of inspiration for me too. Cloud formations, the quality of light, the many colours of flowers and birds soaring overhead are a constant and ever changing source of inspiration. I feel inspired in the mountains, by the sea and in the desert. One of my most inspirational and healing spaces is being in the forest. I’m a self-confessed greedy person too so I also find inspiration in food: the colour, flavour combinations and textures. I love cooking shows on TV especially Nigella, Sophie Dahl and the Little Paris Kitchen. I really enjoy vintage stores, craft fairs and charity shops. Even the thought of them makes me smile! I love people, faces, clothes, voices, music, painting, books, colours, quotations, films, theatre, a conversation overheard on the street… Inspiration is literally all around us and there is joy to be found on the most mundane commute if we are willing to be open to receive it. 

5. Lastly, can you hint at any future plans for Muse Retreats? Any exciting things that will be included in future boxes?

There are lots of gorgeous things coming up. I’ve planned the themes for the boxes for at least the next year and I’ve started a book of theme ideas because, with so many things inspiring me, the list is becoming quite long! Without spoiling the surprise too much, all I can say is that there are a wide range of activities and themes to explore which will involve using many different senses. Some retreats will be based at home, others will challenge retreaters to go out into the world and explore with a very clear intention. 

I wholeheartedly believe in only creating and sharing retreats I have experienced myself. From October, I will be including a page from my own personal creative journal so people can see what I got up to when I explored the same theme on my own retreat. I will then be following this up with a blog post to expand the theme further so our Muse Retreat tribe will have an insight into how the finished piece of writing actually began. I saw a quote on Facebook the other day which said, ‘Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.’ This really struck a chord with me. Sometimes when we are playing creatively our inner critic tries to dismiss our attempts as awful in comparison to others, so we become discouraged and give up. This is why I thought it might be useful to share the start of my own creative pieces in the journal page in the box so people can see how it evolved from first inspiration and ideas to the end result on the blog. Creativity is a process. It’s messy and gorgeous and imperfect. The process is actually the most intriguing aspect of creative living to me which is why including the journal page is so important.

Something else I’m really excited about is that each box will now showcase the work and story of a ‘Featured Creative’. One of the intentions of Muse Retreats is to celebrate creatives from across the UK no matter whether they’re a professional creative, someone just starting out or someone who runs an Etsy store from their kitchen table while working in a 9-5 job. I’ve met with the Featured Creative for October and she is amazing! There is so much inspiration out there, so many talented people and stories and beautiful things being created, it’s time we took a moment to celebrate our own gorgeous selves and also other beautiful creative souls too! I’m hoping we can start a joy revolution!

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A joy revolution! How fantastic does that sound! I hope you're with me in finding Shirley's words completely inspiring, and I can't be the only one who has felt like my creativity gets swallowed up by day to day life sometimes. 

If you'd like to learn more, head over to Muse Retreats where you can read more about Shirley's story and sign up to receive your very own creative retreat though your letter box, either monthly or as a one off treat! You can also follow Muse Retreats on Instagram where Shirley shares inspiration, snippets from her life, and also sneak previews of future box planning! 

Shirley was also kind enough to send me Septembers retreat box - I won't share too much just yet, but it is fantastic and totally lives up to the excitement! I will be reviewing it in the next few days, so if you're on the fence about subscribing for yourself, stay tuned to find out how I found my first creative retreat. A little hint, there was tea and chocolate involved! 

(All images courtesy of Muse Retreats)