shop small support independent christmas baubles made in uk

The Guardian published a list of the best Christmas baubles for 2025. They got it wrong: try these instead!

This isn’t sour grapes, I promise! It’s about supporting independent UK businesses and craftspeople. The Guardian’s best baubles list is all about big brands: John Lewis, B&Q, Anthropologie Sass & Belle, and links run through an affiliate website so they make money off their recommendations. They can do better! Come on, Guardian writers! My list …

personalised Christmas name baubles

Black Friday personalised bauble savings for keen beans!

I don’t know if yours is the same, but my inbox is a scramble of Black Friday offers. Here are 2 actually interesting Black Friday facts: Black Friday didn’t exist in the UK until 2010 (thanks Amazon) This year, Black Friday isn’t until the 28th of November. That’s 3 weeks away! Why all the rush? …

family tree in a natural oak frame personalised with 22 names and a bespoke title

Sharing the love! A personalised family tree review

“Ordered this for my grandparents Christmas present and it’s absolutely gorgeous. The photos on the website don’t do the finished product any justice. It’s absolutely stunning. Finished to a really high quality the colours are gorgeous. Everyone I’ve showed it to agrees that it’s amazing and I cannot recommend this seller enough. Great customer service …

Christmas baubles painted by hand and personalised in calligraphy

Why are personalised baubles so expensive?

I spent a very happy hour last night putting finishing touches to some personalised baubles. Different stages of my process for painting baubles are done around my calligraphy studio, and yesterday – being Sunday – I took a little time to paint botanical details on my Evie and Maeva baubles while I watched a little …

I will never be Gordon Ramsay’s favourite calligrapher. Here’s why.

It’s a long shot, but if Gordon Ramsay ever did a show called Ramsay’s Calligrapher Nightmares, he would NOT be happy with me. And it’s because of the baubles I write people’s names on. If you’re not familiar with Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares it’s that programme where he goes into a restaurant, changes everything and transforms the …

Calligraphy poems with illustration and gold leaf

My calligraphy studio has been filled with the most beautiful poems this autumn. I have one on my desk today, and two more to be written in the coming weeks. Calligraphy poems are one of the loveliest things I’m asked to write, and I always enjoy seeing heartfelt words, and turning them into pieces of …

family tree in a natural oak frame personalised with 22 names and a bespoke title

A favourite personalised family tree, and a flourished calligraphy revamp!

I can’t believe this – but it’s been 10 years since this personalised family tree print first appeared on Not On The High St. I’m super proud of it, and while the illustration by my lovely friend Amy Swann is timeless and utterly enchanting, the calligraphy style needed an overhaul. Earlier this week I grabbed …