🎄26 letters. 🎄26 brilliant gifts. One big celebration of independent Yorkshire businesses. A — Art for your walls A little piece of original art makes a thoughtful gift. Discover the work of Adrienne French. Instagram: @adrienne_french B — Bee-autiful local honey A delicious jar of Yorkshire honey makes a sweet Christmas gift and supports local beekeepers. East Yorkshire Honey Bees C — Christmas cards Bright, joyous cards to bring some cheer this festive season. A handwritten message never goes out of fashion. Marco Looks on Instagram D — Designs inspired by nature Botanical eco-printing and nature-inspired art for anyone who loves the natural world. Galina Titova · Deep Felt E — Earrings with personality Lightweight, hypoa leather earrings, handmade in York. A lovely little gift for someone who likes something different. Morgan + Wells · Website @morganandwells F — Furniture made to last Beautiful furniture for the home, made with care by Last Leaf Furniture. Instagram: @lastleaffurniture G — Gig tickets Give memories rather than more stuff! A live gig is a brilliant present for the music lover in your life. Hope & Social · Gigs and tickets H — Heirloom-worthy jewellery A special piece of jewellery to treasure, from Hannah Weston Jewellery. Instagram: @hannahwestonjewellery I — Ink pens, beautifully turned A handcrafted wooden pen makes a distinctive present for writers, journal keepers and anyone who appreciates a beautifully made object. Hand Turned Pens · East Yorkshire J — Jolly good wine Treat someone to a bottle they've never tried, a wine-tasting experience or a gift voucher from York's independent wine merchant and wine bar. Jorvine · Website and gift vouchers K — Keepsake books A lovely way to hold memories, words and treasured moments, with keepsake, mixed media handmade books and textiles by Jackie Lunn Textiles. Instagram: @jackielunntextiles L — Leather goods made to last Hand-stitched leather gifts made in York by Morgan + Wells ... thoughtful pieces designed to be used and loved. Website: morganandwells.co.uk @morganandwells M — Mugs from Jane the Potter Make someone's morning brew extra special with a handmade mug and some Yorkshire Tea! Instagram: @janethepotter N — Nuts and natural treats Fill a festive bowl with delicious nuts, dried fruit and other wholefood goodies from York's independent wholefoods shop. Alligator Wholefoods · 104 Fishergate, York · Website O — Original prints Give a gift for the walls with original prints by Sally Clarke. Instagram: @sallyclarkeprintmaker P — Prints with personality Discover distinctive vintage textile goods by Petra Bradley — a lovely gift for someone who appreciates art. Instagram: @petrabradleyprints Q — Quite the ring! For a gift with a little extra sparkle, explore rings and necklaces by Richard Whitelegg. Instagram: @richardwhitelegg R — Rings and jewellery Find a distinctive piece of jewellery for someone special from Jo Bagshaw. Instagram: @jobagshawjewellerydesigner S — Singing Musical Hits Give the gift of music, confidence and community. Joining a choir could be a wonderful way to meet people and have fun in the new year. York Musical Theatre Choir York · Find the choir T — Timber treasures Thoughtful woodwork and furniture for those who appreciate beautifully made things. Instagram: @wilf.williams U — Uniquely made Find something individual and handmade at Everything Felt. Her colours are stunning Instagram: @everything_felt V — Veg for Christmas dinner Get the Christmas dinner sorted with fresh vegetables from Sheila's Greengrocer. Website: sheilasgreengrocer.co.uk W — Waves and seaside treasures Bring a little of the coast into someone's home with seaside-inspired artwork by Alex Ash. Instagram: @alexashartwork X — X marks the spot Celebrate York with a gift inspired by the city and its surroundings from York 360. Instagram: @york.360 Y — You deserve a little support Sometimes the most meaningful gift is a little time and support for yourself. Find out more about counselling and therapies with Jeanette Richardson. Website: jr-counselling-therapies.co.uk Z — Zingy mixed-media art Colourful, playful and wonderfully unconventional. Discover mixed-media artwork full of curiosity, character and a dash of cheekiness. Daisy Age Art · York · Website Every time you buy from an independent maker, small business or local shop, you’re doing more than finding a lovely gift - you’re supporting someone’s livelihood, helping keep traditional skills alive and putting money back into our local communities. Shop small, shop local and give something truly special this Christmas.

We are super excited for Small Business Saturday UK on 5th December 2026, and we hope you are too! This nationwide celebration is all about shining a spotlight on the incredible independent shops, makers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who bring creativity, character, and community spirit to our high streets and online spaces. Whether it’s your favourite family-run café, the artisan who handcrafts beautiful gifts, or the local service provider who always goes above and beyond, Small Business Saturday is the perfect moment to show your support. 💙 Why Get Involved? Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. When you shop small, you’re not just making a purchase; you’re helping a dream grow, backing local jobs, and keeping neighbourhoods vibrant. Even the smallest action can make a huge difference: Shop with an independent retailer Share your favourite local business on social media Leave a positive review Recommend a small business to a friend Every bit of support counts! Mark the Date & Spread the Word Let’s celebrate the passion, hard work, and resilience of small businesses across the UK. Save the date - 5th December 2026—and get ready to shop small, share the love, and help our local businesses shine. My Favourite Small Businesses Here are some of my favourite small businesses that truly embody the spirit of creativity and craftsmanship: 💙 Marco Looks 💙 Hannah Weston Jewellery 💙 Pedddle 💙 Thora and the Prince 💙 Community Clothing 💙 Lucy & Yak 💙 Esme Mai Photography 💙 Beth Elsden Art 💙 Jane the Potter 💙 The Pig & Pastry 💙 Last Leaf Furniture Together, we can make this Small Business Saturday the biggest and best yet! 💙 Why Supporting Small Businesses Matters Small businesses are more than just shops; they are the fabric of our communities. They provide unique products and services that reflect the local culture and creativity. When we support these businesses, we invest in our neighbourhoods and foster a sense of belonging. The Impact of Your Support Every time you choose to shop small, you are making a conscious decision to support local artisans and entrepreneurs. This choice helps sustain jobs and encourages innovation. It’s a ripple effect that benefits everyone in the community. How to Get Involved Beyond Shopping While shopping small is crucial, there are many other ways to support local businesses. Consider these actions: Engage on Social Media: Follow your favourite small businesses online. Like, share, and comment on their posts to help increase their visibility. Attend Local Events: Participate in community events where small businesses showcase their products. This not only supports them but also strengthens community ties. Write Reviews: Positive reviews can significantly impact a small business's reputation. Take a moment to share your experiences online. Network: Connect with small business owners. Share your skills or knowledge that could help them grow. The Future of Small Businesses As we look ahead, the future of small businesses is bright. With the rise of online shopping and digital marketing, independent shops have more opportunities than ever to reach customers. However, they still need our support to thrive. Let’s commit to making every day a small business day, not just on 5th December. Together, we can champion the incredible work of local artisans and entrepreneurs, ensuring they continue to enrich our communities for years to come. So, mark your calendars, spread the word, and let’s make this Small Business Saturday a celebration to remember! 💙

This weekend, I had the honour of being formally sworn into the Company of Cordwainers in York. This guild is one of the seven ancient guilds still thriving today. A Rich History of Craftsmanship The Company has roots that stretch back to the medieval period. It forms a vital part of York’s long-standing tradition of skilled trades and craftsmanship. The earliest recorded mention of the cordwainer trade in York can be found in the Freemen’s Rolls of 1272–1273. Here, “Thomas de Fulford, Cordwainer” is listed as the first entry. This historical context adds depth to my experience as a new member. New Member of the Company of Cordwainers in York The Art of Cordwaining Cordwainers were traditionally artisans who worked with “cordwan,” a fine leather originally imported from Córdoba, Spain. This leather was typically made from goatskin. The Company’s coat of arms reflects this rich history, featuring goat heads that pay homage to the origins of the leather trade. Historically, the guild played an essential role in York's life. It helped maintain trade standards, trained apprentices, and contributed to civic and religious events within the city. As someone who spends most days hand-stitching leather goods in my studio, becoming part of an organisation with such a strong connection to traditional leatherworking feels genuinely meaningful. While modern leatherwork may look different from that of medieval York, many of the same values still apply: good materials, skill, patience, and making things properly. A Journey of Growth Morgan + Wells has steadily grown over the last few years. We’ve achieved this through commissions, exhibitions, teaching workshops, and championing traditional leatherworking alongside British-made materials. Joining the Company of Cordwainers feels like a significant milestone in that journey. What I particularly appreciate about the Company is that it goes beyond history and ceremony. The Guild actively supports education, craftsmanship, charity work, and civic life in York today. It helps keep traditional trades visible and relevant in our modern world. The Meaning Behind “Cordwain” One fascinating aspect I discovered is the history behind the word “cordwain.” Originally, cordwain—or cordovan leather—referred broadly to fine leather produced in Córdoba during the medieval period. Much of this early leather was made from goatskin, which explains why the Company of Cordwainers' coat of arms features goat heads. Today, many leatherworkers think of shell cordovan when they hear the term. However, modern shell cordovan is quite different. It is a highly specialised leather made from the fibrous membrane beneath the skin on a horse’s rump. Over time, the name became strongly associated with horsehide because shell cordovan developed a reputation as a luxury leather. It’s intriguing how the meaning has evolved over the centuries. What started as fine goatskin leather from medieval Spain has transformed into one of the most recognised luxury horse leathers in the world today. A Weekend to Remember This weekend was truly enjoyable, and I feel immense pride in being part of the Company of Cordwainers in York. The experience has deepened my appreciation for the craft and the community surrounding it. For more information about the Company of Cordwainers, visit The Company of Cordwainers of the City of York. As I continue my journey in leatherworking, I look forward to embracing the values of craftsmanship and community that the Company represents. Each piece I create carries a story, and I am excited to be part of a legacy that values quality and tradition. Let’s celebrate the art of leatherworking together! What stories do your handcrafted items tell?