Paying the light bill for your soul

Flock expansion

Hello Dear Readers, 

When I left you last Friday, I needed to go see a man about some chickens, and that is what I did. I went back to Cyan Clayworks where I picked up my new yellow birds and purchased a beautiful ramen bowl for a friend's birthday. It's a joy to support our local and independent artists and makers. It's always a win in my book.

paintings, brushes, and books 

On Sunday, my pal Julia Laing came over on a super dreich day and helped me move some things. She gets the friendship of the year award. And speaking of Julia, I also purchased some of her new work this week as well.

Check out Julia's latest offerings on her site. Colour is a powerful medicine and Julia brings the colour! I chose "citrus sprinkles" from her new statement brooch collection. Pictured below. There are currently just 5 left...

Get one for yourself 

Julia and I are meeting up tomorrow for the Leith Creative Trail and so I can collect my new brooch! I am also looking forward to seeing what local beauties we will discover as we wander about.

In other news this week - I worked and I charity shopped, therefore I am...(you will notice what is missing again, making my own A R T but don't worry - I am thinking about it in big ways).

Speaking of charity shopping, look at this treasure! I almost passed it by, but I am so glad I didn't, it's my new power ring. It's massive - it's vintage, I love it! 

chonky bling

However, I bought nothing today, except a necessary local bus ticket. I am a frugal person by necessity and design. I will also spend money on things I believe in. I believe in artists and makers. I believe in local businesses. I sure hope you do too. Money exchanged fairly and in alignment with my values gives me a good honest feeling. 

I can be an overthinker and worrier, and I have to research everything. I also deal with decision fatigue, but I have noticed that this rarely happens when it comes to art or second hand goods.

So this is my spiel this week. If you are able to at all (and I know it is hard out there - believe me I know) to carve out a budget for handmade/local/secondhand goods, please do try. It's like paying the light bill for your soul. And the artists/locals/charities can keep working for good and bringing more light.

I will leave you on that bright note and this reminder to take care, keep fighting, and keep lighting the way. I am thankful for you. 

Collection and colour: "Teddy" Sculpture by Christine Pike

And if you are still here and feel like dancing... I am still listening to this on repeat. 

Strangers tell me things

Sunday works in progress: a different ground

 On the way to carboot sale

Brutal Monday evening 

On Friday Leith provides

Anarchy in the everyday

Hello Dear Readers,

With one song on repeat I settle in to write to you. It was also one hell of a week and I am glad it is over. It's Halloween. Tomorrow is November. How is that even possible? Are you sensing a theme? I feel like each week, I write: things are hard, time is moving fast, what the hell... here's some art, here's some photos - cheery bye.

I write a lot in other places, I talk a lot in other places too, and now I am tired and worn out. I feel like The Giving Tree.

But back to the song, the bass vibrates in my ears in a way that I can see it - I shake my head back and forth to the beat. This song has that wonderful industrial metal scraping clang that my brain loves. The bass and guitars are perfection. I don't think there is much better than listening to a song on really good headphones. This one is ticking all the boxes tonight - it is reviving my tired heart.

However, I still can't focus enough right now to talk about art in any meaningful or moving way. Perhaps if I had written this in the morning I could have, but I needed to go out and meet a pal. I sat with the locals on the community benches at the foot of the walk and I purposely breathed in their smoke. I comforted them as they shared their fresh grief with me and was hugged by a stranger.

I love community spaces and I love talking to people. I love making people laugh and I love laughing. I love hearing music from pub speakers and I love knowing that cosy places for folks to meet still exist.

Just another beautiful day in Leith, just another day in my life.

Until next week, try to talk to someone you don't know and try not to worry so much.
We need you and the gifts you bring. Keep fighting.