January '26Newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

We’re here, we made it. Welcome to 2026, the Year of the Horse 🐎.

You may have noticed there wasn’t a December update from me last month. December had other plans… I was completely snowed under with multiple markets, followed by you lovely lot ordering right up until the 23rd! There were even a few sneaky locals who popped round to see what was in stock and grab some very last-minute goodies, which I absolutely loved. It was busy, chaotic, and exhausting, but in the very best way.

As we step into a new year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the one just gone. 2025 was my first full year properly back at Smoke & Ash after having Raff and Rora, and it felt so good to find my flow again. I poured time and energy back into the business, returned to markets, met so many wonderful customers and fellow small business owners, expanded my skills, and slowly rebuilt the confidence and motivation to grow and diversify. It genuinely felt like coming home to myself creatively.

One of the highlights was becoming part of such a supportive maker community. I found a brilliant group of creatives through the Suffolk Market Events markets and the Wednesday Spitalfields markets with Urban Makers. Learning from others, sharing advice, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the tougher market days made all the stock-packing, early mornings, and endless trips around London, Suffolk, and Essex completely worth it.

 Last year also marked my first time taking part in the Burnham Art Trail, something I really loved. I’ve already submitted my entry for this year and am currently planning a brand new collection to launch during the trail. Having that focused week pushed me creatively in exactly the way I needed, helping me develop a fully cohesive body of work. I briefly mentioned workshops last year too, and if I’m successful again this year, my plan is to run my first couple during the Art Trail which I’m very excited about.

2025 also brought a huge milestone: my very first engagement ring commission. It was commissioned back in the summer, but I had to keep it under wraps until the proposal finally happened just before Christmas. Being trusted with something so personal and meaningful was a real honour, and I’m hopeful that 2026 will bring a few more exciting commissions my way.

I also had two of my highest-selling markets ever last year, which completely blew me away. Alongside the financial boost, they gave me a huge surge of confidence in both myself and my brand especially during a time when rising silver and gold prices have made the whole industry feel a little on edge.

Before we focus on what's to come, I need to thank my family for helping out so much to make this year possible. Jack for taking over the majority of childcare on the weekends so I could attend markets, my mum for coming along and helping me set up and assisting on the busiest markets (those early mornings took a bit of getting used too), my dad for taxiing me to and from London and for also being an emergency courier getting forgotten stock to far away markets at the drop of a hat, and my in-laws for helping out with Childcare when I needed it to get the extra work done.

The energy and spirit of the Horse is all about movement, progress, and courage and I’m feeling that drive as we step into this new year. It’s inspiring me to push forward with new ideas, take some bold creative leaps, and embrace the opportunities that come my way. I’m feeling refreshed and excited to get creating again after a lovely Christmas break with my little family. First up (unfortunately) is tackling my accounts, the dreaded task I’ll be focusing on over the next week or two. After that, before markets start back up, I’ll be using the quieter months to work on creating more Instagram content… my least favourite job of all, even ranking below admin and accounts! But it has to be done. My hope is that if I put the work in now, I can schedule it all and then semi-forget about it for the rest of the year (wish me luck!).

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It truly means more than I can put into words, and I can’t wait to share what 2026 has in store.

P.S I have 25% off of selected items throughout January and February... have a mosey. I want to clear some space for new pieces