As a small business owner myself, I love supporting other small business owners.  It takes a lot of work to turn a vision into a reality and a lot of faith to take that big scary step.  While I’m not a huge fan of the post Thanksgiving gauntlet of sales (although it is admittedly  good time to start your Christmas shopping), I love that there is a day to celebrate and encourage support for small businesses, so I thought I would highlight some of my favorites.  Some are personal friends, and all of them I’ve shopped from for years. I have been collecting Linen Bee dresses and tunics for almost 10 years.  All of their clothes are custom made to my measurements, so they fit just how I like them.  Their fabrics wash well and their designs are timeless.  They are my go-to pieces for travel, church, outings, and antique markets. 

The Christmas shopping season is among us, and Black Friday (which seems to last over a month now) Sales are already happening.  As I have in the past, I’ve put together a few gift guides, mostly consisting of things I own and love that might be good for someone on your list.  While I love bargains and good deals, I’ve never been one to shop for or buy something simply because it’s on sale.  Instead, I hope the things I want are included in a sale; if not, I’ll wait for them to go on sale.  So, some of these things are included in Black Friday sales, and some aren’t. Here are my gift guides, of things I curated for cooks, makers, gardeners, Jane Austen fans, writers, readers, and a few guides that include tech accessories. things that are just fun, and some of my favorites from 2025.    

I’ve spent a lot of time at the easel this week, painting every day.  I am pushing through to get as many pet commissions done for Christmas presents before it’s too late for oils to dry in time.  I used to sit in front of old pieces of furniture, and now I sit in front of small wood panels clamped in an easel.  Both tasks are about transformation.  Both involve paint, brushes, and creative decisions.  I have grown and changed as an artist, and my business has evolved, but at the heart of it, it’s just me and paint, pictures, and words, sharing what I’m up to each day. I’ve just been thinking a lot this week about creative seasons, how things change, and how they stay the same. Here are my four things for the week: Mansfield Park, Next Gen Chef, no need to sparkle, and new papers…