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It’s coming up on two years since we packed up our London life and drove out East looking for a new, quieter and greener way of life. So much has happened in that time that I could easily write several (hundred) blog posts about it all. And perhaps I will. But not right now.

Instead I want to share the creations of some of the amazing artists, makers and small businesses who call my new county home.

With a cost of living crisis well and truly upon us, we’re all feeling the pinch - spending less on non-essentials, and making more considered purchases in general. So this Christmas I’m trying to be a more conscious consumer - shopping locally, supporting independents, and choosing sustainable gifts designed to last.

This is buy well, buy once gifting…Suffolk-style.

Arboreal coasters, Concrete & Wax

Award-winning concrete homeware brand Concrete & Wax was launched in 2018 by married design duo Laura Keller and Alex Sommer, who traded life at the helm of a pioneering Amsterdam fashion consultancy for new beginnings in a sixteenth century cottage in Suffolk.

From their home workshop, they hand-pour ingeniously designed concrete modular candleware, bowls and coasters, beautifully packaged in stylish recyclable and reusable boxes. Perfect for gifting…although you may find you want to keep it all for yourself.

Don’t miss the new Arboreal collection: the beauty of wood immortalised in concrete. The detail is extraordinary - from the fine wood grain finish to the intricately cut cork bases - and through their partners at TreeApp, a tree will be planted for every Arboreal set sold.

Angled mug, Sophia McEvoy Ceramics

Working from her garden studio in a small country village in Suffolk, Sophia McEvoy, a former secondary school art teacher, handcrafts stunningly simple, contemporary ceramics from stoneware clay and earthy coloured glazes.

Elegant, carefully considered and totally timeless tableware and vases, full of depth and character. If I had to choose a favourite it would be this angled mug in charcoal.

Sophia’s gorgeous goods get snapped up quickly though, so be sure to sign up to her newsletter so you’ll know when new products are due to drop. A little bird tells me the next collection will be available in late November/early December.

Brass stud earrings, Alba Jewellery

Celebrating the authenticity of raw metal and taking inspiration from the natural world, Alba Jewellery is handmade by Jacqueline Dawson in her Suffolk workshop.

Using recycled silver, brass and gold, age-old techniques and simple hand tools, Jacqueline’s eco jewellery designs feature fresh undulating ripples, celestial and foliate shapes and tactile hammered finishes.

With my daughter’s tiny toddler hands always lurking and ready for assault, I am wondering how my earlobes will fare in these lovely little sea kale studs…

DIY wreath kit, Triangle Nursery

Triangle Nursery is a Suffolk-based family wholesale flower business. I first discovered them back in 2016 after I’d been searching high and low for two specific varieties of echeveria for my wedding flowers. Managing Director Mary Wilson came to my rescue, contacting her grower to arrange exactly what I needed and shipping it straight to my kitchen table in time for the big day.

Offering a brilliant selection of festive DIY wreath kits, foliage bunches and sundries, they have everything you need to create your own, one-of-a-kind Christmas decs at really affordable prices.

*image used for illustration purposes only - see product listings on their website for details of what’s included in each kit.

Antique school cupboard, Suffolk Parlour

A small family business, Suffolk Parlour has been trading in restored country furniture since 2009. Offering UK-wide delivery and a bespoke painting service, there’s always something new in stock.

The best place to hunt for pretty antique and vintage consoles, cabinets and sideboards, I regularly stalk their Instagram feed and dream about a day when my house has finally been renovated and is ready for an enormous, slightly rustic, glazed linen cupboard (or two).

Darkroom photography workshops, Illuminate Studio

Fine art photographer and educator, Mikaela Rackham, set up Illuminate Studio in the Suffolk countryside to inspire and support creatives and give them a space to learn new skills and exhibit their work.

Just 90 miles from London, the studio in Brightwell (near Ipswich) offers a variety of both one-to-one and group workshops in traditional photographic techniques like pinhole photography, cyanotype printing, and - a favourite of mine from art college days - Liquid Light printing. Think of it as a light-sensitive paint that allows you to print photographs on almost any surface.

This 2-hour workshop will help you create a series of Liquid Light prints on watercolour paper and wood. On site you’ll also find a gallery and shop selling photographic supplies and work by a range of excellent local artists. Why not make a day of it?

Trio of tiny tipples, The Tiny Tipple Company

Using fruits, berries and blooms fresh from the hedgerows and fruit farms of East Anglia, Karen Rees and Amanda Williams create small-batch spirits and liqueurs from their Tiny Tipple Company base in Lowestoft.

They produce a range of inviting flavours including gooseberry and elderflower gin, ginger whisky and strawberry and vanilla rum, all free from artificial flavourings, colours and preservatives.

Choose your own trio selection box and sip them with guests at your festive gatherings, or shop their miniatures - 50ml tipples in tiny tins - perfect stocking stuffers or boozy cracker fillers. Mmmm.