Friday Features

Our ‘Friday Features’ share the stories and insights of some wonderful creative women in the UK who own amazing small businesses.

Covering: creativity (at home and in work), juggling life and work as creative women, the ups and downs of running a small business in the UK, and our wellbeing as creatives… we hope these posts celebrate the incredible women featured, support the creative community as a whole, and encourage any creative women in the UK who have a small business (or dream) to keep going.

Artist Elaine Buchanan sat on an outside sofa, with a bright green jacket on
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Elaine from Elaine Buchanan Art – artist specialising in pyrography portraits and emotive pieces

Our Friday Feature this week is the incredibly talented Elaine from Elaine Buchanan Art. Elaine is a London based freelance artist with a very unique speciality… pyrography. Although she does also create with other mediums, she has become known for her work using the wood-burning technique – creating amazing portraits and emotive pieces. Let’s get to know more about the creative woman behind the small business… What’s your first memory of being creative? My first memory of being creative is probably from the age of 7.  I drew a picture of the cartoon character Sylvester the cat and I noticed my drawing was quite similar to the character. I was

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Lucy from Lucy Hannah Photography, leaning on a window ledge in a leopard-print jumpsuit
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Lucy from Lucy Hannah Photography – brand photographer, helping tell the stories of creative businesses

Lucy from Lucy Hannah Photography This week’s Friday Feature is the lovely Lucy from Lucy Hannah Photography. Having started as a wedding photographer, Lucy realised her passion was actually in capturing the creative businesses behind the scenes… the ones literally making people’s weddings special. Now, with over a decade in business, she knows how to help all kinds of creative businesses tell their story. Let’s get to know more about the creative woman behind the small business… How has creativity played a part in your life? Creativity has definitely played a big part in my life. I’ve always had creative hobbies since I was a little kid and I’m a

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Alex Allday, ceramic and surface pattern designer, in her studio - surrounded by her intricately patterned pieces.
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Alex from Alex Allday Ceramic & Surface Pattern Design – creating unique ceramics with pattern and texture

Our Friday Feature this week is the very talented Alex from Alex Allday Ceramic & Surface Pattern Design. Having recently celebrated ten years in business, Alex really understands what it takes to make a living doing something you love. Her business has evolved a bit over time, but she’s always stayed true to what brings her joy. Let’s get to know more about the creative woman behind the small business… What does being creative mean to you? It’s the opportunity to express my thoughts and ideas visually across different mediums, with endless possibilities. Being creative allows me to fully switch off from the world and really get lost in what

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Rashida from Rashida's Patisserie creating a croquembouche tower
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Rashida from Rashida’s Patisserie – pastry chef specialising in creative cakes and croquembouche

Our Friday Feature this week is the wonderful Rashida from Rashida’s Patisserie. During her professional training in a hotel kitchen, Rashida fell in love with the pastry section. Fast forward a few years and, wanting to balance her career with spending time with her young children, her patisserie business was born. Let’s get to know more about the creative woman behind the small business… How has creativity played a part in your life? I have always been creative, even as a child I loved writing stories and poems, painting and I even tried my hand at knitting. Do you feel creativity helps your wellbeing? Definitely! Especially anything involving working with

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Tracey from Wild Soul Flowers, adding the finishing touch to a funeral arrangement
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Tracey from Wild Soul Flowers – artisan florist connecting flowers, people, and meaningful moments

This week’s Friday Feature is the truly lovely Tracey from Wild Soul Flowers. Tracey’s many creative talents have seen her small business evolve over the years, from designing pieces for weddings to running an online shop, but one thing always stayed constant – an intuitive ability to create gorgeous things that connect with people. Now, having recently followed the pull towards a different creative path, she creates that same emotive magic as an artisan florist. Let’s get to know more about the wonderful creative woman behind the small business… Have you always been creative? Yes, creativity has always been part of who I am. As a child I loved making

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Kate from Factory Floor Jewels at The Hepworth Shop, with her jewellery behind her
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Kate from Factory Floor Jewels – jeweller creating distinctive pieces with a unique story

Our Friday Feature this week is the brilliant Kate from Factory Floor Jewels. Inspired by a lifelong fascination with factories (having grown up around an engineering dad), Kate creates jewellery with a really distinctive style – using materials that often hold a unique story. And it’s not just her creations that have a story to share, Kate’s own journey in business and life makes for an interesting read. Let’s get to know more about the creative woman behind the small business… Do you feel being creative is part of your identity? This question made me laugh, as weirdly I’ve often struggled with the label of ‘creative’ or ‘artist’ – but

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