Donna Sarah's Newsletter #2

I need a better name for this, help me!

Hi there!

How are you? I hope really well! I can’t believe it’s a month already since I did my last newsletter. I mentioned in the last one about working on a kids book - I’ve added to it now! I think I have all the things I need, have planned out the pages and now I’m starting to draw them out. It’s quite fun I think, but there is this sort of worry about “is it a waste of time?, will anyone want one?, is it better to self publish or do the whole cold calling thing once it’s done?”. I mean I am a way off completing it at the moment so I will just crack on in spare moments for now!

So what’s been going on? I did my first London market week before last. A London market was a 2024 goal for me. Here’s my stall:

Want to know something? I didn’t love it! I have a funny relationships with markets as it is, I really like meeting the people who love my work and I love chatting, but also I am a shy person and so it’s always a funny feeling when I am complimented because that makes me a bit shy and also makes me act a bit odd. My other frustration at the moment is what a gamble it can be to do them! Sometimes they go AMAZING and sometimes it’s an absolute flop and there really doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason. This market was a bit of a flop because I was in a quiet spot, and my market neighbours were grumpy. (Maybe you’re thinking that’s a bit risky, what if they read this? Well I actually don’t mind because I’m literally just calling a spade a spade.)

I actually sold my lovely Bird Bowl at the market, and when the couple bought it I started blushing and was really odd to them, then awkwardly sort of draped it in some canvas which I found because I thought that might make it more “premium” than bubble wrap - which is practical and actually does the job, and I also had some of ready... I felt like Miranda Hart in her BBC show in her shop! They were very nice about it though and I am happy it is in their home! I had been on the fence about selling it because I really love it, but I can’t keep hold of everything!

I have also made some eco home compostable washi tape which I took along to this market for the first time too! I didn’t sell any… ha! But I have had great response to it after my reel on instagram! You can buy washi tape here - or find me at the next market I do!

I did another market this month actually - Windmill Hill in Bristol! I love this market! It’s so fun to do on the city farm, everyone is really friendly, and the organisation by Geraldine of Bristol Market is so wonderful! Here’s my set up in Bristol.

Also this SUNSHINE! What a delight! I had a nice day at the market, I went to see the lambs and ate some hummus from my favourite hummus makers - Moist! The coriander and paprika hummus is so good! And if you don’t know me, I’m not saying I love hummus because I’m a fussy health freak and that’s all I eat - I eat pretty much everything and still love this hummus enough to mention as a highlight of this day.

5 things I loved this month:

1. Reading: Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

   

   Wow I loved this book! It’s funny, I read another book by Jen Beagin ages ago called “Vacuum in the dark” and recently I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I mean like sort of obsessively. Nothing in particular just remembering a particular part (no spoilers) and thinking about it a lot. Then I got this book from the library and didn’t even know it was the same author until I saw the first page with her other books on it. I really enjoy the writing style for these books, it’s kind of unsettling and some freaky things which really shake me happen but it’s so mixed in with such funny and honest humour that it works. I remember both books I’ve read by her as films because I’ve been able to picture every element so clearly. I also saw that this is being made into a TV series with Jody Comber, which before I read it I thought was exciting, now I just don’t see HOW she would fit in to any of the characters because they are now so concrete for me.

2. Listening: Tyler the Creator Tiny Desk

   I am a fan of Tyler the Creator, I love (most of) the album Flower Boy, it’s quite old now and was released in 2017 but I still listen to some of the songs regularly. This video is also old now and was put on youtube 6 years ago, but I watched it for the first time the other night and thought it was so great. I know the songs performed well, but I like the fun playfulness that the band and Tyler bring to the set. I thought it was just a fun and generous show. I also liked the cheeky chat with the audience at the chat at the end. I guess what I am trying to say with is that this performance made me crush on Tyler.

3. Eating: The Woolpack Inn

   

   Went for a fun night away in the Cotswold the other week and stayed in Painswick which was lovely and then walked to Slad Valley to go to the Woolpack. Tim and I had wanted to go for a while and it was so lovely! It was the perfect place for me and Tim to go because he loved old school pubs, which half of it was, but the other half was dead posh food and swish wines which I love! Also how could you not just love somewhere in this setting?! I had Spenwood fritters (a type of Sheeps cheese) and then Onglet with Cafe de Paris butter and SO MANY POTATOES. It was great! It was also a lovely walk out there and back.

4. Enjoying: Lighter Days

   

   
   I’m really liking having light after work and into the evenings! It’s feeling magical. This was from a nice little walk after work in Maiden Bradley the other day which was nice to do. You can’t see the absolute howling gale which was also happening, but still the sunshine was sweet!

5. Shopping: The Town House Spitalfields

   

   I went in this nice shop while I was in London, The Town House. It was so sweet! They had lovely antique pieces, sweet books, a really perfect little cafe downstairs with a big beautiful aga, old china, tasty treats. And then outside a little exhibition space with the sweetest portraits on display, all about Women & Word. If you’re in town I’d recommend a visit.
   

   Thanks for stopping by again this month! It’s been nice having you read my entire thought process...! See you next month, and please share with anyone who you think would like it too. x

View draft history