Hello, Hannah here, writing today. I thought I'd update you on what I've been focusing on in the business and life in general, and what's been going well!

I often feel like an octopus running the business, with lots of things to oversee, but luckily, I've got a great new team of people to help me with social media and newsletters. They're all very organised and good at planning, so it's been a relief knowing that certain things are in safe hands. This means I've been able to focus more on other things. Let me tell you about it!

I have cast and decorated about 10 or more sets of Flying Owl Trios and these are now in stock on the website in very small numbers. 

The new Fox and Badger Egg Cups have been selling well, and I've just done a new photoshoot with them for Mother's Day and Easter. See below!

I have just completed the modelling of a Flying Blackbird Trio. The clay birds have now been shipped to Sri Lanka, and moulds are being made this week. These will be cast in black clay, with a satin glaze and yellow beaks, I am really excited to see how they come out. 

Next will be swifts (RSPB asked for this as they are endangered) and Swallows, as I love them! I am still in the modelling process for some mantelpiece dogs, a tall Cockatoo ornament, and some other bits. I've got quite a few ideas going at the moment!

The bisc samples of the Red Squirrel Egg Cup, Hare Egg Cup and Fox Trinket Dish are now here for me to trial decoration ideas on, this is the fun part! 

We will soon have the Peacock oven gloves back in stock, they are being packed and will soon be on their way, we will do an update when we have the stock.

Zero Carbonista with Dale Vince and Ian Collins is a great show that I've been listening to for a while. They manage to cover serious topics with humour and good grace, and I find it gives me hope. 

Another podcast that I love is Feel Better Live More, by Dr Chattergee. This week, he covered burnout. I feel I get close to this a lot, and I was heartened to hear that I am actually doing some of the stuff he recommends. Small business owners, please beware of burnout!

No Other Land, a hard-hitting documentary filmed by of the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank in Palestine. It made me so ANGRY

Follow Basel Adra Basilaladraa and Yuval Abraham on Instagram, they just won an Oscar for Best Documentary!!! An amazing bit of coverage. 

You can also buy trainers made in the home town of Masafer Yatta @resolute.rgl 

Walking the long way round to work. I started again today to improve my fitness.

I have also been gardening after work and I find it very good stress relief and relaxing. Now that it doesn't get dark until about 7:00, I can squeeze in almost an hour of tidying and sorting stuff. I am also planning a bike ride in France, I will report on how this went next month, as I write this I am packing to leave today, getting the train to Portsmouth, and overnight ferry, and cycling as far as I can of the 70 mile journey to our house from the ferry tomorrow morning. Eeek!

I'm trying to see more of my friends, as I live out in the sticks! I have also joined a book group in the village, which I've never done before; the next step is a yoga class.

I have been filming quite a bit of late: my new blackbirds, walk to work, emptying kiln. 

Every day that I film stuff, I get a gold star! I did forget to do this for 2 weeks, but I am back on track. That's the thing with habits: it takes a while to embed them, so I don't beat myself up if I fall off for a bit! The new company I am working with are very encouraging, helping me get this done, and helping with edits too, which is fab.

Hope you too had a productive month, or maybe a relaxing one, or both?

Hannah x