Mr Larkswold and I visited Stockholm last weekend with our good friends Zara and Rob. I am now entirely Swedish - I have the knitwear, a love of stopping to drink coffee, eat cake with friends (known as Fika in Sweden), I can stomach Aquavit (potato-based spirit similar to engine fuel), and I like pickled herring. Ok, I hate the cold more than almost everything, but the sky was blue, and we spent plenty of time walking the city and gobbling delicious meatballs with lingonberry sauce and cardamom buns.
Since we started Larkswold back in 2020, we have had the desire to create our business around the concept of Hygge - there isn't a word in the English language for this, but it's a quality of cosiness and comfort - the feeling of contentment or well-being. If you have been to our studio, you might say we have achieved this or at least can see that it's quite a guiding principle for us. Hygge is a Danish thing, and Fika is Swedish, but it's all Scandi culture, and my love for it has been reignited with our little trip.
Another thing I loved was how proud they were of the Vasa Musset. This ship was built in 1626. 1628 it's launched and sank within 17 mins, spending 300 years at the bottom of the sea, before being brought up in 40,000 pieces and after 20 years of playing jigsaw it was fully back together. So, they are celebrating a warship that failed on every level - that's what I love - celebrate the failure.
Talking of failures - if you are visiting us this weekend and need to come through Moreton in Marsh - add on an extra 20 minutes for road works. I can't exactly tell you what they are doing, but the lovely lady in the Acorn charity shop said they had another month of work, which will probably be longer as they have hit a problem and haven't done any work for 4 days! Always one to turn failure into a positive thing - I opted to jump out the queue and do a little charity shop hunting - please see the beautiful Spode plate below, which I picked up in Helen & Douglas.
Oh, Emma turned a little bit older on Tuesday. We had a lovely lunch over at Dunkertons, were impressed with their posh toilets (although a little chilly) and did our usual fun game of walking around the Daylesford shop going "HOW MUCH?!" I think Em was pleased with the Fika cookery book (I really want her to make me Semla buns) and the ice cup mould (from Ice bar in Stockholm so you can drink your Aquavit out of an ice class). I think I managed to cover the fact that these where gifts I wanted and hope she will get good use of in the studio!
Yep - less of the random drivel and more about stuff that may of course be useful and interesting to you because we are a creative studio and thats the sole reason you chose to subscribe...
February - I mean thank goodness because we flipping hate January! We had a packed networking session yesterday with Joanna from Wise Investment giving a brilliant talk about putting your big girl pants on and taking a look at what your financial wellbeing looks like and how you can make the most of every opportunity to create a retirement fund that means you can still visit Larkswold and turn the heating on. I think we all agreed we had been sticking our heads in the sand but left feeling there was tangible action we could take to improve things. Thanks Joanna x
Coming up next weekend:
Leather dog collar and lead on Saturday. We have 4 spots free so if you have a fancy pooch that needs a unique ensemble or someone you know needs a gift for their furry friend come along Saturday 14th February (Valentines Day) 9.30-1pm and leave with a little Fika, Hygge... oh yes and a fantastic leather collar and lead.
Lino Printing next Sunday 15th has 1 spot left. The workshop is £75
Or maybe a little science combined with loveliness - scented candle making.
Also on Sunday 15th 2-5pm.
If you haven't yet caught up with the new workshops we launched over the last month, here is a quick list:
Read anything good recently?
Strawcraft: First session running this month during half-term holiday.
Fancy playing with clay?
Need something softer?
We are uber excited about all the new workshops! If you need any help deciding or booking, feel free to call Emma on 0800 999 1914, or simply follow the links to book on our website.
Oh - STOP THE PRESS - Emma and I went to see
"Revel in the sparkling wit and delicious mischief of Strauss’ timeless operetta. Whether you're a seasoned opera lover or a newcomer to the world of operetta, Merry Opera’s brilliant singers, directed by Guido Martin-Brandis with a witty English translation, promise a night of unforgettable melodies, fizzy frolics and cheeky capers."
It was hooooolarious - Emma booked the tickets after William, one of the main operatic singers in the production, came to our studio last year for a workshop. It really was just the tonic for a cold February evening - both Emma and I have been singing in our newfound operatic voices whilst baking all the delicious cakes for the weekend's workshops.
The production moves to Henley on Thames tonight the Tunbridge Wells among other places.
Have a great weekend.
Melinda x
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