Yesterday we went to the William Morris Gallery for the E17 designers Valentine’s event. I was on a quest to find a birthday present for the other foodie and some art for our bare walls. There was a range of stalls with local artists selling their wonderful, creative wares including handmade jewellery, leather goods, screen prints and pottery. It was so busy they had to put in crowd control measures to restrict the eager punters.

We met Mia of Sabel Saddlery who makes leather belts, bags, watch straps – well all things leather really. I have a lovely old leather bag that I bought in Marmaris, Turkey many years ago that desperately requires love and attention. She has agreed to look at it next week if I pop into Penny Fieldings’ shop in the village. We bought a personalised vintage leather keyring with the other foodies initials tapped onto the leather. Looks rather smart.

Art wise we were also successful. ‘Ollie’ is heading for our office wall and the hall with our house’s only remaining period features will be a good site for the William Morris print. Both were screen printed by Anja Jane, a local designer.

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful – William Morris.