The season has settled, and the familiar hush of winter has started to gather around us. On morning walks the scent of wood smoke hangs low in the air, drifting from cottage chimneys and giving the lanes that comforting, lived-in feel. The dampness of the season leaves you returning home with the kind of fresh-faced glow that only winter can bring. What remains of summer’s flora and fauna now stands in rigid dried forms, sometimes edged with frost, turning hedgerows into a quiet wonderland.

This winter at The Artisan Founder carries that same sense of stillness and anticipation. Our Product Directory continues to grow as we discover more beautiful artisan businesses to share with you, each one a reminder of the skill and character that defines this community. There’s now a Brand Directory too, offering a growing list of brands you must explore.

You may have noticed our Journal evolving, now holding space for news from makers and creative businesses across the country. It feels like a natural widening of the path as our readership grows.

The Newspaper is beginning to take shape and we now have a cover, a significant moment as this project comes to life. Much of our focus behind the scenes sits here, crafting pages that honour the season and the founders within it.

Our Sunday newsletter also continues to flourish, with almost six thousand readers choosing to welcome it into their weekend. It remains one of my favourite parts of the week to write.

Looking ahead, the podcast will be returning in Spring with a refreshed, seasonal style to sit alongside the printed edition. We are weaving together founder stories, simple recipes, and gentle seasonal notes, along with features inspired by our expanding directory. 

Thank you for being here as this community continues to grow. Winter invites us to pause, to take stock, and to enjoy the quieter beauty of the season. I hope you find moments of joy in our pages.

Lyndsey | Founding Editor