Merry Chrsitmas!

The common image of the Robin as the festive gardener's friend — perched on the handle of a snowy shovel — sometimes rings pretty true; even our local plot has its own red-breasted resident. Last time I saw him he came especially close, blinking his eyes and opening his beak, not to chirp out some message of universal understanding but to chuck-up the best part of a slimy black slug.

Melt Chocolates

I shouldn't really urge you to try anything from west London's award winning Melt, it'll ruin the pleasure of regular chocolate forever. I love the antiqued blue they've achieved on this, our second seasonally themed collaborative mug. And we're in good company too, there's Dinky and Beau, gorgeous chocolate lollipops from the wonderful Celia Birtwell.

Barbara Fürstenhöfer

After featuring a 6" Barbara Fürstenhöfer plate for Poole back in 2009 a good friend found me a festive one, snappily titled 438 Scene VIII. Thanks Kate!

25

I laughed out loud when Edward brought home this old red gillet. When he said it reminded him of Marty McFly's 'life preserver', I laughed even harder. Celebrating its 25th birthday this year, I had no idea Back to the Future began shooting with Eric Stoltz as the lead; it's as though the film has one its own alternative futures already written through it. Our studio takes an age to heat up each morning, so he'll have the last laugh come Monday.

Seasonal Sales

With the advent of December, so comes seasonal sales; we've got a few pencilled in these next few weeks. First up it's...

Great Western Studios
12-6pm, Sat 4th & Sun 5th December
65 Alfred Road, London W2 5EU
followed by...

Our Christmas Pop-up Market
1-9pm, Thurs 9th & Fri 10th December
Railway Arch 897, Holyrood St
London Bridge, London SE1 2EL

which dovetails neatly with Poundshop's contribution to the...

Super Christmas Market
6-9pm, Fri 10 Dec
11am-7pm, Sat 11 & Sun 12 Dec
The Studio, South Wing, Somerset House
The Strand, London WC2R 1LA

I'll be manning the first and second, and visiting the latter. Hope to see you there... somewhere!

Elphick's

It's sort of a shame that Sharon runs Elphick's, one of the best shops in London, otherwise she could focus more on the prints, collages and sketches that first made her name. There's a host of interesting outlets along Columbia Road and now even more occasion to check them out; late-night shopping began this evening and will continue every Wednesday until Christmas... that's 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd of December, 5 until 9pm.

• Sketch, 2008, Sharon Elphick