Dwelling
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Goodness, what a week... I closely resemble a mobile coffee table at the moment. No idea, how or why, but my back decided to give up on Monday. I am trying to be patient, because it will get better, I will get back up the steep stairs to my shed loft workshop, and sewing will reconvene before I know it :)
In the meantime... I am shuffling around the house / or doing small stretches of crochet on the latest jumper which is based on the popular traditional hexagon jumper where everything is worked from the underarm. I haven't made one in this design for years. Im using all the loveliest tweedy woodland colours I could find. Its going to be a beauty! This is alongside the blueberries Tilda. I like having a few on the go at a time.
On the footwear front - Soling a big batch of boots is in progress so its going to be about 2 maybe 3 weeks till I can pop those in the shop. Incredibly excited to see those lasted, polished and be-ribboned.
If anyone is waiting / or wanting to know when shop updates happen as well as diary entries, please do pop back and look for updates on the homepage (this is the most sure-fire way to see latest stock as Im notoriously useless at sticking to newsletters, mainly because Im reluctant to bombard your inboxes).
Why the newsletter and not instagram? Simply because I am struggling to find even an ounce of joy in using social media anymore. In fact I find it increasingly alarming at how it is shaping and influencing society. I know we get fed all this endless twaddle about how vital social media engagement is for visibility and small businesses in general, but goodness me, at what price?! And more pertinently, does it really matter or even help? I question if it gives as much as it takes.
I have a busy life, I make things and do literally everything for Fairysteps, I help run another business which, again keeps me busy, I have a husband with an endless appetite (being a farmers boy basically means he is a stomach on legs 😂), I cook everything from scratch which I love doing, I have 3 children, grown up now but still very much part of my days, and I was recently lucky enough to become a grandmother, hopefully the first of many many more. Like many of us, life is busy.
Plus, on Top of All This there's all the jabberings about 'algorithms'... do my social media posts even reach anyone? I probably have as much luck of a new purse being seen by a customer / follower, as going down the woods and burying it on the off chance that someone may dig it up.
Wasn't that a deliciously rebellious little speech. I bet I'm not alone though! I reckon if many of you asked the same question of yourselves you would reach the same conclusion - social media takes away time and energy you probably never really had. Despite nearly Every Single account on instagram telling you that you do in fact have time, you're just not organised, or your house is cluttered, or painted the wrong colour, and your tops not tucked into your skirt correctly... and on and on. But we all look regardless. Such is life.
I don't blame the internet, its a wonderful tool and I am so grateful for it, life changing for small rural businesses like mine. I wonder, what do you feel about social media? Do leave a comment if you fancy having a rant. I shall no doubt return to it after a few days, as I always do, but will try to keep the diary posts going.
In other news - drought here, usual nonsense, spring drying up, trees dying, grass like walking on cornflakes and soil has turned to cocoa powder. No rain forecast alas, fingers crossed we will get a good drop soon. Sadly my plum crop has given up and decided to either drop the fruit or ripen as teeny plums which are all stone. Thank goodness I removed so many branches from all the trees a few months back. I reckon I took over 500 plums off of one Victoria in particular, if I hadnt I think I would have lost her for certain.
Well, thats all my dears, on we go, Ren x
Sunday, 14 September 2025
First of all this little creature came into my life in January. By lunchtime, I decided Mr F needed a little dog. By teatime we had a little puppy. We had nothing prepared and left the owners house with a cup of puppy kibble and a very small critter the size of a guinea pig nestled in my woolly hat in the bottom of my bag.
In retrospect it was the worst time of year to have a puppy. The constant outside toilet training breaks were freezing, wet and miserable. The little one was so tiny and constantly cold that we had to fashion a life jacket from an ankle sock. Taking her out to pee was preceeded with the question, "Have you socked her?".
Nightime trips across the yard always felt terrifying to me because I worried that an owl, thinking it had just been given a wonka golden ticket, would swoop down, pluck her from the ground and disappear with it's 'bonus' snack into the midnight sky. But... we got through it all, and she grew, and grew, and became the sweetest natured little blessing. Agatha x
Saturday, 6 August 2022
Well my dears.
What weather. Home has had little to no rain for months and everything is tinder dry and much is dead or dying. Its rather grim to be honest. Our spring is all but gone too so water has been first priority for Mr F.
I never thought I would long so much to hear the sound of proper raindrops.
Heaven knows what the cows are picking at because the grass is now crunchy underfoot, its like walking on cornflakes.
In the workshop its cool and shady with the blinds closed which is a blessing. I am super busy booting for England! The plan is to clear all shoe orders first and then concentrate on the taller boots one pair at a time. Many are intricate and need individual attention. It's going to be fun sharing those with you.
For today though, its a quiet day for me.
Take care, Ren x
Friday, 18 December 2020
I think my highlight was recreating our wedding from 30 years ago. Same chap, same dress, same church, same gate. This time our three beautiful children were with us.
The May was in full blossom, the sun shone all day long and I felt so full of love that I am quite sure my feet only just touched the ground. Magical memories in the midst of mayhem x
Ren x
Friday, 22 February 2019
Its been a while since Ive written a post so apologies for the long time away.
Lets drop right back in with a round up some recent makes... Lots of Clara's on the order books recently so had to share the 'rear' view of these glorious peacock blue ones. Gosh I love blue so much. Its the colour of sky and water, life essentials, maybe that's why Im drawn to it so much as I get older?
And green, there's another life essential... Holly in zest. Possibly my last of this leather as I plan on keeping some of the remainder for some bags. I have an itch to make some cross body Meg bags soon, time permitting.
I havent blogged about my latest new style have I... please meed Pod. Rather fine even if I say so myself ;) Im so chuffed to bits with how this turned out. Named after Pod, Arriettys father in one of my favourite books, The Borrowers, by Mary Norton. Pod is a seamless delight for your feet. Ive been holding off choosing a colour for myself while I gave it some thought. They will be my new walking shoes for several years to come so I wanted to make sure I picked a universal colour scheme for my current wardrobe. I wear so much dark blue and black and grey now that I feel inkwell is my best choice. Its also super soft leather. A little brown wren for me.
Willo continues to be our best seller of the winter so far. There is a quite a following for this little boot and its so much fun for me seeing what exciting colours you choose. Im probably as excited as you are when you order!
These plum and chocolate and mermaid with 'ragglebloom' additions were particularly pretty. Very different, but subtle all at the same time.
I even squeezed in 2 stock pairs of shoes with the new chestnut leather. What a colour!
One pair of Kitty and one of Binky. Havent made any for so long. Im thinking of resurrecting one of them for more regular appearances. So far, Im more drawn to Binky.
And finally, something lovely from Faerysteps Land to share with you all...
I found this stunning lichen on a ramble down through the oak woods earlier today. Gosh, it was so pretty. The softest blue tinged grey... Mother nature is so clever isnt she.
Time for a late tea for me, feet up with the teapot for an hour, then an early night. Saturday tomorrow but heaps to do. Have a good weekend all, Ren x
Saturday, 25 August 2018
There is a definite nip in the air. I felt it on Wednesday and its got progressively cooler since. Plus the ever rampant Virginia creeper is blushing so that's a sure sign if ever there was one that the season is on the move. Summer has dusted off her golden coat and will soon be leaving with the Swallows.
Talking of dust, gosh did I have a good clean up in my workshop. Nothing like a good dusting and clearing of cobwebs to really inspire you. I had a good shuffle round too, although, I must say I did have to move my sewing machine back to where it was again. It threw me completely and I kept trying to sit down to an empty space. Very discombobulating... ;) But some new stock boots did get cut out which is a good start.
See... clean. I even wrote Tidy on the picture to highlight it... ;)
And onto the boots. Gosh I am having fun. I recently had a flower and butterfly stamp made up which for me has meant I no longer have to cut the tiny shapes with scissors (poor old hands are getting creakier every winter...). Can't even begin to tell you how wonderful that is. Only took me 16 years, but never mind. I'm going with 'Better late than Never' on that one. Hence, I am going flower mad lately, squiggle stitching and layering till my heart is bursting.
I bought this glorious lipstick pink leather 15 years ago, and Ive been saving it for so long... Fabric and yarn hoarders among you Will Know just where I'm coming from by writing that. But, its no good chaps. My shelves are literally dripping in leather and I must crack on and use it. I'm just going to go mad and make as many Tinker boots as is humanly possible to eat into my leather stores. I may even break through to Narnia at the back of the shelves by Christmas...
If I sneak in 2 pairs each time in between batches of current orders I should be able to get quite a few made for the Winter ahead. Thats the plan anyway, but its always dependent on time. They won't all be pink, don't worry. I know pink isn't for everyone, but somewhere out there, each pair has its owner waiting for them. Thats how I always see it as I make them.
I shall be making batches of blues, greens, purples and browns. Just like my leathers are laid out. That way I can pick out some rather yummy limited edition leathers which aren't on the swatch. Do expect lots of 'Flutterby Garden' (shown above) and 'Neverland' boots. I am especially excited about the brown ones. Getting more and more drawn to brown as I get older.
Size wise, I am afraid there will be limited sizes :( Only UK 4 / 5 / 6 / 7. I am so sorry if this isn't your size. Its just that UK 3 and UK 8 are so rarely ordered that making stock boots to sit on the shelf isn't really very practical or rewarding. But, on a brighter note... The entire size range UK 3 to 8 is available for the Everyday Collection which does contain our popular Willo and Wisp boots. Yay!!!
Well my dears, it's been fun sharing, as always.
Ren x
Friday, 27 July 2018
Straight back to age 6 when the great drought of 1976 happened...
The grass is tinder dry and we are rather feared of fire. Fires in various parts of the country already :( so we are being extra vigilant.
Late evening trip down to the river to swim. Well... they did, I didnt... Im a terrible wuss about water ;)
Youngest had little fish nibbling her toes which was tickly. How lovely :)
Winky and Jack are keeping busy, catching sunshine, ticks and fleas. I shaved Winky at the start of the Summer and my goodness, just as well I did! She looked like she'd had a fight with a shaver (which she sort of did...) but she loves being fur coat free. It got so long and knotty with sticky burrs etc and the comb was hurting, so shaving was the only option really. I left her wonderful Elizabethan ruff, because removing it would have been A Step Too Far.
The meadow is ringing with the sound of grasshoppers playing their legs.
Busy purse replenishing with Mr F. Lots of new Merry purses going in the shop ready for Winter and gift giving. This is the first batch. There will be greens in the third batch, followed by purples and reds. Great with a ragglebloom key fob.
This was my favourite. It had hot summer written all over it.
Take care my dears and drink plenty of tea.
Ren x
Saturday, 11 November 2017
Me in reflective mood earlier today. Post boot pattern making, pre boot marking. Hair washed earlier, but unbrushed. How slovenly of me, but, the leather never notices the state of my hair, so preening was going to wait till later. My head has been bursting with boots so I've been keen to crack on.
PYRAMUS from earlier in the week.
Lovely LUNA in waxy coffee leather.
More PYRAMUS which are in the shop :)
Earlier in the week saw me working on the prototype PEASEBLOSSOM calf boot. Round toe shape, wide tongue and a roomy boot body to fit boot socks or wider calf's with tights. I did some major pattern tweaking on these, which in my head worked a treat, but on paper they looked ridiculous. That's the problem with shoe making. You are dealing with a 3D object (the foot) which you make a 2D pattern for. I snipped and sewed anyway, and then cried (literally) because it worked perfectly. Who knew making a boot could be so emotional...
I wanted these to be easy to pop on and not require total unlacing. Happy to report that the wide tops and tongue mean that you can unlace just the top set and slip the boot off.
Someone commented that ski hooks are great for speed lacing, but alas, I once heard a rather dreadful story about ski hooks on tall boots and it completely put me off using them. Someones lace got hooked up from boot to the other, while she was rushing about carrying a little one, and well, you can imagine how hard she fell... gulp. Lacing is good. Time to stop and reflect on the coming day for an extra minute :)
I managed to mark out about 8 pairs of boots today so was really pleased with myself. I only stopped because I must cook tea...
Home, out across the Coombe taken yesterday before it was too dimpsy to see. A deer run heading down to the river. Difficult to see from this image, but incredibly steep and a long way down to the bottom of the valley. I remember when the children would follow deer runs to the bottom and back up again. Happy memories.
Working this weekend because next week has Friday missing and we are going away for the weekend. Those of you who reprimand me for not taking time off (thank you for caring my darlings), will be pleased to hear about this excursion... or horrified. Let me present the facts...
Friday is being spent all day for more inking torture. I use that word quite liberally because its upper back work, and anyone who has had work on their upper back will know Exactly What I am on About. I've got 6 hours booked in...
We then have a three hour drive to a field somewhere (?) to meet up with Mr Faerysteps bike group to spend the weekend camping. In November. Yep. I will arrive covered in cling wrap looking like a squid ink baguette from Subway and aching like mad.
This will either be utter folly and most likely end in our demise (November chaps, November...), or be a great adventure and one to remember. If I return on Sunday, I'll let you know ;)
Ren x
Friday, 10 November 2017
Faerysteps Cobweb fairy boots. My last custom Cobwebs for a while, made for a really lovely customer :)
Mustardseed fairy boots.
Mustardseed fairy boots with starlight applique work. Very much Harry Potter boots these. Intense violet and seaside contrast.
And Wisp in darkest violet, again with that seaside contrast on the back heel covers. So much violetness lately. That isnt even a word, but, you never know... it may catch on.
And finally what a treat on Sunday! I was evicted from the kitchen while my youngest (littlest, who isn't quite so little anymore...) baked up a feast. This included the first mince pies of the season. The pastry was so light and buttery it melted in the mouth. It was such a lovely treat to have with a nice cup of tea.
That's what homemade baking is all about really isn't it. My dear Mum always used to say that the most important ingredient you can add is love, and if you left it out, you can always taste it. She was so right. But then, when you look back, our Mothers were often right weren't they x
Saturday, 26 November 2016
Gosh, another busy week WISP booting :)
Plus, I used some of that heavenly polished conker leather to make some stock Esthers. Love these with the longer toe shape.
The weather turned decidedly nippier home here so more layers were called for. I always find it a toss up between warmth vs movement... thick wooly jumpers arent an option because I find I get caught up in everything Im working on else. Very frustrating constantly unhitching yourself from shoe parts :) O dear... the socks don't match...
Ive been very grateful for all the firewood Mr Fairysteps prepares for us now its colder. Nothing beats the joy of a real fire. But, warmth is the key and its a wonderful luxury to have a warm home. Parts of mine are very chilly, but some rooms are toasty and thats such a boost. This new stove (its second winter now) is really wonderful, so pleased with it. We had to chop it about to get the draw right, but theres no stopping it now.
We went on a rare treat to the pictures to see this. It was so good to dip back into the wizarding world again. Im so glad that J K Rowling has written this for us all.
A rather fuzzy image, but Jack and Winky have decided to share the same bed to snuggle up. Jack is NOT altogether happy with the arrangement, but Winky, like most cats, is 'above' such trifling considerations. 'His' drawer looks better than my drawer...
Booting continues apace, but I shall be shoeing this coming week to make sure my orders get sent out before the last Christmas posting dates. Back to boots once they are completed :)
Got these fab Moonshines listed in the polished conker. No words needed and they sold quite quickly.
So my dears, thats this week...
Plans for tomorrow are to finish a smock for my best friend. Well, its actually a mock up smock to get the sizing correct. I shall overdye this one and cut into the rather precious koi patterned linen once we have had a fitting. I can keep this one for messing about in. Im using an ikea furnishing cotton so its looking very much like a shower curtain at present. If wearing shower curtains catches on, then Im at the front of the queue
I may get some more logs up to the front porch too so I can save time next week.
Plus, if Im very good, first thing in the morning I shall make bread and mince pies as there a pot of clotted cream sadly sitting unattended in the fridge...
Happy weekend all,
Ren x
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