My 2024 Year In Review

The last year has been the best year so far for my business, so I wanted to share some of the highlights from the year. I’ve loved working with so many amazing clients and customers this year, and can’t wait to see what 2025 holds!

Live Illustration For Weddings

Live portraits at Chloe and Jack’s wedding. Image Credit: Rosie Bowers

In 2024 I had the opportunity to illustrate at some beautiful weddings across the UK. It was so special to be part of so many couple’s special days and to make their guests so happy as well.

I’ve refined my offering for weddings and couples can now choose from my Silver, Gold and Platinum live illustration packages for live guest portraits.

I travelled to Suffolk for Chloe and Jack’s wedding, and took the opportunity to have a short break at the beautiful Borleymere Shepherds Hut with my husband and our dog Dee Dee. I also had the chance to meet the fantastic Rosie Bowers who was the wedding photographer. Rosie did a photoshoot for me a few years ago during lockdown, so it was great to meet her in person.

I illustrated at Natalie and Robert’s wedding in the Hoxton Hotel in London and I collaborated with Chris at Heart Shaped Films who captured me at work in a beautiful promo video which you can see on my homepage.

I loved being part of every wedding day I worked at in 2024, and look forward to being part of many more in 2025. You can find out more about my wedding packages here.

Live Illustration at Brand Events

Live Dog Portrait at John Lewis

The biggest part of my year by far was live illustration at brand events, particularly those that I’ve done at 14 John Lewis in-store events. Live Pet Portraits have recently become extremely popular, and I have illustrated over 200 dogs at these events.

I started by doing the Dogs Day Out event in Worldham in May, and then did 5 events with John Lewis in August, as well as live portraits at 1 Hotel Mayfair that month as well. The John Lewis events were so popular that they invited me back for 8 more events in November and December.

Taking photos of dogs is quite a skill, and I’ve now had lots of practice at getting it right. With the help of a squeaky donut and lots of treats I was able to get photo I needed, and I then created portraits in just 10 minutes while customers waited.

If you’re interested in booking me for your own dog event, please get in touch here.

Hosting the Flow and Flourish Retreat

Image Credits: Annabel Crichard

One of the highlights of my year was hosting the Flow and Flourish Retreat, a watercolourcolour and calligraphy retreat with Jodie Rose Calligraphy.

After months of planning, we launched ticket sales in April, and the first (sell out!) retreat was hosted in September. We wanted it to be a beautifully relaxing and mindful day of creativity. Both of us hosted a workshop each in the morning, and then the retreat guests swapped to a different workshop in the afternoon, We created a personlised art box with all of the materials for each workshop for each guest, and we provided a delicious graze board lunch as well as drinks and snacks throughout the day. We finished the day with a wonderful breathwork session with Sharon Swyer.

I learnt so much from hosting this event with Jodie. You can read more about my experience in this blog post.

The next retreat is on 6th April 2025. You can book your tickets at flowandflourishretreat.co.uk

The Quirky Wedding Awards

I was super excited to be selected as a finalist for the Quirky Wedding Awards in 2024.

There were over 350 nominees and this means that the judges recognised that I embrace the Quirky Weddings values of Uniqueness, Inclusivity, Accessibility, Sustainability and excellent Customer Service.

I was then Highly Commended in the ‘Most Unique Finishing Touch’ category, sponsored by Cricut, for my Live Illustration services at weddings. I’ve been shortlisted alongside 5 other fantastic wedding suppliers including Lucy’s Glitter Box, Emily Wormersley Handfasting Cords, Fae Candles, Kharma Mosaic and Sauna Box.

My Live Illustration services at Weddings include live guest portraits, as well as ceremony illustrations, and illustrated wedding favours.

Live illustration is such a fun way to entertain your guests at weddings. I create guest portraits using pens and watercolour in just 10 minutes and it creates a real talking point.

I have loved exhibiting at Quirky Wedding Fayres in the last year, and will be at the next one on 19th January at the Bucks Railway Centre.

Also, I was featured in Issue 9 of the Quirky Weddings Magazine - you can order you copy here.

Marketing My Business

2024 was the year that I really changed how I marketed myself and my business, and I had so many amazing opportunities as a result.

I pitched to be a guest on Podcasts at the begining of year, and I featured on the lovely Makings and Musings podcast to talk about creativity, as well as Business Nest Natters podcast to talk about how I run my illustration business.

I also featured on my local radio - BBC Radio Berkshire in December after sending them a pitch email and press release about being Highly Commended for the Quirky Weddings Awards. My retreat co-host Jodie was also a guest on the radio as well this month.

I started attending local networking events, particularly those hosted by The Business Nest, and event attended a networking event at the House of Lords through Small Business Britain.

I signed up for marketing courses with Hi Communications including the Best 90 Days Ever and Create Your Content Library which have really helped with my confidence in marketing myself and helped me get more organised.

And I’ve been continuing with my 100 Rejections Challenge, where I have been pitching for opportunities far outside of my comfort zone. This has led to so many amazing things, and I’m a long way away from getting to 100 rejections as so many people keep saying yes. I got the idea for the challenge from Liz Mosely who talks about it a lot on her socials and on podcasts. You can read more about it here.