Even though it's still only just December, I wanted to let you know when I'll be shutting up shop for the year to avoid any disappointment.

The last day for UK orders for Christmas will be 15th December. I will still be shipping out orders for a couple of days after this date, but they won't be certain to arrive in time for the big day, so please shop early if you can.

Exceptions to this are items made to order (worktop savers and aprons) which need to be ordered by 7th December to be confident of a UK Christmas delivery. For international orders of these items please order before 2nd December.

International dates are as follows:
New Zealand and Australia 4th December
Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, Far and Middle East 9 December 
Canada, Cyprus, Malta 10 December
USA, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Greece, Eastern Europe and Turkey 11 December
Rest of Europe 14 December

In this tricky year, I didn't feel comfortable trying to persuade you lovely people to spend more money than you might have by offering a sliding scale of enticing freebies, or punish the loyalty of the amazing support you've shown all year by suddenly slashing prices. So this Black Friday weekend, for every item in an order you place on katemoby.com, I'll donate the same quantity of items to our local foodbank here in Hereford. This year has shown more than ever the importance of being kind, even if that kindness is towards someone you'll never meet. And if in the process you can buy something unique and thoughtful for someone you love, then all the better!

It wouldn't be Black Friday without a little extra treat for you though, so with every order between now and Sunday night (29th November) no matter how small, I'll be popping in these five silk postcards worth £5. Just order as normal and I’ll add them in, no code needed or minimum spend, plus free UK shipping as usual. I just want to show my appreciation, it is a holiday for being thankful after all.
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I've been planning some new events to be part of this year, some more unusual than others! Here are upcoming events to shop in real life for the first half of the year, please click the titles of each for more information:

9th February 2020
OXFORDSHIRE BABY & TODDLER SHOW 2020
10am - 3pm | Kassam Stadium | OX4 4XP

28th March - 11th May 2020
"CONTRAST" EXHIBITION AT TRUMPET CORNER
Open everyday 9am-4pm | Trumpet Corner | HR8 2RA

2nd May 2020
MALVERN ARTS AND FOOD OUTDOOR FAIR
10am - 5pm | Malvern Priory Grounds | WR14 2AY

7th - 10th May 2020
RHS SPRING FESTIVAL
9am - 6pm | Three Counties Showground | WR13 6NW

16th May - 15th June 2020
"CREATE" EXHIBITION AT TRUMPET CORNER
Open everyday 9am-4pm | Trumpet Corner | HR8 2RA

20th June - 30th July 2020
"POET'S CORNER" EXHIBITION AT TRUMPET CORNER
Open everyday 9am-4pm | Trumpet Corner | HR8 2RA

18th July - 1st September 2020
"GARDEN PARTY" EXHIBITION AT TRUMPET CORNER
Open everyday 9am-4pm | Trumpet Corner | HR8 2RA

It's approaching the busy market time of year - I love it as there's nothing better than seeing what real customers think to my work and hearing what suggestions/favourites you might have. If you'd like to see things in real life, I'll be turning up at the following places, click the titles for more information:

Samaritans Hereford Christmas Fair at Lyde Arundel, HR4 7SN
Wednesday 6th November 2019
10am - 3pm
Entrance £5
All proceeds go to support Herefordshire Samaritans Registered Charity 1167937

For the Love of Shopping - An Evening of Indulgence at Longworth Hall, HR1 4DF
Thursday 7th November 2019
7pm - 9.30pm
Entrance £3 or 4 for £10

Christmas Fayre at the Feathers, Ledbury, HR8 1DS
Thursday 14th November 2019
4pm - 8.30pm
Entrance £5
Supporting Hope Support Services Registered Charity 1135680

Pop up at Brookfield Vets, HR1 1TU
6pm - 8pm
Free entrance
Supporting Hereford & Worcester Animal Rescue and New Start Cat Rescue

Hanley Farm Shop Christmas Fair, Chepstow, NP16 7NA
Saturday 30th November - Sunday 1st December 2019
10am - 4pm
Free entrance

I'm very proud to be exhibiting at RHS Rosemoor 11th October - 13th October. Even though bamboo is technically a grass, they're still happy to have me at their celebration of wood craft and autumn colour in their beautiful wooded Devon valley. In their own words: "RHS Garden Rosemoor's Autumn Woodfest will be a fun-filled weekend of activities, wood crafts, yoga, great food and talks, plus much more for all the family" and I'd love to see you there!

The Great British Exchange interviewed me about my eco-friendly products and how I try to use my business as a force for good. Read the full piece here!

I was honoured to interviewed by amazing UK Printers Instantprint, you can read in full here. Here's a snippet.

What made you decide to launch Kate Moby?
I know I shouldn't really admit this, but it started a little by accident. Having graduated when all the creative jobs had dried up in peak "credit crunch" time, I started as a self-employed freelancer by default. I was blessed with some really great clients like the BBC and Cartier, but as a perfectionist it was quite a lot of pressure constantly working to someone else's brief and expectations.

One day, I started doodling for fun to please myself. Some people saw it and wanted it on things, and it's just snowballed from there. Being chosen by Charlotte Abrahams who was selecting new designers to be showcased in a feature area of the trade show Top Drawer really kick-started things. It made me focus on how and why I was getting things made, which built a cohesive collection of work and resulted in some amazing press and wholesale stockists.

What tools do you use to get your message out there?
I'm pretty rubbish at social media; I much prefer to speak to people in real life at events, so having beautiful postcards that I can give away as freebies that may or may not have my website on are a great tool to have. Extra touches like pretty stickers to decorate envelopes or seal up packaging all add (I hope!) to the feeling that I so appreciate customers choosing my work, along with premium postcards with space left for a hand written thank you note from me, which I put into every order.

Why did you choose instantprint and what’s your favourite thing about instantprint?
After receiving the sample pack and looking up the prices, there wasn't much more to decide! The quality is always lovely, but so are the prices. It makes great print really accessible, and allows me to go that extra mile to help customers (or prospective ones) feel special. The super speedy turnaround time is appreciated too, given that there never seems to be quite enough time to fit everything into the day that you plan to do things - especially at times like Christmas where everything is completely mad and completely fuelled by caffeine.

Would you recommend instantprint to other small businesses and why?
Absolutely, I do all the time. I really love helping other people start their own business as it can be the best life if you can make it work. Getting some gorgeous stationery sorted is often pretty close to the top of the list of questions. If in doubt, get that free sample pack and make your own mind up. And if you'd like any advice about starting your own creative business, don't hesitate to get in touch!

Held at the delightful Trumpet Corner Tearoom & Gallery, I am running a couple of workshops to learn how to carve the bamboo dip pens that I use in my work, followed by drawing tutorials to explore different techniques of using them.

Each session will include all materials, coffee & cake and a couple of your own hand-carved pens to take home. Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Please click here to request to book.

2nd August 9.30am-12.30pm £25
30th August 9.30am-12.30pm £25

This will be my first time at this event - I'm not quite sure what a Faddle is, but it sounds like it should be a lovely day. An artisan & craft market featuring designers & makers, vintage, fashion and gifts made throughout the Forest of Dean, Wye valley and Gloucestershire area. With street food, live music and children’s entertainment, click the photos for more information. I'd love to see you there!