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Valentine’s Day has a funny way of sneaking up on us. Suddenly the world fills with roses, rushed restaurant bookings, and the quiet pressure to do something special . But what if “special” didn’t mean expensive, over-the-top, or fleeting? What if it meant time . Presence. And doing something with your hands that actually lasts. At JAK’sArt, my carving workshops offer a very different way to mark Valentine’s—one rooted in connection, creativity, and shared experience rather t

January arrives loud. New year, new goals, new energy, new plans, new pressure. And yet… for so many people, January feels nothing like that. It feels slow.It feels heavy.It feels like the quiet after a long, demanding December. If that’s you, I want you to know something important: January is allowed to be soft. The Myth of the “Fresh Start” We’re told that January should be about motivation and momentum — about fixing ourselves, improving ourselves, pushing harder. But r

Every year, shops overflow with Christmas decorations — glittery, plasticky, shiny things designed to catch your eye… and then quietly disappear into landfill by January. But not everything festive has to be fleeting. My Christmas Gonks — carved lovingly from waste aerated concrete — are something different. They’re sturdy, soulful, weather-resistant, full of charm, and made to last a lifetime. They’re not throwaway decorations; they’re keepsakes . And the real magic? They’re

People often arrive at my workshops thinking they’re coming to carve a sculpture — a Gonk, an elephant, a Green Man, a quirky little creature with bags of personality. And yes, they absolutely do carve one. But what unfolds in the room… is always so much more than just the sculpture. Because carving might be the reason people walk through the door —but the experience they take home is far bigger, softer, deeper and far more human. The First Few Minutes: Nervous Hands, Curiou

Why I carve stone that isn't stone-mindful sustainable creative stone carving workshops transforming waste into art

When people ask how The Soulful Stone began, I never quite know whether to start with my love of the outdoors, my years of teaching, or the simple joy of making something with my hands. The truth is, this little creative world of mine grew from all of those things — woven together by a deep need for connection, authenticity, and a space where people can simply be themselves . For years, carving has been my quiet place. A block of aerated concrete might look unremarkable at fi