About Me.

Hello, I'm Bev. Mum, Sussex Gal, Brewster (an old English term for a female brewer), Fermenter, Bell Ringer, Handcrafter, Grower, Forager, Crocheter, Dressmaker, Knitter and General Maker. Boundless enthusiasm included. 

 

I'm also co-owner of an independent homebrew equipment shop and creator of books, journals and planners about living a little more sustainably, which may be how you found me.

 

Running a homebrew business means I have of course discovered a lot about that over the years, but I have learned all kinds of other things too which are nothing to do with brewing.

 

For over 20 years I have been enthusiastically making my own everything, from bread to salad dressings, from wine to clothes. I love doing it and, if I make it, I know what's in it. The media's ultra processed food focus in recent years means many people are starting to take a a second look the label, wondering exactly what they're eating. And then contemplating making more food from scratch. You may be thinking it's time to make a few changes to the things you consume, without becoming obsessive about it. 

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I always admired people who sat and knitted, crocheted and made their own clothes. So I have learned these skills myself over the past 10 years, along with basketry and other traditional crafts. I find these processes quite meditative, and the end results very rewarding.

 

When you make something yourself, it takes ages and you love it, you appreciate it so much more than if you bought it yesterday and it arrived today. And others appreciate the time and care you took to make a gift so much. That may sound a bit mad when you consider in the next breath I'll tell you I'm an affiliate for organisations such as Amazon. Whose entire raison d'être is based on people's desire to get more stuff and get it quickly. However I'm also a realist. If I don't have much time then I'll buy one instead and here I will share with you products that I know and love, plus I'm slowly put all my recommendations in one place in my Amazon shop.  

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When life has its ups and downs, as it inevitably does from time to time, brewing, making, foraging and growing keep me sane. Nature in particular has always given that to me. There's something comforting about being outside in the seasons knowing that, no matter what, the cycle keeps on keeping on. Just as it did last year and it will again next year, regardless of what is happening in my life. I find that comforting and reassuring.

 

Just as Mother Nature looks after us, so it feels increasingly important that we should look after her. And that's what I try to do.

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My passion is sharing what I've learned in over 20 years of making, foraging, growing and generally 'having a go'. When the blog on the homebrew shop website starting being regularly invaded by non-brewing subject matter, it was time to start a sister site. And as I now start to work more part-time in the homebrew shop, sharing knowledge here about brewing, making, foraging and growing will be where I spend more of my time. 

 

As well as this blog, I also produce books, journals and planners about sustainable living which are sold on Amazon. Whether you live in a flat in a city, a house in the country or a shack in the forest, my aim is to ensure there’s a book in my collection for you.

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If you are new to all of this: welcome. If you have perhaps made things in the past and are being drawn back to it: also welcome. Whoever you are, wherever you are in your life, I hope I can inspire you to turn to nature and to yourself a little, to provide the things upon which we all depend.

 

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