Tag Archives: supportabusinesssketch

An Edinburgh Institution

Vintage styles from fashion history, a great place for a little time travelling.

My latest #supportabusinesssketch is this beautiful shop front of Teviot Place, home to one of four W. Armstrong & Sons stores in the city.

I remember hanging out and meeting folk in the flagship Grassmarket store back in the 90s and with their four locations these vintage clothing stores will feature in many an Edinburgh dwellers story.

Do you remember visiting one of these stores in the past? If so do tell me below, I still love to pop in and see the amazing pieces they have on show.

Visit their website below to see all the locations and go say hello, let yourself drift into years gone by, and wonder which items from your wardrobe may be hanging in these stores one day!

W. Armstrong & Son website

So drop in if you are passing, and give a little back to the small businesses that are so important to Edinburgh. Also let me know by commenting below if you have a local trader who deserves a ‘sketch out’.

And if you would like to send a boost to your local independent business then make a sketch/drawing or painting and post it online with the hashtag #supportabusinesssketch

Flowers In Reflection

As rain falls in Edinburgh, and thoughts lie in the East, beautiful reflections of blue and yellow catch my eye.

My latest #supportabusinesssketch is this lovely independent flower shop which always catches my eye when passing by.

This is Lorraine Graham Flowers at 45 Causewayside, Newington, they create beautiful unique bouquets and deliver throughout Edinburgh.

After visiting #VanGoghAlive recently I am seeing sunflowers all over the city, and with the war in Ukraine the colours of blue and yellow are jumping out at me where ever I go.

It may be raining but I’m feeling very lucky right now. Enjoy the reflections everyone.

A cafe at the centre of the Community

This months #supportabusinesssketch is Piecebox Cafe in Polwarth, a pretty place which is much more than a cafe. 

Whilst enjoying a delicious late breakfast with my boy James I noticed just how a vital part of the local are the cafe is. Locals would enter with a welcome shout of their name from the staff which reminded me of Norm in the TV program Cheers.

Chatting to owner Audrey I also found out many of the locals hold birthday parties there and there was a sense this was a way for people to come together and see friendly faces, which they may not of seen for a while recently.

I can see why locals love it so much, and why it was suggested as a great place for me to sketch. Plus it looks lovely from the road too!

These drawings in pencil and watercolour are a way to say thank you for keeping us all going during the lockdowns. Often a walk for me needs a destination, and a good cup of coffee to enjoy on the return leg will do nicely. Piecebox, although not local for me was nominated by a few people recently so I thought I needed to visit.

So drop in if you are passing, and give a little back to the small businesses that are keeping us going. Also let me know by commenting below if you have a local trader who is keeping your spirits up during the pandemic.

And if you would like to send a boost to your local independent business then make a sketch/drawing or painting and post it online with the hashtag #supportabusinesssketch

Giving thanks to the Barbers

I am giving a personal thanks to this barber for my latest #supportabusinesssketch.

As we begin to get back to a little normality we must thank all the barbers, and hairdressers for making us look more presentable!!
These guys helped my boy and I fix a diy cut recently so deserved a sketch!!

We had a good laugh and my boy James now looks very smart. Best of luck to the Gorgie Road Barbers (266 Gorgie Road) and all the businesses suddenly getting a lot busier, especially those who have to get up close and personal with their customers. It is much appreciated.

Let me know below if there’s a small independent business near you who have been a lifeline, keeping you going through the lockdown and maybe they’ll be next for one of my sketches.

Gorgie Road Barbers on FaceBook

Morningside sunshine on this coffee shop

My latest #supportabusinesssketch is for Blackwood Coffee, at 235 Morningside Road. A number of people have suggested this one for their fabulous coffee and yummy scones.

This week many cafes have welcomed back people indoors but during the lockdown Blackwood Coffee continued to serve from their doorway to locals on their daily walks.

These drawings in pencil and watercolour are to say thank you for keeping us all going during the pandemic πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘ Often a walk for me needs a destination, and a good cup of coffee to enjoy on the return leg will do nicely.

So drop in if you are passing, and give a little back to the small businesses that are keeping us going. Also let me know by commenting below if you have a local trader who is keeping your spirits up during the pandemic.

Blackwood Coffee, facebook page

Crumbs Cafe supplying us with coffee and more

My latest #supportabusinesssketch is for Crumbs Cafe on Logie Green Road, just by the Tesco and cycle path. This sunny spot on the corner of Broughton Road will soon have seats outside once more, but for now you can get takeaway food and coffee for your daily walk.

These drawings in pencil and watercolour are to say thank you for keeping us all going during the pandemic πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘ For me coffee is my essential daily treat and a walk to get it makes it even better, as well as a hello and quick chat it makes the world of difference during the relative isolation at home.

So drop in if you are passing, and give a little back to the small businesses that are keeping us going. Also let me know by commenting below if you have a local trader who is keeping your spirits up during the pandemic.

Crumbs Cafe on Facebook

Visit the King’s Wark for a night in

My latest #supportabusinesssketch is for The King’s Wark. These drawings in pencil and watercolour are to say thank you for keeping us all going during the pandemic πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘

The Sketcher family recently ordered a seafood platter from this 15th Century Leith pub and restaurant to enjoy at home. We dressed up as if going out and had a lovely night in sharing our wonderful meal. I hope we can all visit in person soon.

Visit the King’s Walk website and ask about their famous takeaway platters. We thoroughly recommend them!!

Festive Cheer on the Streets

A new #supportabusinesssketch for the new year and this beautiful shiny shop front is the Mark David Salon in Henderson Row.

During the festive break the Sketcher family when out on our daily walk would pass by Henderson Row frequently on a circle rout through Stockbridge and Inverleith Park.

This shop front (at 83 Henderson Row) always caught our eyes, with beautiful baubles and flowers, and a nutcracker drummer model, at first I thought it was a florist there were som many flowers and plants outside.

But this is home to the Mark David Salon and they provide a huge range of treatments and pampering, relaxation and escapism for both men and women, something which is very well needed for everyone just now!

Double check on their website for up to date details about the latest restrictions due to the pandemic, and when they can take appointments again.

https://www.markdavidsalon.com/

I am using my #supportabusinesssketch drawings to give a little boost to the independent businesses which make Edinburgh so special, especially during the current pandemic and lock down restrictions.
Also I am drawing each one in a new style of pencil and watercolour, which makes them quite distinctive and different to my usual ink drawings. See more of the support a business sketches by clicking HERE.

huge thanks to the busy post office workers

This is Boswall Drive Post Office, my local daily destination as I send out commissions and Etsy orders for Christmas.

My latest #SupportABusinessSketch is for not just my local post office but for all postal workers who are all so busy just now.

Like many post offices Boswall Drive is a family run business providing groceries and all sorts of essentials but at this time of year the post office counter takes over.

Thanks for all the help you are giving local small businesses and everyone sending messages of love to those they cannot be with in person at this time of year.

This sketch and all my #supportabusinesssketch ‘s are drawn only in pencil and watercolour for a slightly blurred effect. I am using these sketches to practice this technique.

https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you/post-office/boswall-drive-eh5-2be

Restored Stockbridge cafe

This beautiful cafe front is worth a visit to see the stunning restoration job whilst enjoying a delicious flat white πŸ™‚

My latest #SupportABusinessSketch is for Cowan & Sons on Raeburn Place, Stockbridge. A beautiful shop front that always catches my eye, especially at this time of year when the lights are on and sun is going down.

Thanks to help from Edinburgh World Heritage the Cafe exterior has been restored to its former glory and is well worth a closer look, also their breakfasts are amazing, perfect for a mid walk, lazy days brunch!

Pop in and support a local business who are staying open to keep us going!

This is their Instagram page so give them a follow πŸ™‚