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A little glimpse into the wonderfully creative mind of @estemacleod 🌈, who’ll be joining us for our next Creative Duck Coffee Meet.

We’ll be chatting to Esté about building a creative career that evolves from finding inspiration and spotting opportunities to adapting, experimenting and making a living from your creativity.

☕ Wednesday 14 October | 11.30am-1.00pm
📍 Upstairs at Zizzi, Henley

If you’re a creative, freelancer or small business owner, come and join us for coffee, conversation and plenty of inspiration.

Book your place via the link in our bio.

#TheCreativeDuck #HenleyOnThames #CreativeCommunity #CreativeBusiness #CreativeCareer Esté MacLeod, creative career, creative business, Henley-on-Thames, local artist, creative community, small business, creative inspiration

A little glimpse into the wonderfully creative mind of @estemacleod 🌈, who’ll be joining us for our next Creative Duck Coffee Meet.

We’ll be chatting to Esté about building a creative career that evolves from finding inspiration and spotting opportunities to adapting, experimenting and making a living from your creativity.

☕ Wednesday 14 October | 11.30am-1.00pm
📍 Upstairs at Zizzi, Henley

If you’re a creative, freelancer or small business owner, come and join us for coffee, conversation and plenty of inspiration.

Book your place via the link in our bio.

#TheCreativeDuck #HenleyOnThames #CreativeCommunity #CreativeBusiness #CreativeCareer Esté MacLeod, creative career, creative business, Henley-on-Thames, local artist, creative community, small business, creative inspiration

I’ve just finished a really lovely Instagram workshop with Dr Julie Paine, who is a psychologist and the creator of @storiesfromdjango.

Julie created the character Django 🐾 to help young children understand their worries, build emotional resilience and learn simple skills they can carry with them as they grow. Julie actually works with adults herself and is passionate to help as many children as possible, equipping them with the essential tools for later life.

It’s such a gorgeous concept, with a really important mission behind it. Definitely worth checking out if you have primary age children. The book was illustrated by local artist @nicola_metcalfe_design ✨.

#BuildingResilience #BehindTheBrand #SupportingChildren #EmotionalWellbeing #EmotionalHealth

I’ve just finished a really lovely Instagram workshop with Dr Julie Paine, who is a psychologist and the creator of @storiesfromdjango.

Julie created the character Django 🐾 to help young children understand their worries, build emotional resilience and learn simple skills they can carry with them as they grow. Julie actually works with adults herself and is passionate to help as many children as possible, equipping them with the essential tools for later life.

It’s such a gorgeous concept, with a really important mission behind it. Definitely worth checking out if you have primary age children. The book was illustrated by local artist @nicola_metcalfe_design ✨.

#BuildingResilience #BehindTheBrand #SupportingChildren #EmotionalWellbeing #EmotionalHealth

Just about to start a workshop so I needed to be super quick with this one but I wanted to share our events that are coming up as we have several that are on the website and a few more in the pipeline. Go check them out ☺️, we’d love to see you there. Have a great day, Sarah x

Just about to start a workshop so I needed to be super quick with this one but I wanted to share our events that are coming up as we have several that are on the website and a few more in the pipeline. Go check them out ☺️, we’d love to see you there. Have a great day, Sarah x

To celebrate @thehenleyjazzfestival taking place next weekend, the lovely Jazz Festival team are giving one member of The Creative Duck community the chance to WIN TWO TICKETS to come along and enjoy the fun!

Expect brilliant live music, a buzzing atmosphere and a fabulous weekend of jazz right here in Henley-on-Thames.

To enter:

✨ Like this Reel
✨ Comment below and tell us who you’d bring with you

That’s it!

The giveaway closes at 10pm on Tuesday 22 September 2026 and one winner will be selected at random and contacted by 12pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Good luck! And hopefully we’ll see you there 🎷🦆

GIVEAWAY DETAILS
• Open to UK residents aged 18+
• One entry per person
• Prize is two tickets to The Henley Jazz Festival
• No cash alternative is available
• Winner will be selected at random from all valid entries
• The winner will be contacted directly by @thecreativeduck by 12pm on Wednesday 23 September

#TheHenleyJazzFestival #HenleyOnThames #JazzMusic #JazzFestival #WinTickets

To celebrate @thehenleyjazzfestival taking place next weekend, the lovely Jazz Festival team are giving one member of The Creative Duck community the chance to WIN TWO TICKETS to come along and enjoy the fun!

Expect brilliant live music, a buzzing atmosphere and a fabulous weekend of jazz right here in Henley-on-Thames.

To enter:

✨ Like this Reel
✨ Comment below and tell us who you’d bring with you

That’s it!

The giveaway closes at 10pm on Tuesday 22 September 2026 and one winner will be selected at random and contacted by 12pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Good luck! And hopefully we’ll see you there 🎷🦆

GIVEAWAY DETAILS
• Open to UK residents aged 18+
• One entry per person
• Prize is two tickets to The Henley Jazz Festival
• No cash alternative is available
• Winner will be selected at random from all valid entries
• The winner will be contacted directly by @thecreativeduck by 12pm on Wednesday 23 September

#TheHenleyJazzFestival #HenleyOnThames #JazzMusic #JazzFestival #WinTickets

There’s rarely a straight line when it comes to building a creative career…

And our next Coffee Meet guest is a rather brilliant example of why that can be a very good thing.

On Wednesday 14 October, we’ll be joined by artist, designer and educator @estemacleod for:

The Art of Adaptation: Building a Creative Career That Evolves

Esté always knew she wanted to be an artist. Making a living from creativity, however, has meant learning to adapt, spot opportunities and find different ways to use her skills.

Today, her creative career has several strands. She creates beautiful, colour-filled artwork sold through galleries in the UK and internationally, teaches online creative courses and shares her ideas and inspiration through Substack.

We’ll be chatting to Esté about how her career has evolved, the importance of resourcefulness, finding new income streams without losing sight of your creative identity, and what she’s learnt along the way.

We think it’ll be a particularly inspiring conversation for anyone building their own creative business, especially if your career doesn’t fit neatly into one box!

As always, there’ll also be plenty of time for coffee, conversation and catching up with everyone ☕️ 🦆.

Wednesday 14 October
Slightly later time of 11.30am-1.00pm
Zizzi, Henley-on-Thames
Tickets £10

Everyone welcome. Come on your own or bring a friend... we’re a friendly bunch.

#TheCreativeDuck #CreativeCommunity #CreativeCareer #HenleyOnThames #CreativeBusiness

There’s rarely a straight line when it comes to building a creative career…

And our next Coffee Meet guest is a rather brilliant example of why that can be a very good thing.

On Wednesday 14 October, we’ll be joined by artist, designer and educator @estemacleod for:

The Art of Adaptation: Building a Creative Career That Evolves

Esté always knew she wanted to be an artist. Making a living from creativity, however, has meant learning to adapt, spot opportunities and find different ways to use her skills.

Today, her creative career has several strands. She creates beautiful, colour-filled artwork sold through galleries in the UK and internationally, teaches online creative courses and shares her ideas and inspiration through Substack.

We’ll be chatting to Esté about how her career has evolved, the importance of resourcefulness, finding new income streams without losing sight of your creative identity, and what she’s learnt along the way.

We think it’ll be a particularly inspiring conversation for anyone building their own creative business, especially if your career doesn’t fit neatly into one box!

As always, there’ll also be plenty of time for coffee, conversation and catching up with everyone ☕️ 🦆.

Wednesday 14 October
Slightly later time of 11.30am-1.00pm
Zizzi, Henley-on-Thames
Tickets £10

Everyone welcome. Come on your own or bring a friend... we’re a friendly bunch.

#TheCreativeDuck #CreativeCommunity #CreativeCareer #HenleyOnThames #CreativeBusiness

Whenever possible, we like to step away from our screens and spend a few hours getting creative ✨.

Joey recently did just that at a painting workshop 🎨 with local artist @hannahskalleberg at @the.maker.space, experimenting with paint, playing with colour and enjoying the process without worrying too much about the end result (which I think was fab ☺️).

In our latest Spotlight On feature, Joey shares Hannah’s work, her creative process and the journey behind her art.

Hannah’s bold, colourful work takes inspiration from the world around her, including the landscapes and animals of the beautiful Chilterns.

Hannah will be exhibiting her oil and acrylic paintings alongside local artists @markwoodartist, @belindamillar_art, @catherine_haleart, @wendyreedphoto and @izabelaborzymowska on 10 & 11 October, 11am–4pm in Stoke Row.

In the meantime, head to the link in our bio to read our Spotlight on Hannah and discover more about the person, process and inspiration behind the paintings.

And swipe through for a little peek at Joey getting creative at Hannah’s workshop… ➡️

#CreativeDuckSpotlight #HannahSkalleberg #OxfordshireArtists #HenleyOnThames #Chilterns LocalArtists CreativeCommunity

Whenever possible, we like to step away from our screens and spend a few hours getting creative ✨.

Joey recently did just that at a painting workshop 🎨 with local artist @hannahskalleberg at @the.maker.space, experimenting with paint, playing with colour and enjoying the process without worrying too much about the end result (which I think was fab ☺️).

In our latest Spotlight On feature, Joey shares Hannah’s work, her creative process and the journey behind her art.

Hannah’s bold, colourful work takes inspiration from the world around her, including the landscapes and animals of the beautiful Chilterns.

Hannah will be exhibiting her oil and acrylic paintings alongside local artists @markwoodartist, @belindamillar_art, @catherine_haleart, @wendyreedphoto and @izabelaborzymowska on 10 & 11 October, 11am–4pm in Stoke Row.

In the meantime, head to the link in our bio to read our Spotlight on Hannah and discover more about the person, process and inspiration behind the paintings.

And swipe through for a little peek at Joey getting creative at Hannah’s workshop… ➡️

#CreativeDuckSpotlight #HannahSkalleberg #OxfordshireArtists #HenleyOnThames #Chilterns LocalArtists CreativeCommunity

In case you haven’t heard or noticed, Instagram Edits has just rolled out a VERY useful new feature. You can now create and design carousels and single-image posts, as well as Reels, within the app.

And for me, this is where Edits starts to get really interesting.

Because most small business owners and creatives aren’t full-time content creators, you need to weave Instagram into your busy working and personal life.

So anything that makes creating good content quicker, simpler and less faffy is a bonus.

I’ve written a short blog explaining what the new feature does, why I think it could be genuinely useful and how to find it if it hasn’t appeared in your Edits app yet.

Have a read via the link in our bio 🔗 and then have a play!

And let me know… could Edits replace some of the other apps you currently use to create your Instagram content or do you still prefer a desktop? 👀

Sarah x

#InstagramEdits #InstagramTips #SmallBusinessMarketing #ContentCreation #CreativeBusiness

In case you haven’t heard or noticed, Instagram Edits has just rolled out a VERY useful new feature. You can now create and design carousels and single-image posts, as well as Reels, within the app.

And for me, this is where Edits starts to get really interesting.

Because most small business owners and creatives aren’t full-time content creators, you need to weave Instagram into your busy working and personal life.

So anything that makes creating good content quicker, simpler and less faffy is a bonus.

I’ve written a short blog explaining what the new feature does, why I think it could be genuinely useful and how to find it if it hasn’t appeared in your Edits app yet.

Have a read via the link in our bio 🔗 and then have a play!

And let me know… could Edits replace some of the other apps you currently use to create your Instagram content or do you still prefer a desktop? 👀

Sarah x

#InstagramEdits #InstagramTips #SmallBusinessMarketing #ContentCreation #CreativeBusiness

If you’re looking for an excuse for an inspiring day out in London, Creative Intelligence at the @southbankcentre looks well worth a visit.

Exploring creativity, ideas and the way we think, make and imagine, it feels particularly timely in a world where AI is changing so much about how we work and create.

We love anything that gets us away from our desks, out of our usual routines and looking at things from a different perspective. Whether you’re a designer, maker, photographer, writer, small business owner or simply someone who loves a good dose of creative inspiration, pop this one on your list.

And while you’re there… lunch and a wander along the South Bank sounds like a pretty good creative day out to us.

📍 Southbank Centre, London

#CreativeIntelligence #SouthBankCentre #CreativeInspirations #CreativeDaysOut

If you’re looking for an excuse for an inspiring day out in London, Creative Intelligence at the @southbankcentre looks well worth a visit.

Exploring creativity, ideas and the way we think, make and imagine, it feels particularly timely in a world where AI is changing so much about how we work and create.

We love anything that gets us away from our desks, out of our usual routines and looking at things from a different perspective. Whether you’re a designer, maker, photographer, writer, small business owner or simply someone who loves a good dose of creative inspiration, pop this one on your list.

And while you’re there… lunch and a wander along the South Bank sounds like a pretty good creative day out to us.

📍 Southbank Centre, London

#CreativeIntelligence #SouthBankCentre #CreativeInspirations #CreativeDaysOut

I’m loving seeing more and more small brands stepping in front of the camera and sharing their superpower ~ themselves ~ in a super relaxed style, similar to chatting to a friend.

This is called ‘Yapping’ on Instagram and even though I’m not particularly keen on the name 🤷🏻‍♀️, I love the concept.

There seems to be 5 simple steps behind some of the better yaps (not all of course, as each chatting-to-camera Reel is unique with a unique purpose).

1. The Hook
2. The Gap
3. The Epiphany
4. The Lesson
5. The Closure

You can read a little more on this, with examples to help illustrate each step, in our latest blog (link in bio).

Have a read, give it a go and let us know how you get on ☺️

#YappingOnInstagram #InstagramTips #TalkingToCamera #SmallBizSupport #TheCreativeDuck

I’m loving seeing more and more small brands stepping in front of the camera and sharing their superpower ~ themselves ~ in a super relaxed style, similar to chatting to a friend.

This is called ‘Yapping’ on Instagram and even though I’m not particularly keen on the name 🤷🏻‍♀️, I love the concept.

There seems to be 5 simple steps behind some of the better yaps (not all of course, as each chatting-to-camera Reel is unique with a unique purpose).

1. The Hook
2. The Gap
3. The Epiphany
4. The Lesson
5. The Closure

You can read a little more on this, with examples to help illustrate each step, in our latest blog (link in bio).

Have a read, give it a go and let us know how you get on ☺️

#YappingOnInstagram #InstagramTips #TalkingToCamera #SmallBizSupport #TheCreativeDuck

As much as I love summer, there’s something quite comforting about reaching for your favourite jumper, lighting candles in the evening and cooking roast dinners (not quite there yet but you get the picture ☺️).

September is also a good excuse for a little reset, nothing huge, just a chance to think about what you’d like to create, explore, learn or perhaps do a little differently.

Nicola, Joey and I always gravitate towards this review phase around September so we thought we’d share with you some of the questions we run through.

On a side note, carousels are having a rather good moment on Instagram at the moment.

Recent data shows that carousels are currently generating slightly higher engagement than Reels and considerably more than single-image posts. They’re particularly good at encouraging the interactions we actually want.. people swiping, reading and saving something to return to later.

And we’ve made this one a video carousel because it gives you the best of both worlds: the movement and personality of video, but broken into bite-sized pieces that people can explore at their own pace.

So if you’ve got lots of lovely little clips sitting forgotten in your camera roll, here’s your prompt to do something with them.

Choose a theme.
Write 5–10 simple thoughts, questions or tips.
Match each one with a short video.
Add a strong opening hook.

And you’ve got yourself a post.

Save this one to try later 🦆

#CarouselPosts #SeptemberReset #InstagramTips #SmallBizSupport #InstagramSupport

As much as I love summer, there’s something quite comforting about reaching for your favourite jumper, lighting candles in the evening and cooking roast dinners (not quite there yet but you get the picture ☺️).

September is also a good excuse for a little reset, nothing huge, just a chance to think about what you’d like to create, explore, learn or perhaps do a little differently.

Nicola, Joey and I always gravitate towards this review phase around September so we thought we’d share with you some of the questions we run through.

On a side note, carousels are having a rather good moment on Instagram at the moment.

Recent data shows that carousels are currently generating slightly higher engagement than Reels and considerably more than single-image posts. They’re particularly good at encouraging the interactions we actually want.. people swiping, reading and saving something to return to later.

And we’ve made this one a video carousel because it gives you the best of both worlds: the movement and personality of video, but broken into bite-sized pieces that people can explore at their own pace.

So if you’ve got lots of lovely little clips sitting forgotten in your camera roll, here’s your prompt to do something with them.

Choose a theme.
Write 5–10 simple thoughts, questions or tips.
Match each one with a short video.
Add a strong opening hook.

And you’ve got yourself a post.

Save this one to try later 🦆

#CarouselPosts #SeptemberReset #InstagramTips #SmallBizSupport #InstagramSupport

We headed to Devon this weekend with plans to cycle the Coast to Coast route as a family… but the Great British weather had other ideas 😂.

So, plans were adapted. We still managed to get on our bikes, explored the beautiful Lydford Gorge and generally made the most of the weekend in Devon.

And actually, one of the unexpected highlights was where we stayed.

We spent a night at @OneDrakeRoad in Tavistock and absolutely loved it. A gorgeous Georgian townhouse packed with colour, fabulous wallpaper, artwork, painted furniture and quirky little details everywhere you look. Basically, my kind of interiors! 😍

It’s owned and run by Jack and Iain. Jack couldn’t have made us feel more welcome, and you can really feel how much thought and personality has gone into the place.

Sometimes Plan B turns out pretty well after all❤️.

#Devon #Tavistock #DevonStay #UKStaycation #FamilyAdventures

We headed to Devon this weekend with plans to cycle the Coast to Coast route as a family… but the Great British weather had other ideas 😂.

So, plans were adapted. We still managed to get on our bikes, explored the beautiful Lydford Gorge and generally made the most of the weekend in Devon.

And actually, one of the unexpected highlights was where we stayed.

We spent a night at @OneDrakeRoad in Tavistock and absolutely loved it. A gorgeous Georgian townhouse packed with colour, fabulous wallpaper, artwork, painted furniture and quirky little details everywhere you look. Basically, my kind of interiors! 😍

It’s owned and run by Jack and Iain. Jack couldn’t have made us feel more welcome, and you can really feel how much thought and personality has gone into the place.

Sometimes Plan B turns out pretty well after all❤️.

#Devon #Tavistock #DevonStay #UKStaycation #FamilyAdventures

I absolutely loved the food when we were in Corfu, so I thought I’d bring a little bit of it home and share a really simple recipe for spinach & feta filo pies (spanakopita) 🇬🇷

Just DM me if you’d like the recipe 👌

Slowing the pace over the holidays gave me more time to create… writing, drawing or cooking etc. and I was reminded just how important that is.

When we stop creating, it’s so easy to slip into simply consuming instead… and I really believe that can dial down our imaginations and that little creative spark within us all⚡️.

Our next workshop focuses on just that… creating! We’ll be creating three months of content ideas to keep you going until the end of 2026 and hopefully putting an end to the “What on earth am I going to post today?” panic!

Join me on 11th September, 9.30am–12pm at Hotel du Vin, Henley ☺️

Sarah x

#CreateNotConsume #ContentPlanning #SmallBusinessMarketing #CreativeBusiness #HenleyOnThames

I absolutely loved the food when we were in Corfu, so I thought I’d bring a little bit of it home and share a really simple recipe for spinach & feta filo pies (spanakopita) 🇬🇷

Just DM me if you’d like the recipe 👌

Slowing the pace over the holidays gave me more time to create… writing, drawing or cooking etc. and I was reminded just how important that is.

When we stop creating, it’s so easy to slip into simply consuming instead… and I really believe that can dial down our imaginations and that little creative spark within us all⚡️.

Our next workshop focuses on just that… creating! We’ll be creating three months of content ideas to keep you going until the end of 2026 and hopefully putting an end to the “What on earth am I going to post today?” panic!

Join me on 11th September, 9.30am–12pm at Hotel du Vin, Henley ☺️

Sarah x

#CreateNotConsume #ContentPlanning #SmallBusinessMarketing #CreativeBusiness #HenleyOnThames

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