In support of Thinking of You Week, John Lewis & Partners collaborated with The Happy News’ creator Emily Coxhead, by holding a workshop in The Discovery Room at their store at White City’s Westfield shopping centre in London on Saturday (September 29).
Emily, a designer, illustrator, writer and photographer, whose book Make Yourself Happy was launched earlier this year, shared her philosophy on how and why she launched the successful The Happy News newspaper three years ago, as well as running a practical workshop where 18 attendees made their own Happy Jars under Emily’s guidance.
Explained Emily: “Today, people of all ages feel anxious about their life, with social media too, affecting mental health. I started making Happy Jars when I was at university and looking for a gift for a friend who was going through a difficult time. I filled a jar with messages, the sort of affirmations that someone would like to hear when they’re having a bad day.”
The concept of Thinking of You Week, which ended yesterday, is to create a wave of happiness and caring through sending greeting cards.
So what’s Emily’s definition of happiness? “You have to find your own happy, your own version of happiness,” she told GiftsandHome.net. “For most people that will change, it won’t always be one thing.”
Currently, licensees of Emily’s The Happy News include Widdop and Co (giftware); Blueprint (stationery) and Pigment (greeting cards).
Top: The Happy News’ creator Emily Coxhead with attendees at her Happy Jars workshop at John Lewis’ Westfield branch in London’s White City.
