“I have shelves and shelves of favourite containers- bottles, jars, jugs, tins - anything pleasing: from small discreet medicine bottles to big fat cider flagons, and I like to keep the odd wine bottle from an especially memorable dinner, a beer bottle with a striking label, or notable shapes including the containers of spreads, fizzy drinks and chilli sauces.

I also hoard treacle tins - these are invaluable- and an excellent by product of making a delicious ginger cake.  

Teapots with lost lids or broken spouts make very satisfying vases - in fact, the sad catastrophe of breaking a favourite piece of china is much assuaged if you whip out the superglue immediately and mend the broken handle, tie a red ribbon around that handle to remind you not to rely on it, and add the mug or jug to your flower arranging shelves…"

– Emma