Hi, hello, happy 2026

A Hobbyist Check-In (and a Reading List!)

Hi, and happy new year!

I hope January has had some moments for self-care and creativity :)

I’m admittedly feeling late to the 2026 party this year, hence the eleventh hour note on January 31st.

This year started off with a trip to the US for a family wedding, and honestly… it was such a joyful and relaxing break. Now I’m back in Brussels, settling in, and really excited to share what Hobbyist has been quietly up to over the last few months...

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO

Hobbyist keeps growing in small, lovely ways, and has slowly become a space for people who enjoy making things regardless of being “good” at them - and I love that.

This fall was busy in the best way, filled with markets, pop-ups, creative hangouts, and so many familiar and new faces. You can see photos from all the fun, friends, and funky art on our new website - something I've been working on for awhile and am very excited about!

I’m also happy to share that Hobbyist is partnering with BeBoxx, a custom gift box company that is launching soon. You can find BeBoxx + Hobbyist cards together on Instagram.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN 2026

We’ll be back at the Brussels Makers Market this spring, with new card designs for all kinds of (sometimes random) life moments. I loved all the creativity from everyone who came to paint cards last year - I will be sharing more of my favorites!

You’ll also start seeing Hobbyist pop up in other Brussels locations this year. I’m working with local bars and cafés to host hobby meet-ups and creative hangouts — very low pressure, very chill, very “let’s just hang out and craft” energy.

If that sounds like your thing, Instagram is where I’ll be sharing dates and locations first.

MY CURRENT HOBBY FIXATION

This year, I want to spend more time on… reading.

Over the last few years, I’ve read maybe two books a year (mostly WWII novels — for those of you who know my literary hyperfixation). During a moment of panic at a discount closing sale in a Chicago bookstore, I had a very long brainstorm with ChatGPT to build a reading list to help me broaden my book lineup this year.

(...This came with a lot of skepticism from my book-consultant friend Esther, who refused to let AI take too much credit and made some major upgrades)

And so: the 2026 Hobbyist Reading List was born.

January’s pick is The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - a post-WWII story that felt like a solid, motivating start to a new reading era. Full list is - if you’ve read any of the books (or want to read along), I’d genuinely love to hear from you.

CREATIVE THINGS I'M LOVING RIGHT NOW

• I just bought these adorable mugs from Sada Ceramics (Belgian-based), featuring all of my favorite baked goods

• Learning perspective drawing on YouTube to up my neighborhood-inspired sketches

• Masterclass courses by Martha Stewart, Sarah Blakely, and Kim Kardashian (ask me about my Masterclass obsession)

Thank you so much for being here and supporting Hobbyist — at events, online, and in this small creative corner of the internet. More soon, and hopefully I’ll see some of you at a market or hobby hangout this year.

Stay crafty

Sammy

2026 HOBBYIST READING LIST

1. The Dutch House — Ann Patchett

2. Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir

3. The Book of Goose — Yiyun Li

4. The Night Watch — Sarah Waters

5. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn — Betty Smith

6. Circe — Madeline Miller

7. My Brilliant Friend — Elena Ferrante

8. Homecoming — Cynthia Voigt

9. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow — Gabrielle Zevin

10. Piranesi — Susanna Clarke

11. Pachinko — Min Jin Lee

12. The Remains of the Day — Kazuo Ishiguro