Crafty Cornish Christmas: Cornwall Life
There was a time, according to the deep recesses of my childhood memory, when the local craft industry signified little more than an old-ish coiffed lady at the back of the village hall peddling her corn dollies, matinée jackets and ‒ for the festive edit ‒ pretty much anything she could unleash her pinking shears on and choke with tinsel.
I’m not knocking that of course ‒ there’s a lot of skill goes into a knitted loo roll holder – but you’ve definitely had a bag over your head of late if you’ve not noticed there’s been something of a craft revolution going on. In the millennial age, crafters aren’t just hobbyists, but makers who’ve doggedly forged careers from their unique artforms ‒ and crafting in the 21st century has exploded to such a degree that some clever chops in the States thought to rein it all in into a global online craft community and marketplace. That’s etsy.com.
And as I discovered late 2018, when I happened upon a stunningly curated Christmas craft market in St Ives, there are regional Etsy divisions, like Etsy-Makers-Cornwall, allowing makers in England’s far west not only to collaborate on ideas and event space with like-minded locals, but crucially develop friendship and support networks too, in what can otherwise be an isolating old business.
And never has collaboration meant more than in 2020. Despite makers’ initial fears that ‒ with the economy and morale in freefall (not to mention craft events wiped clean off the calendar) their businesses could quite possibly fall off the side of the nearest cliff ‒ most have seen significantly increased sales…
Though the Cornish Etsies already had a solid customer base long enamoured of their original, handmade wares, trends swung further in makers’ direction in lockdown. More people came off autopilot in the way they made purchases, compelled to support independents over giant retailers (no names, cough, South American river, cough, mentioned). And with everyone confined to their own four walls, people not only had time to rework their living spaces but to gift and self-gift too, as a means of finding comfort and togetherness in a difficult period.
And one way we got to know the Cornish artisans better was because everything went virtual, with buyers watching live maker videos on social media. Seeing the crafters in their own spaces – be that a dedicated workshop or on the kitchen table, ironing shoved to one side – provided invaluable insight into pieces and how they’re made, with the makers’ humanity shining through too – from smiling nervously into the abyss, to moments of heart-warming connection and uncontrollable giggles. More than that, with so many Etsy pieces inspired by the seascapes of Cornwall, the upcountry landlocked could buy pieces to satisfy their coastal cravings from afar, the next best thing to being here.
So now’s the time to retire the Quality Street, the comedy socks and the cat calendar because if ever there was a year to buy a meaningful and imaginative gift for Aunty Maureen or Uncle Ian, it’s this one. Crank up the fire, grab a sherry, curl up ‒ we’re bringing the Etsy makers Christmas market to you. You’ll love the festive edit; it’s just a bit light on loo roll holders, that’s all.
