Month: June 2025

August 12th marks International Youth Day – a time to recognise the vital role young people play in our world, reflect on the challenges they face, and consider how we might better support them on their journey into adulthood.

Every generation has faced its own set of obstacles. Teenagers during the two World Wars were shaped by global conflict, while those growing up in the post-war 1950s were deeply influenced by rationing, which left a lasting imprint on their attitudes toward waste and consumerism. Looking further back, history reveals a tapestry of challenges: from the harsh, uncertain life of self-sufficient farming before industrialisation to the gruelling hours and dire conditions endured by child labourers in the early industrial era.

While Generation Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – has grown up with greater material wealth and more educational opportunities than previous generations, they are also among the most unhappy. Mental health struggles are alarmingly widespread, and suicide rates remain tragically high. Clearly, something is going deeply wrong in our society.

This is the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age, with smartphones in hand and instant access to information and connection. Yet paradoxically, they are often described as the loneliest and disconnected generation in history. In many ways, we have lost something essential – our sense of community, our moral anchor points, and the grounding that comes from belonging to a particular place and people.

So, what does this have to do with crafting?

As crafters, simply through the work you do and the way you do it, you embody values and experiences that many young people are missing in today’s fast-paced, digital world. Creating something by hand from start to finish requires patience and perseverance – qualities that are increasingly rare in a generation raised on instant access to information and immediate gratification. The constant presence of smartphones has even rewired the brain’s ability to wait and focus, making these traits more essential than ever to cultivate.

Crafting also fosters community. Whether through workshops, shared studio spaces, or local galleries, crafting often brings people together in a way that screens cannot. Despite having hundreds of online “friends,” many young people struggle to build and sustain meaningful, face-to-face relationships. In contrast, the shared experience of making can provide a sense of belonging and connection.

Finally, crafting offers a deep sense of accomplishment. Mastering a new skill or completing a handmade piece brings real satisfaction, while also connecting the maker to the historical and cultural roots of their craft. It’s not just about making something beautiful – it’s about reclaiming something timeless.

While the overall picture of Gen Z can often seem disheartening, with rising levels of unhappiness and daily life challenges, this certainly doesn’t apply to everyone in this generation. Many of us are fortunate to know teens and young adults who are confident, articulate, and grounded, with a strong sense of purpose and direction in their lives.

This sense of purpose is often rooted in something they deeply believe in or are passionate about. For some, it’s their faith, while for others it’s their hobby or skill, from sports to music to crafting.

Having a skill to develop gives young people an immediate sense of purpose and offers the satisfaction that comes from progress and achievement. The act of creating—especially with our hands—can be therapeutic in itself. We all benefit from having a meaningful outlet for our creativity. It’s not just about the end result, but about the process of making, growing and expressing something that’s uniquely our own.

Many crafts are deeply rooted in a sense of place, either tied to a specific region or reflecting the local landscape and heritage of the maker. For example, the tradition of working with wool runs deep in the gently rolling green hills of Wales, where it has long been a part of daily life. In Cornwall, pewter jewellery – made with tin as its main component – echoes the region’s rich history of tin mining along its rugged coastline.

Crafts also often reflect the maker’s personal connection to their surroundings. The soft purples and greens of heather-covered moorland might find their way into a line of ceramics, while the wildflowers of chalky downlands could inspire a series of prints or bookmarks. These creative expressions do more than just capture beauty—they foster a sense of place and belonging.

In this way, craft becomes a powerful means of preserving cultural heritage and passing traditional skills down to future generations, keeping the story of a place alive through the hands and hearts of its people.

There are numerous ways crafters can share their skills with young people, from centre-based or detached youth work, through to taster sessions, workshops and training opportunities. At a time when the economy and job market seem somewhat uncertain, training a young person up to run a side hustle, or even a business of their own, will also pass on purpose and a sense of independence.

As any small business owner knows, there is much to learn about monetising a skilled hobby. One foundation which needs to be in place is artistic venture cover. Artistic venture cover will generally include both public and product liability insurance. It can also include insurance for specific items connected with your business, be they specialist tools, finished products or electronic equipment used for the running of the business. For anyone looking to start up their own business, insurance may seem a little confusing, and for a young adult with less experience in dealing with professional calls, this may be even more so. However, as a family business ourselves, we respond to each enquiry in person; we enjoy hearing about your businesses and will explain the options for artistic venture cover, thus offering a personal and friendly service.

So, as International Youth Day approaches, you may like to pause and ponder some of the ways you could pass on your finely honed skills to a younger person. In days gone by, skilled artisans passed on their craft within the family or to apprentices; thus, many traditional skills remained alive.

Maybe this is a model which could be resurrected in the twenty-first century, not only to hand on this part of our heritage, but also to nurture and train up the crafters of the next few decades.

Who wouldn’t want to spend some time off-grid, creating?

For creative souls, the prospect of a retreat to spend time surrounded by the beauty of nature, honing skills, or even learning new ones, has got to be high on the bucket list. Getting away from bills, broadband, and the cares of modern life is certainly a very attractive idea, especially when you throw in an invitation to others to share that creative space with you. (And with independent creator protection, you can go off-grid with total peace of mind)

Since time immemorial, artists and crafters have sought peace and tranquillity in nature as a springboard for creativity, and happily, there are still opportunities offered for creatives to immerse themselves in the wild beauty of the UK.

The Bothy Project

If you aren’t scared of a bit of isolation and you have some savings to live off, or if you have Bear Grylls style self-sufficiency skills, what could be more enticing than staying in the Western Isles, living and working off the grid in one of a network of architect-designed cabins inspired by traditional bothies? The Bothy Project invites artists and crafters to apply to stay in its tiny homes on a self-funded basis or institutions and organisations can support you to do so. In exchange, participants are encouraged to share their experiences via a blog post and through workshops, events or open studios aimed at the local community.

Ynys Enlli

If a long stint in the wild is not right for you, perhaps a shorter stay on Bardsey Island , off the Llyn peninsula in North Wales, where The Bardsey Island Trust Artist Residency Program offers six, two-week summer residencies to emerging and established artists in Wales. Renowned for its wildlife, history, and status as Europe’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary, Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) provides a tranquil retreat where Welsh artists and crafters can immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and inspiring environment. Applications open in January for the summer. Artists can explore disciplines such as writing, music, performance, visual arts, craft, and research & development.

Nature Calling

Further south, in the heart of England’s lush countryside, the Nature Calling programme is offering free three-day artist residencies this November in Salford and Newbury. Nature Calling is the first national arts commissioning project for England’s 34 National Landscapes, and it is specifically designed to ensure our landscapes are a place for everyone. The sessions are designed to share a detailed understanding of the opportunities and considerations of working in protected landscapes and connect new audiences to nature through the arts.   

Besides all the residential opportunities for artists and crafters, there is a growing number of crafting holidays, retreats and getaways offered in some of the most beautiful parts of the UK with ample opportunities to sell as well as make.

Where crafting and camping collide

For example, every year since 2022, a relatively new crafting event has been drawing the crowds to West Sussex, “Carry on Crafting”. This year, the Carry on Crafting festival is to be held on 11th, 12th and 13th July at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, not far from Worthing. This three-day jamboree offers crafters the opportunity to sell their goods by day and then meet around the fire in the evening to have a laugh and crochet together. It is one of the few craft festivals that allows stallholders and customers to stay, camp and make friends. In fact, craft vendors are not allowed to pack down early; they must stay for the whole three days – you come in on Friday and you leave on Sunday.

Carry on Crafting is the brainchild of Justine Robson, who came up with the idea during lockdown. Justine wanted to run a big crafty festival where people could try as well as buy new crafts, take crafting classes, watch demonstrations, buy stock, enjoy some vintage stalls, and, rather than having to go home at the end of the day, just carry on!

Learn a new skill

Festival goers this year can book on to a variety of evening and day classes and learn crochet, needlepoint, embroidery, watercolour collage, wet felting, pottery making, mosaic knitting, drypoint printmaking, african coiling, pyrography, seascape painting, screen printing, dotting, glass bead-making, applique, or how to make epoxy resin coasters, macrame hanging baskets, finger-knitted necklaces, tote bags, felt floral vases or a painted peg doll. And that’s not all of them either.

Free camping is offered to all vendors, although there aren’t many pitches left now as the general camping tickets have sold out. However, there is some availability for vintage campers and caravans. For any visitors who don’t intend to camp, the festival opens its doors from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday. Dogs are welcome too, as long as they remain on a lead.

If you are in need of a creative boost this summer, maybe it’s time to find a place in nature where you can recharge, either alone or in company. There are so many opportunities to create, as well as sell, and with your independent creator protection in place, the UK is your oyster!

Independent creator protection for you

Just pick up the phone or drop us a line via our website, and either Naomi or Sam will be here to answer your queries and talk you through the best independent creator protection for your unique business needs.

We love to talk about the weather on our wonderful island, and the meteorological conditions in the UK certainly give us plenty to talk about, changing as often as they do.

This week, looking out the window through the rain coursing down the pane, you can see how thirsty the ground has become as it drinks up every drop. May’s yellowing grass and dried seed heads line the roads, not exactly drought-stricken, but certainly in need of a drink. The warm weather has even brought cracks in the soil and only the rain can return this somewhat parched landscape to a fresh, verdant display.

Rain can be a nuisance when it disrupts our plans, and it’s easy to forget that it is also life-giving. Appreciating the rain is easy if you close your eyes to listen to rainfall from the warmth of indoors – it feels somehow safe, like an embrace from a quiet companion. It’s harder to appreciate that sound when you are outside getting soaked!

“The Rainy Day”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the following beautiful words in his poem about rainy days:

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
Into every life, a little rain will fall.

Rain has to come as it is crucial for reservoirs, rivers, and aquifers, ensuring a steady water supply for homes, agriculture, and industry, and supporting diverse ecosystems. From mossy woodlands to peat bogs and heather moorlands, our flora and fauna native to the UK depend on high rainfall.

We can’t always see rain from a positive perspective, much like life, with all its trials and tribulations. We forget that the sun will eventually come out and the landscape will reappear, renewed and rejuvenated, bursting forth with new possibilities and opportunities.

Rain is distinctly British!

Rain is something that we have learned to contend with in the UK. We follow the weather forecast avidly and keep umbrellas by our front doors, carrying them out knowingly once the weather forecaster has made a proclamation. There might be a low-pressure system rolling in; however, getting wet is definitely not on our agenda – we have wellies and Barbour jackets! The rain is simply a part of our cultural identity and British charm!

The UK’s famously green countryside owes everything to its regular rainfall. Think of the Lake District, Scottish Highlands, or even your average village green — they wouldn’t be so vibrant without all that moisture!

Craft fairs in the rain

So, rain has its benefits, but what about craft fairs in the rain? How does that work? Well, with the help of a bit of forethought, craft fairs can work in the wet too! Here are a few things to consider:

1. Whatever the forecast, it’s a wise move to buy or borrow a waterproof canopy/tent to take to every UK outdoor show you intend to sell at. Protecting your wares from the wet is of paramount importance, and you’ll probably want to protect yourself too. Even if you don’t mind standing in the rain, you need to think of your customers who will be counting on you to provide them with a dry space to browse and shop. Sitting somewhere dry will also allow you to work on a little demonstration to arouse more interest in your products.
   
2. Rain or shine, pack all of your handcrafted goods in plastic storage boxes with tight lids, then take some pieces of wood so that you can stack boxes off the ground. Take a groundsheet or tarpaulin to use to cover anything in transit from your vehicle to the tent if the rain starts, or indeed to put on the ground(!)
   
3. Finally, ensure that you have the relevant maker insurance policies in place to protect you from anything else that might choose to befall you (apart from rain). The first ones to consider are product and public liability insurance. Product liability covers any claim of damage or harm caused by one of your products. Even if it is not your fault, it will cover legal fees or any compensation required. There is no excess. Public liability insurance covers you for any claim made against you, an employee or a volunteer for harm or damage done by an action or omission of yours. It covers you both on your own property and while you are out and about demonstrating or selling your crafts. Like product liability, there is no excess. Once you have these in place, you are covered for all those completely unforeseeable and thus unpreventable events which no amount of risk assessment could anticipate, a bit like the unpredictable British weather.
   
4. Finally, among the maker insurance policies worth considering when out on the all-weather craft fair circuit is “business items insurance”. This allows you to insure individual items which are essential for the running of your business and covers you whilst out and about, selling or demonstrating your craft. You can insure electronic card readers, portable electronic equipment and all you need for your stall. If, even in spite of your best efforts, items become affected by moisture, then this insurance will see you right.

We’d love to hear from you if you are starting out in the exciting, wonderful world of crafting. We are a family business, so please call us and either Naomi or Sam will be happy to help you set up the necessary insurance to protect your new business, whatever the weather!