Father’s Day is soon to be with us again. It’s a great chance to be able to celebrate the Dad in your life and to make sure that he feels special and valued. It’s not always an easy task to pick out what’s the best thing to get for a Dad. There are some quite common choices that people make, but here are a few other options that you might want to think about for this Father’s Day. Whatever you decide to do you might have to get a bit of a move on as Sunday the 18th of June 2023 is the day when it all happens. So here are a few gift ideas for Father’s Day that you can think about before the big day arrives.

Firstly, it’s a very common thought that all Dad wants is socks, beer and maybe a new pair of slippers. Perhaps it’s time to be a bit more creative with your thoughts as to what you can get him. Also, in this day and age, it is not so common for people to drink alcohol as much as they used to. Therefore, you could always consider getting some non-alcoholic versions of his favourite tipple for him. It’s probably time to be a bit more creative than buy him another pair of socks and slippers – he’s probably got enough as it is.

Some of the best gift ideas for Father’s Day could even stem from yourself. Why not focus on making Dad a personal gift? Rather than ordering something, there may be a chance that you could make some crafts yourself. There are plenty of options online where you can create exciting gifts for your Dad with your own personal stamp upon them. This could be sewing him a jumper, painting him a picture of his favourite landscape, or just simply making him your own personal designed card. Either way, crafting something yourself is a genuinely nice gesture that any Dad would appreciate. There are plenty of options for you to choose from and even some kits that you can purchase that will enable you to create the perfect crafted gift for your Dad on Father’s Day. Just make sure it’s something that he can use time and time again.

It may be that your Dad is something of a crafter himself. if this is the case then it might be an idea to look at things that you can buy for him that would make a great craft present. Outside of the usual gift ideas for Father’s Day, it might be that your Dad enjoys making things himself. One of the simplest craft items you could buy is a jigsaw puzzle, although a challenging one might be a better idea. If you are looking for something that can take your Dad back down memory lane to his youth, it might also be an idea to look at buying him a plastic model kit. There will certainly be a sense of nostalgia if he is bought something like a Spitfire or a Lancaster bomber. There are also plenty of other non-war-based options that you can choose from, like a model of the Titanic for example.

Other craft gift ideas for Father’s Day could be something as interesting as marquetry. This is where a hot iron is used to score designs and patterns on wood. This is a particularly decorative artistic endeavour but it’s also something that’s quite manly too. Just be prepared that you may well get your own piece of marquetry from your Dad at some point in the future.

Finding the crafting and creative spur in any Dad is a good thing to do and one of the most accessible ways is to set him up with some artistic painting. There are many excellent kits that you can buy that have all of the ingredients for someone wishing to undertake painting as a new crafting hobby. You could start with something as simple as a few paint-by-numbers or invest in an easel and a set of paints and brushes for your Dad to have a go with. Make sure you’ve also got him some easels so he can paint his masterpiece onto something. Remember that most Dads like a good project, and with crafting you can certainly find him something.

If crafting isn’t your Dad’s thing there are still other options that you can look at. One of the most innovative and exciting new developments in gift ideas is that of the experience day. They can be

quite expensive, but why not see about getting Dad the opportunity to drive around Silverstone or Brands Hatch at great speed, preferably with an experienced driver by his side? This is an exhilarating gift idea and they’ve risen to become very popular over a short period of time. This isn’t the only experience that Dad can have, there is also horse riding and visits to museums that could be purchased for him. There is also the ability to spend the day with an artist which, if you decided to take him down more of a crafting route, might be a good idea. It could well be that your Dad might find some new inspiration from a combination of a crafting and experience day that will set him up on a hobby that will keep him going through the rest of his days.

All in all, there are plenty of gift ideas for Father’s Day that you can use to make the big day go with an absolute swing. Whether you’ve got a Dad that likes a bit of action or one that is more inclined to the quiet life, gift ideas are certainly available for everyone. Don’t forget to include a card and cake as well, that’s something of an essential to remember. Whatever you choose, I’m sure that your Dad will thoroughly appreciate all the effort that you’ve gone into for Father’s Day on the 18th of June 2023.

Handcrafted items to make it all even more memorable.

Any June wedding has the potential to be one of the most memorable and incredible weddings that you could ever have. If the weather is on your side, and it should be in ‘flaming June’, then you could have the perfect opportunity to create wonderful photographs and memories of a very special day. There are other ways to make the day even more exceptional. With the blue summer skies above your head, it’s every bride’s dream to look radiant as they enter the church and walk down the aisle. It’s also every groom’s dream that the weather holds off long enough for the reception to be a success and for everybody to enjoy themselves.

Once the splendour of the wedding service has been completed and everybody has watched the happy couple be legally married, it’s time to make your way out of the church or venue and over to the reception area for the wedding breakfast and the speeches. The centrepieces and decorations for a June wedding are something that should be given very careful consideration. One of the most enchanting options is for there to be handcrafted items on the table for people to enjoy. There may also be an opportunity to create handcrafted decorations as well for the general room. However, crafters do need to be protected in case something goes wrong and that’s where public liability insurance for crafters comes in.

There’s a very good chance that you may well be contacted by the bride and groom or their wedding organisers to help craft and create something special and different for a wedding. No two weddings are exactly the same and the inclusion of something for the guests to take away from the ceremony is one of the more common factors that have come into the wedding day celebrations. A handcrafted gift for specific important guests such as the bridesmaids, the best man and the mother and father of the bride, for example, should all be given nice gifts to commemorate the day. Again, caution needs to be taken by the crafters who have been commissioned to make the gifts. If something were to go wrong with the handmade gifts, there would be certain legal ramifications that the crafter would need to be aware of. For peace of mind, it’s a very good idea to get public liability insurance for crafters before you start making things and giving them out to wedding parties. Unfortunately, in our modern era, one has to consider the worst possible outcome for anything as we live in an increasingly litigious society.

What kind of handmade crafts can you give out to members of the wedding party and other guests? One of the most popular choices is that of a small wooden craft box. This can contain many of the traditional wedding elements such as sweets like sugared almonds or maybe even chocolates. A particularly special touch would be to engrave or craft the initials of the two married people into the box to serve as a memento for the day long after the wedding has finished.

Flowers make up a very important part of any wedding ceremony and how they are arranged and displayed can make or break how a wedding looks. Weddings give the crafter the opportunity to display flowers how they wish to see them and to create vases or display holders for the flowers so that everything looks immaculate. One of the best advantages of June is that it is in the height of summer, so flowers are in abundance and there is much scope for colour and decoration to be had with them.

However, the most common role of the handcrafter at weddings is for making invitations to the wedding in the first place. This has become the first stage of any wedding and, in many cases, the invitation card is judged as much as the wedding ceremony itself. It’s very important that the handmade crafter sticks with the theme that the bride and groom have chosen. The place settings or

name cards should also be reflective of that initial invitation to give the whole event a certain sense of symmetry. It’s not necessarily complete uniformity that makes for a fun wedding but there is a certain sense of tradition that has to be observed and followed throughout the ceremony and reception afterwards. This can also be followed on to the evening party where even more friends and family may be coming to celebrate the union of the happy couple.

With the decorations set and the flowers arranged and everybody aware of the date from their handcrafted invitations, the wedding can begin in earnest. It’s a good opportunity for the business handcrafter to get their work seen and it may well lead to further commissions and other work. Above all, the business-minded hand crafter should always be looking for the next client and the next opportunity. They should also make sure that they retain their own security with public liability insurance for crafters as well.

One final idea to suggest might be to engage in some of your own glass-blowing. Just imagine the look on the guest’s faces when they are presented with a hand-blown piece of glass with the date and time of the wedding engraved upon them! There is also the possibility of looking at creating your own range of pottery to give as a homemade gift at a June wedding whether the bride and groom appreciate a good mug or a champagne flute, you’re sure to be able to find some handmade crafts that will fit the bill for them. It’s true that handmade crafts can really make all the difference in setting a wedding apart and making it memorable.

It’s a scenario many of us dream about during those grey and drizzly winter days, a warm beach, the gentle lapping of waves and the feeling of sand between our toes. Relaxation, blue skies, cool drinks, and complete serenity. For the more adventurous among us, maybe our daydreams include rambles along Cornish coastal paths, the exhilaration of the surf or whiling away the hours exploring coves and caves from a boat. Whether we love vast swathes of sandy beach or lean more towards rock pools and quaint fishing villages, most of us love to be beside the seaside. 

Holidays beside the sea date right back to the Georgian era, when the wealthy would seek out the health benefits of salt water and bracing sea air by staying in coastal locations for a good length of time. We can get a glimpse of this in some of the literature of the time. However, the coming of the railways and subsequent affordable travel opened seaside holidays up for many more. Thus, we still have many Victorian seaside towns around our coast, complete with grand hotels, piers and ornate rooms for tea dances. 

As policies changed within our factories, requiring employers to give their employees a holiday entitlement, the annual trip to the seaside often became part of the fabric of our nation. Factory doors would close, and families would pile into trains which took them to such resorts as Scarborough, Blackpool, Weston Super Mare and Weymouth. Beach huts, donkey rides, fish and chips and ice cream all became synonymous with a good old British summer holiday. 

Seaside holidays reached their peak in between the wars, and then gradually started to decline in popularity post the Second World War as air travel became more affordable and the package holiday rose in popularity. Thus, many of our once thriving seaside towns became run down and a shadow of their former bright and sparkling selves. More recently, however, funding has been put into restoring many of these towns, and they are again beginning to flourish with a new, twenty-first-century set of visitors. Probably for a few reasons families are beginning to trickle back towards a holiday by the sea in Britain, whether this is in holiday parks, campsites, Airbnb’s or even hotels and guest houses, and it is good to see the donkeys plodding the sands yet again and ice creams being consumed with relish.

So, what is it that makes us think with such nostalgia of those seaside holidays of yesteryear, and how can we, as crafters, capture that in our products?  Maybe it is partly a sense of stability. In our highly unpredictable world now, the concept of a regular annual holiday to the same place, doing the same things can seem inviting. As humans, we like variety but also generally thrive off familiar rhythms; thus, an annual holiday by the sea offers just enough variation to be exciting but enough consistency not to be too challenging. 

Maybe it’s the sense of family and community these holidays encapsulated. Our world is changing so fast, yet these were times when family and the local community were the cohesion of society. Times were not as rosy as we may fondly like to think, but family ties of loyalty were strong and local communities helped each other out. Maybe too, in a fast-paced world, looking back to how previous generations lived offers a sense of stability and rootedness. We have a history; we have both rich and quirky traditions and a heritage we can learn from and build upon. Looking back may give us strength and inspiration to move forward. Or maybe it’s simply the stunning scenery, the colours, the smells, the textures, and the sounds which are evocative of sunshine, slowing down and rest.

Whatever fires our imagination for seaside holidays, it is certainly worth riding on the wave of this and producing some seaside-themed products. We are also in the season of outdoor craft venues at festivals, shows, fetes and fairs, so there are plenty of opportunities to sell your beautiful crafts. If this is your first season of selling in person to the public, you will need to have insurance for crafters in place. This will probably include public and product liability insurance which covers you for any unforeseen mishaps while selling, demonstrating, or teaching your craft, at any outdoor or indoor event. There may also be some regulations around your craft product, e.g. handmade toys or consumable products. These can seem a bit confusing at first, but as a family firm with many years of experience, we can help you find the best insurance for crafters. Pick up the phone and have a chat with one of us; either Samantha or Naomi will be here to talk it through with you.  We will sort out an individual insurance package which fits your unique needs and circumstances, giving you peace of mind and the time to get on with what you do best, creating beautiful craft products. 

The warmth and blue skies of summer often lend themselves to a little extra spending, even in these financially challenging times. As our collective mood lifts and customers wander around the numerous outdoor crafting and countryside events, there is a lure to splash out on a special item that reflects the season. This could be something useful like a beach bag or sun hat, something which will evoke memories of the sea like sea glass jewellery or something practical but with a touch of luxury like bath products. Or, what about a ceramic mug, decorated in the hues of the sea, which will bring back memories of sunshine on dark winter days as hands are warmed, and hot tea is sipped? Whatever your craft, give us a ring to ensure you have insurance for crafters in place and get crafting some products which will bring joy, beauty and memories of summer into our homes. 

For many of us, the ownership of some bespoke handcrafted jewellery is the highlight of our collection.  Knowing that the piece has been lovingly crafted by an experienced silversmith or jewellery maker gives that piece a certain extra special feel when we wear it. In many cases these have been specially commissioned and produced for weddings or for other important occasions such as christenings and as memorial keepsakes. If you are handcrafting jewellery yourself then it’s a very important factor to remember for your business to have fine art and jewellery insurance.  It is always a good idea to have extra provision and cover in place just in case something goes wrong or in case a customer is unhappy with your work.

The work of the silversmith is special as they deal specifically with that type of metal. There is a long, proud and traditional history associated with the creation of this art involving a set of techniques and training that has been passed down from generation to generation. Despite the increasing level of automation in our lives the work of the silversmith and the handcrafting jeweller is still greatly prized and sought after. These are usually among the stands and stalls at craft fairs that attract a lot of attention and a lot of commissions. The noble art of the jeweller and silversmith was in times past so revered that many formed guilds to protect their work and their skill set, then these traditions were duly passed on to the next generation. To be able to say that one was taking up an apprenticeship with a jeweller or silversmith was seen as a great honour and that the person who was successful already had an excellent set of skills already in place. Nowadays, those who choose to train in this field also need to consider acquiring fine art and jewellery insurance.

Getting the correct product and marketing at specific times of the year can be a very lucrative and positive experience for many craft jewellery makers and silversmiths. A great idea for making pieces unique is that of incorporating birthstones within the designs of the jewellery.  Exquisite and personal pieces can be created with the simplest of designs. The focus of the birthstone for the person looking to make the purchase can take the jewellery from a simple look to something that can have a very deep and personal meaning for the person making the purchase. It also gives their loved ones and relatives the chance to buy them something that can be seen as a very tailored piece of work.

This month’s birthstone (May) is the fabulous, green emerald. The beauty of this particular stone is that green is a very strong colour (due to the presence of Chromium and Vanadium) and when set within a piece of delicate filigree, an emerald can really shine out and be noticeable within a piece of jewellery. Emeralds are still seen as being particularly valuable – their strong green colour coupled with a high degree of transparency places them within the realms of rubies and sapphires.Their colour emphasises the return of Spring and the colour of summer as grass makes its way through the winter months back to life. There is absolutely no doubt that anyone born in this month receiving a piece of handcrafted jewellery featuring an emerald will know that the person presenting the gift has done some solid research to find something different for them.

Jewellers need to show extreme care when creating a piece of jewellery centred around the emerald.  Unfortunately, the stone is not renowned for its robust nature. Given that emeralds are considered to be easily damaged, a degree of fine art and jewellery insurance may well be required by any jeweller to cover themselves.

Handcrafted jewellery makers and those that deal in silversmithing are faced with considerable costs from tools and materials when they come to enter the field.  A saw, particularly a jewellers saw, is one of the most sought after and needed tools. There are also strong jewellers files for the shaping and moulding of the exquisite work that is required. The skills of the handcrafted jewellery maker need to be honed to perfection. A steady hand, patience and artistic vision are all skills needed when looking to create a new work.  Other items needed include a selection of hammers such as a planisher, for smoothing the metal, and cross pein types to put in small nails and pins to connect the pieces. Used together, these delicate instruments all have their place in the creation of something special for customers who want to buy something of value.

One of the most  difficult yet essential skills that the handcraft jeweller and silversmith need is that of being able to clean and buff the product, so that it gleams when it is on the shelf. When it comes to presenting the finished products, a striking display of work is one of the critical factors that need to be employed by the craft stall holder to draw in the customer.  Beautifully arranged jewellery is one of the best ways to grab the attention of the many passers by that come to craft fairs. People are all on the lookout for something that is beyond the norm, something that stands out that is bespoke or special. Another thing that people are looking for is something that is on point in terms of seasonality. Therefore, using emeralds, the birthstone of the month of May, as your primary focus for display can help generate interest in your stall and, most importantly, in your work.

References to Whitsun date back to the fourteenth century, and over the following centuries what started as a religious celebration grew into the nationwide holiday which we all enjoy. Its essence and traditions resonate with many of the values held by crafters, so it is a fun one to explore and could be an excellent springboard for craft fairs.

Whitsun falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter, and up until 1972 Whit Monday was the holiday which followed on from it. Traditionally this has incorporated a glorious mix of fairs, pageants, Morris dancing, parades, processions, markets and a good number of eclectic regional customs. In the north of England, the cotton mills were often closed during Whit week with the twofold purpose of allowing time to clean the machines and giving the workers a week’s holiday. In rural  Britain, Whitsun also was a time of holiday for land labourers and marked a pause in the agricultural year.

There are some wonderful and whacky regional traditions which have grown up over the years. These reflect the marvellous and delightful cultural uniqueness we find across our nation, which is in turn often echoed in local food and craft products. In the North West of England, parades and processions have been popular. These have often included clergy from the local churches, brass bands and a noisy throng of happy participants. Long distance Whit Walks were also popular during the last century. Indeed, the Bradford Whit Walk, began in 1903, boasted two Olympic gold medalists among its graduates.

Food is always central to any festivity, and Whitsun entertains some truly unusual and quirky customs. St Braeval’s in Gloucestershire is a picturesque village with a medieval castle at its centre. Each Whitsun Monday bread and cheese are thrown from a nearby wall, to be gathered by the villagers. In another Gloucestershire village three balls of Gloucester cheese are rolled around the church. One is then shared out amongst the parishioners and the other two are rolled down a hill. In a different part of the country, Cambridgeshire, a race of Stilton cheese rolling is held with the prize being a cheese and some port to accompany it.

Markets, fairs and festivals have always been integral to our bank holidays across the country, and Whitsun is no exception. Ale was the main drink at many a local gathering, so much so that the term a “Whit Ale” came about, meaning a party revolving around the jovial consumption of the local ale.

Whit Ales connect us with a humorous twist to the the origins of Whitsun. Some two thousand years ago Jews from all over the ancient world came to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of Shavuot. On one particular year, following the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, a group of his followers were huddled in a small room when a wind came and shook the building, flames of fire landed on their heads and they started speaking in different languages…at which point they were accused of being drunk. However, this experience changed them so dramatically that Peter the fisherman gave his first sermon to the multitude of visitors to the city and several thousand of them became followers of Christ. This was fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus (hence the name ‘Pentecost’). Pentecost subsequently became known as Whitsun, maybe because it was the Sunday when believers were baptised and wore white (Whit) robes.

Sadly many of these wonderful and community enriching traditions have now come to an end. In 1972 the Whit Monday holiday, always seven weeks after Easter, was replaced by the Spring Bank holiday which falls on the last week end of May. Might this be a time to restart some regional celebrations and new traditions in the shape of craft fairs and markets? 

Whitsun falls in the full bloom of spring, just as we are edging towards summer. The days are often warm enough to luxuriate in the feel of the sun on our faces, children run around bare footed and ice creams are consumed. People are looking outwards and are revelling in opportunities to be out and about enjoying the multitude of good things in life. There is often a sense of optimism, in tune with nature, which rises above any news items we are hearing. As we’ve seen over the past few years, our local communities are of increasing value in these times, so why not bring all these threads together and be a part of, or even organise a craft fair in your locality? 

Previous posts have given good tips and advice for how to prepare for a fair, but one thing you will always need is public liability insurance for craft stall holders. This covers both you and your customers from those unexpected incidents you cannot possibly predict. Having public liability insurance for craft stall holdersunder your belt means you can focus on the exciting and creative aspects of preparing for a fair; designing your set up, devising any themes you will have and producing your stock.

There may be a craft fair or market near you which you can sign up for, but if not, maybe you could consider starting one up next year? This is a big undertaking, but if you are inspired to have a go, give us a ring and we can talk you through some of the nuts and bolts of insurance including public liability insurance for craft stall holders.

Many towns have craft events during this bank holiday, with crafters selling from town halls or creating craft trails around the community. Or, if there is already a fete or farmers’ market, maybe you and some fellow crafters could supplement this with a few stalls of your own products. Let’s make the most of the wonderful Whitsun weekend to celebrate our local crafting traditions and the glorious uniqueness of our regional communities.

The traditional spring May Day festivities bring with them the chance for some great trading opportunities for anyone interested in crafts. After the long and relatively quiet winter period spring is one of the first chances that a UK craft producer can really start to get their work out into the marketplace and seen and sold. You should always make sure that you take the precaution of having adequate business craft insurance UK operators will require when looking to make a sale. The first of May, or May Day, is one of the oldest and most respected of traditional days, which this year has been given even more emphasis with the coronation of King Charles the third happening around the same time. The traditions of May Day go back a lot further than even our own royal family and many of the events that are celebrated on May Day have their origins in pagan roots. Our ancestors were very keen to acknowledge the return of the warm summer days and all of the opportunities it presented them.

These opportunities are exactly the same for crafters in the UK.  There is a real opportunity to tap into the heritage of the day and provide lots of different products and artistic crafts for purchase.  As we have mentioned before, this is when the craft market season really begins to come alive and it is quite easy to be able to fill in your weekends at most places throughout the spring and summer. May Day represents a real opportunity, but where does this seasonal day of recognition come from and what examples of its traditions are there?

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Our ancestors were very keen to celebrate the coming of spring and summer and they would do this through many events, like Maypole dancing, for example. If you are going to exhibit your products at a craft fair or local fete you will no doubt come across the Maypole. This features young children weaving their way in between each other to slowly wrap the Maypole with coloured ribbons. This is a complicated process and you would think that the children involved would need some kind of special protection much as you would need to for your stall! It’s why the provision of what business craft insurance UK providers can give is a necessity.

There are many other traditions associated with this special day, and many of them feature  parades of some kind and displays of flowers and floral arrangements. There is one tradition that sees the villagers walk the local area beating the ground with spades and shovels in an attempt to wake the Earth from its winter slumbers. This is one of the oldest of May Day celebrations but we do know that the first May Day of its type was observed by the Romans.  They had a celebration called Floralia and this was the festival of Flora. Flora was one of the many gods and goddesses that the Romans worshipped. As you may well have been able to guess from the name, she was a goddess of flowers. Displays and arrangements of flowers were common during this period. There were also celebrations of the god Dionysus and the goddess Aphrodite. A Floralia was a constructed stage that was decorated with flowers and to  please the gods, plays about them were held here. There were also many examples of worship of Ceres the goddess of wheat and farming. If you have a craft that is centred around decoration with flowers or their arrangements then this might be an interesting selling point to tap into.

There is a real emphasis on light with May Day celebrations.  As this is in recognition of the lengthening of the days it is also not uncommon to find many bonfires and beacons are lit at this time. We do not suggest that you do this necessarily but if you do happen to light some early summer bonfires on your premises it would be good to make sure that you had some business craft insurance UK provision to cover for any eventuality!

When May Day takes on a life of its own!

The Scandinavian country of Finland takes May Day very seriously and given that a large proportion of the country is in the Arctic Circle, the coming of summer is a very important thing to celebrate. It’s one of the largest public holidays of the calendar year and it’s known as vappu (always lower case). Many people converge in the cities on the last day of April and the First of May to see this two-day spectacle. Finnish students party hard during vappu, especially the engineering students for some reason! Contrary to the normal calendar, their vappu is a two-week party and hence called wappu. So the student May Day celebrations start in the middle of April and culminate on May Day.

Finnish culinary vappu traditions and specialities abound, like the insanely delicious fresh vappu donuts and tippaleipä  which is a special funnel cake only eaten during May Day festivities. Many people make or buy Sima, a non-alcoholic sweet sparkling brew made of water, yeast, lemon, and raisins.

Even in warmer Mediterranean countries May Day is still celebrated.  In Greece, for example, there is a big festival centred around the victory of the goddess Maia, as spring shows that summertime has finally defeated winter.

Running through all of these events is that of flowers and floral displays.  This theme is surely something that can be explored by all crafters regardless of what they produce.  Flowers also offer a large inspirational palette for many creators.  It really doesn’t matter what line of craft you are in. Card makers can capitalise on the springtime with work based around the flowers of the period. Pottery and ceramic work can also feature flower designs. For those who specialise in needlework and knitting, clothing representative of spring flowers may also be of interest.

Whatever you decide to choose, having a solid spring and May Day theme to all of your work is a great choice around this time. Making your business as seasonally focused as possible can be a big crowd pleaser.

There can be little else so evocative of balmy summer days, carefree and simple living, and a bygone rural way of life, than a summer meadow. The textures, colours and scents of the flowers, the grasses swaying gently in a playful breeze and the sound of birdsong brings immediate relief to the stresses and strains of everyday life. Wildflower meadows are rich ecosystems but have been affected badly by the use of chemical weedkillers. Their abundant biodiversity, as well as their beauty, have led to charities, farmers and passionate individuals taking up their cause and endeavouring to maintain and plant new ones. Those with the talent to capture the beauty of a wildflower meadow on canvas or paper are truly able to preserve a precious part of our landscape for us.

Wildflowers are, thankfully, found not just in meadows but in all parts of our nation, from river banks, to high moorland, in woods and along every country lane. They have been an inspiration to many artists over the years, with the illustrations of Edith Holden, Cicely Mary Barker and Beatrix Potter among the iconic ones of the previous two centuries. Edith Holden is best known for her intricately illustrated journal, “The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady”. Published after her death, this stunning journal depicts the changing flora and fauna over the four seasons of 1906. It is a nostalgic picture of a former age, when it was not uncommon for middle-class women to write illustrated journals.

Cicely Mary Barker was self-taught as a child. She suffered from epilepsy and so was educated at home during her formative years. One can’t help but wonder whether her stunning drawings may very well not have been created if she had had a more conventional schooling, with less free time to wonder, imagine and explore. As a young teenager, her father enrolled her at their local Art Society and then on an art correspondence course. Her exquisite, botanically accurate watercolour paintings of wildflowers combined with charming fairies have enthralled numerous children over the years and taught them not only to recognise and appreciate the huge diversity of wildflowers of our nation but also opened their imaginations to wonder and delight.

While Beatrix Potter is best known for her tales of mischievous little animals, she was also a talented botanical watercolour artist, with stunning paintings of wildflowers as well as her fungi collection. She too had a less traditional education, learning at home until she was a teenager. She loved to be outdoors and spent hours walking, observing and painting. The Victoria and Albert Museum, in collaboration with the National Trust, hosted an exhibition of her paintings last year, and highlights can still be seen on their website.

There are of course numerous more contemporary watercolour artists whose paintings of wildflowers are inspiring and who also give of their time to pass on their skills to others. Many run wildflower watercolour workshops, sometimes in collaboration with local conservation areas or the wildlife trust. These range from workshops for complete beginners to instruction for accomplished artists wanting to hone existing skills and learn new techniques. Some courses will focus on the skills and knowledge required for botanical illustration, and some on techniques for a more contemporary style. Some are based inside but some are located outdoors, surrounded by the wildflowers you are studying and painting. Whether you count yourself as a watercolour painter or not, why not check out some of these courses and book yourself onto one this summer?  Count it as professional development, as well as investing in some time to nurture your own soul and creativity.

Whatever your craft business, you could think of incorporating wildflowers as a theme for this summer. They could inspire a range of pottery or a collection of handmade jewellery. Soaps and cosmetics often incorporate flower scents, but could you be bolder in your marketing of this? The colours, shapes and textures of wildflowers lend themselves to textiles; scarves, napkins and cushions inspired by them will bring all the freshness of outdoor breezes and the warmth of the sunshine indoors.

Wildflower paintings are perennially popular. Indeed, in our fast-paced, often urban-based lives there seems to be a longing within us to be more connected with the natural world. Coupled with our heightened awareness of the importance of conservation, paintings which depict the beauty and intricate design of nature are increasingly valued in our homes. Whether you sell online, in a gallery, at art exhibitions or at craft fairs, be sure to purchase the correct high-value art insurance. You will need this to cover any accidental damage to yourself or others within a gallery/craft fair space. Art is very subjective and what one person likes another may not. Therefore, high-value art insurance would also come to your aid in the unlikely event that a commissioned piece of work does not meet the requirements of the customer and becomes the subject of a negligence claim. Professional indemnity insurance would cover you in this instance; product liability insurance covers damage to your paintings themselves. Although all these events seem, and indeed are unlikely, that is after all the whole point of insurance cover. If you could predict the issues which might arise you could ensure they don’t happen. The very fact that you can’t is why you need insurance. As a family-run business, with a deep-rooted belief in family, tradition and experience we have a solid foundation to work from but also are always learning from each other in order to improve the quality of service we give to our customers. A small art business will have a variety of aspects so a talk with one of our team is the best way to find ensure you get the best possible package of high-value art insurance, which will meet your individual and unique needs. Pick up the phone and have a chat.

And remember,  as we head into the summer, don’t forget to check out some watercolour wildflower workshops and allow your soul to be restored as your creativity is inspired.

I heard some rather unusual news lately that Hawnby in North Yorkshire has become the first village in England to swap its streetlights and more than 100 other outdoor lights for dark skies-friendly lighting, in an attempt to cut light pollution and allow residents and visitors to see the stars. There are a few other villages in Wales and Scotland that have converted street lights to become dark sky friendly but Hawnby has gone even further by converting both street and external building lighting when the project completes later in 2023.

It’s a fact that, over the centuries, the night sky has been the inspiration for thousands of pieces of art, poetry and prose which we are still able to enjoy today. It’s a shame that streetlights are depriving us of this nightly opportunity for inspiration! Unless you are a resident of Hawnby, in which case, a rare treat awaits!

Spring is an excellent time to star gaze; the temperature is creeping up but the nights are still long enough to ensure that darkness envelopes our land well before bedtime. What about planning an evening to soak up inspiration from the night sky in the next few weeks? You could do this by yourself or with a loved one, or gather together family or friends. Even within a city, you will be able to see some of the night display, but if you can make your way out into the countryside, the spectacle will be all the more breathtaking. Obviously, the further you get from light pollution, the more you are going to see. You could pack up a bag with hot drinks and delicious snacks, wrap up warmly and take some extra layers or cosy rugs. You might like to grab a book or download an app which will help you interpret what you are seeing in the sky above. Depending on the spot you find, you may even be able to light a fire and roast marshmallows, or take a camp stove to warm some soup. The incredible display you will see as you gaze above is completely free, so make the most of it!

Still not convinced? If like me, you need plenty of encouragement to leave your warm home for a wild and probably chilly outdoor space, here’s a taster of what you might see if you venture out to survey the spring night sky. The star constellations of Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and Leo can be seen very clearly, and if you time it right, you might just catch a meteor shower. Look out for the Lyrid Meteor Shower which will be visible 14-30 April and peaking on 22-23 April. On April 11 you can see a pairing of two celestial beauties – Venus and the Pleiades star cluster. Venus will be easy to see with the naked eye as a brilliant star like object high in the southwestern sky. If you are away from light pollution you’ll be able to locate the Pleiades – they are the tight grouping of stars near Venus. The Pleiades actually consists of a grouping of around 3000 stars but the nine brightest are the Seven Sisters of Greek mythology and their parents.

And don’t forget, any intrepid early risers, you can always watch the planets of Mars, Saturn, Venus and Jupiter appear before the early morning light gradually chases out the darkness and the dawn awakens us to a fresh new day.

Stargazing is a great way of getting a fresh perspective on life and when you are looking for fresh creative inspiration, it really helps! The facts of our universe are awe inspiring in themselves. We are just one minuscule planet in our tiny solar system, itself part of the Milky Way which is one of the smaller galaxies. (The Milky Way is only 100,000 light years across!) It is estimated there are about 350,000,000,000 galaxies in the universe. One light year is six trillion miles. This vast expanse of space is beyond our comprehension, yet as we contemplate it and allow the sheer magnificence of the universe to seep into our soul, we cannot help but gain a different perspective on our own lives and challenges. Maybe star gazing could be prescribed regularly for our mental well being…

Possibly the most famous painting inspired by the night sky is Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”. It is especially interesting to know the circumstances which preceded the painting of this masterpiece. Vincent Van Gogh struggled with mental health issues for much of his life, and spent some time as an adult in an asylum. In those days these were generally places where movement was greatly restricted, but due to his good behaviour he was allowed a fair amount of freedom during which he could roam the countryside with his brother and paint. “Starry Night” was, however, painted during an emotionally low period, reflected in the blue tones. He painted the sky as seen from his bedroom window, but the background was part imaginary. He did not think it was very good; a lesson all crafters can take hope from!

Of course it is not only artists who can take inspiration from the night sky, but crafters of all mediums. It makes a great theme for crocheted blankets, pottery mugs or even wooden hanging decorations. Or, what about a set of bath bombs on the starry night theme, or a beautiful children’s mobile?

If, however, you are pondering an art exhibition, a night sky theme could really capture the imagination of your audience. There are numerous articles giving good advice on the practicalities of organising a show, but jere are a few tips:

• It may pay to think out of the box when it comes to finding a venue. The traditional galleries could be expensive whereas other venues might be better priced as well as offering a more interesting location.
• Gather a team around you with whom you can collaborate.
• Ensure you advertise well, both on social media and in local papers/flyers.
• And of course, know the community you are aiming to draw in; this will impact both the venue and the marketing.

You will also need to consider art exhibition insurance. When running to a tight budget, you might question whether this is really necessary, but here’s why art exhibition insurance is well worth the small investment. It will cover you for all those accidents which you can’t predict and therefore plan against; for damage to your art work in transit and in situ; for any unforeseen mishaps of injury to clients while in the exhibition space. It will include both public and product liability insurance. Having the correct insurance in place is part of setting yourself on a good footing. Once it’s there you don’t need to worry about those unpredictable events which, although unlikely, can steal your thinking space. Instead, you can focus on the planning and smooth running of the event itself. So, pick up the phone now and talk to one of our experienced and friendly team members. As a family run business specialising in crafting insurance we can ensure you get the best art exhibition insurance package for your unique needs at a reasonable price.

Head out this spring and join the villagers in Hawnby be inspired by the splendour of the night sky.

Earth day is celebrated this year on April 22. It has captured the imagination of millions, and has gained support from a network of international charities and multinationals.  Its very size could appear somewhat daunting and far removed from small local craft business. However, a brief look at it’s humble beginnings offers inspiration as to how the convictions of individuals, carried over into actions, can have a far reaching impact. In fact the origins of Earth Day would probably strike a chord with the founders of many creative local businesses.

Back in the 1960’s the USA was enjoying the benefits of industrialisation, with large factories producing not only mass goods for the population but pollution as well, with inefficient cars adding to this. Increasingly, companies made goods that would have a limited lifespan and were thrown away rather than repaired. In the home, chemicals replaced the old non-toxic cleaning solutions and, most significantly, within agriculture, mass produced fertilisers replaced the time tested methods of enriching the soil; crop rotation and spreading of animal manure. It was against this backdrop that Rachel Carson’s iconic book, “Silent Spring” was published in 1962. It’s startling message must have jolted many readers into a new awareness of the beautiful world which has been entrusted to us and the fact that its guardianship had been increasingly disregarded over the previous decades. Her book is both a modern fable of a future year when we would wake up to a spring without birdsong, and a well researched scientific thesis. She questioned the use, or misuse, of inadequately tested chemicals and pesticides without knowledge of their potential harm on flora and fauna. She saw governments and powerful corporations as a big part of the problem and called on individuals and groups to question policy. Thus began a grass roots environmental movement. She received a fair amount of vilification for her trouble but arguably, this one woman’s courage and persistence to speak out changed the way a whole generation thought.

Her story is inspiring, especially when we consider that it was the large scale use of chemicals and the corporate self interest of huge companies behind their use, which she was highlighting. As small, home grown craft businesses we are already challenging the practices of companies which may be less ethically and environmentally committed, offering an attractive alternative of locally made products which are both robust and created with care for the environment in which we live. As Earth Day is recognised this year, it is a great opportunity to promote your own practices and policies which are respectful of the beautiful world in which we live and your contributions to both the local community and environment. Ensure your customers know of the care you take in sourcing your raw goods, whatever they might be. Make sure your website is up to date with the positive impact your business has on the surrounding community, from employing local staff to community workshops or the training you offer. The use of cleaning chemicals might be something you would not think is worth a mention, but these are in fact some of the very issues Carson highlighted; the chemicals we use in our homes and businesses will ultimately end up in our rivers and can have a devastating effect on floral and fauna. So, if you use eco friendly cleaning materials, or even old fashioned sodium bicarbonate and distilled white vinegar (a traditionalist’s option) be sure to publicise this. Your example in one small thing may well encourage someone else to do similar. Thus, a cleaning revolution can begin and we might start to see some changes in our rivers.

Earth day could certainly provide creative inspiration, from ceramic jewellery to eco friendly soaps and candles. Maybe you could add a twist to some of your products, and include a tiny packet of wildflower seeds tucked inside a pottery mug or nestled beside a hand made toy. If you produce hand made soap or cleansing products this is of particular relevance to Earth Day as it was the use of chemicals with as yet unknown side effects which sparked  the writing of “Silent Spring”. Use this opportunity to not only to sell your gorgeous products, but also to educate your customers as to why it’s worth paying a little extra for products made of gentle, natural ingredients.

Ceramic products seem another good fit for Earth day, with hand thrown earthenware mugs or other tableware wholly embodying the good earth on which we live. They are not only created from the clay of our land, but often are painted to reflect the bountiful variety of ecosystems within our nation. A rounded mug in soft hues of blue and grey can almost capture the wild waves and wind of the sea, and rustic style mauve and brown plates can encapsulate the essence of high moorland swathed in heather.

With a good stock of your exquisite, nature inspired pottery, you’ll be wanting to head out and make the most of the public’s propensity to invest in eco friendly products. You need to ensure  you have everything in place for craft fairs or exhibitions, as well as selling online. Do you have your craft potters’ insurance in place? There are numerous reasons why this is important. It will cover you for any breakages or damage to your goods, and also to yourself if you are using potentially dangerous equipment like blades and knives. Good craft potters’ insurance will include public and product liability and insurance covering those completely unforeseen accidents or mishaps to your customers or products. We are a family run business who value our customers and strive to do our utmost to help; we believe in the importance of family, tradition and experience and as such are always keen to learn from generations past. So, with this wealth of stored wisdom and breadth of experience in working with small crafting business, pick up the phone and talk to one of our friendly team. We will ensure you get a craft potters’ insurance package in place which fits your unique needs. You can then concentrate on being the best crafter you can be and enjoy selling your unique, nature inspired and eco friendly products to a world that will benefit from them!

You might think that baby showers are a relatively new occurrence here in the UK, having been a popular event in America for many years. However, baby showers have in fact been around in the UK since Victorian times. During this period an afternoon tea party would take place after the baby was born. During this tea party games would be played, food would be served and gifts would be brought for the baby. The most common gift to be given was an item made of silver. This was most often given by the grandmothers and usually came in the form of a silver spoon or rattle. These baby showers evolved from some of the ancient events that were held in Ancient Rome, where a mother and newly born baby would be anointed and blessed into the family.

Following the second world war, women in the UK started to hold these baby parties before the birth of their child, as the secrecy and taboo surrounding pregnancy and childbirth had lessened. These events soon started to include the fathers and grandfathers of the child and have evolved further into the events that we know and love today.

Baby showers are now much larger and in some cases lavish events that involve planning. They tend to take place between one and two months before the birth of the child and many different activities will take place and the party. These can include games centred around babies as well as the sharing of buffet food and of course the sharing of gifts for both the baby and the mum to be.

Here are some ways that those who work in the craft industry can provide products to enhance any baby shower.

Decorations – all baby showers need decorations. These could be based around the common colours associated with babies or they might be personalised for each expectant mother. They will commonly include banners, bunting and balloons as well as decorations that may be placed on tables throughout the party venue. You can of course sell these online or through craft fayres and stalls. Make sure that you have the right one day craft stall insurance in place to cover you in the event on an accident or incident occurring.

Food – every baby shower needs delicious food and of course a cake or two. There are many expectant mothers who will look for a personalised cake, similar to the types of cakes that you might traditionally see at a wedding. The colours and decorations that are used will often celebrate the babies imminent arrival and in some cases may be coloured to match the gender of the baby if this has been shared. The buffet food that is shared at these types of events will depend on the preference of the mother to be as well as the kind of atmosphere that is being created. For some this might be traditional finger buffet style food and for others it might be something more akin to a sit down meal.

Gifts – of course one of the best ways crafters can support the rising trend in baby showers is to create gifts for mum and baby. These could be pampering gifts that any expectant mother would love to receive and to use in the last few months of their pregnancy. It is important to make sure that you have all the appropriate safety certificates in place as well as one day craft stall insurance cover to allow you to sell the items safely.

When it comes to thinking about gifts to create for the arrival of the baby you can position your products as either those that are functional and will be used by the mother and baby, or celebratory gifts that are designed to be kept as keepsakes. Whichever one you decide to create it is important that you think about the target market that you are attracting as well as looking at ways in which you can sell these. It might be that your quickest way to sell them is through a Facebook shop or an online store such as Etsy or even through your own Shopify site or website. You could also look at local craft stalls. When selling at craft events you should make sure that you have some accessories to make your table look attractive to customers and that you also have one day craft stall insurance in place.

Gifts that are designed to be functional might include mobiles that can be placed above the baby’s crib, bunting that can be placed in the nursery and toys that you might create for the child to use as they grow up. Again it is important that you have all the relevant safety certificates in place to sell these. Mementos and keepsakes might include lockets that can keep a small lock of the babies hair, a kit or a voucher that allows the mum-to-be to take an imprint of the baby’s hands or feet for these to be turned into a small sculpture or even into an item of jewellery, memory boxes or scrapbooks that can be filled in by the parents as their child passes through a number of different milestones. Other larger keepsake items can include handmade chairs and even small rocking horses. These have become particularly popular over the last few years.

Whatever you decide to create to complement the rise in popularity of baby showers, be sure to make the most of any marketing opportunities that arise through the year. There are lots of mother and baby groups where you can advertise what you have to offer as well as taking up a table at any local craft fayres and school fetes as you will find that your target audience will be attending many of these types of events.