Creative Battery Recharge
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.