How Inspiration Comes On Holiday
Holidays can be a wonderful source of inspiration for our creativity; the combination of time away from the ordinary, mundane tasks of life, away from the usual frantic connectivity of our modern lives and the richness of seeing and experiencing new places all blend together to produce fertile soil for new ideas. With the advent of cheap air travel and low-cost package holidays in the 1970’s, many of us choose to leave our green and pleasant land for a summer holiday, and while this will almost certainly guarantee better weather, it can mean we have overlooked some of our own nations’s fascinating history, rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes and unique regional variations.
Just let your mind wander with me for a moment over the majestic mountains and lochs of the Scottish highlands to the wild Atlantic coastline of Cornwall, from the wide skies of the Norfolk Broads to the sandy, windswept beaches of west Wales, and from grand old period homes and medieval castles oozing with history to quiet country lanes and gently flowing rivers. What a feast our nation offers with an infinite number of opportunities to explore, admire, learn and be inspired. The huge geographical variety within one small island is quite remarkable and it is little wonder that this abundance has inspired so many artists, writers and composers over the centuries.
In the nineteenth century, John Constable, for example, took inspiration from the tranquil landscape of his native Suffolk, producing the picturesque pastoral scenes familiar to so many. A couple of decades later, JW Turner’s paintings combined this traditional landscape of England with the rapidly changing scenery introduced by the Industrial Revolution, giving us a unique insight into how these changes were perceived by the population. For example, his “Fighting Temeraire” depicts an old sailing galleon being towed up the Thames for scrap by a new, steam-powered tug. His stunning sunsets alongside the then new steam trains are now iconic and can be contrasted with the quietness and slowness of pace depicted in Constable’s paintings just a few decades earlier.
Staying with the theme of the Industrial Revolution, we can trace the growth of the Staffordshire Potteries from the early eighteen hundreds right through to the mid-twentieth century. The regional availability of clay, coal and other natural minerals led to the building of hundreds of fairly small factories and kilns producing ceramics which have become synonymous with the area, such as Spode and Wedgewood, and have made their way into homes across our own nation and beyond. Today a visit to the heritage ceramic factories to learn their history is a truly inspiring experience for potters or anyone interested in the craft.
On a much smaller scale, the peaceful wetlands of the Somerset Levels have delivered a plentiful supply of willow for weaving into baskets, trugs and hampers for centuries. Traditional techniques combined with innovative modern design, inspired by the serene natural beauty of the area have ensured this ancient craft continues to thrive.
A little further north, the gently rolling hills and butter colour cottages of the Cotswolds provided the backdrop to the Arts and Crafts movement. Influenced by his Cotswold country retreat, William Morris and his friends began a movement in home decor based on traditional craftsmanship and inspired by nature. The Cotswolds remain a much sought-after, if increasingly pricey, holiday destination with their quaint villages and snug pubs and cafes.
Travelling the spectacular western coast of the the Scottish islands and highlands is guaranteed to be a memorable holiday as vista after vista open up of wild, often untamed landscape, looming mountains and windswept fishing villages. For knitters, these hold a special interest as it was in these very communities that the tradition of Scottish knitting patterns for jumpers originated. The Fairisle and the Sanquhar are both patterns which continue to be used as a springboard for designs with a modern twist. Journeying around this area it is easy to see how the original “gansey” jumper was created out of a need to keep the fishermen warm and how the many subsequent patterns were inspired by the tones and hues of the surrounding seascape, moorland and mountains.
A holiday in Wales will guarantee a rich helping of culture and history, an abundance of green hills and quite possibly a few showers of life-giving rain. Dotted over these hills are a plentiful supply of sheep, so it is no surprise that Wales produces woollen garments which are sold all around the world. Traditional techniques can still be seen in a heritage mill where it is possible to watch the weavers at work, making these unique blankets, throws and bags. Or, why not visit the National Wool Museum where you can chart the journey of fleece to fabric?
Having had some time away and been re-inspired by all you have imbibed, you will be busy creating new stock, maybe looking towards Christmas sales. There are many markets and fairs at this time of year, and if this is your first time selling face to face you will need to consider one-off event public liability insurance. If you are planning on selling throughout the year, then you will need cover for the whole twelve months, but if you are just planning on a few events, then one-off event public liability insurance may be the most economical option. Either way, as a family business we value and talk directly with our customers and will do our very best to ensure you get the best deal for your business. So pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will be here to guide you through which insurance is best for you; one-off event public liability insurance or annual cover.
In the meantime, we hope you are able to take some time out to visit one of the many unique regions of our nation where natural beauty and fascinating history collide to inspire creativity.