Silver Linings News
Written: 15 April 2020
Silver Linings News from the Capital of Craft
I really hope that this finds you safe and well.
Whilst my team have been furloughed, I am quietly keeping the systems online and putting everything in place to hopefully bringing you our postponed Festivals later in the year. Whilst it would be great to talk about the future, I would like to focus on the positive things that are happening right now.
Making Shapes in the Lounge
It turns out, that my usual excuse that I didn’t have time to exercise, was actually true and I have a new found love of exercise…from my living room. I walk Bobby, my dog too, but I’ve focused on 2 exercise programmes with Joe Wicks and Our Festival Yogi, Anna White from Pretzel Studio.
I read up a bit about Joe Wicks and he built up his exercise business from nothing since 2009. He started out as a mobile Personal Trainer, handing out flyers at his local train station, hoping people would turn up for his bootcamps in Richmond Park. They often didn’t. Scroll forward and his Bodycoach TV YouTube Channel, which launched in 2014, has 2.21 million subscribers. His weekday PE sessions, start at 9am, aimed at families with children, (I’m 50 and I find them challenging but lots of fun) has over a Million views each day. It’s helped me form a routine and a positive start to the day.
At least once a week, I join Anna White from Pretzel Studio for Yoga. I am not a regular yoga participant and it doesn’t matter. Anna’s soothing voice, which accompanies her live stream classes on Zoom, encourages you to do what’s comfortable for your body. And, as it’s in my sitting room, she can’t hear the various involuntary groans and noises that leap out of my body. Bonus! Anna provides Yoga in the Park during the Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey for everyone to enjoy and we can’t wait to join her again in September.
Sing from your Sofa
I’ve also been dipping in and out of singing sessions via the wonders of Zoom. I met James Sills at The Good Life Experience last year. James led a singing workshop and led the Sunday Morning Choir. I love singing, I’m Welsh: It’s the Law. I was brought up singing from a very young age and have been in countless choirs and productions from about the age of about 5. It’s a great way to meet people and to quiet your mind. James’s The Sofa Singers has attracted international interest. It's a great way to connect and you don’t need to be able to sing to join in! All James' sessions are FREE, though I do use the Buy a Coffee Facility, if I join in with a session.
Just Keep Making….Online
I met Jim Parkyn on Instagram and we chatted in REAL LIFE last September (at The Good Life Experience, such a great event!) Jim is an educator, model, film maker and thoroughly lovely person. He’s worked his plasticine magic on many of your favourite Aardman characters including Sean the Sheep. Jim was due to join us in June in Bovey Tracey, we’ll have to wait until 2021 to work with him, as he couldn’t make the new dates. Not to worry, you can join his Community Clay Time on Instagram where he shows you how to make various characters in his signature style. More details here…
Some of regular Festival exhibitors and educators are also offering workshops online
Wild Hive have set up their workshops online and you can join Bee via Zoom. More details here
Helen Round, textile artist based near Plymouth, is also hosting online lampshade making workshops. More details here.
Our good friends at Unit Twelve have added a range of Free Art Activities on their website. More details here Unit Twelve sponsor our show in Cheltenham and offer a range of workshops throughout the year in their HQ in rural Staffordshire.
Artist Support Pledge
As you can imagine, because of COVID-19, many artists and makers have found themselves without work, teaching, technical support and gallery work. Shows, Exhibitions and sales have disappeared. In an attempt to help alleviate some of this stress, artist Matthew Burrows instigated the ARTIST SUPPORT PLEDGE #artistsupportpledge #makersupportpledge
The concept is a simple one. Artists and Makers post images of their work, on Instagram which they are willing to sell for no more than £200 each (not including shipping). Anyone can buy the work. Every time an artist reaches £1000 of sales, they pledge to spend £200 with another artist/maker. To make a pledge, post your work with the #artistsupportpledge #makersupportpledge and follow the hashtag to see everyone else's work. If you tag @craftfestival in your Instagram post, we will repost as many as possible.
Native Makers Crowdfunder
You can also help The Native Makers Market survive by supporting their Crowdfunding campaign. I really enjoy the Native Maker shows, I’ve been to a few at Ocean Studios in Plymouth. They have a lively and positive atmosphere and full of lovely makers, mostly from Devon And Cornwall. More details here...
If you have some positive news you'd like to share, email me on hello@craftfestival.co.uk.
Take care and see you soon,
Sarah James
Director
 has over a Million views each day. It’s helped me form a routine and a positive start to the day.
At least once a week, I join Anna White from Pretzel Studio for Yoga. I am not a regular yoga participant and it doesn’t matter. Anna’s soothing voice, which accompanies her live stream classes on Zoom, encourages you to do what’s comfortable for your body. And, as it’s in my sitting room, she can’t hear the various involuntary groans and noises that leap out of my body. Bonus! Anna provides Yoga in the Park during the Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey for everyone to enjoy and we can’t wait to join her again in September.
Sing from your Sofa
I’ve also been dipping in and out of singing sessions via the wonders of Zoom. I met James Sills at The Good Life Experience last year. James led a singing workshop and led the Sunday Morning Choir. I love singing, I’m Welsh: It’s the Law. I was brought up singing from a very young age and have been in countless choirs and productions from about the age of about 5. It’s a great way to meet people and to quiet your mind. James’s The Sofa Singers has attracted international interest. It's a great way to connect and you don’t need to be able to sing to join in! All James' sessions are FREE, though I do use the Buy a Coffee Facility, if I join in with a session.
Just Keep Making….Online
I met Jim Parkyn on Instagram and we chatted in REAL LIFE last September (at The Good Life Experience, such a great event!) Jim is an educator, model, film maker and thoroughly lovely person. He’s worked his plasticine magic on many of your favourite Aardman characters including Sean the Sheep. Jim was due to join us in June in Bovey Tracey, we’ll have to wait until 2021 to work with him, as he couldn’t make the new dates. Not to worry, you can join his Community Clay Time on Instagram where he shows you how to make various characters in his signature style. More details here…
Some of regular Festival exhibitors and educators are also offering workshops online
Wild Hive have set up their workshops online and you can join Bee via Zoom. More details here
Helen Round, textile artist based near Plymouth, is also hosting online lampshade making workshops. More details here.
Our good friends at Unit Twelve have added a range of Free Art Activities on their website. More details here Unit Twelve sponsor our show in Cheltenham and offer a range of workshops throughout the year in their HQ in rural Staffordshire.
Artist Support Pledge
As you can imagine, because of COVID-19, many artists and makers have found themselves without work, teaching, technical support and gallery work. Shows, Exhibitions and sales have disappeared. In an attempt to help alleviate some of this stress, artist Matthew Burrows instigated the ARTIST SUPPORT PLEDGE #artistsupportpledge #makersupportpledge
The concept is a simple one. Artists and Makers post images of their work, on Instagram which they are willing to sell for no more than £200 each (not including shipping). Anyone can buy the work. Every time an artist reaches £1000 of sales, they pledge to spend £200 with another artist/maker. To make a pledge, post your work with the #artistsupportpledge #makersupportpledge and follow the hashtag to see everyone else's work. If you tag @craftfestival in your Instagram post, we will repost as many as possible.
Native Makers Crowdfunder
You can also help The Native Makers Market survive by supporting their Crowdfunding campaign. I really enjoy the Native Maker shows, I’ve been to a few at Ocean Studios in Plymouth. They have a lively and positive atmosphere and full of lovely makers, mostly from Devon And Cornwall. More details here...
If you have some positive news you'd like to share, email me on hello@craftfestival.co.uk.
Take care and see you soon,
Sarah James
Director
Craft Festival)
