We have a new craft shop on the island, just a few yards down the road from us. It will avoid having order over the internet or take a two hour boat trip to mainland Orkney (and two hours to get back again) Here's its website
I had a look and was disappointed to see some imported goods, of course I approve of Fair Trade but it's hardly local craft work :-(
It says there are 'beautiful seals and puffins' - soft toys. I hope they're made on Stronsay. We looked at soft toys in the shape of seals when we were in Svalbard and they were made in China :-((((
This is very common. In Coventry Cathedral honey was being sold - 'imported from the sunny countries of the world' But there are hundreds of excellent beekeepers in and around Coventry. It's just an example but I'm always disappointed to find the same range of goods for sale in ALL the tourist places I go to. Last weekend we were taking part in a 'mediaeval fair' to raise funds for the local village church. The tent next to ours was the local spinners and weavers' guild and had pictures of rare breed sheep on the walls. There were cotton garments on sale - and knitted on machines rather than by hand.
So saying, I understand the difficulties of scale but I wouldn't have thought there was that problem on Stronsay. Can't some local body make candles?
Mary
There's very little commercial craft activity on Stronsay. Most folk are involved in farming and/or fishing with one or two who run small B&Bs and the rest, like us, are retired folk seeking a quiet life. We do have one lady who uses wool sheared from sheep on Auskerry () and North Ronaldsay (), spins it by hand and knits it into various items some of which you can see in the photographs of the shop. (whereabouts in the UK are you Mary?)
I thought you knew, sorry.
Inner city Leeds, Yorkshire.
Mary
The nice thing about having a near by craft shop , is that you can look [and sometime touch] some of the things you need!!!! I wish for you that over time it will supply you with many interesting things ,, mirjam
Your new craft shop looks a great place to browse Bruce and how convenient for you.
Did I ever tell you my great-grandfather was born in Scotland but from exactly where I have not been able to ascertain, James Russell was a very common name and the family certificates relating to him just state Scotland.
Edna in Sydney
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