Shetland Arts & Crafts
Shetland, Scotland's most northerly islands, will forever be associated with Fair Isle knitwear. The tiny community of Fair Isle, with around 70 inhabitants, has a world-famous brand name in its distinctive, traditional knitting style pattern. Skilled knitters are now also producing some of the freshest and most exciting designs seen to date. A great choice of pure Shetland yarn is transformed into soft, luxurious textures and intricate patterns. Expert hands and the finest attention to detail create quality garments with contemporary flair.
Tradition has not been abandoned, however, and today's designers share a respect for the original craft and skills of the knitwear and textile industry. A sense of reverence for age old techniques is carefully balanced with fresh, innovative styling and this unfolds into a collection of creativity and imagination. Shetland knitters are artists, their chosen medium is wool and they knit their experiences of island life.
Although the island of Fair Isle is world famous for its knitting, it is also becoming established as a well-known centre for the traditional stained glass created there by artist Patrick Ross-Smith of Fair Isle Glass. Patrick explains: "Shetland's environment and rich history offer unique opportunities for me to express myself through my work. I've always been particularly fascinated by glass and it's the perfect medium to make the most of the light and my surroundings. I've used traditional techniques to open up new opportunities. I want to create beautiful images in pieces that make people think about what they are seeing and perhaps want to go there, as well as providing decoration for any home."
Shetland is also well known for traditional high quality jewellery and leather goods. Shetland Jewellery's workshop is situated beside a sea loch that is home to an abundance of wildlife, especially during the summer months. Designs for the jewellery are drawn from Scandinavian mythology and from local wildlife, also incorporating traditional Celtic designs from other parts of Scotland and Ireland. The 'Glasgow Girls' is a new range in the 'art nouveau' style that has recently been added to the collection and is inspired by the work of Glasgow women artists in the early 20th century. Shetland Jewellery successfully combines tradition with a contemporary twist to ensure that their collections will never date and will continue to appeal to all tastes.
Shetland-based Journeyman Leather produces a unique range of accessories, including briefcases, handbags and a variety of beautifully worked belts. Craftsman Ian Gidney describes the range: "Our bags are made from high quality leather and lined in soft hide, while belts are made of bridle leather and are hand stitched for extra strength, hand finished and polished. We are so confident in our products that all bags and belts come with a ten year guarantee."
Shetland based toy making company Speiliks has recently been granted full membership of The British Toymakers Guild in recognition of its excellent design and quality craftsmanship in creating hand made wooden toys. The word 'Speiliks' means wood shaving in the Shetland dialect, which husband and wife partnership, Davy Inkster and Susan Timmins, thought was quite an apt name for their business. Davy does the woodworking while Susan paints and varnishes each of the toys, which are numbered and dated.
Music and fiddle players are part of the Shetland way of life, with a distinctive style which sets them apart from anywhere else in the world. Tommy Isbister makes violins and violas in the traditional way, using the same type of tools as the Italian master makers of the 17th and 18th Centuries. Tommy said: "I am a professional boat builder to trade and took up violin making as a hobby fourteen years ago after a lifelong interest in the subject. I have now completed nineteen instruments based on Stradavari and Guarneri models. Shetland is famous for its excellent fiddle players and I'm proud of the fact that some of the finest of them play my instruments."
Quality materials and sound experience are the key prerequisites of violin-maker Kenny Johnson's skill. His unique violins have been used in both the 'Lord of the Dance' and 'Riverdance' shows. Kenny said: "We have manufactured instruments for some of the best players in the world and I believe we've revolutionised commercial violin music, taking it into the recording studio."
Kenny's company 'Skyinbow' constructs the classic Pro Series electric violin in the same way as a traditional violin. On the other hand, the award winning S1 design has radically changed people's perceptions and stretched the possibilities of music. "Lightweight and visually stunning, it is this particular model which has proved fundamental to Skyinbow's success," said Kenny. "I like to think that when you pick up and play a Skyinbow violin, you are holding the essence of a very special land."
