The digital world keeps us conveniently connected, and Perthshire Artisans makes it easy to stay up to date from wherever you are. We also keenly support and showcase opportunities to meet the Artisans in person. You can’t beat the joy of making personal connections, it’s when the magic can happen. Whether it’s being able to see every angle of a piece of work whilst holding it in your own hands, ask detailed questions about how they make their work, or having a chat and discovering a shared favourite destination or local cafe for the best cakes!

Equally, in person events are hugely important to the Artisans, who cite plenty of reasons for participating in markets, pop-ups and exhibitions. As glass maker Lynn Shilp says ”I always enjoy participating in friendly Arts & Crafts events, they are a great opportunity to showcase, inspire & explain the creative process of glass fusing as well as meeting & chatting with visitors as well as like-minded makers.”

It’s still very relevant, even in these digital days, that ‘people buy from people’, and it’s about so much more than selling! Jeweller, Verity Wedderburn-Ogilvy says: “Being at an event, letting people know you exist is so important. Visitors may not wish to invest on the day, but when the time is right they remember me and my work. It’s wonderful to hear praise for your work, and help people with their questions. I’ve often found myself doing a simple repair on my stall, to help somebody out. There’s great pleasure to be had by making somebody happy, it’s not all about the sales.”

Lynsey Isles, wildlife artist shares: “Personally I love events because I can see how people react to my work when they see it. I love hearing their stories both funny and emotional ones. There have been a few tears but in a good way. For example after seeing my Robin art, they tell me about a Robin that comes to visit them in the garden after a loved one has passed.”

Rachel Kirk, willow weaver adds: “It’s lovely to go to a market and meet lots of people. I never know when a conversation will spark a creative idea and it’s good to get feedback on the work I’ve been doing. It can get a bit lonely in the studio so a craft market is a great chance to connect with customers and chat to other creatives which gives a real sense of community.”

You can meet some Artisans during May. Ceramicists Ceri White & Nicola McCabe, jeweller Diana Law, glass artist Jane Drysdale, printmaker Sheila Roberts and willow weaver Rachel Kirk will be at the Creative Spring Market & Open Studios event on 25/26 May at Perth Creative Exchange, Stormont Street, and ceramicist Kerstin Robb and textile artist Cornelia Weinmann are taking part in Strathmore Open Studios from 24-27 May.

Updates regularly appear in the News section on www.perthshire-artisans.scot, on social media and the fortnightly newsletter.