Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Fair Isle straw back chair making

Section one - About you

Section two - Description of the craft

If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions

Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.

If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/

Section three - Current numbers of those practising the craft in the UK

People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).

People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.

People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.

People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.

People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.

Section four - Issues affecting the viability of the craft

Existing content:
FAIR ISLE
  • Lack of skills transmission: The falling population on Fair Isle means there are limited potential makers available to learn the craft in its native local. One person who had learned the skills has since moved on – a common issue on the island, where people immerse themselves in the island for a few years and then decide its not for them. There is currently no one on Fair Isle who is taking up the craft as a business
  • Small business issues: The physical isolation of Fair Isle and poor internet provision provide particular challenges to craft business in terms of sales, marketing and transport of raw materials and finished product.
  • Shortage of raw materials: Shetland black oats for straw backs is becoming exceptionally hard to come by as so few people grow it due to the challenging growing climate.
FAIR ISLE CHAIRS IN SHETLAND
  • Developing new markets: Eve has been working closely with others explore markets for the chairs. eg. the Cubi Chair at Bard Scotland
  • Developing training opportunities: Shetland Museum and Archives have hosted winter workshops in straw techniques in 2023 and 2024 utilising local skilled artisans including Eve Eunson to pass on the knotted straw skills for the chair backs. The hope is that some of the new straw workers will be interested in progressing from baskets to chair backs and using these skills to complete furniture commissions. This has been somewhat successful, with two new strawback trainees now helping Eve complete commissions.

e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools

If yes, please describe the issues below

i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts

If yes, please describe the issues below

Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict

If yes, please describe the issues below

Please describe any other issues

Section five - Current Initiatives to preserve craft skills

Please describe any UK projects or schemes

Section six - Main players in the craft – please tell us who you know about

Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.

1
Add practitioner

Section seven - Optional additional information

It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.

e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.

e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.

This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.

e.g. books, websites etc.