Vestnorden Arts & Crafts 2004

Shetland Islands

Contemporary Shetland crafts have their roots in traditional skills applied over centuries to locally available raw materials, particularly wool, wood, fibres, stone and skins, designed and formed into functional, often decorative items. Wooden boats and chairs, knitted woollen textiles, silver jewellery, basketmaking, leatherworking and many other kinds of craftmaking have evolved and developed into creative new products for the 21st century.

Today many Shetlanders are developing all kinds of new craft skills for local markets, applied arts, or just the enjoyment of creating. Trained and self-taught artists are working in stained glass, woodcarving, printed textiles, embroidery, knitted wire, metalworking and woollen felt. Violins, woven cloth, sheepskins, strawbacked chairs, rugs and knitwear are some of the products made by skilled artists and commercial craft companies of various sizes, selling and exhibiting locally, and exporting to many countries of the world. A strong Shetland identity and the traditions of good craftsmanship continue in contemporary product design.

At the exhibition there was a full sized Yoal, a traditional Shetland boat. knittet hats, gloves and coats, jewelry and leather goods.

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