Paying homage to the sea with gifts from Cornwall
Cornwall is bordered by the sea on all but one of its sides, so it goes as no surprise that the ocean has a huge influence on our amazing county. Ingrained in the Cornish culture, the sea is very much part of life in Cornwall, and it’s reflected in everything from the work of our artists, to our seafood-rich diet – and even in the work of Cornish artisan makers and producers – like the ones we showcase in this week’s blog.
Anyone who loves the ocean will be smitten with the Cornish gifts in our seaside edit – covering ocean-inspired jewellery, artwork, and skin care, plus nautical clothing and homeware too.
Supporting a cleaner ocean
For a beautiful and sustainable gift that does good for the planet – look no further than Behaviour Change Cornwall’s Recycled Fishing Net Bracelets. Made from recovered and recycled ghost fishing nets found on the Cornish coastline, each bracelet is entirely unique – and importantly, drives forward the incredible work that Behaviour Change Cornwall is doing to protect the ocean and its wildlife.
The bracelets are handmade in Cornwall and come in a branded, recycled eco-box, with a mini certificate telling you where the fishing net was found, and who found it. We feature the Kynance Cove Whale Tail Bracelet in a lovely shade of turquoise and lime green – the original colour of the net it was made from.
Cool and cosy babywear
If you’ve ever worn a merino wool jumper, you’ll know just how soft and comfortable this wonderful natural fibre is. And it’s for this reason that Coastal Baby makes all its baby clothing from merino wool. Breathable, soft as a cloud, and perfect for all seasons due to its ability to keep the wearer cool in summer yet warm in winter.
New from Coastal Baby is the Cornish Sunset Pram Pod & Bobble Hat Gift Set – made from 100% superfine merino wool. Practically designed with easy shoulder and side openings, and traditional toggle fastenings, the pod (and hat) are also machine washable. Available in size 0-6 months, the set is made to order and is simply great for snuggly pram walks on the coast.
Jewellery for sea lovers
Founder of Gemweyth Sea Glass Jewellery, Becky Edwards, puts sea glass to ingenious use with her sustainable, Sea Horse Charm Necklace. Featuring a chunky piece of handpicked sea glass in either white, green, amber, or yellow, with a Tibetan silver sea horse charm fixed to a silver-plated snake chain – each necklace carries the essence of the sea.
Designed and created by hand in Cornwall, we love how Gemweyth’s jewellery uses sea glass from local Cornish beaches and how each and every piece is one-of-a-kind.
Function and beauty
Chasing Tides make good-looking hydrographical prints that provide a full year of tidal predictions and lunar phases. Order a Custom Cornwall Hydrographical Print with your own print title and unique coordinates – and choose the nearest UKHO Tidal Station to your favourite Cornish destination for the most accurate tidal information.
Opt for Mussel Shell Blue or Sea Glass Green and decide whether you’d like a 2023 or 2024 print! Wherever your heart lies in Cornwall – there’s no better way to keep an eye on the ebb and flow of the tide – and fill your home with stunning artwork at the same time.
Bringing the seashore indoors
Inspired by the endlessly changing seascapes of the rugged Cornish coast, St Ives Glass Studio makes the exquisite Sunny Morning Beachy Light Pull that can also be used on blinds and ceiling fans.
Hand-crafted by one of the UK’s leading glass bead artists, Sally Carver, this glass piece has etched shades of sky blue with a metallic barrelling wave. Made in the heart of the art mecca of St Ives, this work of art has been created with great attention to detail and embodies the Cornish coastline.
Salty skincare
Reflecting the salty seas of Cornwall, Kelsey Cornish brings us a glorious range of Cornish Bath Salts such as the energising Grapefruit Vegan Cornish Bath Salts. Gently scented with grapefruit essential oil and bursting with a blend of therapeutic salts and soothing dried calendula leaves, these relaxing bath salts ease aching muscles and calm irritated skin.
As all wild sea swimmers and surfers know, salt water has a stress-busting effect, and we think the bath salts from this natural, vegan skincare company have a similar mood-boosting effect!
Calming beach scenes
Cornish artist, Fiona Cant, paints semi-abstract landscapes that are filled with feeling. Many of her heart-stopping pieces are inspired by wild places like the Cornish coastline and combine beauty, layers of texture, and deep emotion.
‘Drift’ is an acrylic and mixed-media painting within Fiona’s current collection of available pieces. It is inspired by Godvrey Beach at low tide and the view across the bay to St Ives. Painted intuitively, ‘Drift’ expresses the untethered feeling of being on a wide-open beach – and the thoughts and tensions that melt away by the sea.
Seaside knits
Add a nautical touch to your home with Atlantic Shore’s luxurious 100% wool throws. Located in St Ives, this much-loved British wool and knitwear brand stocks some superb woolen throws like the Atlantic Ocean Sailing Boat Throw and the Seagulls Wool Throw. Both are super soft, reversible, and generously sized.
We can’t get enough of all these ocean blues!
Snap up all these ocean-inspired Cornish gifts and many more at Shop Cornish.