Episode 14. Karen Collins of ‘Naturally Useful’: Supporting Local Economies through Land-based Arts
Hello and welcome to episode 14 of Prompted by Nature. And today is the final episode of this series. I’m now in the process of interviewing new voices and am so excited about what’s to come this year. Next week will be a solo episode from me summing up everything I’ve learnt from this series’ guests, where things are now and a hint at what’s to come. But that’s for next week!
I also wanted to take a little moment to do some shameless self-promotion and say that for any locals, my next creativity and meditation day retreat is Thursday 20th August at Wilderness Woods in East Sussex. This is a day of nature connection in which you’ll create, write, spend some alone time in the woods and some group time with like-hearted women. I now only have two spaces left, so if that sounds interesting to you and you’d like to find out more, pop over to the events page on my website www.promptedbynature.co.uk My weekly meditation and creative writing classes are also now up and running in Stanmer Park woods, Brighton - all information is also on my events page.
So back to today’s episode. Today you’ll be hearing from he lovely Karen Collins of Scotland-based weaving and natural arts company, Naturally Useful. Naturally Useful is based at the Pole Barn, Marcassie Farm, a family-owned organic small holding nestled in the fertile plains of the Laich of Moray in north-east Scotland.
Karen’s has a passion for using materials that are locally-sourced or grown by herself using her own willow, which she grows on her own acre of land. Karen grows 25 different varities or willow and grows plants for plant dying. She also sources wool from local farmers which she uses in her non-skin rugs and tapestries. Karen is inspired by the land and gathering and sourcing her materials from the space around her, to then transform into beautiful, useful products that enrich people’s homes and enliven their souls. Karen uses her skills to teach and empower others through her gap year program and ongoing courses, which she runs at her workshop. She says that all anything takes is practice, practice, practice. For Karen, making is a meditation and as she says in the episode, when her hands are busy, her mind is still. She believes firmly that ‘learning by doing’ is a fundamental path to self expression and that through creative engagement in a task, we both connect to oneself, the natural world and the finished product developing confidence in ourselves.
In this episode, we discuss:
Karen’s background in fashion design and how she came to found Naturally Useful
Her workshop and living space in North-East Scotland
Her passion for supporting local makers through natural crafts
The effect that lockdown has had on her business
Coffin and shroud-making and end of life care
The beauty of imperfections
Her gap year program and the importance of passing on skills that will empower others to create their own products
What her creativity and her connection to nature means to her
What her journey has taught her and what she’d like to pass on
I first found Karen on Etsy, when I was looking to treat myself to a handmade wicker basket for my bike (I have my son behind me so it’s easier than trying not to hit him in the face with my bag constantly). I was enamoured by the fact that Karen grows all the willow she uses just outside her own front door and hand-weaves them herself and so was thrilled when she agreed to be on the podcast.
You can find Karen on her website www.naturallyuseful.co.uk where you can find out more about her gap year program (hint: you don’t have to be 18 to do it!), her work and all her courses and retreats. The shop link there will take you through to her beautiful Etsy shop, which you can also find by searching ‘Naturally Useful’ on etsy.com and is full of hand-woven treasures like the hanging baskets Karen speaks about, urns, hand baskets (for all your foraging needs!), bike baskets like mine and lots more! You can also find her on Instagram and Facebook @naturallyuseful
As always, you can find me over on Instagram @prompted.by.nature or on my website www.promptedbynature.co.uk And if you enjoy this or any of my other episodes, please do give it a five-star review and leave a comment if you have time.
Thank you again for listening and supporting these voices, the past 14 episodes (28 including the meditations and prompts!) have been such a joy to put together and have inspired me in so many ways - which I’ll tell you about next week!
Remember to stick around until the end, when I’ll give you a little insight into the meditation and writing prompt that follows this episode.
Enjoy the conversation and I’ll speak to you after.
