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Question for Grans in Cornwall (or who know it well)

(8 Posts)
Nannarose Thu 02-Nov-23 07:12:09

We have stayed in touch with a lovely exchange student who spent holidays in Cornwall with us as a teen. She is getting married next May and has invited us (very honoured!). I want to buy her a wedding gift from Cornwall - made there and to reflect the place she loved and our shared memories.

Our plan would be to spend a few days down near Penzance / St. Ives, enjoy looking round and choose a gift. However, we can't get there until the New Year, and as we were planning, it occurred to me that probably the galleries / art studios might not be open much in the early part of the year. So I'm not asking anything specific, but could you let me know when things start opening up? Or do they tend to stay open? A general idea would be helpful - thank you!

Mizuna Thu 02-Nov-23 07:45:41

Hi Nannarose, I live in south Cornwall. Just need to get my grandson off to school then I'll give it some thought and get back to you dreckly (as we say).

Oopsadaisy1 Thu 02-Nov-23 07:53:53

It might be an idea to go online, select the shops you are interested in and then get in touch, not only to see if they are open but to see if they have the items actually in stock.
They might be open but the stock might not be replaced as quickly as it is in the holiday months

Beechnut Thu 02-Nov-23 08:02:33

I think Sharon McSwinney in St Ives makes lovely things.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 02-Nov-23 08:18:44

Cornwall is so rich in minerals - from slate - my ancestral home -in - say a house number/name in slate to tin, gold and silver and everything in between.

Or a book on Cornwall by say John Betjamin.

Cornish champagne from Camel Valley or Tea from Tregothnan

There the usual Cornish ware

A piece of art work from the St Ives community.

The choice is endless.

Tbh. You are spoilt for choice!

Mizuna Thu 02-Nov-23 15:30:35

Sorry for delay, got caught in the storm... I know of artists whose work isn't for sale during Jan and Feb because the galleries selling their work close then. I would suggest ringing the St Ives Tourist Information Office based in the library and see if they can give you accurate information about what's on then. Tel: 01736 796297.

Nannarose Thu 02-Nov-23 21:26:37

Thank you for all replies, and thank you Mizuna for your suggestion. I hope you are OK?
I only realised during the day that this may have been a tactless time to ask questions of Cornish Grans.
Thinking of you all and hoping you are safe

Mizuna Thu 02-Nov-23 21:52:13

Not tactless at all. The storm seems to have bypassed me personally though the pavements are slippery with thousands of leaves!