In the heart of Cornwall, Cruan rose from the ashes of a devastating fire, crafting exquisite artistry. Explore their journey from tragedy to triumph, their unique enamelling process, and the inspiration drawn from the Cornish landscape. Discover what makes them stand out in the world of enamelling and their exciting future projects, including collaborations and enamelled sculptures. Celebrate their resilience and success, embodied in their customer-favorite enamelled bowls. Join them at the upcoming Country Living Fairs for a glimpse into their world of beauty and artistry.

cruan




Cruan:
Crafting Beauty from Adversity

Interview with Sinead O’Connor.

In the heart of Cornwall, Cruan rose from the ashes of a devastating fire, crafting exquisite artistry. Explore Sinead’s journey from tragedy to triumph, their unique enamelling process, and the inspiration drawn from the Cornish landscape. Discover what makes them stand out in the world of enamelling and their exciting future projects, including collaborations and enamelled sculptures. Celebrate their resilience and success, embodied in their customer-favourite enamelled bowls. Join them at the upcoming Country Living Christmas Fairs for a glimpse into their world of beauty and artistry.

cruan 4

Tell us a little bit about your work…

 

Cruan is a small, handmade artisan business from Cornwall. All my items are created using traditional and contemporary methods of enamelling.

How did it all start?

 

It started after a fire destroyed the studios where I used to do silversmithing, and I went to do a course in advanced enamelling techniques.

The story behind the name

 

Cruan is Irish Gaeilge for Enamel, which is my craft. Enamel is ground-colored glass that is applied to metal. I enamel copper and silver to create decorative bowls, drinking tumblers, vases, jewellery, and vessels.

cruan 1

Where are you based?

 

My studio is in Krowji – a creative space, a centre for over three hundred creative businesses based in Redruth, Cornwall.

What inspires you?

 

My biggest inspiration is the beautiful surroundings and colours created by the fabulous light in the Cornish countryside and seascapes.

cruan 2

What is your creation process?  

 

I start with a colour scheme and a copper shape. I clean the enamel so that it has no dirt or oil on it so that the glass will fuse to the surface. I place the very first of my enamel powder choices onto the copper in a very fine layer and fire the piece in the kiln for the first time. This process is repeated several times until I achieve a design that I am happy with.

cruan

What makes you and your brand so unique?

 

Enamelling, though a heritage artisan craft, not many makers produce work for sale apart from jewellery and gallery pieces.

What is your next project?

 

I am working on a collaboration with a coppersmith to produce an enamelled sculpture.

What is your biggest achievement?

 

Starting a new creative business when my studio tools and stock had been completely destroyed by fire.

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What is your best selling product?

 

The customers’ favourite is the small enamelled bowls.

What do you love about the Country Living Christmas Fairs? 

The quality of all the attendees, seeing all the other fabulous creations by other artisan makers. 

More information on Cruan can be found here.

TW&WC-CountryLivingChristmasFair-2023-Winner-EditorsChoice

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Important Announcement

We are delighted to announce that the management of the Country Living Christmas Fair is transitioning back to Hearst UK, owners of the Country Living Brand. For 2024, Country Living are partnering with iconic sister brand, Good Housekeeping, to bring a fabulous new and enriched festive experience to the London Christmas Fair. Good Housekeeping is the UK’s biggest lifestyle magazine brand for women and in 2022 launched its own, annual Christmas weekend festival, Good Housekeeping Live.

Good Housekeeping Live with the Country Living Christmas Market will take place at the Business Design Centre from 13th – 16th November 2024.

The Glasgow and Harrogate Country Living Fairs will be paused for 2024.

For more information on Country Living Events for 2024, please contact Ellie Craig, Artisan Growth Manager at [email protected]