Welcome to FuzzypegFolk Tales

Hello and welcome to the first chapter of FuzzypegFolk Tales!

I’ve taken weeks to get going with this as I wanted it to be a little different and not just another formulaic blog. And, importantly for me, for it to be handmade like everything else on my site, and so sound like my voice speaking to you, hopefully over a cuppa and a piece of cake.

Cuppa tea, but where's the cake?!

I’ve given a lot of thought as to what we might chat about whilst eating that cake and what I, and hopefully you, would be interested to read—indeed, bother to read! There are so many blogs out there, and the last thing I want is for this to feel like just another one to add to your to-do list.

Before I tell you what I’ve decided perhaps I should first rewind and explain who I am and where I come from to provide some background to my thinking.

I’m Katharine Ricks but was born Katharine Brennand, in Portsmouth, to an English dad and a fiery, Maltese Mum. So I’m half-Maltese and although I’ve always lived in England, I spent all my long, growing-up summers in Malta living with my Granny and extended family there.

I grew up in two very different cultures and worlds – one rather conventional and often grey England and one vibrant, mad, noisy, colourful Malta. I’m afraid I always preferred Malta and longed for each summer to come round so that I could escape back to what I felt was my real home.

The beautiful blue sea and skies of Malta

Luzzu - traditional colourful Maltese fishing boats

My mother became single when I was just 2 years old and had to think fast about how on earth she was going to make enough money to support us. She decided that even though we had next to nothing, her little girl (Me!) was going to be the best-dressed in the county. Very typical Maltese thinking! So we settled in Suffolk to be near her sister and family and in 1968 Mum opened a little childrens’ clothes boutique in Woodbridge, called Fuzzypeg. This was one of the first of it’s kind in East Anglia, the only other choices being places like C&A and not much else. (To learn more about Fuzzypeg have a read of my next Tale - The Story Behind the Name: Fuzzypeg and my love of Folk Art).

Fuzzypeg in the 1960s

Fuzzypeg transformed childrens’ wardrobes across the county and there are people who still live in Woodbridge who remember it to this day! Mum bought many European brands to sell and these clothes were very colourful and well-designed and sometimes the prints were folk art-inspired, like the wonderful Clothkits as was the fashion in the 1970s. (See a future Tale about Clothkits which are coming soon to FuzzypegFolk!).

One of the gorgeous Clothkits coming to FuzzypegFolk soon!

I helped with everything in the shop up until it’s closure in 1984, but my love of colour has never faded despite a career buying Giorgio Armani clothing and drowning in beige! I continue to visit Malta where I love to be surrounded by bright sunshine and the deep blue skies and sea and to dance at firework-lit summer festas (festivals) with their colourful hand-made decorations and costumes.

The madness of a Maltese festa

Malta weave traditional costumes

Now.. back to thinking about what Tales to tell you. I realise that I created FuzzypegFolk partly due to my heritage and my love of all things colourful and folky, but also due to something else. I want to shout about the lovely, old ways of making things by hand, using natural materials, to help keep those skills alive for future generations as they are in Malta.. Every folk art piece isn’t just a decoration, it’s a little work of art that tells a story - of craftsmanship, history, and the joy, or maybe the hardship, of everyday life. It gives us a glimpse into the lives and emotions of those who made it and connects us to a vibrant past that deserves to be loved and preserved.

So that’s what these Tales will be about – little chapters about the people behind folk art, the stories and traditions that have shaped it, and the craftsmanship that continues to keep it alive. There’ll also be helpful Tales with ways to make folk art part of your life – at home, when celebrating or buying gifts – so we can continue to give those makers a livelihood and they can keep on making for us. And of course I’ll keep you updated with newsy Tales about FuzzypegFolk projects, new finds and upcoming events.

Here’s a little summary of what to expect:

FUZZYPEGFOLK NEWS – new finds, shop updates, work in progress & events

FOLK ART INSPIRATION – folky things that inspire me, decoration & gift ideas to inspire you.

FOLK ART STORIES & TRADITIONS– celebrations, textiles, decoration, toys & homeware.

HOW FOLK ART IS MADE – folk art craftmanship then and now.

KATHARINE’S FAVOURITE FOLKY THINGS – top five of everything folky.

DECORATE YOUR LIFE WITH FOLK ART– how to be a maximalist and decorate & style with folk art.

FOLK PEOPLE – folky people past & present, testimonials from your lovely selves, meet the folky experts.

WHY DID I BUY? – what folky things in my shop mean to me and why.

My monthly newsletter will detail Tales for the coming month so make sure you subscribe to my mailing list using the link at the foot of every page on my website.

If you already love all things folky or, are curious about how to bring folky things into your life , I hope you enjoy reading these Tales and keeping up to date with the news at FuzzypegFolk.

And, before I go and make another cup of tea, just to say I’d love to hear your folky tales and know what other things you’d like to read about. You can email these over to me at hello@fuzzypegfolk.co.uk – be sure to let me know if you’re happy for me to share your story on this page.

Me and Norwegian folk cat Lupo