“It is strange to think that in a few weeks’ time, my cards will be in the hands of some of the most powerful people in the world,” Jill Dunn, founder of Penryn-based Riverbird Studio told PG Buzz.
A handprinted greeting card featuring a Cornish Oak linoprint by Jill was commissioned by the Cabinet Office as part of the welcome for the world leaders who will be attending the G7 Summit that is taking place at Cornwall’s Carbis Bay next month (June 11-13).
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who took the decision to hold the meeting in Cornwall, is to use the UK’s G7 Presidency to unite leading democracies to help the world fight, and then build back better from coronavirus and create a greener, more prosperous future. In addition to leaders from the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy, which make up the G7, representatives from Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa have also been invited as guest countries to this year’s Summit.
Describing himself as “the first half-Cornish Prime Minister”, Boris wants to make sure that the gifts the G7 attendees receive as their welcome reflect the talents of Cornish artisans and suppliers.
The first Jill knew that one of her creations was to play a part in the important meeting was when she received a telephone call from the Cabinet Office. “The person I spoke to had seen one of my prints on Instagram and bought it from Etsy. She asked if she could commission me to make 30 greeting cards of a Sessile Oak, an unofficial emblem of Cornwall. While I normally would not produce greeting cards, as I handprint, I decided to make this an exception!” Jill told PG Buzz.
Meanwhile, someone else who received an expected call from the Cabinet Office was Ainslie Fowler, who co-owns the St. Ives Co giftshop with her two sisters, Tegen Mackay and Safi Mackie.
The shop only stocks products that are made in Cornwall, working in collaboration with many local artisans. In addition, Ainslie designs the greeting cards, cushion covers and tea towels that are sold under the brand.
“We only opened the shop just before the first lockdown, in February 2020, so as a small new business when we received a phone call from the Cabinet Office asking if we would want to be involved in supplying gift hampers and toiletries, we initially thought it was a hoax!” admits Ainslie. “We still can’t really believe it is happening, it such an honour to be a part of it. Our vision for St. Ives Co is to allow visitors to take a bit of Cornwall back home with them. We are certainly doing that with our G7 involvement!”
Top: The 30 cards destined for the G7 Summit.
