Something very exciting has been underway behind the scenes at The Kernow Bee HQ. Cara first brought her handmade Gullies to The Craft Kiln in 2023 and these cheeky characters went down a storm. She’s been hard at work putting pen to paper and we’re thrilled to say that the Gullies have now flown the nest into the pages of their very own book, beautifully illustrated by Sarah of Happy Designer. So without further ado, we’ll let Cara introduce the book in her own words…
An idea was just the beginning…
Meet the Gullies is a tale of a band of loveable seagulls, collectively known as the Gullies, and the town’s most wanted mischief makers. These meddlesome misfits steal the show, capturing the hearts and minds of both locals and visitors with their daring deeds and peculiar charm. Buckle up for a wild adventure, with clever twists and unexpected alliances, this tale explores themes of loyalty and rebellion, and the enduring spirit of a tight-knit community destined to leave an indelible mark on Padstow’s history.
My first self published book all starting from a seagull nesting upon my rooftop, then after being terrorised by the parents protective of their hatchlings, I began to notice how comical and endearing these rooftop rascals were; I started to jot down in my notebook every observation, which then led to my initial creation of the characters. I then handmade them and sold at local craft fairs with the promise of a book to follow. It all came together in January 2024 forming a creative collaboration with the super talented Sarah at Happy Designer, bringing my characters to life through the magic of illustration.
It’s a dream come true; the book has been so well received, the Gullies continue to make people chuckle and it makes all the hardwork worthwhile. As Spike Milligan wrote,
‘Smiling is infectious,
You catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
There are more Gullie adventures to come so watch this space.’
Yours in feathers and fluff,
Cara
Pick up your copy today from The Craft Kiln – we’re open every day through the summer 10.30am-5.30pm.
