Folklore is filled with old customs and traditions from folk communities long passed including the ancient art of corn dollies. We sat down with Vic Jay to discuss her beautiful corn dolly artwork and projects. We chatted about the folklore behind corn dollies, how being more 'hands-on' with ancient crafts is beneficial for modern mental wellbeing and where her creativity stems from.

Corn dollies were often created during harvest time, and involved folk creating shapes or figures from the last sheaf of corn, wheat or oats. It would be a time for community, ensuring the spirit of the harvest does not die during winter, and Vic Jay decided that we could revive these community-driven project by reintroducing corn dolly workshops and events in her local area of Derbyshire.

Northern Folklore Archive: Have you always enjoyed being creative, or was your creativity spurred on by something or someone in your life?

As far as I can remember, I've always enjoyed creating things.

As a child I was constantly crafting and making - most of my clothes ended up covered in paint and PVA glue! Folk culture, particularly folk art, was part of my childhood too. I grew up in a town in Derbyshire where traditional folk practices such as making corn dollies, Morris dancing and maypoles, were a celebrated part of community life.

I remember dancing around a maypole at school and singing songs by the town's well dressing on the last day of summer term. I'm very fortunate that creativity, in lots of different forms, was encouraged when I was growing up, and that I was able to explore so many different activities.

You make some beautiful corn dollies, for those who aren't aware and just because I love a good story, what is the folklore behind corn dollies?

Thank you! I love a good story too.

To give a bit of background: corn dollies are an ancient, rural straw craft. Traditionally shapes or figures would be woven from the last sheaf of ‘corn’ (cereal crops such as wheat and oats) at harvest time.

It was believed that the spirit of the corn lived in the crops, and that the harvest would make the corn spirit homeless. Corn dollies were made to provide a place for the spirit to live over the winter. The dollies would be brought inside and looked after during the colder months then ploughed or scattered back in to the fields when the new crop was planted, allowing the corn spirit to return home. This, it was believed, ensured a good harvest for the year to come.

Which are some of your favourite events that you've hosted corn dolly/folk workshops?

One of the great things about running workshops is that I get to travel to some wonderful places and be part of amazing, interesting events. I've got quite a few lined up which I'm really excited for, and I was lucky enough to be part of some fantastic events last year.

Harmonicon, is a festival based in and around a beautiful old church in Todmorden. I ran a workshop there as part of the 'fire pit folk sessions' in the graveyard. The atmosphere (and weather - even though it took place in October!) was amazing and everyone was so open and engaged.

Eek! Todmorden is my hometown, and I had no idea they had a folk festival! Although I bet I can guess which church it was, family friends of mine own that church and I can almost guarantee it was theirs…

I also loved Well Dressed Derbyshire's Dark Peak / White Peak event at Derby Quad which explored the folklore of the Peak District through performance, art and film. I met so many talented artists and left feeling uplifted and totally inspired.

Moseley Folk and Arts Festival in Birmingham is one of the highlights of my year. It takes place at the end of the summer and is an amazing way to welcome the start of autumn. Last year, alongside running folk art workshops, I helped to decorate the site and created a pair of giant thaumatropes. I also had the honour of taking part in the Sunday afternoon procession which features a giant corn spirit and lots of folk characters, ending in a huge ceilidh and straw fight by the main stage.

I've spoken to quite a few people about how they feel that folk customs are perfect for reconnecting with ourselves and bringing us back to a more 'analogue' existence. Do you find that your workshops have helped people to ditch modernity, if even for a few hours? Do you think being more 'hands-on' with ancient crafts such as corn dolly making is beneficial for modern mental wellbeing?

I strongly believe that folk (in all of its guises) should be inclusive of everyone, that it should be created by and for communities, and that it should be allowed to grow and change. Corn dolly making is a particular love of mine: it makes me feel connected to the earth and part of something immemorial. My aim is to share this joy with others in a way that is fun, accessible and not prescriptive.

I like to use a heritage variety of wheat called Maris Widgeon. One of the first things I ask people to do in my workshops is to smell the straw - it’s such an evocative scent which is slightly sweet, almost like honey. It has a lovely feel and weight to it too.

For me, plaiting with straw, noticing its characteristics, and feeling when it’s time to make a join is a very mindful thing to do. In fact, the repetitive movements in corn dolly making can be almost meditative at times. It's also a very communal activity. I find that when people are side-by-side, making and learning as part of a group, and working with their hands, the conversation really flows - and travels to all sorts of wonderful places!

Photo credited to Konstantina Marvrommati (@konstantinamav_)

Lastly (and I'm asking this to everyone) one of the Northern Folklore Duo is a huge film fan, so this question is purely for him... what is your favourite film?!

Oh no! This is such a difficult question. I don’t think I could choose a favourite.

I like a lot of Ken Loach's films, particularly Kes and The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Wes Anderson's films are so visually beautiful (The Grand Budapest Hotel is a good one - and Ralph Fiennes is brilliant in it), but I'm a bit of a horror fan too. Older horror films such as The Shining and 28 Days Later have had a lasting cultural impact and are great to re-watch. On the other hand, I've lost count of the number of times I've seen Paddington 2!

Finally! Someone has mentioned my favourite film The Shining. Bonus points for you!

Vic Jay is such a joyous artist, the beautiful corn dollies she makes are not only a reminder of our heritage, but also a catalyst for bringing back a sense of community. If you’d like to keep up to date with Vic’s work, and upcoming events, please do follow her on Instagram @vicjay_art .

Artist Highlight: Vic Jay Art

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Artist Highlight: Vic Jay Art

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