It seems to me that the mix of work rest and play has gone awry. Many of us find ourselves far from a good blend, mix or combinations of these three critical factors in any creative business. Work has long been worshipped. Being oh so very busy, burning the candle at both ends and the midnight oil, the 5am club, all nights have all been badges of honour. Slowly, though, rest has found its way like the first crocus, into entrepenurial consideration. Even if just as a means to an end. Mindfulness, going offline, running your inbox rather than it running you, company culture, sleep are now all in the conversation.

And yet play feels too often neglected. Relegated to childhood, art school, the start up phase or ‘just when I get some time’. So in this gathering of conversations, we will explore the purpose of play and the practicality of play and how we keep it at the forefront even when the cash flow forecasts, the product plan, social media and your staff are all clamouring for your attention. Looking at different creative disciplines, enterprises and personalities, I hope that you will find yourself encouraged and challenged to remember that play is in fact a very serious business.

Every nation suffers under a cloud of cliches, and Scotland is no different. All tartan tins of shortbread, haggis, deep fried anything kilts and cold dark nights. But that assumption is a mistaken one and our guests today are working to offer an alternative perspective. They are championing Scottish craft at its very finest, offered with celebration and joy. Husbands Hugo Macdonald and James Stevens are the founders of Bard, a gallery and shop celebrating Scottish craft and design.

Whether textiles or ceramics, whether from the Borders or the Isle of Skye, whether established or just making a name, all the selections these two made debunk that Scottish cliche, and not just that they're doing so playfully.

We're going to talk about the idea for Bard, the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and humour of their makers, why play matters in the realm of physical retail and in the presentation of craft.

Bard Scotland - www.bard-scotland.com

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Bard || 03 Joyful Play