When I visited Cornwall in late June, our little cottage was surrounded by these tall spikes of pink blooms nestling in the Cornish hedges, better known as foxgloves. Their strength allows them to tower above all the other wildflowers and flora that surrounds them as they bobble about in the Cornish mists and breeze ....

As I was staying in the once industrious tin-mining area of the south coast, they reminded me of the 'Bal Maidens' who once worked at the mines.

Women and girls of all ages, locally known as 'Bal Maidens' worked above ground, sometimes in the most harshest of conditions, cutting, hammering and shaping pieces of ore for the mining industry. Despite their working conditions, photos dating back to the 19th century show they would always try to add a tiny touch of prettiness to their work with floral ribbons attached to pockets, a white apron each day and maybe a wildflower tied in their hair nestling next to their mop caps...

This design is dedicated to all those tough maidens who stood tall in all weathers, just like my bobbling foxgloves....

Measures approx 4" / 10cm

Supplied with its own cloth bag for safe-keeping