Camborne Crafters Working Towards 1,000 Hearts for July Festival

What does quietness look like when you can hold it in your hand?

Cornwall is about to find out. More than 800 handmade hearts have already been stitched, felted and pom-pommed together for an art installation that will form the centrepiece of the county’s first festival of quietness this summer. Now organisers are asking Cornwall to help them reach 1,000.

Two free heart-makers gatherings are being held at Create Contemporary Crafts Hub in Camborne on Saturday 16th and Saturday 23rd May to push the count over the line. The sessions run from 11am to 1pm and are open to anyone who identifies as introverted, shy or highly sensitive.

A project built around quieter ways of being

Quiet Hearts is led by Quiet Connections CIC, a Cornwall-based Community Interest Company founded in 2017 that runs weekly meet ups for people who identify as introverted, shy, highly sensitive, or experiencing social anxiety.

The project started with one person. Sue Rowe, a community member known within the group as a “quieteer,” began making heart-shaped pom poms during the weekly Camborne meet ups, and the idea grew from there.

“Becoming part of Quiet Connections has opened something in me beyond crafting,” Sue said. “The creativity that existed in me before seems to have been amplified and now has much deeper meaning. It has been truly joyous.”

Each heart is individually made using wool, felt or fabric scraps. There is no set pattern, no expected level of experience, and participants can take part at their own pace.

Why hearts, and why quiet

Hayley Stanton, founder of Quiet Connections, said the installation is meant to reflect something often hidden in the people who make up the community.

“For those of us who are quieter, our fullest selves often remain below the surface,” Hayley said. “Quiet Hearts is inspired by the moments where people feel comfortable enough to be themselves in a place where quieter ways of being are valued. Together, these hearts are a reflection of the depth and variety within our community.”

How to take part

People can either join one of the Camborne gatherings or make hearts at home and post them in by Friday 5th June. The address is Create Contemporary Crafts Hub, Donald Thomas Centre, Chapel Street, Camborne, TR14 8EF.

The finished installation will be unveiled as a central part of HushFest, which opens on Saturday 4th July. The festival runs throughout July 2026 and brings together exhibitions and gatherings centred on quieter ways of being, including reflection and gentle connection. It is supported by FEAST, the programme that funds community arts across Cornwall through investment from Arts Council England and Cornwall Council.

Further details and sign-up information are at quietconnections.co.uk/quiet-hearts.