05/06/2026
🌳🍄 The Story Behind The Crafty Caulkhead 🍄🌳
Shalfleet's creator of the Stickmen and other fabulous creations 😍
🌳🍄 The Story Behind The Crafty Caulkhead 🍄🌳
People often ask me where The Crafty Caulkhead came from and how the stick people began, so I thought I’d share the story…
It all started during lockdown. Like many people, I found myself with a little too much time on my hands and, if I’m being completely honest, probably a little too much Prosecco too! 🍾😂
One day I started painting the corks from the bottles red and white to look like magical little mushrooms. Whenever I went out for a walk, I’d leave them hidden for people to discover – a bit like the painted rock craze that was happening at the time. I also painted some of the corks to look like tiny people, and I loved the thought of someone stumbling across one and it bringing a smile to their face.
I decided to create a page so I could post clues about where I’d hidden the mushrooms and cork creations. As the corks were my canvas, I initially thought something like Crafty Cork would be a good name.
Then inspiration struck.
Those born and bred on the Isle of Wight for generations are affectionately known as Caulkheads. Now, I’m not a Caulkhead myself, but the Isle of Wight has become my forever home. I’ve always tried to contribute positively to Island life and support our wonderful community wherever I can.
When I checked, nobody was using the name The Crafty Caulkhead, so I went for it — and that’s how the page was born.
The stick people arrived shortly afterwards during one of our many walks. We spotted a fallen branch that looked remarkably like Stick Man from Julia Donaldson’s famous story. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I went back, drew a face on it, and just like that, the very first stick person was created.
From then on, every woodland walk became a treasure hunt for fallen branches and interesting sticks. Before long, one stick person became two, then three, then an entire stick family. And as many of you know, the family continues to grow!
One thing people often ask is whether I sell them. The honest answer is no. They take hours to make and if I charged for the time involved, I’d probably be earning about 50p an hour! 😄
But more importantly, that’s never been the point.
I make them because I hope they inspire others to get creative. I want people to head outdoors, explore the woods, notice the beauty around them, gather fallen treasures, and create something unique of their own.
Getting out into nature, using your imagination and making something with your hands is wonderful for the mind, the soul and overall wellbeing.
So whether you’ve followed The Crafty Caulkhead from the beginning or have only recently discovered the page, thank you for coming along on this wonderfully quirky journey with me.
And who knows… there may still be a few magical mushrooms hidden out there somewhere… 🍄😉
