Select a region
It wouldn't be inaccurate to say, 'she sells sea shells on the sea shore', but Tina Ellis-Brecknell's Fish N Beads shop is more than that - a beacon of beachside creativity, aiming to get islanders feeling arty too.
But now the St Brelade coastline creative has turned her attention to the five things she would change about Jersey.
If the land in St Brelade has to change and be developed, let's have the Tiny House Movement or Bestie Row, a series of 400 square foot cabins.
Pictured: Fish N Beads will be forced to find a new home if developer plans to build two large-scale luxury five-bedroom houses and to redevelop the Wayside Café are approved. If the development has to go ahead, Tina argues that family housing should be prioritised.
This Tiny House Movement is a global idea of designing affordable, but high quality in eco, functioning homes. When I say 'afforadable', I'm not talking Jersey 'crazy-pull-a-figure-out-of-the-air' price, but £50,000. It can be done.
The homes should go to local families with young children. A clause in place would ensure that they are homes, not a money-making machine.
Having skied down Bouley Bay road years ago one winter, I think a ski slope and snow cannons would be great fun somewhere on the Island.
Pictured: The seaside might be a major source of inspiration for Fish N Beads quirky works incorporating stones, shells and pottery fragments, but Tina still wouldn't turn down the opportunity to transform Bouley Bay into a ski slope.
To expand on the skiing down Bouley Bay story, it happened about 23 years ago when we had a heavy snow fall. I was babysitting for a family, and had slept overnight. In the morning, we drove up to Bouley Bay and skied in wrong size boots and skies (that the family had), and skied over the fields and road! Probably very naughty! They had an old four-wheel drive, and they towed us all back up the hill as the ski-lift.
Let's use our spaces more. Let's open up the castles or Hamptonne for Islanders to have a community Christmas for all of us who want to cook and meet new folk on Christmas day, Easter or Sunday lunch.
Pictured: Better use of spaces and parish parties would be a great way to get communities together, Tina says... Now, pass the Pimms!
There should be no charge - just bring what you can, and leave it as you find it (clean and tidy).
Pictured: Creative Tina, who made the pictures above, thinks art is a great way to get the community together. Islanders congregate at Fish N Beads to make their own.
I can hear officials as I write, saying, "What about insurance? Public liability? Blah blah..." In the words of the Secret Garden Festival, "You are in a community, pitch in and help, spread the love, this is a serious party!"
I would love to see more pop-up food and BBQs along the harbour.
Pictured: Fish N Beads has added colour to the coast with its handpainted stones and assortment of beads for bracelet making, but owner Tina thinks that Island beaches could do with a taste boost too - in the form of food vans.
It would be nice to eat and look at the boats.
The idea comes from travelling in Thailand, Mexico and India, and now in London, where the food movement is so on trend where they make simple but delicious food from cooking in old Citroen vans.
We could have pop-up stalls serving goat curry, and foods from all over the world.
There should be a door you can walk through to go wherever you want...
Pictured: As much as Tina loves Jersey, she wouldn't refuse a dose of adventure if a magic door were to appear...
Remember Mr Ben who lived down Festive Road when he went into the changing room?
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not those of Bailiwick Express.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.