Holbeach crafter has stag-gering response to festive sculptures

A crafter had no i-deer that his festive sculptures would become so popular with shoppers in Holbeach.

Chris Knowles has been surprised with the response to his unique log and foraged twig reindeer sculptures which are decorating homes around the area.

Mr Knowles, who was made redundant earlier this year, has so far produced around 110 reindeers since the start of November and there is still a demand for more.

The reindeers, which cost £10, have been sold via the Facebook page of new Holbeach store Funky Dora, and owner Sam Bailey is always inundated with messages as soon as she posts a picture.

Mr Knowles, who had served in the military, said: “It is nice to know that they are well received. I have a low opinion of myself so it is good to know that people are loving them - it does mean a lot to me.

“I had made stuff for family and friends but it is lovely to know that strangers that I don’t know like my work which means the world to me.

“I was made redundant in August so this has come in at a really good time.

“I love doing it and I enjoy making them.”

Mr Knowles learned about wood work from his grandfather, who had been a carpenter.

He first began to create the reindeer sculptures around four years ago while he was working for a care home, which were well loved by the residents.

Mr Knowles makes the reindeers from logs in his garden but he also forages for twigs to make the legs and antlers.

He said: “If you were making a normal piece of wood, you are going to follow a design with the legs.

“But as I am using twigs which are different, each reindeer is unique. Everything is completely different and goes together differently.”

Each reindeer takes nearly two hours to make, and he has been creating them in batches of six and ten to meet the demand.

Mr Knowles’ talents do not stop at reindeers as he also branches out in to other creatures such as owls, rabbits, giraffes and elephants.

He said: “Thank you to everyone who has bought them.”

Sam Bailey launched Funky Dora, in Holbeach’s High Street, just five days before the second national lockdown.

But she was able to continue over social media and the reindeers have been one of her biggest sellers.

She said: “People just absolutely love them. They love the fact that they are unique and hand made with locally sourced wood.

“When I post pictures I have messages asking if there are any left - I could sell another 50 of them.

“I have one family that has had six or eight reindeers.”