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Whereas the traditional craft industry is in decline, a modern craft industry has been developping over the last 30 years, aided by the the will of the federation of arts and crafts whose aim is to promote the revival of traditional techniques and to provide a coordination of the activities in the villages of the interior of the island. The craftsmen today combine the quality of the materials, excellent techniques and creativity to provide objects which reflect the beauty of the island where they live.
Some exceptional craftsmen continue to make some very beautiful objects in alder, olive, beech or in briar, particularly pipes, toys, board games, sculptures, articles for the table and the kitchen, decorations for children’s bedrooms, pens….
Among the furniture, in chestnut or oak, can be found chests, one of the basic elements in Corsican homes and dough troughs which were once used for making bread.
Corsican knives are very much sought after, in olive wood, beech or in oak with steel blades. This is probably the nicest and the most authentic object to take home as a souvenir of Corsica. The real Corsican knife is the shepherd’s knife "curnicciolu". It has a curved handle, smooth, with a slightly concave blade enabling you to cut "with a snatch".
Pottery is also common, practical (jugs, plates…) or more decorative, there are hand made ceramics, stoneware, porcelain and earthenware in glowing colours and which are decorated by traditional techniques.
The island’s sheep’s wool is knitted in natural colours. In little specialized workshops, you can buy shawls, scarfs, jackets, jumpers and socks… The inspiration for the patterns are drawn from the island’s great richness in Corsican heritage: mosaics, trees, villages and animals.
Weaving and painting on silk are also done locally. There are shops with pure wool rugs, articles made out of mohair and hand-painted silks which have a blend of colours which remind you of the surrounding nature.
Some very specialized craftsmen make instruments as they used to do in the old days or music boxes. Guitars and harpsichords are made and other stringed instruments restored.
Jewelry (Corsican stones, precious and semi-precious, coral, mother-of-pearl…), dolls, leather and glass objects, perfumes and baskets are also good ideas of souvenirs of Corsica.
