The best of Ireland’s craft makers presented their crafts at the recent Showcase trade show. Kathleen O’Callagahan met with six of the makers.
Humphrey Murphy’s ‘Tinnakeenly’ leather brand references the family home in Kilkenny, where his parents started the business. He studied handbag and footwear design at Cordwainers College, now part of the London School of Fashion, before working along with designer Bill Amberg in Notting Hill. “Since coming home in 2001 I've been developing new designs and styles for our business,” says Humphrey.
The rich range of leather goods hanging along his rails have an expensive air about them, with vintage briefcases, quality handbags and chunky wallets. On closer inspection, they are surprisingly well priced. “The leather improves with age. The bags gain more personality over time with wear and usage,” he says.
The Tinnakeenly Leathers website showcases a large line-up of products and styles, along with a touristy collection of bags and purses with Celtic motifs and embossed leather.
For the business buyer, the Satchel Bag with Handle (€200) is just the ticket for the young exec.
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Simplicity is the keynote for Simply Mourne which, as the name suggests, operates from County Down. Catherine Bradford started her micro business using stones and pebbles that are arranged into art works that feature mostly miniature animals.
Catherine’s bestseller is a robin perched on a twig, which can be ordered online in two sizes with a black or white frame. “I combine delicate paint strokes and natural materials to reflect the joy found in the great outdoors, and the pieces can be treasured for a lifetime,” she says.
In the aftermath of Covid, Catherine also focuses on positive messaging, spiritual healing and symbolic ways of communicating a sense of belonging and togetherness. Her simple, delicate creations carry a nugget of Ireland in the frame.
Many crafts makers turned to Shopify to bring their goods online during the pandemic, but graphic artist Ruth Gunning makes the most of the Etsy platform. The pandemic motivated a lot of design-based entrepreneurs to consider finding different income streams for their talents. Ruth, a graphic artist and magazine designer, found her workload in decline so she forged a new art collection featuring black and white graphics printed in two-tone ink.
“I concentrate on single images with intricate and evocative shapes, such as ferns, whales, cats and dogs, she explains. “It was great to put them on the walls at Showcase and to get such positive feedback as well as gaining new clients and promising business leads.”
Many of her designs feature ferns, balls of twine, unravelling string and cheese plant leaves. Insects and animals also feature. “I concentrate on single images with intricate and evocative shapes. I can also recreate them in other shades from green to orange but I think the core combination of black and white works really well,” says Ruth.
Search RuthGunningPrints on Etsy
The Cosmic Boulevard contemporary jewellery collection was created by fine art graduate and goldsmith designer Sinéad Murphy in 2017. “I draw inspiration from the world of art, history, music, pop culture and the cosmos, and each piece tells its own unique story,” explains Sinéad, who produces a wide range of rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings.
There is an air of rock ‘n roll about the elemental designs, from the chunky signet rings inlaid with moonstones, to the lustrous Tahitian pearl earrings and the hand engraved gold and silver necklaces. The distinctive range really suits the current fashion trends for more dramatic and iconic pieces with stand-out attitude.
“I use recycled metals and ethically sourced gemstones. I also incorporate the ancient techniques of metal moulding from long wax casting, hand engraving as well as the intricate goldsmith skills,” she adds.
Rita Oates runs the ETL Craft and Giftware store in Roscommon town with her husband Michael. Trading since 1984, the shop offers a wide selection of gifts, handbags and accessories, and takes pride in promoting Irish jewellery. Artworks and framing are part of the ETL offering, and Rita has a nice sideline in producing evocative prints. some overlayed with messages of hope and encouragement.
“I think they capture those moments and occasions when words fail us, whether you want to extend words of comfort, praise or love,” she explains. There is also the option to purchase a co-ordinating designer scarf with a matching card wrapped up in a gift box.
One of her scarves in eclectic vibrant blue depicts the idea of ‘Respect’, and was inspired by John Hume, the late politician and peace broker. “John was a beacon of hope for this island during one of its most difficult and challenging times, and this celebrates what he achieved,” says Rita.
One card features a rural Irish landscape of graphic greens. Rita, who was born in Kansas City, the daughter of Irish immigrants, describes it as “nostalgic and welcoming as it captures that feeling of coming homecoming after spending time away”.
Moss Design and Art is an inspirational and eco-smart concept developed by Romanian couple, Alex Terceniusand his wife Flavia Hot. They create wall art and hangings using living mosses of various species applied to a large canvas in a variety of individual styles. “It’s eco-friendly, sustainable and has zero maintenance as it absorbs humidity from the room to breathe and stay vibrant,” Alex explains. “It also reduces carbon dioxide in the room.”
These verdant installations have gained admirers from shop owners, restauranteurs as well as home dwellers who can sit back and enjoy the beauty of the art works in imaginative layouts, shapes and sizes. “Our items are for sale in the Irish Craft Síopa in Drumcondra and at our studio in Phibsboro, where we also create individual commissions for clients.”
