The Crafts Council of Ireland Issue no.2
The fourteen designer jewellers who travelled to Canada to take part in the business programme have now returned inspired and enlightened. (This venture has been funded by the International Fund for Ireland and co-ordinated by Craftworks, the Northern Crafts development agency.) Here follow the impressions of Therese Perrott, one of the programme participants. "Having been one of the fortunate 14 jewellers selected for the 'Canada Project1 organised by Craftworks, I set off in trepidation of the 'New World', leaving behind my small homely studio in the country. Comparing our differences was as interesting for us as seeing our similarities, the most obvious difference being the initial shock of going to work in an unmarked/clinically clean, neat and quiet workshop on the 7th floor of a bank (for security) with a view of the beautiful Vancouver and the magnificent mountainous backdrop." "Initially time was spent adjusting to their ways and means by making their designs to their stipulations. The most common technical difference is the use of 'propane gas' and their commitment to alloying their own metals. I was given more free rein after a few weeks to indulge in some of my own experimentation. -5
r urniture Design & Making The course in furniture making in Letterfrack, County Galway, has already achieved a high reputation in its short lifetime. That it is possible to achieve a good design and technical standard on a two year course, that it is geographically isolated within Ireland let alone Europe, is both remarkable and heartening. Heartening because it is an argument for the devolution of high quality training to rural areas, where its very existence is a contribution and a cause for pride in the local community. The following photograph was taken at the graduating show in May. The Mirrors Project, demonstrating carving, veneering and guilding techniques will be shown in the Crafts Council Gallery Showcase later this year.
One common difference we all found with the Vancouver goldsmiths was their easy-goingness, even under pressure at the bench they would never let it get to them and would always make time to stop for their morning coffee and 'Blueberry Muffin'! This was an experience of a life-time and I am indebted to 'Craftworks 1 for the important opportunity of extending my expertise and widening my horizon. Now that we are an 'open market' maybe it'll be easier for other organisations to do the same in all fields so we may all broaden each other's horizons. More of it!" The Crafts Council believe that this will be a seminal event in the development of Irish jewellery in the 90's.