CCI-newsletter-1995-81-No18

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CRAFTS COUNCIL

of IRELAND

SHOWCASE 1995 RESULTS The President, Mary Robinson and the Minister for Enterprise & Employment, Mr. Richard Bruton, were amongst those who attended SHOWCASE '95 at the RDS. Preliminary reports to date from exhibitors and buyers alike are very encouraging. A questionnaire is currently being sent to all participants and the results in terms of sales and jobs created will be known in the next few months.

The organisers are confident that the results will be even better than last year with many exhibitors reporting increased orders. A number of knitwear exhibitors say they received orders which will keep them busy up to June and July and orders for other exhibitors were still being written even after the Show had officially closed.

Mr Cyril Forbes, Chairman, The Crafts Council of Ireland with the Minister for Enterprise & Employment, Mr Richard Bruton TD at Showcase '95. Also pictured is a Mark English ceramic bowl. exhibitors did improved business, not just one or two.

It is thought that domestic buyers numbers were similar to last year but overseas numbers were up considerably.

The participants from the Craft & Design Business Development Course in Kilkenny have already done their analysis of SHOWCASE '95 and report that orders for their work were up by over 35% on last year. They note that all the Crescent

Each discipline experienced a rise in sales particularly printed textiles which has steadily climbed over the past two to three years.

The closing of SHOWCASE '95 marked the last SHOWCASE for Sean O'Farrell, Crafts Development Officer, The Crafts Council.

Sean is retiring in the near future and to mark the occasion and give his many friends from SHOWCASE an opportunity to say "Au Revoir" (and embarrass him of course) a surprise party, co-hosted by Showcase organisers Eurofairs, was held in Paddy Cullens pub in Ballsbridge.

Everyone who was anyone attended and Sean didn't even need the money he'd borrowed from petty cash earlier that evening to pay for "a quiet drink"!

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New opportunities for craftworkers at the Cill Rialaig Project at Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry. Already popular with artists, 26 having visited and worked there during the last year. Phase 2 of the project will be in operation by June '95 with the construction of Siopa Cill Rialaig and Artworks Village. The aim of the project is to promote once off craftwork and to bridge the gap in people's perception of the artist and the craftworker.

Anyone interested in promoting their work there or visiting the project should contact:Penny Wray at 066 79297/9260 Workshop:-Craft studio available at the Grain Store, Ballyduff Upper, Co. Waterford.

For further information contact:Susan McCarthy 058-56409 Interested in Internet as a vehicle to reach audiences especially the USA. contact:-John O'Sullivan, Internet Publishing 01-2802506

For Sale:-A Centrifuge Machine, one year old, as new. Centricast 200 (a complete system to cast pewter). A variety of other mould making material is on offer. Offers in the region of ÂŁ1,000 will be considered.

Contact:- Deirdre at 027-73148 For Sale:-Electric Pottery Wheel, cone-drive, metal frame, excellent condition, ÂŁ320 o.n.o.

Contact:- Patricia, Tel. 01-2874751 .

For Sale:-Top Loading, Electric Kiln, 4.3 cubic feet, as new with limitronic plus controller, set of kiln shelves and props.

Contact:- Martina Carroll, 62, Claremount Park, Rathoan, Galway.

Strokestown Park House - Garden Seating The largest garden restoration in Ireland is taking place at Strokestown Park House, Co. Roscommon, where there is also the museum commemorating the Great Irish Famine.

There is a need in the 4 1 / 2 acre walled pleasure garden for seats and benches in a variety of locations and a variety of materials, and Strokestown Park House have asked the Council to advise them on commissioning craftworkers.

We are reviewing the Register and the slide files of furniture makers, but if you would like to be considered and we don't already have up to date information, please get it to us by 15th March.

Summer Workshops:-"Through the plasticity of Metal" Eight two week workshops in silversmithing and jewellery.

(May - September) Tutor:- Brian Clarke Place:- The Old Schoolhouse, Ballinaclash, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow.

Contact:- Tel./Fax. -353-404-

46385

The Management Committee 1994 Chair Mr. Cyril Forbes Vice Chair Ms. Hilary Pratt Mr. Ed Kevin Ms. Suzanne May Mr. Michael McCrory Mr. Rudolf Heltzel Dr. David Shaw-Smith Ms. Breda Haugh Ms. Knut Klimmek Mr. David Hargaden Mr. Brendan Flood Mr. Neil Read Ms. Kaethe Burt-O'Dea Ms. Mary Jackson Ms. Bernadette Madden

Crafts Council Staff

The Crafts Counci of Ireland

Dublin

Dublin

Chief Executive Craft Development Officer Administrative Officer Administrative Assistant Telephonist/Receptionist Gallery Administrator Exhibitions Assistant Retail Manager Shop Assistant (PT)

Christine Ross Vacant Margaret Jones Vacant Susan Byrne/ Michelle French Vacant Catherine Jordan Hilary Morley Sally Dunne

Powerscourt Townhouse Centre South William Street, Dublin 2 Tel. Fax.

01 679 7368 01 679 9 1 9 7

Kilkenny

The Crescent Workshop

The Crescent Workshop,

Training and Education Officer Leslie Reed Supervisor/Information Officer Emer Ferran Administrative Assistant Nuala McGrath

Castle Yard Kilkenny

Tel. 056 61 804 or 62734 Fax. 056 63754

Thomastown Pottery Skills Course Trainer Gus Mabelson Jewellery Design and Production Skills Course Trainer Jane Huston CAD/CAM Training for the Irish Knitwear Industry Coordinator Julie Griffith

All information is published in good faith but without research, so please check carefully before committing yourself to work or financial outlay Please forward all information to Emer FerranThe copy date for the next issue is 7th April. The Print date is 21st April

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Jewellery & Metalworkers Guild Handbook '95 The 1995 Jewellers & Metalworkers Guild handbook is a comprehensive introduction to the Guild, its history, its membership and, most importantly, it provides a guide to the outlets where the

member's work is available.

The Guild Handbook contains high quality black and white prints of the work of the craftspeople and will be of particular interest to tourists and those who collect contemporary Irish jewellery. Those in possession of the Handbook are left with no excuses whatsoever as the Guild have even gone to the trouble of reproducing a map of Ireland with the retail outlets marked!

The Handbook is on sale at the Jewellery and Metalworkers Guild

Headquarters in the Enterprise Centre in Pearse Street, Dublin; in Bord Failte offices around the country; large hotels and all amjor bookshops.

A lot of work was obviously put in to co-ordinating and finshing the Handbook and it's an excellent example of co-operative marketing.

Well done to the Guild!

For further information contact Attracta Madden or Erica Marks at

(01)6716263

LEAVING THE LAST WORD TO SEAN 0

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My first thought when I look back at over fourteen years with the Crafts Council? It has to be how quickly it all went. That must say something about the job and those involved in the craft sector.

What would be the landmarks that stand out in my mind? I think the three events that had the most positive impact on the role of the Crafts Council were:- the setting up of the Business Skills Course in Kilworth in 1 9 8 1 ; giving the organising of SHOWCASE to Eurofairs in 1988 and the move to Powerscourt Townhouse.

The current success of the training courses in Kilkenny owe much to the vision of Frank Sutton in establishing a business course for young craftworkers in the old Market House in Kilworth. I bet there are some craftspeople today who look back with some affection on their time in Kilworth. It is one of the best things the Council has done.

I remember my first Irish Crafts Trade Fair in 1 9 8 1 . There were 170 exhibitors in part of the Industries Hall. It is hard to credit how much it has grown in recent years. In 1995 there were 5 8 0 exhibitors. In fact sales from 1988 to 1994 have increased by 157%. It was in 1988 that Eurofairs first organised SHOWCASE on behalf of the Crafts Council and it must be said that a very large part of the subsequent success has been due to the very professional and imaginative

Mr. Sean O'Farrell, Craft Development Officer, The Crafts Council of Ireland

presentation of the show by Gerry Murphy and his team. I certainly have enjoyed working with them.

In many ways the move to Powerscourt Townhouse Centre was almost a culture shock to the staff of the Council after the splendid isolation of Thomas Prior House. It was at this time that the general public became aware of the existence of the Crafts Council and of the wealth of excellent craftwork being produced in this country.

Most of all I remember the colleagues I worked with, who provided me with great support and not a little laughter over the years.

And the craftspeople themselves? I would like to think I have made many friends amongst them and I certainly enjoyed working with them. If the next part of my career is as good as this past one I will indeed be lucky.

TRIBUTE Everyone associated with the Crafts Council wishes Sean and Ann O'Farrell a long and happy retirement. Sean will continue his association by providing consultancy on a regular basis.

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Christmas Calculations Hilary Morley, Retail Manager, has put together the following analysis of the Christmas Exhibition sales which may provide some food for thought for exhibitors.

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Opening the exhibition in early November, with a burst of publicity in the national media, proved very beneficial and resulted in a 90% increase in sales on the November '93 figures.

Sunday opening from the end of November was also very helpful to sales.

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The increased sale of Corporate presentation gifts for Christmas appears to have been a direct spin-off of the Corporate Gifts Exhibition which was held in October.

Sales analysis shows that less than 2% of sales at Christmas were in large items retailing at over £400. Having said that, they prove extremely popular with visitors to the Gallery and are often the cause of return visits by the same people bringing friends in to see Brian Quill's hanging chairs or Michael Bell's railway sleeper chair.

The mid-range items between £100 and £400 sold reasonably well particularly jewellery, wall hangings and textile embroideries.

Sales in this price bracket amounted to just under 10% of the total.

Price

£0 £5 £10 £20 £40 £60 £80

Sales

to

£5 £10 £20 £40 £60 £80

to

£100

to to to to to

3% 17.5%

20% 38% 12.5% 4.5% 4.5%

From this it can be seen that items between £10 and £40 proved particularly successful.

Ceramic wall planters, turned wood and silk scarves were the main items of interest. *

Following publicity in the Sunday Tribune in the run up to Christmas, stocking fillers and Christmas decorations sold very well.

Hope this helps those planning to exhibit next Christmas.

However 90% of all sales transactions occurred in the 'under £100' price bracket. The breakdown was as follows:

Crafts Council FOCUS on FLOORS Seminar and Workshops Carysfort College, Blackrock, Co.Dublin.

Supported by the Nova Programme of the European Commission

The Seminar; "Speaking of Floors" 25th & 26th March 1995 A seminar on contemporary attitudes to designing, making and marketing carpets, rugs, mats and other floor coverings, made by hand or machine for today's interiors and looking at methods of craft production for the future.

Speakers will include: Ann Sutton, Diane Sheehan, Peta Levi, Tony Dixon, Julia Burrowes, Peter Collingwood, Roger Oates, Sam Stephenson and Ann Brooks.

The Workshop; "Ideas in Flooring" 27th-31st March 1995 Leaders: Ann Sutton, Diane Sheehan and Julia Burrowes.

This is an intensive, five day session,

for makers of rugs who want to open up their approach to designing, colouring, patterning or un-patterning their floor coverings. It will encourage fresh thinking towards materials and construction. The approach will be to break with technique-driven design in favour of much more spontaneous attitudes.

For further details please contact: Catherine Jordan on 01-679 7368.

The Potters Choice Exhibition - 9th March - 29th April 1995 The Crafts Council Gallery This is an exhibition based on the private collections of several potters living in Ireland. The selection ranges from eighteenth century English teapots to avant garde ceramics of the 1970's and 80's. Included are African Village pottery, European country ware, and pots made by both modern industry and studio craft potters.

For further details please contact: Peter Lambe or Catherine on 01-679 7368

Sonia Reynolds wearing silver necklace by Seamus Gill and hand painted silk wrap by Mel Bradley at Showcase '95

Exploring the Lathe Exhibition - 1 Oth May - 24th June 1995 Crafts Council Gallery An exhibition of the work of invited makers working in different media, whose common ground is the use of the lathe.

For further details please contact: Sean McCrum or Catherine on 01679 7368