Stopress, CCoI May/June 2006

TRACES P.5 SILVER CONNECTIONS P.22

News and Reviews P2 P5 P6 P8

Consumer Research Adaptive Craft

50% Scheme - Traces Exhibition

Crafts in the Environment Craft IT

P 10 Standard Setters

Creative Skillsnet

Jim Dunne, CCoI Board Member and Chairman at ‘Setting the Agenda for Change’ conference, addressing the audience in Kilkenny Castle on 31st March 2006

Affecting Change, Moving Forward Change is the one constant in life - and this is as true for the craft sector as any other. At the recent conference ‘Setting the Agenda for Change’ which took place in Kilkenny on the 31st of March last, craftspeople, buyers, members of the media, representatives from support agencies and staff & board members from the Crafts Council of Ireland discussed the issues affecting the craft sector at present and the changes required to drive the sector forward.

The purpose of the conference was to provide key information on Consumer Research trends in a forum where the viewpoints of craftspeople, retailer and industry specialists could provide feedback for the next CCoI Strategic Plan for 2007 – 2009, which is due to be completed and published by July.

The conference opened with a presentation which drew comparisons to the issues faced by the sector today and those experienced during the days of the Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW), mainly low cost imports from abroad and the importance of good design in competing with them.This was followed with a synopsis of the 3 Consumer Research surveys that have been undertaken by the Crafts Council over the past 6 months - qualitative research, retailer research and quantitative research (see article on page 2 for further information) and culminated in a lively group debate on Image, Relevance,Access and Competence - identified as the key issues currently effecting the craft Industry.

One of the issues touched on repeatedly during the day was the importance of the craft brand. “Authenticity and experiences are what all big brands want and precisely what craft can deliver better than most. Successful delivery means compelling and truthful delivery - crafts are high on truth but may be poor at communicating the compelling aspect of their story” said the Conference Chairman, Jim Dunne (Director of EnterpriseIG and CCoI board member). Jim thanked the attendees for giving of their time and for participating with such conviction and passion - “it bodes well for the sector that so many diverse groups are willing to engage in the process of change.”

To read the full report on ‘Setting the Agenda for Change’ visit the news section of the CCoI web site at: www.ccoi.ie

Craft Community News P 11 Why Design

- Donegal Enterprise Board Access to Craft.....

Opportunities

P 12 Craft in the Classroom 3rd Level Awards Photoscheme

P 13 Pottery Design & Skills Course

Ceramics Ireland International...

Research Missions

P 14 Dates for Your Diary

Advertisements P 16 Advertisements

Exhibitions - Events

P 20 Snapshots - Designing Ireland P 21 Snapshots - Tracing the Line P 22 NCG - News

P 24 NCG - Upcoming exhibitions

2

News and Reviews

Consumer Research - Threats & Opportunites In the Jan / Feb issue of Stopress we first highlighted the issue of Consumer Research in an article entitled ‘Knowing your Consumer – Building Your Business’. In it we reported on the findings from our first qualitative survey with consumers – which took place during the latter part of 2005 and which highlighted some key issues for the sector to address.

The response to this research has been incredibly positive from craftspeople and buyers alike – and although not always rosey, the story the research told was by and large seen to be an accurate reflection of most craftspeople’s experiences.

For some there was a sense of relief in knowing that their suspicions were right and in being able to pinpoint some of the issues. For others they reserved judgement until they learned more. And – as is always the case – for some the reaction will be to put their head in the sand and carry on as they are.

For the Crafts Council of Ireland, what was clear was that we needed to know more – and we needed to know the hard facts and figures. With this in mind we commissioned a Syndicated Hall Door survey, which took place in January 2006 in homes across the country. The advantage of a large scale quantitative survey of this nature is that (based on a process agreed with the Central Statistics Office) it allows you to accurately project figures for the population as a whole – looking at issues such as demographics, gender, age etc.

Much work went into developing a survey that would give us:

• Maximum insight into consumers current spending habits in specific

categories (such as giftware, furniture, homeware, jewellery, accessories and fashion) • Insight into their view on the Irish craft offerings in each of these areas – compared to global offerings • Projected figures on what participants planned to spend in these categories over the coming 12 months This information enabled us to accurately assess the size and potential of the categories and the current and potential craft spend in these areas, for the population as a whole.

The Result

The reassuring result was that the growth potential under each category was better than anticipated – showing that there is certainly plenty of opportunity to improve craft sales, if the right product is presented to the right type of consumer in the right way.

In addition to this we looked in more detail at the consumer – their attitudes, buying behaviour and potential. The findings were very insightful - and backed up the initial research carried out in 2005, adding more depth and strength to the information.

Categories

From the first research findings it was clear that consumers think in terms of product categories – rather than craft disciplines. For this reason we based the research on the categories identified by consumers - and to ensure consistency and accuracy we clarified what we meant by the categories as follows:

• Furniture (tables, lamps, chairs, sofas etc)

• Giftware (bowls, vases, silverware, frames etc bought as a gift)

• Homeware (pottery, cutlery, home textiles etc bought for own home) • Jewellery (pendants, rings, bracelets etc)

• Fashion (contemporary, special occasion clothing – not high street fashion) • Accessories (belts, bags, scarves, cufflinks etc)

For each category we examined the sector as a whole (incorporating all products in this category – i.e. all furniture regardless of where and how it is made) and then the Irish craft sector (where consumers believed they were referring to Irish handmade craft furniture). It is important to note that from the research it is clear that many people believed they were buying products which were Irish craft – when by definition they were not craft, and /or not Irish made. However, this does not negatively affect the accuracy of the results – and indeed it simply highlights a willingness to buy Irish craft if it is available in the outlets they visit.

In addition, for each category we presented consumers with a storyboard displaying 2 sets of images – one of a selection of ‘Global’ products (representative of the products available in retail outlets that are not necessarily Irish or craft) and one of a selection Irish Craft products. These were not labelled – even the surveyors were not aware which storyboard reflected Global and which represented Irish craft - and consumers were asked to state their preferences.This enabled us to gauge how Irish craft design was comparing with ‘global’ products on a category by category basis.

One of the most encouraging findings of the research was the fact that Irish craft competed well with the global alternatives over all of the categories – and in some categories (such as furniture, homeware and giftware) it was very strong.

This highlights definite opportunities – although the challenge would seem to be ensuring that the consumer can find the craft alternative.

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News and Reviews

The facts established - by category For each category we established:

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Category size Typical consumer Average purchase amount Purchase frequency Ratio of the population who bought the category in the last year The ratio of purchases for ‘self ’ or as a gift The ratio that liked the ‘Global’ design theme (from the storyboards) Estimated size of the craft segment Typical craft customer Ratio of consumers who bought Irish craft in the past 12 months Ratio of consumers who did not buy Irish craft in the past 12 months Ratio of those that preferred the Irish craft design theme equally or better than the global theme • The estimated additional craft potential

Summary of Category Findings Furniture

Giftware

Whilst the category offers potential, the consumer outlook for the next 12 months looks potentially quite depressed (based on projected spend). The key consumer profile is young and middle aged men and women in the middle classes. The Irish craft design theme is good particularly amongst young consumers. The offer needs to be positioned primarily as a self purchase.

There seems to be a substantial opportunity for craft in the giftware category targeting middle aged, middle class women.

The craft design themes are good but currently appeal more to older consumers. The offer needs to be positioned primarily as a gift.

Fashion

This category appears to offer in overall value terms the highest growth potential. The key consumer profile is young middle class women.The craft design theme is weak with more middle age appeal.The offer needs to be positioned primarily as a self purchase.

Overall:

• Most of the key categories attract young, upmarket and female • • • • •

purchasers: giftware is slightly more middle aged, with fashion, jewellery and accessories very young.

All categories are dominated by younger buyers.

Craft giftware does very well among women over 50 Craft fashion performs strongest for 50-64 year old women, but younger women are of much greater relevance to the category generally.

Young women have a definite interest in craft fashion, accessories and jewellery which is less well reflected in purchase patterns than it could be.

Under 25 year olds, over 65 year olds and the working class predominate as non-buyers of crafts.

Consumers

Having examined the categories in detail we then looked at the types of typical consumers broken into the following groups:

• • • • • •

Young female Older female Men Heavy Purchasers of Craft Collectors Working Class

Young Female:

These under 35 year year olds were the dominant buyers in the areas of fashion, accessories and jewellery. They had a definite interest in Irish craft fashion and jewellery in particular, however this was not reflected in their purchasing patterns – probably because Irish craft was not readily available in the outlets they purchased in. As a group they were seen to have the highest growth potential, given their propensity to purchase, their potential interest in craft and the fact that they are currently not buying craft (or in some cases even seeing craft in the outlets they visit).

Homeware

There seems to be a substantial opportunity for craft in the homeware category targeting young, middle class women.

The craft design themes are good but appeal more to older consumers. The offer needs to be positioned primarily as homeware.

Jewellery

There seems to be a substantial opportunity for craft in the Jewellery category targeting young and middle aged, middle class women. The craft design themes are perceived as weak but perceived better among middle aged consumers.The offer needs to be positioned primarily as giftware.

Older Female:

Accessories

This category appears to offer in relative terms the highest growth opportunity. The key consumer profile is young women.The craft design theme is perceived as weak generally but improves among middle age consumers. The offer needs to be positioned primarily as a self purchase.

Men:

These 49+ women are currently the segment most likely to purchase craft. They tend to be based in towns and villages outside of the main Urban areas (the cities). They place a high value on craft and they appreciate design – they are discerning purchasers of fashion and giftware in particular. They also fall strongly into the ‘Collectors’ segment – and there is potential to further harness this market.

Men are not a key target profile for most categories – although they were the main purchasers of furniture. However, they spend more per purchase than women on all categories except fashion. There is some potential for this segment within the Irish craft furniture category – however as a segment they show lower potential overall.

4

News and Reviews

Heavy Purchasers of Craft:

This was a very interesting segment or group as they don’t necessarily buy into the notion of ‘craft’ - that is to say, while they buy quite a substantial amount of craft, they purchase because they like the product not because it is a craft product.

They tend to be women aged between 25-49, married, working fulltime and based in rural locations (not in the main cities).They are ABC1’s and on average spend over €500 annually on craft. The potential to further tap into this group is high.

Collectors

5% of the population indicate a desire to collect and invest in craft, but in reality 1% actually collect - which means there are currently 33,000 craft collectors in Ireland. They are predominantly AB, female, married, aged between 55-64 and based outside of the main cities. These are a very specific group who have a passion for craft and as such have further potential – particularly when you consider that a further 4% express a desire to collect but do not currently do so.

Working Class

As a segment this group are most likely to reject craft and contain the most number of non buyers. The key reason is price points – they are either not in a position or not willing to pay premium price points for craft items and thus as a group have little or no potential.

Design Versus Handmade

It was important for the sector to try to understand the emphasis that consumers place on the issues of design and handmade – as this will affect how craft is marketed moving forward.

The reality of the situation is that consumers that are ‘quite’ or ‘very interested’ in craft expressed a significant preference for design versus handmade. Young female ABC1’s also expressed a significant preference (3:1) for design versus handmade.

In other words, all other things being equal, design is rated as more important to these consumers than whether the item is made by hand.

Channels

What has been clear from all of the research to date is the importance of understanding where purchases are made for each of the consumer segments or groups. Knowing whether a group has potential and then where they are most likely to purchase enables you to assess how to reach them.

The survey identified the following channels through which consumers are likely to purchase – and they broke down by gender, age and economic status where consumers were most likely to purchase.

Channels

• • • • • • • • • • •

Department stores Gift shop Place where item is made Dedicated craft fair Specific craft shop Farmers market Tourist shop Factory outlet Gallery Internet Mail order catalogue

Backing up previous findings, Department stores came out very strong – particularly for women under 49 and those in the ABC1 category. Gift shop came next for this group. Craft shops scored relatively well with women over 35 – as did dedicated craft fairs and farmers markets – but for the under 25’s these routes did not rate highly at all.

Essentially one of the clearest messages for the craft industry – producers and retailers alike – is that the group with the most potential in the future (the under 35 year old women) are currently purchasing in the locations where you are less likely to find craft (department stores and gift shops).

Price premiums

Optimistically, 2 out of 5 consumers feel that craft products should command a price premium to reflect the time and effort it takes to produce them. 34% felt that craft should be similarly priced, 37% felt that craft should cost a little more and 6% felt that craft should cost a lot more. Only 11% felt it should cost less, or a lot less.

When considering the issues surrounding competition from low-cost imports, this finding is encouraging – showing that consumers do rate craft items and do see the merit in paying more for them than for mass produced items.

Conclusion

While there can be no denying the fact that the craft sector is facing challenging times – with changing consumer behaviour, increased low-cost competition, high cost-bases and overheads etc. there are also clear opportunities that can be capitalised on.

Threats highlighted by the research include:

• The older generations tend to be more craft-aware, however as time passes they will become less influential purchasers

• Under 25’s do not tend to purchase craft or shop where craft is available

– they are a key audience that are currently untapped, and vital to the future • Craft currently does not appeal as much to the younger generations – thus it will be important for the craft sector to ensure that craft products are more relevant to younger audiences All of these threats can and must be addressed by the sector over time and this will require a concerted effort from support agencies, craftspeople and retailers if it is to be successful.

Encouraging findings from the research :

• The Irish craft offering competes well with the ‘global’ offering in the eyes of the consumer

• There is greater potential within each of the categories than would have been anticipated

• There is excellent growth potential within the key consumer segments of

younger women, older women, heavy purchasers and collectors – although there is a job of work to do to ensure that they get to see craft • In addition we can now identify the channels where these consumer segments purchase The key element for the sector as a whole is to take on these findings and to find ways in which to optimise the opportunities and address the challenges. The Crafts Council will use these findings to form the basis of activity in the upcoming Strategic Plan – which will be launched in July 2006 and rolled out in January 2007.

We will also ensure that all participants in the sector are made aware of the research so that the sector as a whole can address the issues and ensure that we move on cohesively.

A more indepth version of the research results will be published on the CCoI website in the coming weeks.

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News and Reviews

Angela O’Kelly, Michelle O’Donnell & Liz Nilsson

Angela O’Kelly

Michelle O’Donnell

Liz Nilsson

3 designer/makers unveil new work at ‘TRACES’

Michelle O’Donnell, Angela O’Kelly and Liz Nilsson joined forces for a unique show entitled ‘Traces’. The development of the new work was supported by the Crafts Council of Ireland’s 50% Scheme, which enables registered craftspeople to avail of financial assistance towards the development of new product.

‘Traces’ which opened on 3rd March at the Atrium. OPW, Dublin saw the group take their work to a new level. Michelle who normally works to commission unveiled new glass work in the form of ladders and cobwebs, while Angela who works in mixed media, produced dramatic interactive wall pieces in paper and metal. Liz Nilsson’s colourful, textile collages were inspired by her childhood in her native Sweden.

Michelle, Angela and Liz who are also participants on CCoI Portfolio look forward to exploring new opportunities over the coming months.

For further information on Traces exhibition contact: Liz Nilsson T: 01 4976058 E: nilssonliz@yahoo.ie

For further information on 50% Scheme contact: Helen Lynch T: 048 30 833605 E: helen@helenlynch.net W: www.ccoi.ie

Education News Adaptive Craft

Craftsperson Tara Carrigy to work with researchers on Smart Materials This Crafts Council of Ireland and Dublin-based Adaptive Information Cluster’s ‘Adaptive Craft’ initiative will see the first Irish craftsperson in an Irish university actively working with researchers to develop a smart textile garment.

We are now delighted to announce that the successful craftsperson is Tara Carrigy, a Dublin-based printed textile designer who lectures part-time in the National College of Art and Design, as well as producing work for clients such as Lainey Keogh, John Rocha, Ali Malek and Fenn Wright and Manson. As such, Tara has a wealth of relevant experience, and is excited at the prospect of extending her practice through technology and collaboration.

Tara’s proposal - the unique concept of ‘Smart Yoga-wear’ - caught the eye of the selection panel with its health and lifestyle potential and its strong craft component. As a yoga practitioner herself,Tara understands the frustration of not being able to monitor whether her breathing and posture are correct. Her proposal incorporates smart fabrics being developed at DCU (Dublin City University) where the fabric itself will monitor changes in pressure, breathing, movement etc,.

The aim of the initiative is to enable Tara to work with ‘Smart Fabrics’ over a six-month period. Her time will be spent on and off campus exploring materials to research and liaising with researchers in chemistry, engineering and computing, along with an AIC support team.

The goal is to use these emerging ‘Smart Fabrics’ to produce a garment, which will be displayed during the Kilkenny Arts Festival 2006.

For further information contact Sharon Rollston on T: 056 7761804 E: sharon@ccoi.ie

Phase 2 of the Ist Level Schools Pilot Project: ‘ Craft in the Classroom’ now launched. For details see Opportunities section P. 12

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News and Reviews

Crafts and the Environment The Craft Experience

By Declan Cullen Imagine a group of Japanese businessmen flying halfway around the world to visit Ireland. What are they here for? To play golf?

No, they're here to build a dry stone wall. Of course, you don't have to imagine it if you are Pat Collum, marketing manager for Green Box. He has seen it, and what's more, sooner or later pretty much everyone in the crafts industry will see it or something like it.

"The past is a foreign country," according to novelist LP Har tley, "they do

developed in central Europe and Scandinavia, and even Britain and the United States, he says.

things differently there." This different country, it turns out, is a place many

Sean O'Dowd is the Potter behind one of Nor thern Ireland's best known

pre-industrial world, where things were made by skill and by hand, rather

unusual in the crafts industry. Whereas most crafts would be regarded as par t

people want to visit. Like Japanese people who want to get a glimpse of a than by machine and by the million.

Green Box is a publicly funded eco-tourism project which straddles the Ireland-Nor thern Ireland border and covers the whole Nor th-west. Its brief

is to bring local culture and heritage to the tourist market. People want a

genuine experience when they go on holiday, says Collum, they want local

potteries, Ballydougan, based near Lurgan, Armagh. Ballydougan is something

of a production industry, Ballydougan is also firmly in the service industry.

Unusually for a crafts business, it has won Nor thern Ireland Tourist Board awards. It has also won government attention (and funding), who see its innovative blend of niche market tourism and small, interdependent microbusinesses as a viable and sustainable rural diversification strategy.

customs and local crafts, and they want to immerse themselves in them.

Ballydougan, which has grown from just a single potter – Sean himself – in

environmentally sustainable ways, which is why Green Box's associated

source of objects. The Ballydougan complex now comprises a pottery and

"They are looking for meaningful travel" he says. They also want to do this in

accommodation providers are in the process of being environmentally audited for EU-recognised accreditation.

1984 has embraced the idea of crafts as an experience rather than as a mere gift shop, a restaurant, and self-catering cottages. All are housed within a

complex of authentically restored, listed buildings. What it offers the visitor is

They want to experience where they are visiting, something unique to the

embraced the idea of crafts as an

more local and individual than the handmade. Crafts, therefore, are one of

experience rather than as a mere

country. And in the era of globalisation and homogenisation, what could be the keys to unlocking this potential.

Why should Ireland be interested? Eco tourists spend longer in an area,

Collum explains. They spend longer and they spend more, as a result. They are not interested in shopping malls with a few dozen multinational retailers.

They want something they cannot get at home, as did the Japanese businessmen.

"The craft scene is very much par t of our ethos," says Collum.

Unfor tunately, this eco-tourism is an area where Ireland lags. It is better

source of objects immersion: people can become par t of the process to whatever level they

choose, either as observers or par ticipants. Visitors can go along and watch the potters, but they can get hands-on experience too in any of a number of

crafts courses (not all of which are ceramics). For instance, one course

– ostensibly for young mothers – is for making a christening plate for their

baby. "People want hands-on experience, they want their own creation," says

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News and Reviews

People want a genuine experience when they go on holiday, says Collum, they want local customs and local crafts, and they want to immerse themselves in them

O'Dowd. "They want to achieve something rather than just buy it."

Imelda Daly runs Rockfield Ecological Estate nor th of Mullingar. Rockfield is

Although he doesn't market it as eco-tourism, Ballydougan does have green,

centre, all under and 'ecological living' umbrella. What makes it so unusual

sustainable and close-to-the-ear th credentials. All the food is locally sourced, the buildings are preserved and restored rather than new built. And as

O'Dowd points out, you don't burn any jet fuel getting to Ireland if you are here already: "Staying at home is the eco-tourist holiday".

somewhat unusual: it's a private home run as an ar ts, culture and heritage and of interest to craftspeople is the range of crafts courses it offers: spinning, weaving, felt-making, batik ar t, papermaking, ceramics, basketmaking, wood and stonecarving.

O'Dowd sees the path he has followed as more or less inevitable, the future

Daly points out that all the courses have a cultural or heritage significance,

or 14 people employed all making pots are gone – there are only so many

from the estate, the wool for weaving and spinning is from their own

for much of the crafts sector – which may be no bad thing. "The days of 13 pots you can sell, after all. Anyway, the add-ons are more profitable." The

pattern of experiencing crafts rather than just buying the products is repeated

but they all have 'green' credentials: the wood carvers use clear-felled trees organic sheep.

throughout the island. What it shows is an area into which craftspeople can

Without theorising too much, Dave McLoughlin, who runs Ben Bulben

desire for something other than the one-size-fits-all experiences offered by a

up the real, gut-level attraction of crafts experience holidays and courses

diversify, an area made fer tile by growing environmental awareness and a

globalised world. Here are a few more examples:

The Organic Centre in Rossinver, Leitrim, is somewhat of a Mecca for the

Pottery and gives the ceramics course at the Organic Centre, probably sums – it's all down to the tactile: "It's nice to get your hands dir ty and give it a try. And you can even end up with something half decent," he says.

ecologically aware, it's almost a rite of passage for environmentalists to pay

Without a doubt times are changing – many of us are tiring of the norm, the

it – but it also offers courses, and crafts courses feature highly in their

globalisation. People are beginning to look for the authentic experience, the

a visit. The centre is a tourist attraction in its own right, people visit it to see programme. The Centre's Barbara McInerney says its perfectly understandable that traditional crafts and environmental living make such compatible bedfellows.

The people who turn up at Rossinver want biodegradable, sustainable living; they want things made by ar tisans rather than by machine. A glance through

the Organic Centre's course list shows pottery courses, felt making, basket-

making, dry-stone walling. Alongside these are others, not usually covered by

the Crafts Council, but crafts nonetheless: natural cosmetics and soap-making,

baking and cheesemaking. According to McInerney, they don't just offer these

courses because they can, but because there is demand for them.

mass market, the one-size-fits-all approach to life that is par t and parcel of

unique product the individual service and that is where craft, and craft related services, score. Craft has that individual element that automatically differenciates it from the masses. It projects integrity and authenticity – it provides a sense

of self, a connection with nature, a sense of belonging that cannot be replicated. As a sector we have to find new ways to adapt to the changing market place – and compete on our strengths.

Craft has that individual element

Dingle West is a tourist promotion website. Sue Redican is another craftsperson

that automatically differentiates it

alongside museums and ar t galleries as places to visit on the peninsula.

from the masses.

who doubles as a tourist attraction. She features on the website, listed Redican is a traditional weaver who spends her winters in Dunquin, and her

summers out on the Great Blasket off the Dingle peninsula, where the now-vanished Gaelic speaking civilisation of the Great Blasket was captured and immor talised by Peig Sayers and Tomas O'Crohan. Among the many tasks of the island's womenfolk was weaving – which was done more or less

from scratch, making yarns from raw wool, dyeing them with local plants and

lichens and eventually weaving them into garments. Redican spends her summers on the island doing just this, and day trippers to the otherwise

uninhabited island usually call to her workshop. "Kids especially are fascinated by it," she says." They can see the wool before it's made into something." Some of them try it, and of course find it is a lot more difficult than it looks, which

adds to their appreciation of both the object itself and of the island's womenfolk who used to do this of necessity.

www.balllydouganpottery.co.uk

8

News and Reviews

CRAFT-IT Tips to increase your on-line presence

COMING SOON.......

• Backing up your critical data • Databases: tracking your

customers and suppliers

• Online Business Banking • Using a computer and the

internet to track the dispatch

and distribution of your products

• Using internet news groups to

expand and share your knowledge

of current craft practices

• Plus much more....

“ I spent ages with a website designer last year putting up a site for my business and I wish I had never bothered. I have not got a single piece of business from it!”

I hear this a lot from businesses - whether craftspeople or others. And I suspect that there are a hell of a lot of internet sites that never bring in a single Euro. And how would they - try printing marketing leaflets for your business and leaving them in the box they were delivered in. Putting up an internet site and doing nothing with it is (almost) no different.

The qualification is that the way the internet works could be different. Once your site is up then it can be seen by anyone with an internet connection - so it is not the same at all as leaving your leaflets in a box.

Except that people have to have a reason to go to your site, and they have to be able to find it. And that is what we are covering in this Craft IT article.

Starting simply with some blindly obvious advice Even if you never get a single new customer with your website you should use it to communicate with your existing ones. (For those of you with brand new businesses - skip to next paragraph!).This is the most cost effective and visual way you have of allowing consumers (or retailers) who already have a product of yours to see your new work. If you are really stretched for time then you do not even have to commit to an email newsletter (see later on in the article) - just publicise your website address on your product, your bags, your packaging and your leaflets/brochures.

For those of you who are new to business then the first place to start is making your website address relevant, easy to spell and memorable. Why - because you need to act as though your audience are stupid and have the attention span of kids with ADHD.They need to be able to glance at your website name and remember it instantly. And then they need to be able to spell it properly when they are at their computer.

Making your website name easy 1. Relate the website name to your business - the seanthepotter.com kind of approach. What if you cannot use your name? Should you consider something like coolglass.com? It could work if your work (and brand) are strong enough.

2. Don’t go fashionable with your spelling (few companies will get away with doing a Flickr - leaving letters out of common words!)

ARCHIVE.......

Stuff that takes effort

• Stopress 7, 2006

Different ways of increasing your use of the internet for your business

What sort of website is best for you?

• Stopress 8, 2005 Blogs

This all takes time - which (along with cash) is very precious to craftspeople. So a decision to give time to this is best suited to a craft business that meets some of the following criteria: • • • • •

Sells directly to end consumers Has products that are suitable for the internet Has (or is aiming to develop) a strong personal or business brand Is positioned in or moving into the mid to upper end of the marketplace for crafts Has pieces that have a high individual selling price

Or even if none of the above apply - if you enjoy technology or marketing!

Why this proviso? Because it has to be worth your while. And businesses in the kind of space above are more likely to make a return on the time investment in their site.

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News and Reviews

“Even if you never get a single new customer with your website you should use it to communicate with your existing ones”

A little effort Directories

Internet users need to be able to find things - quickly. And so websites that bring together a number of potential suppliers in one place can be good places for your website to be listed.

Cross linking

If there are other craft business whom you are comfortable to promote by word of mouth (maybe they are not in the same physical area or work in a different discipline. Or because you are friends) then make sure that the ones with sites link to yours and visa versa.

In both these cases it takes a little time to find these and to submit your details. - however once you have done it you only need to update them when your contact details change or your products need to be refreshed (if they have photos)

The text on your website

This is most practical for newbies as it can most easily be done when your website is being developed for the first time (or being redesigned for that matter).

Most websites contain a list of words (called meta tags) that can be used to describe your work but are never seen by visitors to your site.

Pointless as that may seem these words are used by search engines (Google and the like) to help them decide which websites to show in search results. So you can use them to include words like gift, present, Ireland - even though you do not want these words cluttering up your home page. Talk to your website designer about this and think about the kind of words that people will use either when they are searching for you specifically, or when they are looking for work like yours.

Lots of Effort Update it

When you do get people to visit your site it is easy to loose them after a couple of seconds. One easy way of doing this is to display completely out of date information and images.

This is easily achieved - just relax a little when your website is finally up and (once you have put your domain name everywhere) don’t even go near it again. Don’t look at it, don’t change it. And pretty soon it will give a great impression of you and your work - 3 years ago.The work that you hate now.

This kind of revisiting is tedious and does not bring much in the way of short-term reward. But it does give your name/brand and your work on the internet a freshness that will bring people back to your site. And hopefully encourage them to buy your work.

Competitions

People love to win things. Even small things – it doesn’t matter. Free is free! So collect peoples email addresses over a couple of months and raffle a piece of your work. Word of mouth alone will bring visitors in!

The “where am I going to find that kind of time?” effort Email newsletter

This falls into the category of “making things easy for people”. Take their email address and send them an email every so often to bring their attention to new work on your site.This will take a couple of minutes (a single paragraph in the email is fine) and will mean that you will make much better use of your updating work. It can also be used to let people know about new stockists, a retail fair that you are doing or offer them sale prices on pieces that you are trying to get rid of.

Blogging

This falls into the category of “making things easy for people”. Take their email address and send them an email every so often to bring their attention to new work on your site.This will take a couple of minutes (a single paragraph in the email is fine) and will mean that you will make much better use of your updating work. It can also be used to let people know about new stockists, a retail fair that you are doing or offer them sale prices on pieces that you are trying to get rid of. For more on blogging see pages 10 - 11, Stopress 8 (Mar/Apr 2006).

10

News and Reviews Stained Glass Artist,

Peadar Lamb

the latest ‘Standard Setter’ Chosen by a panel of experts on behalf of the Crafts Council of Ireland, Peadar Lamb, based in Dublin, is the latest ‘Standard Setter’ to be profiled in Irish Arts Review. Congratulations to Peadar!

Standard Setters is a joint initiative with CCoI and Irish Arts Review and promotes the concept of acknowledging consistency in design excellence within the craft industry. You can read about Peadar in the Summer 2006 issue of Irish Arts Review.

For further information visit www.irishartsreview.com

"The programme was thoroughly worthwhile and motivating" Denis Kenny, Ceadogan Rugs - on our Marketing Programme About Creative Skillnet

Creative Skillnet is an opportunity for the creative industries to come together, determine their own training and strategic needs and access substantial resources for the development of their sector. Creative Skillnet training is grant aided and most programmes are 70% funded. We are committed to providing training that meets the critical business needs of our members.

Since our official launch in February, we have rolled out Marketing, Web Development and Strategic Planning training programmes, as requested by our members. We extend a big ‘Thank You’ to those members who are already actively participating. We are delighted that you are learning new tools to enhance the way you do business. We are extremely happy with the programme results. Participant feedback has so far been excellent and we look forward to extending our offerings in the very near future. In order that we continue to source and fund quality programmes of this calibre, it is important that we expand our network and grow our resources. We are therefore always delighted to hear your comments, opinions and feedback.

More comments from participants:

"Informative and practical with very useful one-to-one sessions: I am much clearer about what to do with our website and what can be done" Jamie McCarthy-Fisher, The Wild Goose Studio – on our Web Programme "The programme was thought provoking. Got to core issues quickly."

Pearse O'Brien, Duiske Glass - on our marketing Programme

Upcoming Courses

Some of the courses we will be providing this Autumn include:

• PR with Photography - How to make the best use of you images.

• • • •

- Matching appropriate images with the appropriate opportunity.

- How to make PR work to your best advantage.

Merchandising - for shows and retail.

Computer Graphics - Corel Draw / Photoshop Marketing Business Improvement Strategy

How to join

Membership is open to those working in the creative industries - a membership fee of ?125 is payable twice a year for a two year period.This entitles members to avail of training on the Creative Skillnet Training Programmes at a reduced rate of 30% of the full cost. Members themselves decide which programmes they would like to see rolled out to the network.

If you wish to enquire about becoming a member of Creative Skillnet or you wish to join please contact: Pat or Ann at the Pat McCarthy Studio. Creative Skillnet is managed on behalf of the Creative Skillnet Steering Committee by the Pat McCarthy Studio. Pat McCarthy Design Studio, The Rower, Inistioge, Co Kilkenny. T: 051 423857 E: mail: info@patmccarthystudio.ie

11

Craft Community News

WHY DESIGN? Achieving Competitive Advantage through Design in Donegal Building on the foundations created by “Opportunities in Design” and the ICSTI statement “Design and Development”, Donegal County Enterprise Board has launched a new design report and training programme based on the value of, and need for, the effective use of design to create competitive advantage for small businesses in the County.

On Monday 27th March the WHY DESIGN? report was launched as part of

Board has now secured further funding from Skillnets Services Ltd to deliver the “3D Accel Project”, a two year design training programme for small businesses. This training

programme will focus on creating design awareness, delivering design development training modules, development of a Donegal design network and best practice visits.

Robert O’Connor, National Irish Bank, (main Sponsor of Enterprising Donegal Week), Aisling Lynch, Business Advisor, Donegal County Enterprise Board, Toby Scott, Director, The Design Centre, Sligo (guest speaker), Seamus McAdams, TEDI i2 (consultant who carried out Donegal Design Audit), Michael Tunney, CEO Donegal County Enterprise Board

For a copy of this report please contact Donegal County Enterprise Board T: 074 916 0735 E: info@donegalenterprise.ie

Access to Craft......

Leitrim Design House ‘New’ Brochure

The Dock, St. Georges Terrace, Carrick-on- Shannon, Co. Leitrim T: 071 96 50550 E: info@leitrimdesignhouse.ie W: ww.leitrimdesignhouse.ie

Leitrim Design House have recently published a very simple but tastefully illustrated brochure of their craft offering. At a glance it lets the consumer know the range of services and variety of unique and specialist gifts on offer.

CRAFTMARK - The Louth Craftmark

Directory and Commissioning Guide

Louth Craftmark has just published a new directory and guide to commissioning crafts from Co. Louth.

Featured in the directory is beautiful original work from a selection of Louth top designer-makers, in ceramics, glass, textiles, metal and wood.

In the directory you will find details on each maker's work, along with information on commissions completed and of course inspirational images of commissionable craft.

To obtain a copy of the directory please contact the office: T: +353 42 939 6943 or E: sarahdaly@craftmark.ie or download from the Craftmark website www.craftmark.ie

PORTFOLIO

A catalogue of Ireland’s Leading designer makers, selected by an International panel of experts.

This directory contains images and information on the artists and their work. It also contains details on where the work is available from and how to commission a piece.

A limited number of PORTFOLIO CD’s are available from the Crafts Council Offices.

To get a copy contact the CCoI offices at: Contact:T: 056 7761804 Email: info@ccoi.ie

If you have a good news story, let us know.....email: stopress@ccoi.ie

Enterprising Donegal Week. Using this baseline information, Donegal County Enterprise

12

Opportunities

Craft in the Classroom Parrot - Detail from felt wall hanging created by second/third class pupils, Dromleigh National School, Kilmichael, Macroom. Facilitated by Gana Roberts for CCoI's Craft in the Classroom Project.

Opportunities...Opportunities...Opportunities...Opportunities

call for craftspeople interested in participating in phase two CCoI’s primary schools initiative ‘Craft in the Classroom’ was first launched in Spring 2005 in County Cork. Its main aim is to train craftspeople in the delivery of the primary visual arts curriculum and to raise the profile of craft in the primary education sector.

The 2006/7 academic year will see the second phase of this pilot rolled out. This time the residencies will take place in primary schools based in counties Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford.

An information day for interested craftspeople will be held in September, focusing mainly on the relevance of craft to the primary visual arts curriculum. As such, it will be of interest to any craftspeople wishing to work in school settings, and all are welcome to attend. However, craftspeople based in Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford will be given priority when being paired with schools for the subsequent residency projects. For those craftspeople to whom this applies, attendance at this event is mandatory if they wish to be considered for selection for the residencies.

You will find further details of the event in the next issue of Stopress, but if you wish to register your interest now, please email your contact details to: sharon@ccoi.ie to receive information directly.

Angela Hope

Now inviting applications!

The Council’s brand new student awards scheme, designed to support those demonstrating most potential to develop craft-based practice beyond their current course of study, is now inviting applications.

Photography Scheme ‘06

Only current students within Irish colleges are eligible to apply for the two awards on offer this year, and they must be either final year honours degree undergraduates or postgraduates, using craft as a process as recognised by CCoI. Each award is worth €2,500.

Cost: €75 per image for non-model shots and €100 per image for model shots.

Applicants must be nominated by a craft tutor at their college, and can apply for funding for the following:

• • • • • •

Acquisition of additional skills, training or learning and associated costs of travelling abroad to pursue additional skills, education or research Research (materials, technology, practices) Purchase of equipment/materials Studio rental costs Production of promotional materials.

The deadline for applications is Friday 9th June. Interviews will be held on 27/28th June. For further information and/or an application form go to www.ccoi/education or contact sharon@ccoi.ie or +353 (0)56 7761804

27th Jun &17th Oct 2006

All Photography Scheme images are automatically included on CCoI Image Bank which is provided to the media free of charge and also used in CCoI promotional publications and on the CCoI website.

Expressions of Interest forms will be available 4 weeks prior to each shoot.

Photography Scheme is open to registered craftspeople from Northern Ireland For further information contact:

Mary O’Shea or Emma Briscoe T: 056 7761804 E: info@ccoi.ie.

Please note this is a very popular project and places are limited.

13

Opportunities Pottery Design & Skills Course

The closing date for applications is

26th May

Applications are now being invited for Craft Council of Ireland’s Pottery Design and Skills course. Now in its 17th year, the course has been extremely successful, and has established an excellent reputation in the industry both nationally and internationally.

In order to meet current market needs, the new two-year curriculum covers Workshop practice and Health and safety, Production skills, Clay and glaze technology, Kiln theory and operation, Surface treatments, Drawing and design and History of ceramics and contemporary practice.

CCoI will be submitting the course to the Higher Education & Training Awards Council in the coming months, seeking accreditation at ordinary degree level (level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications).

Further information and forms are available from Amanda Walsh, Crafts Council of Ireland, Castle Yard, Kilkenny.

E: amanda@ccoi.ie T: 056 7761804

The closing date for applications is 26th May

N.B. Commencement of the course is subject to its inclusion in the Crafts Council’s 2007-2009 Strategic Plan

Research Missions Autumn/Winter 2006 Financial Assistance towards visiting International Trade Shows

Closing date - 28th July 2006 Go and see! It’s the best research for trends and for market research

If you want to research an event/show in 2006 and want to avail of assistance with costs…..Then download an application form from www.ccoi.ie/researchmissions

Here’s what some people say….

This was a wonderful oppor tunity to view a world-wide and world-class exhibition and follow up with visits to the many London galleries that were showing their applied Ar ts collections to coincide with the Collect Show. It was a chance for me to view my own work in this framework and I found much of the work inspirational and will inform my own work in the future.

Rachel Milotte, Ceramicist, visited Collect, London Februar y 2006

The initial feeling when I arrived at Inhorenta was overwhelming.

The Designers section was very inspiring as the Germans have a very brave approach to jewellery making and are not afraid to be big and bold…… the variety of material is never ending……lots of unusually cut stones, full of inspiration to take home and create from.

Anne Mette O’Connor, Jeweller visited Inhorgenta, Germany February 2006

CERAMICS IRELAND INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Read more reviews at www.ccoi.ie/researchmissions

8th, 9th and 10th Sept 06 Don’t miss the opportunity to come and participate in a unique 3 day event featuring 7 dynamic internationally renowned Ceramic Artists. These distinguished practioners will present a range of fascinatingly diverse techniques and vibrant work. Shao Ting Ju - Taiwan, Eric Astoul - France, Geoffrey Healy - Ireland, Ashraf Hanna - Wales, Daphne Corregan - France, Greg Crowe - Australia, John French - USA/Ireland The weekend programme will include demonstrations, slide shows, firings, discussion forum, exhibitions and trade stands. 2 exhibitions, Ceramics Ireland International Festival’ and Emerging Ceramics will be held at the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny in conjunction with the festival.

This event is part of ‘Feile Clai’ an Interreg 111A European funded joint project between Ireland and Wales.

For further information contact Tina Byrne T: 01 2870963 E: tinabyrne@feileclai.com W: www.feileclai.com

If your application is successful, CCoI will subsidise a maximum of 50% of the cost of:

• • • •

economy return airfare public transpor t to and from the event passes/tickets to the event accommodation - one night in UK, 2 overnights in Europe and 3 overnights in USA.

maximum subsidy for UK €150, Europe €250 and USA €500 *Please note the following

• Due to the structure of our funding - subsidies are not available to craftspeople in Nor thern Ireland.

• The purpose of the mission is research; therefore applications

from craftspeople who already exhibit at the show or who have been to the show more than twice will not be accepted.

• Maximum number of three research missions, per craftsperson per year.

• In order to process the refund applicants are requested to produce appropriate receipts and a shor t repor t on their event.

For further information contact Helen Lynch T: 048 30833605 E: helen@helenlynch.net W: www.ccoi.ie/researchmissions

14

Opportunities

Dates for your Diary Opportunities...Opportunities...Opportunities...Opportunities

*Please note: Stopress is published by the 15th day of the first month of issue. The July/August issue of Stopress will be published on 15th July 2006

OPPORTUNITY DIARY DATES

BY/ON/CURRENTLY/TBC*

Stopress deadline for July/August issue

is

16th June 2006

3rd Level Awards

by

9th June 2006

Photoscheme

on

27th June 2006

Research Missions

by

28th July 2006

PORTFOLIO

by

5th September 2006

Photoscheme

on

17th October 2006

NCG EXHIBITIONS 2006 New Programme for 2006 now available

contact NCG or visit website www.ccoi.ie/exhibitions

NCG, Castle Yard, Kilkenny Tracing the Line

on

7th April - 28th May 2006

40 Shades of Green

on

2nd June - 16th July 2006

15

Opportunities

Graduate Show - Pottery Design and Skills Course

on

20th July - 7th August 2006

Ceramic Ireland International Festival

on

11th August - 1st October

Emerging Makers

on

1st September – 8th October

Silver Connections

on

13th October - 26th November

on

21st June 2006

Winter 07/08 - Sessions 1& 2

on

28th June 2006

Furniture Design and Market Trend Forecast

on

9th November 2006

Womenswear Trend Forecast Spring 07 and 08

on

29th November 2006

SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ENTERPRISE IRELAND TREND FORECAST EVENTS

Jewellery Design and Market Trend Forecast

Womenswear Trend Forecast Autumn/

Highlight important dates on your calendar

For more information on the above events: T: 056 7761804 or e-mail info@ccoi.ie

Registered crafts people from Northern Ireland are eligible to participate in 50% Scheme, Portfolio, Photoscheme, Best Practice in Commissioning and Third Level Awards.

STICKERS located on back of CCoI Calendar

*Please note Comissioning & the Corporate Gift Market Seminar 18th May, Kilkenny Brochures have been sent to those on our register who have identified themselves as interested in comissioning.

A PDF of the seminar brochure and also a summary report on commissioning are available to download from the CCoI website from: www.ccoi.ie (on the home page go to link ‘Forthcoming Seminar’).

For further information please contact Mary Whelan at: T: 056 7761804 E: maryw@ccoi.ie

Rober t Lee

16

Advertisements FOR SALE Gas kiln (bottle gas) - dimensions

inside: Depth 51cm, Width 53cm,

Height 72,5cm. Dimensions outside: Depth 91cm, Width 81cm, Height 108cm(with feet 154cm). Cost:

Electric kiln 16 cubic ft

Jewellery Workshop

including shelves, controller etc.

Vulcianiser €250, Balco Rhodium

for similar but smaller plus balance.

For further information

toploader. Cromartie workhorse, Excellent condition. Might exchange

For further information contact T: 085 1622721

equipment - William Frost

Plating unit €300 3 x 1Ltr

contact Sean T: 087 2546925

Deadline for Submission: 9th June

2006. Stalls £150. Concessionary

Rate £ 100 (recent graduates of 2

years). No commission. For further

information and application forms contact: Camilla Moore Djanogly

Art Gallery, Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD T: +44 (0)115 951 3189

€1400, ono includes 2 potburners,

Yarn , Wool, Mixes, all on cones.

To be collected. For further

Mannequins, 2 Hat Heads, Wooden

Fibre Art International

Information contact: 086 8470122

Exhibition of Contemporary Fibre

2 full gas bottles, 2 empty bottles. information contact Brigitta T: 087 6189313

Kilcarra hand and

Samples on request. Shop Fittings:

Hangers, 2 Office Desks. For further marianne_mcgrath@yahoo.ie

machine knitting yarns,

Fibres for spinning and felt making.

mohair and various fancy yarns.

Gaywool dyes perfect for dyeing

various colours. Mixture of silk, wool, For more information contact Amanda T: 086 0634634,

E: info@amanda-daunt.com

16 Shaft AVL Dobby Loom,

160cm/60" weaving width Fly

shuttles, two boxes, two beams (one

sectional), automatic advance system, computer capability includes

accessories. Built in bench. Manuals

Top quality silk and wool tops.

wool and silk. Ashford weaving and spinning equipment. For further information contact Suzie Sullivan T: 098 21888 or

suzie@derryauncrafts.com www.derryauncrafts.com

Kiln S65 , top loader 6.5 cu foot capacity/184 litres, incl. shelves and timer, little used, €1,600 ono.

included. Excellent condition. Sale

For further information

move. £3,500. Also available: 6'

T: 01 8380913 E: fohann@eircom.net

due to career change and house warping mill, 3m circumference £200. Tapestry loom: £300 For further information

contact Daphne McGuigan T +44 (0) 28 4482 8415

E: daphnenelson@hotmail.com

Pottery Kiln , K and F 15.8 cu ft. top loader with original controller,

furniture and spare set of elements,

contact Fergal O'Hannrachain

Glenmarkra floor loom

four shaft, weaving width 31", also

warping mill, reeds, raddle, stretcher and large amount of wool (Navan and finer). €1,000. For further Jean T: 01 2956260

Ratcliffe belt wheel

contact Sun Ceramics

kiln 7.5 cb ft. single phase

T: 086 8172988

Large workshop space

available for rent in Lanesborough,

Co.Longford. For further information

contact Mary Clarke T: 087 6306348

Beautiful loft space (22 x

5.5 m) to let/lease in Grennan Mill,

and bentrup ct405 controller for

kiln as new. For further information

contact John at T: 071 9183838 or E: oriainpottery@hotmail.com

Art www.fiberartinternational.org closing date 18th August 2006 For further information contact Mary Towner

T: + 001 412 521 2547 or

E fiberartinternational@yahoo.com

Thomastown, Kilkenny, overlooking 'Cloth of Gold' couture company.

Fully equipped for commercial

business, including heating. Floor below, same size, also available.

Rent negotiable, according to needs.

For further information contact T: 087 923 8102

Studio space in North

Kilkenny , Farmhouse extension includes double bedroom, shower,

w.c., kitchen and large artists studio with garden and space for parking.

Available for short or long term.

For further information contact

T: 056 8833623 M: 087 0539504

Dublin City Enterprise

Board Export Marketing Initiative Fund Are you

in business and seeking to develop overseas markets? Our Export Marketing Initiative Fund can

assist you. The fund can part-fund the cost of travel & subsistence,

Trade Fair attendance/Exhibiting, and the creation of marketing

material specifically for overseas

markets. Commercial Website Development Grant Dublin

City Enterprise Board is making

OPPORTUNITIES

excellent condition, top loading cromarite ctl200b excellent condition

2007 - USA

River Nore. Former showroom of

information contact

5 years old, excellent condition

€3000. For further information

STUDIO SPACE

available website development funding for small businesses.

Deadline for applications:

Friday 26th May 2006

Friday 18th August 2006

'Lustre' - The Midlands Premier Contemporary

Craft Makers' Market . 10th

- 12th November 2006. Innovative makers of quality applied arts are

invited to apply for exhibition space.

Friday 17th November 2006

Early applications are advised

For further information contact

T: 01 677 6068 or W: www.dceb.ie

17 PLACEMENTS/JOB OPPORTUNITIES Sales Agent required

for small knitwear company may

compliment agents existing ranges.

For further information contact Patsy T: 087 2406199

Agent required to expose

high quality range of slate giftware

to the market place. Experience in

sales a distinct advantage. Immediate start for suitable candidate. For

further information contact Paul T: 086 8257008

Advertisements 1st - 3rd December 2006. We are

looking for Irish Crafts, Jewellery and some interesting food companies to

Midlands Art and Craft Association - Arts and Craft Showcase 3rd &

4th June in Mullingar Arts

be part of one of the main craft

Centre Co Westmeath. For

for 3 days is £295/€440 for a space

Clare Kelly T: 043 29977

shows in Northern Ireland.The cost only 1.5 x 3m stand.

For further information contact James Mc Convey

Tel: +44 (0) 2897 519261 M: +44 (0) 7813941914

E: jamesmcconvey@hotmail.com Stands available at GLAM!

Fairs fashion and beauty events in Drogheda, 7th May and Waterford, 11th June. Fashion accessories,

jewellery designers, hand made

further information contact E: .087 2263423

Artist working in mixed media

textiles is looking for ceramic, glass artist/craftsperson to share

stand at National Crafts Fair - RDS , , December 2006.

Stand is well positioned in main hall near entrance. For further information contact

E: lynnkenny@gmail.com

cosmetics and soap makers are

WORK WANTED

welcome. For further information

contact Anna T: 0879334402 or Nathalie T: 0876717464

Arkansas Studio Potter/Fiddler

Bridge Gallery, 6 Upper Ormond

contact T: Mr Greer Ferriss, 200 72901. USA. T: +479 783 4477

Quay, Dublin 7, from 4th until 18th

Flair is a brand new retail

Christmas show at the Kings Hall

Complex from 24th -26th November

STANDS AVAILABLE Castleconnell Craft Fair . ,

Castle Oaks House Hotel.

Castleconnell Co. Limerick. invites

2006 which will promote the very

best in design-led craft and applied

May. For further information

Galway Mayo Institute of campus are hosting their annual end of year show from 10th to 17th of June. The exhibition of Textiles,

applications from potential

your marketing material must be

29th & 30th October. The

For further information contact

further information contact

2274 nicky@showingflair.com or

or Michelle Lynch T: 086 3586787

exhibitors for Craft Fair 2006 on two-day fair attracts craft workers from all four provinces. Closing

date 14th July 2006. For further

information and an application form contact Mary O’Connor, Coolbawn, Castleconnell,

Co. Limerick, T: 061 377810 E: craftfair@castleconnell.ie

Belfast Fair in the Ulster Hall

posted to us by 30th May 2006.

Nicky McGarry T: +44 (0)28 9042 Orla Havlin orla@showingflair.com 33 Seahill Rd, Holywood,

Co Down, BT18 0DJ.

making - Noel Cleary, Woodcarving -

Jackie McKenna, Stone Sculpture - Aileen- Seamus Dunbar, Eco Art classes will

follow soon For further information

contact Imelda or Jana at Rockfield Ecological Estate, Rathaspic, Rathowen, Co Westmeath T: 043 76024

12th May - Natural and synthetic dyeing.

Technology , Cluain Muire

form, 5 jpeg images and samples of

Toth, Ceramics - Geoffrey Healy, Basket

E: mail@thebridgegallery.com

and craftsmanship. Application

www.showingflair.com.Your application

Felt making - Brigitta Varadi , Batik Art -

Derryaun Crafts work-

T: 01 872 9702

Young emerging artists studying at

forms can be downloaded from

Almost Sheep to Shawl - Melodi Lammond

Grundy, Weaving - Mairdhia Ni Mhurchu,

contact Deirdre Carroll

arts in Ireland. It will be a selected show, to ensure quality in design

Ecological Dream in Reality Eco-Events consisting of Arts, Culture and Heritage will commence in April at Rockfield Eco Estate and will continue all year through. The Eco-Craft-Workshops will take place in the old courtyard-buildings, which date back to 1780s and are restored using all eco friendly materials.

Workshops start at 11am and finish at 5pm. Organic beverages and lunch will be served. Courses cost €100 per day. Spinning - Christine Heine,

Anne Brannigan, Stone figurative sculpture

Year Degree Students at The

considered. For further information

North 21 St., Fort Smith, Arkansas

EXHIBITIONS

exhibition of new work by 3rd

of June. Will work cheap, anything

R.E.D. Reality - Rockfield

Blaithin Quinn, Hand Papermaking - Tunde

'N.C.A.D Ceramics' An

seeks work for 4-6 weeks, beginning

WORKSHOPS/ COURSES

Ceramic's, Sculpture, Print and Paint is a show not to be missed. For

Caroline Hickey T: 087 9045092

shop calendar summer 06 25th May - Traditional wet felting for

beginners. 31st May - Wool craft, weaving for beginners. 15th & 16th June - Needle

felting, flat & 3D projects. 22nd June - Silk

paper making. 29th June - Jewellery making

for beginners. 6th & 7th July - Combined wire and fibre, necklace project. 13th & 14th July - Felt, silk & dyes. 21st July -

Natural and synthetic dyeing. 27th July -

Wool craft, weaving for beginners. 4th Aug - Jewellery making for beginners. 10th &

11th Aug - Beads, wire, fibre & flowers.

18th Aug - Needle felting for beginners.

24th Aug - Felt jewellery, 31st Aug - Wet

felting, hollow seamless forms.

For further information contact Suzie SullivanT: 098 21888

E: suzie@derryauncrafts.com W: www.derryauncrafts.com

18

Advertisements WORKSHOPS/ COURSES Feltmakers Ireland

will be holding two one-day workshops, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July 2006, in Airfield House,

Dundrum, Co Dublin.The tutor will

be Jenny Mackay, feltmaker and textile artist from Scotland and she will teach Cobweb and Fine Felt.

For further information contact Sheila Ahern T: 087 7738282, E: sheila.ahern@ireland.com

Summer Weekend

Calligraphy Courses ,

10th & 11th June and 17th & 18th June 2006 in Oaklands College,

Stillorgen. Two summer weekend

courses designed with beginners in mind. Foundational Hand learning

how to write, basic techniques, and

finishing at end of second weekend with a 'take home' (master)piece.

For further information contact Angela Ganter T: 086 814 9526 W: www.calligraphy.ie

Workshops in Tuscany

2006 VETRATE ARTISTICHE

TOSCANE will hold intensive

summer workshops in the following

DESIGN TO GO . . . a 5 day workshop ‘designing jewellery’ in

Delft, Netherlands. 10th-14th July

2006 or 28th August -1st September 2006. This summer advanced

students can attend a workshop by Froukje Idsardi, well known Dutch

jewellery designer. Cost €500 incl.

lunches, lecture & excursion;

excl. material, dinner, travel & accommodation expenses.

For further information and application contact W: www.idsardi.nl

Danny Boy International Summer School - a 3 Day Traditional Craft Experience

15th - 17th August 2006. Explore Basket-weaving, Woodcarving

and Stonecarving at this 3 Day residential course, during the

Danny Boy Festival in Limavady,

Co Londonderr y. Learn the basics of these traditional skills with

Limavady College’s specialist tutors, recognised for excellence in craft

education. Cost €430/£300, including

all tools and materials, accommodation and full board meals. For further

information contact Pauline

Quigley on +44(0)28 777 61243

E: pauline.quigley@limavady.ac.uk

W: www.iahc.co.uk

subjects: Marble Mosaic: Sept. 5th

- 8th, Glass Fusing: 11th - 15th Sept, Painting on glass: 18th- 29th Sept.

The workshops will take place in our studio in the very centre of Siena,

VETRATE ARTISTICHE TOSCANE, Via della Galluzza, 553100 Siena, Italy E: edu@glassisland.com

W: www.glassisland.com/education

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Exhibition Snapshots - NCG

20

DESIGNING IRELAND

Emmet Kane (Woodturner and CCoI Board Member) with John Shiel who worked in the wood workshop in the1960s

Mar tin Marley (furniture designer) and Bryan Leech (industrial designer), with a block model of a laptop designed by Bryan

Rudolf Heltzel, Des Byrne and Asger Max Andersen, who all worked in the silver workshop in the 1960’s

Holger Strom from Denmark with his exhibition cubes in cardboard

Peter Hior t Lorenzen from Denmark with a chair designed by him in 1968

Guests at the opening of Designing Ireland at the National Craft Gallery Kilkenny

Ruth Thorpe (editor of Designing Ireland catalogue) and Joanna Quinn (Curator of Designing Ireland)

21

Exhibition Snapshots - NCG

TRACING THE LINE

Peter Scroope (ceramicist)

Liam O’Neill (woodturner) Maria Van Kesteren (woodturner) with one of Maria's woodturned pieces

Ruth Thorpe and Roger Bennett (woodturner)

Ciaran Forbes (woodturner), Mary Leahy and Liam Flynn (wood turner and curator of Tracing the line)

Maria Van Kesteren (woodtuner) and Sonja Landweer

Ciaran Forbes (woodturner) and Glenn Lucas (woodturner)

Ambrose O'Halloran, Liam Flynn and Bríd O’Halloran with a David Ellswor th piece

Ciaran Forbes, OSB (woodturner) seated in Liam O’ Neil’s (woodturner) contemplative chair ouside the NCG

22

National Craft Gallery - News

SILVER CONNECTIONS opens in Lisburn Two generations, three applied artists, one hundred years of experience The Island Arts Centre in Lisburn was the setting for the recent opening of Silver Connections, a celebration of the work of two generations of acclaimed silversmiths and applied artists; Michael McCrory, enameller/printmaker, Deirdre McCrory and silversmith Cara Murphy (née McCrory), who between them have over 100 years of experience.What is unique about this work is not only the fact that it was created by one family, but the cutting edge design and mastery of the materials it displays.

Curated by Danae Kindness, Silver Connections opened to a large crowd including, Iain Davidson from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Professor Brian McCelland, Joe Kelly, Director, Craft NI, CCoI Board member Anne Montgomery and Prof Ian Montgomery Head of Art & Design at the University iof Ulster. Many of the artists’ former students were also present to admire some of the beautiful work this inspiring family have produced

Cara Murphy (née McCror y), Danae Kindness (Curator), Deirdre & Michael McCrory

The one constant throughout all of this work is silver which provides a thread of continuity, binding the work of the three artists. Acclaimed silversmith Michael’s designs are founded on balance of line, form and proportion. He has recently been using innovative digital technology and this new work is based on his current research into deep drawing and pressing of silver plate. Deirdre is renowned for her mastery of fine line and control over the etching and enamelling processes. Her work reflects her inherent visual empathy with detail and natural form that manifests itself in intricate enamel plaques and on the printed image.

Focussing on the ‘landscape of tableware’, Cara’s organic, tactile work epitomises her skill, refinement and creativity as a leading silversmith.

This body of work has seen a move away from highly functional objects as she focuses on form; ‘drawing’ with her materials.

Silver Connections combines material, craftsmanship and vision to make this work a major tour de force.

GARDEN

Silver Connections travels to Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, Coleraine, Co. Antrim on 3 - 26th August and to the National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny on Oct 13 - Nov 26th.

The National Craft Gallery once again took centre stage with their feature garden at the entrance to this year’s MyHome.ie Spring House & Garden Show.

Oliver and Liat Schurmann of Mount Venus Nursery designed a breathtakingly wild garden that incorporated some of the best examples of contemporary Irish craft.

World-renowned basket maker Joe Hogan attracted large crowds, weaving his incredibly beautiful, contemporary pieces of art.

Joe Hogan

Michael McCrory

Deirdre McCror y

Cara Murphy

Designing Ireland One of the National Craft Gallery’s most popular exhibitions to date closed its doors recently and it was given a big send-off! Designing Ireland, which took over both Gallery 1 and Gallery 2 for two months excited the interest of visitors and critics alike. And it inspired many former KDW staff members to make the journey to Kilkenny. For some of them, it was a journey they had been planning for almost 40 years.

One delegation of former staff members travelled from Denmark. They included furniture designer Peter Hiort Lorenzen, industrial designer Holger Strom, jewellery designer Asger Max Andersen and photographer Jens Bull.The furniture

designer Clare Jones came over from England and US-based Anna Mundow, who worked in the libary and archive, also attended.

Architect Sam Stephenson, who designed the interior of the Kilkenny Design shop in Dublin’s Nassau Street and served on the Board of the Kilkenny Design

Workshops made a short speech at the dinner, which was held in the Kilkenny Design Centre. (see page 20 for pictures of the event).

Oisin Kelly, KDW

23

National Craft Gallery - News

Continued from page 24

Graduates Curated by Course Tutor Gus Mabelson, the exhibition will feature stunning pieces that display the skills acquired by this year’s graduates - whether it’s thrown pots that are both functional and beautiful or wonderful examples of cutting edge design.

ST PATRICKS PRESENCE The National Craft Gallery continues to break new ground in its role as an ambassador for Irish craft. For the first time ever, they had a presence at London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

The gallery took centre stage in Leicester Square as the city celebrated all things Irish. A stunning collection of the very best of contemporary Irish craft was shipped into London and installed overnight in the city centre location.

When St Patrick’s Presence opened its doors at noon on Sunday 12th March, there was great anticipation. And visitors weren’t disappointed by this stunning showcase. Over 4,500

people strolled through the exhibition, which opened for just six short hours. By the time it closed its doors that London was evening, converted to the style, quality

Continued from page 24

40 Shades of Green USA and Lithuania. It last wowed the crowds in the beautiful Farmleigh Gallery in Dublin.There, President Mary McAleese was given a private tour of the exhibition and she was so impressed by our finest examples of contemporary craft and ar t that she left a personal message on the gallery’s Visitors Book: “40 Shades of delighted and proud contemporary Irish Ar t, breaking so many moulds. Well done!”

One of the most striking things about this exhibition is the decision by both Curator Brian Kennedy and the National Craft Gallery to bring the worlds of fine ar t and craft together. While they sit together comfor tably in our homes, the notion of blurring the boundaries in a gallery space is an exciting one.

40 Shades of Green represents 40 different voices coming out of Ireland. Three have written essays for the catalogue (novelist Eoin McNamee, Professor Dermot Diamond, VicePresident for Research at DCU and academic Marianne Mays) and the other 37 are Ar tists and Craftspeople either from or resident in Ireland.

For further information on the National Craft Gallery:

T. 056 7761804 E. ncgpress@ccoi.ie W. www.ccoi.ie The National Craft Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sundays 11am to 6pm. Admission is free.

and beauty of Irish craft.

This exhbition was at invitation of the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone

Michelle Hannan

LIFESTYLE An exciting new concept by the Crafts Council of Ireland attracted many window shoppers

to the National Craft Gallery. Curated by Anne Kennedy, Lifestyle, took pride of place in the windows of Gallery 2 in Castle Yard.

While next door in Gallery 1, Tracing The Line, displayed beautifully the other side of contemporary craft, the collectible works of art that can last a lifetime. Sitting side by side, these two enticing exhibitions show that whether its functional ware or collectible pieces, contemporary craft can bring a touch of magic to any home.

Nicholas Mosse

Five stylishly displayed room-sets were dressed with the very best of Irish craft. Placed in their natural home, these pieces displayed just how versatile and relevant craft is to current lifestyle trends.

24

Upcoming Exhibitions - NCG 40 SHADES OF GREEN National Craft Gallery 2nd June - 16th July 2006

newsletter design: dynamite

James Hake

GRADUATES National Craft Gallery Rob Monaghan

20th July - 7th August 2006 Once again, the National Craft Gallery is opening its doors to some of the new names in contemporary craft.The work of the graduates of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Pottery Design and Skills Course will be on display in the prestigious space.

It’s a wonderful oppor tunity for the graduates to showcase their work in the Crafts’ Council’s flagship gallery. And for visitors, it’s a chance to get in early and discover the work of the stars of tomorrow.

Continued on page 23

This summer, one of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s most ambitious projects finally comes home. Groundbreaking, exciting and like nothing you’ve ever seen before 40 Shades of Green is a snapshot of art practice in contemporary Ireland.

This critically acclaimed exhibition, which brings the worlds of fine ar t and craft together, was first unveiled in the Glucksman Gallery in UCC to open Cork 2005. Since then it has travelled extensively to places as far flung as Memphis, Continued on page 23

FOR NATIONAL CRAFT GALLERY NEWS TURN TO PAGE 23 All notices and advertisements are published in Stopress for general information purposes only, at the risk of the advertiser and at the discretion of the Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI). CCoI make no representations or warranties about any of the information contained in any notice or advertisement and accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in a notice or advertisement. Advertisements in Stopress do not indicate endorsement by CCoI. It is the responsibility of the reader to check that goods and services are described fully and accurately.

CCoI expressly excludes liability for direct or indirect consequential loss or damage which may arise in respect of Stopress or purchase of the goods and services.

CCoI does not accept any responsibility for or necessarily endorse the views expressed by third party contributors to Stopress.

All copyright, database rights, trade mark design rights and any other intellectual property rights whatsoever in Stopress are, owned by and the property of CCoI.

Crafts Council of Ireland, Castle Yard, Kilkenny t: 353 56 7761804 f: 353 56 7763754 e: info@ccoi.ie www.ccoi.ie

The copydate for July/August 2006, Stopress is June 15th 2006. Publication date is 1st August 2006.

Advertising in Stopress is free and is welcomed.Submissions for articles from craftspeople and those interested in craft are also always welcome - please contact: Communications Dept.

Crafts Council of Ireland t.056 7761804 e:stopress@ccoi.ie While every care has been taken in the compilation of this Stopress, the publisher cannot take responsibility for errors or omissions