Help Wanted, please enquire within

The Etsy Ireland needs two brave volunteers!!

Soon myself and Alex will be hanging up our hats, but we have not found anyone to replace us yet. We've mentioned this at meetings and on the blog before but we've had no takers yet. So we thought we would spell out the reality of what going to happen. Unless we find two people to take on the team co-ordinators roles at the end of June things are going to grind to a halt. We gave it our all but it's not feasable to continue working like this on a volunteer basis. So that means no more blog, no new members, and nobody behind the scenes promoting us in the mainstream press. We hate to put it so harshly but there really is no other option, the two of us have reached the end of our 6 month stint, and it was fun while it lasted but we are ready to hand over the reigns to some fresh new blood. The way we divided up the work was:

PR and admin: Alex took on the role of contacting mainstream papers and magazines and generally tried to bring the Etsy Ireland team to a wider audience. This involved emailing writing proposals and being the general go to person. She also did an amazing job of recruiting new members, convoing them with details of how to join, and then posting new members on the blog. Through all her hard work we've really seen our numbers flourish.

Blog: I took on the role of co-ordinating all the posts and timtabling different articles for different days. This involved contacting all the members regularly and asking for new contributions, signing people up to publish and letting them know how to do it. It also meant filling in a fair few holes on the blog myself, so doing a good few fab 5s and how to's over the past few months.

So is anyone up to the challenge?? It's very rewarding, and you get to know al the team members very well which has been really lovely.There will be a cross over period where myself and Alex will be there to answer lots of questions and give tips to the new co-ordinators. Anyone who is interested please leave a comment here and we'll contact you

Prizes to be Won!!!

Happy Monday Morning to everyone!!

This is just a little note to say that Packages and Strings is having a giveaway on her blog! It's a copy of the Craft Corps book by Vickie Howell, and she is very lucky to be one of the 60 crafter profiles included in the book along with the 30 influential designers. So to get yourself a copy head on over to her blog and leave a comment, get in there quick it ends this Friday!!

Also to celebrate my 600th facebook fan I (that's Nice Day Designs) decided to have a giveaway too, it's a $25 voucher for either of my etsy shops. All you have to do is head on over to my facebook page, click like, and leave a comment saying you want to be part of the draw.

Best of luck everyone in both giveaways!!!

Eyes Open Ireland

This weeks Eyes Open Ireland comes from Carrie of Blossomtattoo from Carrickfergus in Co. Antrim

"The sea, I need it. I'm sitting here listening to the boats on it, if I stood on my tip toes I'd see it and if my nose wasn't so bunged up with the flu I'd probably smell it. I need the sea. I have always lived in Carrickfergus and can't bare to think about living somewhere where the sea isn't on my doorstep in one direction and the countryside right there in the other direction. Though I also LOVE Belfast and shopping and cafes etc too, I need water and greenery to inspire me, to make me feel calm and free, to allow me to express myself."

"Lucky then that I live in Northern Ireland eh? Plus I have a fabulous allotment which gives me plenty of subject matter and my hubby is an archaeologist so he loves driving around the countryside looking at old buildings and graveyards with me."

"My main reason for photography as my art medium is my double vision. Yep, I see 2 of everything, the real image and one that floats around it, all very confusing but makes life interesting. I think it is the reason why I concentrate so hard on the little details, the things other people miss, the beauty that gets looked over or taken for granted. When I am behind the lens, I close one eye (like everyone else) and the world is different, clearer, more in focus and I feel calm. I notice that rust is utterly breathtaking, that the ripples in the water are like light strips dancing, moss and a simple rock have so much texture and flowers - wow, they're little worlds of their own and so complex."

"I like to focus on one out of many, to cut that feeling of confusion I get from everyday life into a sharp, clear image. I appreciate the beauty everywhere that usually looks like a blur of lines and moving shapes and colours to me."

"Here are a few photographs of a recent day trip up the Antrim Coast, stopping in at Glenarm and our Allotment. xx"

http://forihavelivedtoday.blogspot.com/

http://growourown.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherryblossomtattoo

Pink Treasure

Fiona from Patchworkdelights just got this treasury, and made this beautiful pink collection, please click and comment to get it hot on the list!!

An Opportunity To Exhibit at Showcase Ireland 2011.

Do you want to sell wholesale? Do you want to find more outlets? Do you want to promote your work to a wider audience? Do you want to help Etsy Ireland's exposure?

I'm in the process of trying for a stand for Etsy Ireland members at Showcase Ireland in Dublin in the RDS in January 2011. The application forms are out now and it's a first come first served basis so we have to be quick! The cost is 275 euro per square metre and the smallest stand is 4 square metres, so the stand is expensive if you were to go it alone. But as a group we can split the costs so it would be more affordable.

I have to email the organiser with details of what we'd have in our stand so I need to know who is interested asap. The organiser will then let me know if it is possible to take a stand as a group and we will proceed from there.

The event is wholesale orders only, no selling straight to the public, it is purely to get your work into outlets.

If you are interested please email me at bridgetfarmerprints[at!]hotmail.com as soon as you can with details and images of what you would take to Showcase Ireland.

If we get a stand the next step will be to meet up and discuss how our stand will look, order or make business cards, make display etc. I think this will be an excellent opportunity for anyone taking part.

See here for more information about Showcase Ireland 

There is also the possibility of getting an etsy team grant so it wont be as expensive, I'll look into that.

Fab 5 Friday-Candyfloss Pink

1. ArtySmarty-1950s Pin Up Lady Necklace

2. DandelionDay Dreamer-Vintage Hot Pink Lace Dress

3. NiceDayDesigns-Plastic Surgery Babe 2.25inch Badge

4. A Box For My Treasure-Afternoon Tea Sugar Jar Necklace

5. BeeliciousCrafts-Mini Clutch Purse or Makeup Bag

Full Circle - Irish Traditional Crafts

Chapter 4 - Irish Lace and Crochet

Its only when you start looking for information that you realise how much you don't really know. I would have said that I was fairly ok at crochet and assumed that Irish lace would only require a small adjustment i.e. using finer thread and a smaller crochet hook...... how wrong I was. But I go too quickly.

When I left you in the last chapter I had mastered the art of aran knitting and was looking forward to making a family heirloom for my DH in the oncoming winter months. In the meantime I turned my eyes to crochet.

While knitting is constructed using a pair of knitting needles, crocheters use a smaller needle with a hook at the end. More general information on how to get started can be found on the Internet e.g. http://crochet.about.com/od/learnbasics/a/beginners.htm

Every known method of making lace by hand has been used at some time in Ireland from bobbin, needlepoint and hooked(crochet). The earliest of these was bone lace, also known as bobbin or pillow lace where a design was drawn on paper, pins were put into the design at various points and thread, wound on small bobbins (the earliest of these were made from bone), was twisted or plaited in different ways round the pins to make the design. I watched a lady do this in Brussels last year and I was mesmerised. It takes months of practice to master the skills needed so i did not attempt it for this report. You can see how its done by going to utube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5EZqc6peY

Tambour Lace was introduced to Ireland in the 1820s by Rev Charles Walker when he came from England to settle in Limerick. He started a lace workshop with his wife and produced what we now know as Limerick Lace. It uses a chain stitch to embroider on net with a special hooked needle and derives its name form the round frame in which the work is held. A sample of this lace can be seen here: http://www.irishlacemuseum.com/Museum/Limerickpg.html

Carrickmacross lace uses another form of embroidery and can be made using applique and guipure. For applique fine net is tacked over a design drawn on paper and then a layer of muslin is placed on top. The design is sewn through both layers. The surplus muslin is then cut away and filling stitches are used to complete the design. For guipure the outline of the design is traced with threads on cambric and the surplus is cut away. A sample of this lace can be seen here: http://www.irishlacemuseum.com/Museum/Carrickmacrosspg.html

Irish crochet lace is probably the most recognisable. Honoria Nagle who founded the first Irish schools in Cork brought this lace making skill to the children in the late 1700s. It is made by using a hook and thread and in earlier times hooks were sometimes made by removing one side of the eye of an ordinary sewing needle and sticking the point in a cork.



I have had a go at making a lace doily (see below) and I can safely say it was a labour of love - slow but satisfying. I would hope at a later date to do a course in one of the other Irish lace making crafts, and that is definitely something I will look forward to.



There are some crocheters in the CraftyIrelandTeam, go check them out under "crochet".
Further Information: .http://www.museum.ie/en/collection/lace.aspx

Next month's report will be on Patchwork (and I haven't forgotten about the Cris I mentioned in last months report - I hope to have it with the weaving story in July - fingers crossed). Any patchwork people who would like to be listed/highlighted here just get touch by 20 June. Next report due on Thursday 24 June.

On a personal note I have my shop up and running again and am working on Organic Cotton Comfy Crochet hats.... check them out.. http://www.huggleknits.etsy.com/. I also have a supplies shop where you can get Knitting Needles/Notions/Nonsense.... check it out http://mosbitsnpieces.etsy.com/

That's it for now - as always I welcome any comments and suggestions. Thanks for reading.

Cheers
Mo

How to: Stand out from the crowd and be remembered

Selling on Etsy can be pretty tough going - there are a HUGE amount of sellers on the site, all vying for the attention of buyers. So, when we do manage to grab a buyer's attention and make a sale it’s really important to make a good impression, so that the buyer remembers who we are. Why? Because a buyer who remembers you and likes what you do can become a valued repeat customer and referrer.

I’ve written previously about newsletters and how they can play a part in building relationships with our customers, but not all customers opt to receive newsletters. So what else can you do to help a buyer to remember you?

Buyers often choose to make a purchase on Etsy to avoid buying and supporting big brands and because they love to be able to buy a handcrafted item directly from the crafter. Little personal can touches can create a real connection between you and your buyer and don’t need to cost the earth and they're one of the strong points of difference you can create for a customer buying on Etsy, compared to buying elsewhere:

• Acknowledge a sale with a thank you convo/email; notify the customer when their order will be posted and the expected delivery time, based on their location. This might sound fairly basic, but as someone who shops on Etsy ALOT I come across many sellers who never acknowledge my purchase, which leaves me wondering (a) have they noticed my order? and (b) if they did notice my purchase, when will it be posted to me?

• Include business cards in your packages (don’t be shy about including an extra one or two for the customer to pass on to their friends and family). You can also get these for free!

• Use labels with your shop name / website address in your packaging - you can print these up on basic stationary shop mini-labels - this will help to reinforce your shop name/brand with the customer.

• Put a little bit of thought into your packaging, so that your customer is excited about opening their purchase. Tanyamac did a great post on her blog recently on re-using and jazzing up bubble mailers.

• Include a thank you note - it doesn’t have to be long and is such a nice personal touch.

If you have any other tips that have worked for you please add them in the comments.

Judith
A Box For My Treasure ♥

I'll Show You Mine..

Hi and welcome to my studio – ‘Diana’s Art’ and of course that’s me! 

A bit about me, I share a house in Dublin with my daughter Liza, who works in the City, Hubby works in America and I only get to see him three or four times a year, so I have plenty of time to paint and garden. I moved to Dublin after a year in the US before that, Spain and Germany and originally England so you could say I’ve been around!
I love Dublin because it’s small in comparison to many capitol cities and feels much friendlier and there’s a lot to see and do here and easy to get around in too.

My studio space is in our third bedroom and is rather bijou especially as I am a bit chaotic when I work. I bought a desk and a table from good old IKEA, they have had them wherever I have lived and I love them. There’s just room enough for computer,printer, paints, easels and me. I tend to cover myself in paint, don’t know how! And most of my clothes have the odd blob of colour here and there. I paint mainly in oils but also like to play around with acrylics, watercolour and pastels.

I like to paint lots of different subjects from kids to kittens, portraits to landscapes, still life to abstracts. I fell in love with painting while living in Spain and haven’t stopped since. I started out painting in watercolour, went on to acrylic paints and now oils and my goal is to keep on improving and selling my paintings.

 You Dubliners probably recognise the above bridge! 

I love Etsy, it is the greatest selling venue, I have tried at least 10 other sites and didn’t sell a thing on them (I still keep a couple) Sales are uncomplicated and always a thrill to get, I would recommend  Etsy to anybody and I have!
  If you'd like to see more of my work you can visit my website http://paintingthedayaway.blogspot.com
 Thanks for visiting!

Chit chat catch up - Dublin meeting round up

It was great to see a swag of people at the Dublin meet-up last Saturday, 22 May at the Snail Bar. We had some of the usual suspects show their support and some newer faces too which is always so lovely to see (thanks TanyaMac, Judith from Aboxformytreasure, Anne-Marie from byAMOR, Angela from ArtySmarty, Natalie from theBlueSylph, Aine from MissAine, HazelDonnelly, Mo from Huggleknits, Margo from Lilabelledesign). And because my brain is mush I hereby apologise because I know I've missed someone's name! Sorry sorry sorry!



After sampling the excellent made-from-scratch-fresh-lemonade which looked quite like this pic (yum) the things we discussed were:

1 - Nominations are now open for the 2 roles of team admin as it is time for Ruth and myself to hang up our hats and fix the hat-hair and move along. As with previous caretakers (thanks Tanya and Sarah!) the role is for a 6 month period and involves managing the blog (ie setting up the schedule for posts, organising people to contribute, keeping it ticking over with Fresh Picks, maintaining the list of members, dealing with Etsy regarding the team admin, pitching ideas to press & journos etc for publicity) and just being a general all round legend of an organiser. Sounds easy peasy huh?!? That list of things gets divvied up between the 2 people so it's not all down to one soul to manage. We're kind like that.

So if you'd like to put up your hand and ask not what your Etsy team can do for you but what you can do for your Etsy team, get in touch with either Alex (me!) or Ruth at Nicedaysupplies and make us proud. There will be a gentle hand over period of a month or so to ease you in and show you the ropes.

And it may be a good idea for the 2 people to come from different areas across this fine land, as that helps prompt more local meet ups etc. But we'll take all applications! Go on, pitch in and help us out.

2 - The Bernard Shaw car boot sale is on June 5th and is a reasonably priced opportunity to display your fine wares at a Dublin market. Have a look-see here for the info and get in touch if you'd like to grab a stall (or a car-boot). Stalls are EUR20. There is also an opportunity for a reduced price (or maybe free) stall space if anyone was willing to do a demonstration or how-to stall. This would be a great opportunity to wave the Crafty Ireland banner as a team event, so if anyone (a few of you joining together to work as representatives of the Crafty Ireland team?) would be up for that, leave a comment, but it will have to be quick as it's obviously not too far away.

3 - The Phisbsboro Phizzfest is in its planning stages for September. Natalie from theBlueSylph has been in touch with them regarding the plans and has feelers out for something we could do together as a team ... the ideas of a pop-up shop, stalls, demonstrations were all discussed. So keep it in mind for September and any more info we get about it will be posted here.

4 - We had an impromptu swap shop at the end of all the chit chat. This was suggested by Natalie from TheBlueSylph and was a great idea. If we do this again at the next meeting, Mo from Huggleknits suggested that we agree beforehand for people to bag up a little package of things to an agreed value (€2 or €5 perhaps) so it evens out the process. Great idea I think.

And of course lots of general chit chat went on and there were some excellent pancakes and coffee ingested amongst other things. It has to be done.

And did I mention we need 2 hardy souls to take the reins of this crazy Crafty train and guide us into the next 6 months? I did? :o)

Thanks to everyone who took the time out of their valuable weekend to come along, your support is greatly appreciated!

A Cork meeting is pencilled in for June 19th, so leave a comment if you're up for that and Ruth will coordinate the finer details. Cheers!

Etsy Crafty Party

Has anybody seen this Etsy Craft Party thing? Sounds like fun... Maybe we could do a Crafty Ireland Team party??!

~*The Ferocious Mingle Market*~ 13th June Dublin Co-op

The Ferocious Mingle Market

Well myself & Jim have finally taken the plunge and are hosting The Dublin Co-op's newest independent market The Ferocious Mingle Market, the first being held on June 13th 11am to 5pm & on teh second Sunday of every month thereafter.
WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO :):):)

An eclectic Bazaar of stall candy. Our stall traders will have tons of stuff to tempt you with including Art ,Crafts, Antiques, Vintage Clothes, Jewellery, Steampunk, and more! Approx 40 stalls
~*FANCY DRESS *~mild to over the top will be most delightfully welcomed to stallholders & punters alike! Any excuse for dressing up we LOVE it...let's not wait 'til Halloween let's have some fun NOW.. and on the second Sunday of the month therafter.

~Find The Mingle~ a Treasure Hunt of sorts
(the secretly chosen 'thing' from one of the stalls-Rainey J (mé féin)& Jim (sé féin ;))& the trader whose stall has The Mingle will know) if purchased the buyer (stallholder or punter)becomes 'The Mingle Finder' a very prestigious accolade ;)& wins a PRIZE!

Visual entertainment & background music
SPREAD THE WORD Crafters!
For all further info including stalls info HERE & click on 'Apply Here'

Hope to see you all there..it'll be a blast!

Rainey

Tea and a Chat With...Scott McCarthy

Here is another installment in our Tea and a Chat with.. series. This time we have Paget from Scott McCarthy, who makes beautiful fashion and textiles. -What is the last book you read?

Agatha Christie's autobiography! Such an interesting and clever lady.

-If you could be a superhero what super powers would you choose?

Definitely something that involves flying..I think I'd like an amazing outfit too.

-Describe yourself in 4 words.

Creative, hardworking, optimistic and tall.

-What did you want to be when you were 12 years old?Actress/Ballerina/Vet/Author/Combination of all four

-Imagine you are having a dinner party, you can invite 5 people dead or alive, who would they be?

Possibly..George Orwell, James Dean, Lucienne Day, Grace Kelly and my Grandmother.. but I think my Grandmother would like Clark Gable to be included.

-What was your mother right about?Most things in general!

-Guiltiest pleasure?Spending much too much time on lovely sites and blogs!

-Where do you see yourself in 5 years?Hmm..somewhere good.

-Regardless of money, would you ever get plastic surgery?I hope not.

-Describe your perfect day

A combination of sun, relaxation, delicious food and time with friends.

-Lastly, some linky goodness, link to your shop, blog, facebook, twitter etc http://www.pagetscottmccarthy.com

http://www.designfingers.blogspot.com/

http://www.textileworkshopdublin.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/scottmccarthy

Welcome new team members!

Hello hello, what's all this then? It's our weekly roundup of the latest talent to join the team. Step up to the podium:


1: Wedding Boutonniere/Corsage/Brooch/Pin by Rubyfeather
2: CHERRY BLOSSOM - Artisan Lampwork Earrings with Swarovski by FioreJewellery
3: Japanese Knot Bag Large by Curlyrip
4: Book of Kells Wall Hanging illuminated letter (V) by Jackdolanwoodcraft

Jack's stunning woodcraft has instigated a new category in the shop directory on the blog here, Woodworking! Our shop directory categories are broadly aligned with the Etsy categories so great to see the talent pool diversifying into new areas.

Just a reminder to everyone else in the team, you can be listed in up to 2 categories in the blog shop directory, in case you do a mix of things. So if anyone needs their listing updated or added to, convo Alex at Propeller with the info.

And we now have 165 members in the Crafty Ireland team! Phenomenal stuff for a team that's only around a year old.

Great to see you all, click over to their shops and say hi.

Fab 5 Saturday: The Ivy Leaf

SilkstoneDesign-Tiny Ivy Leaf Necklace

Lilycobwebdesign-Love Ivy Leaf 2

ClickdeCourcyNI-Twelve O'Clock

Balanced-Porcelain, Antiqued Brass - Necklace - 'Lichen in Flax'

Lightkeeping-Handmade long gold plated patina leaves earrings

I made a bit of a blooper and messed up the schedual for yesterday, so we are having a Fab 5 of Saturday today!! These picks are from Fiona at Patworkdelights.

Fab 5 Friday-Sunset Ireland

For once I decided to go for a traditional Irish collection, I love the tones in these pieces and I'm delighted to see some new members aswell.

JackDolanWoodCraft-Celtic Cross III

KnitSpinFelt-Sangria Night Handspun Silk

FelixMcGinley-Shipwreck 2

RubyFeather-Silk Flower Brooch-Ivory and Gold

PackagesandStrings-Natural June Twine

If you would like to do a collection of fresh picks for the blog just contact Ruth

Trade Secrets - business cards & my favorite shops

Hello there from swannandsmerlin! 

I have always loved sending snail mails as much as receiving them, since grade school in fact. I love the handwritten notes, the stationery specially picked for me, and the enclosed little surprises like an odd sticker, an old postcard, a bookmark with a beautiful quote, a comic strip torn from the paper, a photograph. I know the feeling of receiving something unexpected, and how it makes a simple letter even more meaningful. From these feelings so vividly tucked in my memory I have sent out every package from my shop. Regardless of the amount of the item purchased, packages big and small were all carefully and lovingly wrapped from my home. The reason I do it is simply because I love doing it. Packaging is definitely my most favorite part of shop-keeping.

Which brings me to my trade secret #1 : Business Cards

I always enclose a Thank You card in all of my packages in the form of these postcards. There's a pretty space at the back where I can write my handwritten notes as well. These lovelies I got for free from Vistaprint. For free, yes. I can pick the design from hundreds in their library and customize the texts for my business and only pay for VAT and shipping. For a small fee, I can upload my own photos and designs and voila, my very own unique postcards. I also have return address stickers and rubber stamps availed for free from them!

The gift tag used here is from an old set of free business cards from Vistaprint which contained my mailing address. When we moved, I felt so stupid for having my address printed on the cards and I couldn't bring myself to throw them away because the material was very good and I love its design. Then a bright idea hit me...gift tag punch of course!

That little tag is still from the same business card with my shop name beautifully printed on the upper corner. A scissor and a hole punch transformed it into a cute gift tag. I love it when nothing gets wasted.

Handmade cards and notes for shop customers are still the best way to do it, but as your shop gets busier, it's handy to have something cute and ready-made for you to grab and write on.

Trade Secret #2: my favorite shops

This is definitely my favorite online shop here in Ireland. Cara Craft Supplies is my source for punches, cutters, and other crafting tools. The delivery is super fast too, and their prices are very competitive. I always shop around for good deals, and all things considered - shipping fee, customer service - they're my best choice.

And finally, my favorite brick and mortar shop in all of Dublin. Ritzy Rags is a charity shop of the Friends of the Elderly and they stock beautiful vintage clothes, linens, shoes and bric-a-bracs, and unlike the rest of the charity shops around Dublin, theirs are mostly, if not all, from France. The items you'll randomly find are very unique and it's one of the secret jaunts of costume designers and young design students. Thing is, you'll have to drop by week after week because you just never know when's a good thing coming in the racks and shelves. Check here on how to get there.

Have a great Thursday!

Hi All, My name is Margo from lilabelledesign. Over the years I have come across some fabulous blogs that inspire and give me ideas. I find these everywhere, magazines, radio, web etc etc etc. Below are some of my favourites across different categories including; fashion, interior design, food and listed either Ireland, UK or world. Feel free to comment and leave your fav blogs ;o)

Fashion Blogs - Ireland

Blanaid
Blanaid Hennesy a Kilkenny native is a designer, stylist, writer and DJ. A typical outfit posts sees her mix vintage with high street and the occasional splast of designer.

BeckyDazzler
Becky Gray, a creative 21 year old from Avoca. Lots of great accessories and basic pieces get covered.

Whisty Blog's Dublin
Laura's blog has a high fashion slant.

Blog Award Shortlist - Ireland

Lots of great Irish blogs listed here in the blog award shortlist.

Irish Blog Awards

Nice Food - UK

• David le Bovitz

• Gizzi Erskine

Nice Food - Ireland

• Donal Skehan - The Good Mood Food Blog
  

• Cheap Eats
  

• Ballymaloe Cookery School
  

• I can has Cook

Techie Blogs - Ireland

• Teic.ie
  
  
• Sinead Cochrane
  
  
• Pat Phelan

Exercise - UK

This blog/site is managed by a cook who likes exercise - very healthy and great recipes. Go faster Food

Makeup - Ireland

• Makeup and Beauty
• Beaut.ie

50 of the worlds best design blogs

Lots and lots of blogs to browse, lots of ideas. You will dream and dream and dream ;o)

Best Design Blogs- Times Online

Mix Blogs - UK

http://www.stylebubble.co.uk/
http://lobsterandswan.blogspot.com/
http://www.decorativecountryliving.com/
http://www.pheasantmailorder.co.uk/
http://www.paleandinteresting.com/collections/jewellery/vintage

Stock pic courtesy of the FREE stock photo site www.sxc.hu

How to Tuesday - Shamrock Corsage

Felted Wool Shamrock Brooch

To make this little gem you will need some yarn, must be feltable - I like to use a mohair blend, but any wool yarn will do, about 40 grms should be sufficient. A french knitter, some knitting needles ( I like to use a 5mm or 4.5mm) a stitch on brooch back and a darning needle.

The shamrock is made up of a stalk knit on the french knitter and three petals or leaves that are knit by casting on and off stitches to shape.


Cast on to the french knitter and work until tube of yarn sticks out about and inch at the bottom of the tube.

Knit the four stitches onto a needle and then work one row purl when you turn to work back cast on 4 stitches at edge. Knit 1 row then purl one row. Keeping working in stocking stitch (Knit row and then purl row) On next knit row knit one stitch and then increase one stitch - knit to end of row and then purl one row. Repeat this twice there will then be 11 stitches.

Decrease by knitting one stitch and then knitting 2 together at edge to match increases over next six rows. On final knit row for this petal cast off 4 stitches and then knit remaining 4 stitches.

Repeat the increase and decreases outlined twice and on last petal cast off all 8 stitches to complete. Leave 18 inch tail (min) of yarn to be used for making up.

When completed your work should look like this

Darn in loose end at base of stalk.

Using tail of yarn at flat edge begin to gather up petal to shape.

Work back towards stalk - gathering in each petal.

Then working back and forth - pull centre together and stitch to top of stalk

The shamrock should now begin to take shape and is ready for felting. My preference is to throw it in with towels on a 40 degree wash.

When it comes out of the machine it may need a little encouragement to (lots of pulling) to settle into the desired shape - dry flat and you are then ready to stitch on the brooch back to complete.

Team Meeting Update

It looks like there is enough interest to warrent two meetings for the team. It's been confirmed that there will be a meeting this Saturday 22nd in Dublin. It's the usual venue of the Snail Bar on Fade Street in Dublin at 2pm. It's just across from the Market Bar off Georges Street, and there's lovely coffee and cake. If you have any queries just contact Alex as she will be heading the meeting. Click here for a google map, the venue is listed here as the No Name Bar, you'll see it if you zoom in.

In the choice between Cork or Limerick, the greatest response was for Cork. I was trying to look at the dates when people are free, and I was wondering could people make it for this Saturday? I know it's short notice, but otherwise it will be June before we can have the next one. Obviously people only need to attend one meeting, unless they've perfected cloning :) Any suggestions on where is a good place for a large group to meet that isn't too noisey?? Good coffee and cake are an essential too..... or good pints!!

A cuppa and a chat with: Photosworldwide

Welcome to the new series of 'A cup of tea and a chat with...', where we ask the team some silly and pointless questions just for the hell of it. Here is our second volunteer Paul from Photosworldwide. If you would like to take part in this questionaire send your answers to the following questions to Ruth with a photo of yourself.

What is the last book you read?
The Painter of Battles by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

If you could be a superhero what super powers would you choose?
Invisibility

Describe yourself in 4 words.
Tall, ginger, stubborn, loyal

What did you want to be when you were 12 years old?
I didn't know then, and I don't know now

Imagine you are having a dinner party, you can invite 5 people dead or alive, who would they be?
Freddie Mercury for the piano, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for the cooking, Richard Harris for the drinking, Monica Bellucci for the accent and the eye-candy,

What was your mother right about?
The girls I shouldn't date

Guiltiest pleasure?
...is unpublishable in a family-orientated forum.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Doing this full-time

Regardless of money, would you ever get plastic surgery?
Nope

Describe your perfect day
It's late summer. Waken around 10. Up and at 'em and out with the camera into a car with a full tank. Pick up significant other and head south in the car. Stop in Belfast at Doorsteps on the Lisburn Road for a sandwich. Wander the town taking pictures on a sunny day. Beatrice Kennedy's for dinner. Then the Crown Bar while the sun goes down outside. Malmaison for a nightcap and then bed.

Lastly, some linky goodness, link to your shop, blog, facebook, twitter etc etc.
My site is http://www.paulbeattie.net. I occasionally tweet on the state of the world under the moniker of paul_beattie. And sometimes I write at http://photosworldwide.wordpress.com

Eyes Open Ireland

These photos are from Letizia from Ooakie, thanks Letizia!

If you have photos of where you live, or places that you have visited, within Ireland, photos that inspire you and your work please send them to me at bridbird78[at!]hotmail.com.

"This is my favourite time of year when the cherry blossoms are blooming for a few weeks and I absolutely love this tree in our garden. The picture was taken on the first day the pink petals started to fall so I thought I'd better get the camera out quick because the tree looks pretty average for the rest of the year. There are woodpigeon nesting this year too but they picked a grand hidden spot in the middle of the tree and are a little camera shy. The small man is my nephew who wouldn't leave the area because he was busy fighting a bumble bee."

"On the way to Waterford last week the weather was miserable one minute & glorious the next so when the sun showed it's face for a quick visit I took these pictures at Lough Aderra. There were a few boats on the water & each had its own posse of swans. I used to go fishing a lot when I was younger & never remember a swan fan club following me which is a pity but they looked beautiful gliding through the water leaving a trail of sunshine behind them."

"The last two pictures are another blossom tree I had to capture before I left Waterford."

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