Crafty News

 

A big hello from the Crafty News Desk - cant believe how quickly the time has flown.  This weeks photograph was taken just 2 weeks ago in Florida..... sunshine and sand mmmmmmm!!!!!!!
Enough of that.  

A big THANK YOU to Purls for holding the fort while I was away.


What a busy time we are having here in Etsy Ireland.  The big success story has to be the ETSY pop-up shop in Limerick  EtsyIrelandPopUpShop  I am in awe of what Ruth and her team of intrepid crafters have and are achieving in Limerick.  All I can say is WELL DONE ONE AND ALL .......
If you are in Limerick do call by and say hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ireland's first online craft website FONDELIFAIR has been officially launched today.    fondelifair
I wish Alice and Michelle and all of the crafters (including mise) all the very best of luck with this endeavour.  God bless all who sail in her  (champagne bottle smashes against the side.....)

A new Irish supplies website has also been launched sunflowertouchsupply   Stop by and have a look

The Glucksman gallery in Cork is taking applications for their craft fair which takes place at the beginning of November. You can download applications from their website  glucksman

The Ulster Festival of Art and Design is happening from June 1st to 12th.  Information here ulsterfestival

Next weekend, 5-6 June, is when all things woolie happen at the Wool Festival in Kilkenny.  Details  =  Wool Festival

The Design Tower Summer School is coming up in June - located in Dublin's  Grand Canal Basin - a perfect location to learn some new skills including Leather work, Paper making, Jewellery, Sculpture etc. 
Details =  thedesigntower

And finally there is a Art and Craft Market taking place at Darcy McGee's at the Spawell in Dublin on 19th June.  There are a few of us taking part and there are still a few stalls available.  Details =  spawell  There will also be live music happening on the day.  If you know of any musicians who would like to take part there are also some slots available.  Get in touch with Lynn. 

So that's about it for this week.  Now I know there are a lot of events happening all over the country with many of our team taking part.  It would be great if we knew where ye are going to be so we could call by and say hello.  So send me on your details and I will let everyone know where you're at.  Are any of you involved with the Bloom Festival in the Phoenix Park next week????? tell me, tell me........ please.

Bye for now
Mo
huggleknits

Selling Opportunity at Bloom 2011

This information just came in from the Crafts Council of Ireland about a selling opportunity at Bloom 2011.

Bloom 2011 is the fifth year of Bord Bía’s very successful garden show, celebrating garden life. The consumer show takes place from Thursday the 2nd to Monday the 6th of June 2011 in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm.

Celebrating Year of Craft, the crafts presence at Bloom 2011 will be stronger than ever – with a craft-inspired garden, retail, demonstration and workshop space.  Bloom represents opportunities for craft makers to promote and sell to this very large audience. In 2010 Bloom achieved pheonomenal success by attracting over 60,000 visitors.

The Crafts Council of Ireland’s objective is to raise the awareness of craft by offering consumers the chance to see it, feel it, engage with it and purchase it – and hopefully develop a life long affinity for craft in all its forms. The Crafts Council of Ireland area brings all of the craft activities into one key location – focused around an interactive garden that highlights 'growing your garden with craft'.

The Craft Avenue will be situated at the heart of the craft area. It will encompass approximately 20 – 25 craft stands (depending on demand and the sizes of stands required) – in outdoor, all-weather/weatherproof and lockable stalls. Please note – the stands are not in the usual marquee format.

This area will be promoted to visitors in advance of the show and will feature prominently in the Bloom website. In addition it will be highlighted in the Bloom catalogue and on signage throughout the show.

Selection Process
In order to ensure quality and consistency, all craft exhibitors must pass an independent selection process – organised / administered by the Crafts Council of Ireland. Applicants must be registered with the Crafts Council of Ireland.

Successful applicants will then be contacted by the Bloom sales team by the third week in May, regarding confirming and booking stands. 

The decision of the selection panel is final. All those selected will be offered a space at Bloom at the discounted rate of €800 for a 2x2m stall excluding VAT. Double stands are available. Successful applicants must ensure that their stand is staffed for the duration of the show.

Applicants who do not pass selection may be offered space in the Grand Pavillion, at the standard rate of €242psm (including shell).

Selection Fee
A processing fee of €25 will apply to all applications, so you need to post this fee to the Crafts Council. This fee is non-refundable and will entitle successful applicants to a listing in the CCoI information brochure at Bloom.

Deadline for completed applications is Tuesday, 10 May 2011.

Purls has further information and the application form, but you can also contact Nicola at the Crafts Council of Ireland directly at nicola@ccoi.ie