What’s going on in the Irish Craft World

Wicklow County Enterprise Board would like to let you know about our Enterprise Information Day taking place on Friday 3^rd February at Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew.
Scroll down for all details about the event or click on: www.wicklowceb.ie/enterpriseday

You are cordially invited to attend anytime during the day - all events are free of charge (as is parking), and the event is open to ALL.

This is our big event of 2012, and it’s going to be something special - a large Exhibition Area, TWO FREE Business Seminars & Mentoring sessions.

The objective of the day is to provide information and advice to small business owners and members of the public interested in enterprise in County Wicklow. The day is specifically aimed at the local small business sector - both existing businesses and people considering starting up a business.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no need to reply to this email, unless you have a question for us. Booking prior to the day is NOT possible or necessary.
The Exhibition Area will be open from 10am-3pm, so just drop in anytime.

However, please note, to be sure of your place at a seminar, or with a mentor, you are advised to arrive early. Bookings for the two seminars, and the mentor appointments, will be taken at the Registration Desk on the day, from 10am onwards, strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.

EVENT DETAILS: ‘Wicklow Enterprise Information Day’

Venue: Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow
Date: Friday 3^rd February 2012

Time: 10am - 3pm (second seminar runs till 4.30pm)

Admission: FREE OF CHARGE (all events on the day are free!)

The Exhibition Area - Chapel (10am - 3pm)

Drop in and collect information from over 20 Exhibition Stands that will be present, including:

Wicklow County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland, the Revenue Commissioners, the Small Firms Association, the Irish Exporters Association, Bord Bia, the Irish Internet Association, the Patents Office, the Companies Registration Office, First Step, Banks, MABS, InterTradeIreland, Wicklow & Arklow Enterprise Centres, the Irish Franchise Association, the County Wicklow Chambers of Commerce, the Health & Safety Authority and more!

Two fantastic FREE Business Seminars! -
 room 203 upstairs (places limited)

Seminar 1: 12.30pm - 2pm

‘Actively Managing Your Brand’

Guest Speakers: Dr. John Fanning & Jacquie Marsh

Managing your brand as a small business is just as important as for a global business. Indeed, even individual sole traders have a ‘brand’ identity. John Fanning will provide relevant case studies, in a lively presentation, illustrating how imagination, quirky branding ideas and innovative thinking can set you ahead of the pack, whatever industry you are in.
Dr. John Fanning is the author of ‘The Importance of Being Branded: An Irish Perspective’. He has over four decades of experience in industry, having been Managing Director, and then Chairman of the advertising agency McConnell’s, and is currently the Chairman of Bord Bia’s Brand Forum.
Jacquie Marsh is Managing Director of Bray based company, The Butler’s Pantry.

Seminar 2: 3pm - 4.30pm

‘No Recession Online - eCommerce Options for SMEs’

Guest Speakers: Joan Mulvihill & David Kerr

One of the most common phrases circulating in recent times is that ‘there is no recession online’. But what does this mean for your small/medium enterprise (SME) based in Ireland? Many SMEs spend a lot of time, effort and money on their websites, but if you can generate income from your business website, are you exploiting that opportunity fully?
Joan Mulvihill is CEO of the Irish Internet Association.

David Kerr is the founder and Managing Director of Bonkers Money Ltd., which provides personal finance and price comparison services in Ireland via the website Bonkers.ie.  He is currently Vice-Chairperson of the Irish Internet Association. The Bonkers.ie website won ‘Best Financial Services Website’ at the prestigious eircom Spider Awards 2011.

Mentors

Book a 30 minute appointment on arrival at the Registration Desk with a business mentor (limited availability).

Refreshments & Access

The Campus Cafe will be open throughout the day. Tea, coffee, soup, sandwiches and snacks will be available for purchase.

Hundreds of free parking spaces.

The entire event is wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the seminar room & cafe.

We look forward to seeing you on the 3rd of February!

You can downlaod a flyer for the event, including a Location Map at this link:

www.wicklowceb.ie/enterpriseday Wicklow County Enterprise Board

Wicklow County Campus

Rathnew

Co. Wicklow

Email: enterprise@wicklowceb.ie
 Ph: 0404 30800

Web: www.wicklowceb.ie/enterpriseday

Popularity: 1% [?]

FONDELIFAIR.COM  NOW OPEN IN ENNISTYMON

fondelifair.com has now opened a shop in ennistymon a busy tourist area in co.clare

and is seeking to acquire suppliers.

this shop is for crafters and artisans from all over ireland north and south and the items must be of good

quality, handmade by the person, not imported for resale.

our aim is to help these crafters sell their wares for a small weekly sum with no markup or

commissions involved, the price the crafter wants is the price they get.

the weekly rent is 10 euros , payable one month in advance, with a committment to stay  for a minimum 

of three months after which it will be a month to month basis.  Only one months rent is  payable at begining.

any enquiries etc or further information can be got at fondelifair,com website .

NON MEMBERS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO SUPPLY

ANYONE OUT THERE MAKING FOOD STUFFS, CHOCOLATES, CHEESE, BISCUITS ETC

THERE IS A FOOD HALL ALSO GOING TO START UP AND THEY CAN CALL

JOAN McCROTTY ON 087 4152242 WHO OWNS RIVER FAIR IN THE SAME BUILDING

TO GET ALL DETAILS FROM HER FOR THE FOOD HALL

Popularity: 1% [?]

An Art, Craft and Design school for Children, teenagers, Adults and retired people. We teach all forms of Art, Craft and Design. Some of the classes that we have are as follows - Sugar Crafting, Millinery, Make up, Basket Weaving, Knitting, Crochet, Cross Stitch, Embroidery, Sewing, Card making, Ceramics, Dancing the Rainbow, Painting, Papier Mache, Art Therapy, Interior Design, Cup Cake making and much more.

.

 For a full list of classes available go to here:      http://irishcraftupdate.com/blog/?page_id=965

Mission:

We aim to bring all the forgotten crafts back into vogue. We want to make sure that this generation and the next learn crafts that for some time were forgotten about.

For a List of Workshops, night classes and morning classes.

Contact 086 0443434 for details.

Email:   enniscreativeartscentre@gmail.com

Phone:    0860443434

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ennis-Creative-Arts-Centre/191603237557929?sk=info

Barrick Street, Ennis, Co Clare

Popularity: 1% [?]

Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre provides arts and crafts courses for adults and children, specialising in pottery, glass fusing and stained glass, jewellery-making, and mosaic-making. We run weekly morning and evening classes, weekend breaks, summer schools and tailor-made workshops for corporate groups and private parties.

Blog:     http://haveeweanywool.wordpress.com
Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Needle-Felting-Art/162767940498507?sk=wall

Up coming classes and many more craft classes are
listed in the Kinsale ceramics Gallery.
http://www.kinsaleceramics.com/

Click on the link to book.

Dates: March 25th 2012, September 16th 2012 10-4.30pm

Price: €60
Introduction to Batik
Learn how to make batik and produce your own batik artwork in one day.
Batik is a beautiful ancient art where colour and wax is applied to
create beautiful and vibrant designs.  Try batik painting, dipping,
tie dying and waxing in a one day workshop.
Select a design or a project to work from and complete a masterpiece
from start to finish.
Why not add some of your own unique flourishes to the piece and stitch
in a detail?
Suitable for beginners and those with experience of batik.

.
.Dates: April 22nd 2012 10-4.30pm
Price: €60
Introduction to Weaving & Rag Weaving
Learn to weave or develop your handweaving skills. Warping
methods and techniques will be covered so each participant can leave
with the know how to weave on their own. Looms and materials provided
but participants are encouraged to bring materials, images and fabrics
that will inspire them. Projects to suit beginners to intermediate
levels.

Dates: October 10th 2012 10-4.30pm
Price: €60
Introduction to Needle Felting
Needle felting is a dry felting technique. Using specialized needles,
pre-felt and fibers, beautiful images can be built with surprising
detail.
It is a simple and relaxing process that everyone can enjoy.
Needle felting projects as absolutely stunning due to the intense
textiles and colors of the materials used and is completely addictive.
Why not try this craft with our one-day introductory workshop
suitable for beginners and those with experience?

Kinsale Pottery and Art Centre
Ballinacurra, Kinsale
Co Cork, Ireland

+353 (0) 21 477 7758

Popularity: 1% [?]

More information and images of pieces we make on the day:http://karenharperdesigns.wordpress.com/workshops/

Dates:

•  Sunday 29th January 11am-4pm.

Cost:  65euro,

Venue: The Creative Space Killiney, Co Dublin

When teaching Jewellery making I jump straight in the deep end.  There are many lovely beading techniques but I go beyond beading using Sterling silver wire to make professional shop finished Jewellery that has value and quality .  When teaching jewellery making I go straight to Silver wire and Gemstones or Pearls. It is the higher end jewellery I prefer to work with since you will put hours into the work so it should be worth looking after and enjoying for many years to come.

Refreshments and all materails are supplied.

To book a place contact:  Karen Harper on 086 888 5321

or email:   karen.jewellerymaking@gmail.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

Oil Painting Classes Start  17th, 19th January 2012

It’s back to school! A new 6 week term of morning and evening art classes will begin on Tuesday 17 and Thursday 19 January in Terenure in the South Dublin area. Places available. Please call on 086 247 0737 For more info, see the web site: www.artclassesireland.com and join Ireland’s friendliest art class now!

These exclusive lessons provides students with the best of painting tuition, clearly and simply imparted to novice and intermediate alike. These small workshops are held in the warm and friendly environment of my studio and everyone gets maximum attention. Over the 6 weeks, students will be encouraged and nurtured in a convivial atmosphere; so don’t be daunted!

Still Life Painting: [Adults: All levels] Students will learn and practice drawing technique, preparation of canvases, technique, composition, colour-mixing and brushwork.

Tuesday mornings: 10:00am – 12:30pm Fee: €175 per 6 week course 2 places

Tuesday evenings: 7:00pm – 9:30pm Fee: €175 per 6 week course FULL

Thursday mornings: 10:00am – 12:30pm Fee: €175 per 6 week course 2 places

Thursday evenings: 7:00pm – 9:30pm Fee: €175 per 6 week course 2 places

Address: The Studio, 17 Aideen Avenue, Terenure. Dublin 6W.

Telephone: 086 247 0737

Email: art@mcsherry.ie

Popularity: 2% [?]

Well 2011 was a quick year…not a great selling year and I cannot expect this year to give us too much in relief in sales, but being a creative person you know that you are just being given a bigger challenge.

I ran 2 big fairs just coming up to Christmas with AnneLouise my business partner/sister and they were very good.  www.giftfairireland.com.

Perfectly balance range of products, great atmosphere, excellent crowds in the first one, the second was quieter….but sales just couldn’t be dragged out of the customers!

I personally did 6 fairs in 3 weeks and walking away I wouldn’t change that I did them, but I learned what I won’t be doing again.

Along with my Jewellery I am now selling Waxy delights - Candles.  Asking people/ friends do they prefer scented or unscented candles in their home,  a huge majority said unscented….every customers puts a cande to their nose!  I did a 2 day fair and after selling just 2 candles, one to my own mother ( a charity buy if you ask me), I went home and the next day at the same fair I had 27 newely made scented candles in fancy containers and sold them at less than cost price…..a good amount sold..I learnt to stop listening to the people I asked in the beginning and listen to what my customers wanted!

Jewellery took a major hit..every style and price range felt the horrible darkness that the recession brings to a luxury item.  Hope is what remains, trying to sell  a different price range and tweeking things to suit individual customers (short of giving it away free!)

The only thing to do is keep going!

My tips are identicle to last years….

Surviving 2012

With two years of a recession behind us, the banks hangin gin by a treat, and teh whole world feeling the effects of a global recession, we are now getting used to the lack of sales from years before, the new amount of customers just looking and the customers you do have trying to get the best their money can buy them.

Below are a few tips to help you survive in your business for 2012

1.       Be flexible, the old ways of doing things will not match the new way people are thinking, so be flexible.  See what works and does not work and suit your product to that situation.  If people want a cheaper version of your product, see how you can use a more efficient technique to make it, or a more cost effective way to package the product without undermining the product itself.  Comparing your business now to a few years ago is wasting your energy….remodel and rethink, give yourself a fresh start and new goals.

2.       Branch out…instead of dropping the price of your product, why not resize it or make a new branch of your product where you can be more flexible on the price!  A small sale is better than no income at all!

3.       Make something for yourself…..when you just love doing something you seem to do it no matter what the cost…instead of having a bad sale make it for yourself and keep in mind that the market may change again so you will have new opportunities to sell in the future. Wearing or displayig a product may entice people to see more of your products.

4.       Learn something new…….if you are out sourcing something for your product that you could learn yourself, then while the market is slow this is a prime opportunity to learn.  There are many night classes in basic computing, web design, photography, graphic design, paper making, crochet, felt making ….the list goes on.  Learn something new today, even if it is not related to your craft, it opens up your creative inspiration.

5.       Safety in numbers…… Working in a group means that you get more people to shoulder the costs, organising and risks.  Instead of organising an exhibition of your work and having just your advertising , finance and style of stock for the event, if you have a couple of other people exhibiting with you, you can attract a wider audience with a collection of styles of work to suit many different types of customers.  Joining your mailing list with those that are in the group means you will get a much bigger group of customers to see your work.  Other people will bring different skills to the event, as everyone cannot be great at everything, so sharing out all the work to be done before you begin means that you can work on your product as well as having input to the event, without the burden of being responsible for everything.

6.       Old Stock recycled or in storage…….if there is an expensive item that has not paid its way and you are about to give up on it, if possible could you dismantle it and make it into something new or many new pieces. If you are attached to something there is nothing wrong with putting it in storage….there may be a time that you know it is right to sell it or when you can cash it in.

7.       Stop selling your gold…….have you ever wondered who is buying all your old gold????? You are selling something that is incredibly valuable.  Do not sell gold, silver or any other metal that is ‘lying’ around…….you are selling your wealth!  When there are shops closing all over the country, how are these shops opening up in the smallest corners in every town….you are under selling your metals and it is the only thing that is not losing its value…..never has and probably never will.  People are not buying shares, property or using the stock market….they are buying gold and silver coins, blocks or whatever they can get their hands on.  If you are not in need of the meagre 50 euro you are getting for you old gold chain then stick your gold and silver in your safe….and leave it there! That’s your retirement fund!

8.       Teach, Share or work in your community….. When selling your product is not enough to earn an income why not spread your skills to help others grow.  People usually know if they are set out to be teachers so it will be easy for them to fall into this roll - whether you approach your local school or community centre and ask them about teaching weekend classes or night courses in your chosen field, or do a one-off workshop where people can come for a day to do a complete project and enjoy lunch with likeminded people while learning a new skill.         There is also the opportunity of working with an active retirement group, children, disabled people or people with learning disabilities.   

9.       Staff is your biggest outgoing cost……Having been an employer and an employee I understand both sides of this story.  All employers want their staff to be happy….happy staff work harder and are more effective and efficient when they are appreciated.  Employers know that staff need to be paid to keep them, but also know that wages are the biggest outgoing  and are the first thing that need to be cut to help a business survive.  Instead of letting your staff go,  by asking them to sub-contract themselves to you, you  are paying them for the work that they do for you, and you are allowing them to be independent if they can get other work too.  It is very hard to let good staff go, but if there is no business left for anyone then cut backs need to be made.

10.   Don’t take it personally……you are only responsible for yourself.  You cannot make decisions for anyone else.   Take advice, criticism and help when you can and most of all listen to yourself.  We have got where we are today by experience and taking chances that feel right for ourselves. Listen to your gut feelings and most of all keep going………change is the only constant!

Karen Harper x

Popularity: 2% [?]

  Teacher in leather carving/tooling in Ireland wanted, for pupil to apply the skill to their saddle making company. 

If you could provide a course- perhaps several days to two-weeks long in Ireland

Please contact Lisa at emcknm@yahoo.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

Shabby Chic

Scrapbooking Workshops

With Sharon Kennedy

Welcoming beginners and experienced scrapbookers

Venue:  Journeys End, Slade, near The Hook, Co. Wexford

Beginning Saturday January 28th 2012

10.30 am - 4.30 pm

other dates include: 

Sat 25th Feb : Sat 31st March

Sat 28th April : Sat 26th May

Refreshments Provided

€30 per workshop

Each workshop individual to one another, all with full instruction.  Incorporating basic with more complex techniques participants will try their hand at stamping, embossing, distressing and ageing, creating backgrounds, mixed media, incorporating memorabilia, masking and much more.

To book a place on a workshop or all workshops

Tel. or Text 087 7623611

or email: sharonrkennedy@gmail.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

More information and images of pieces we make on the day:

http://karenharperdesigns.wordpress.com/workshops/

Dates:

•  Sunday 15th January 11am-4pm
•  Sunday 29th January 11am-4pm.

Cost:  65euro,

Venue: The Creative Space Killiney, Co Dublin

When teaching Jewellery making I jump straight in the deep end.  There are many lovely beading techniques but I go beyond beading using Sterling silver wire to make professional shop finished Jewellery that has value and quality .  When teaching jewellery making I go straight to Silver wire and Gemstones or Pearls. It is the higher end jewellery I prefer to work with since you will put hours into the work so it should be worth looking after and enjoying for many years to come.

Refreshments and all materails are supplied.

To book a place contact:  Karen Harper on 086 888 5321

or email:   karen.jewellerymaking@gmail.com

Popularity: 3% [?]