Showcase Ireland 2011

Showcase Ireland provided me with a great opportunity to talk to artists and to learn more about the world of business.  I was fortunate in that the designers I chose to talk to were very open and receptive to me and very generous with their time and information given. 

The prime positions at the show were sited near the door and the artists/designers at these positions were all under the umbrella of the Craft Council of Ireland.  They have their profile and photographs of their work featured in the creative expo book which was free to visitors.  These artists are Irish designers, based in Ireland producing hand crafted products. 

I spoke to many artists whose work appealed to me but focused on three in particular to write about in my competitor case studies.  Rachel Swan is a young jeweller who work in silver.  She uses sterling silver to create hollow formed and satin finished jewellery.  She was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship with jewellery designer Alan Ardiff.  He is still her mentor although she is out on her own now.  Her work is amazing.  Her display was really professional.  The display cases, business cards and backdrop to her stall were really impressive.

Rebeka Kahn designs and makes jewellery which combine beads and pieces of ceramic.  She works from her studio at home in Co. Wicklow.  I really liked her display and in particular the necklace display stands.  Her work is more affordable as ceramic is low cost as compared to precious metal.

 

Lesley Alexandra Frew goes by the tradename of LAF.  She creates contemporary, ethical jewellery using plastic bags.  Her work reduces the negative environment impact of plastic bags, taking the discarded on a journey fro waste to coveted accessory.   Lesley's jewellery is more in line with my work.  Her jewellery is not precious metal, her price points are affordable and her theme of recycling has similarities with mine.  Her work is amazing.  She makes plastic look like its frilly and soft and I was dying to touch her work.

Her stand was uncluttered and I wondered why she wasn't using her recycling ethos as a strong selling point.  She told me she wanted the designs themselves to be the selling point.  She is right.  It is not enough to be recycling, you have to make something beautiful out of the recycled materials you are working with.

Showcase Ireland 2011 is well worth a visit.