Clare craft makers at Showcase

CLARE’S most talented craft makers are among hundreds who will be generating more than €22 million in sales orders over the four days of Showcase 2011, Ireland’s Creative Expo, which takes place at the RDS in Dublin later this month.

Around 350 of the country’s leading designers, manufacturers and craftspeople will be taking part in the event from Sunday, January 23 to Wednesday, January 26.
Taking part this year and representing Clare will be Fun Affordable Gifts from Ennis; O’Flanagan Photography from Cahercalla Road, Áine Knitwear from Glenbrook and McKernan Scarves from Scariff.
Showcase will attract more than 5,500 retail buyers from Ireland and over 17 countries around the world including North America, continental Europe and Japan, who are seeking out the best of Irish fashion, jewellery, giftware and interiors products.
Ireland’s talented designers and craftspeople will unveil their latest innovative products and will be hoping to sign new lucrative contracts for 2011.
For the second year running, Showcase will present Creative Island – a space dedicated to beautifully crafted products exclusively designed and made in Ireland.
The 75 craftspeople in Creative Island were chosen from a wide field by an independent jury for their creativity, innovation and craftsmanship.
The Crafts Council of Ireland is the main driver behind Showcase, which has become an important means of developing market opportunities for Irish business. Enterprise Ireland markets the show overseas and brings huge skills and experience in the area.
Several enterprise boards will this year be supporting many first-time exhibitors at special county enterprise stands, allowing buyers to ‘spot the future’ in craft design. Collectively, the county and city enterprise boards support hundreds of craftspeople and artists every year, providing them with training, mentoring and networking services on a year-round basis.
Showcase has an awards programme for best new products; exporter of the year; excellence within the craft-led Creative Island and an award for the highest standards of craftsmanship.
The Top 50 New Product Awards 2011 will be chosen by an independent panel of retailers and will be displayed in a specially designed area in the centre of the main hall.
There will be winners and highly commended in four categories: craft and gift, fashion, knitwear and accessories, tabletop and interiors and jewellery.
Showcase will feature free retail seminars in development, merchandising and trends forecasting. One of the speakers will be Niall O’Farrell, Dragon’s Den investor.
He has previously invested in two Showcase exhibitors, Button & Co Goldsmiths and Karen Morgan Porcelain.
According to Brian McGee, head of market development at the Crafts Council of Ireland, in the current economic climate it is more important than ever to promote entrepreneurship and demonstrate excellence in innovation and new product development. He said this year, more than ever, retailers are seeking out innovative designs to grow their sales.
“We have a wealth of creative talent in this country and Showcase is where it is presented to the world. Despite the recession, Ireland is definitely open for business. There is always huge excitement at this show – buyers are keen to see the newest innovations and the craftspeople see it as their main chance to secure contracts for the coming year.
“This year, exporting is even more important to everyone,” he added.