Clare crafts take on the world

Three of Clare’s most talented designers and craftmakers are gearing up to take part in Showcase, Ireland’s creative expo, at which they can pitch their wares to more than 5,000 buyers from the domestic and overseas markets, including North America, continental Europe and Japan.
Tuamgraney-based McKernan Scarves who produce woven and knitted scarves and shawls from the natural yard; Alec Good Ceramics, producers of contemporary tableware based in Shannon and Áine Ní Bheachain, the Clonlara-based knitwear designer specialising in lambswool and cashmere will exhibit at the four-day event in the RDS commencing on Sunday, January 24.
Showcase is acknowledged as the most important sales event of the year for Irish designers and craftmakers and is organised on behalf of the Crafts Council of Ireland and promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland.
Eugene and Anke McKernan have specialised in woven and knitted scarves and shawls from the finest and softest of natural yarns. Eugene works the looms to turn Anke’s contemporary designs into colourful scarves, waistcoats and throws, brining together traditional techniques and time-less designs.
Alec Good Ceramics – tableware and giftware – can be found in such outlets as Roches Stores, Arnotts and Shaws. The company is currently working with leading Irish designers to create a new collection that features great design and great clay and glazes.
Áine Ní Bheachain, who operates out of the Old Stable Studio in Glenbrook, Clonlara, set up her own label in 2000. She is a past pupil of Limerick Art and Design and has accumulated years of experiences in the textile trade working with influential Irish designers and companies.
Áine is a label of knitted ladies separates and accessories, natural fibres of lamb’s wool, cottons, linens, viscose and mohair blends. Each piece is designed with particular attention to detailing and quality and many of the details are done by hand in beading, paint and cut fabric, to makes them unique.
In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever to highlight entrepreneurship and demonstrate excellence in innovation and new product development.
Indeed, towards this end, Showcase will feature Creative Island, an exclusive new hotspot of beautifully crafted products imagined, designed and made in Ireland. The 58 designers and makers in Creative Island were successfully selected by an independent retail jury for their creativity, innovation and craftsmanship. 
The Showcase Awards will take place on the second day of Showcase with honours given to the best new products at the four-day event, including an inaugural Exporter of the Year Award, to recognise excellence in customer service from Irish companies trading overseas.
Showcase will also provide a special seminar programme offering presentations and free clinics by a panel of senior retail executives in, amongst others, branding, business development, merchandising and trends forecasting.
“Showcase is Ireland’s largest international trade fair and the most important annual event for the Irish craft and gift sector. This year more than ever, retailers are seeking out innovative designs to grow their sales.
“At Showcase 2010, we have brought together Ireland’s most creative and exciting craftspeople to wow international buyers with their unique new products,” said Úna Parsons, CEO, Crafts Council of Ireland.