Craft is at the art of new fair

ELEVEN talented craftspeople from Clare are among those who are exhibiting their ware at a series of monthly artisan craft fairs being held in Limerick’s new and improved Milk Market.
Christine Pinsent is the brains behind the new Artisan Crafts Fair, the first of which was held last Thursday. The fairs are all-day events, beginning at noon and continuing until 7pm and include music, food, fun and entertainment.
“Already, 40 exhibitors, including a number from Clare, have signed up for the fair. The monthly artisan craft fair is just one of the new projects coming to the Milk Market this year, following its €2m reconstruction. The new 78ft high roof creates an all-weather environment, which has already received rave reviews from market traders and customers. The fair emulates the European tradition of craft markets found in Spain, France and other European countries giving an ideal forum for artisans to share their work with the public,” Christine explained.
The market aims to have something for everyone with a wide range of products from quilts to ceramics and jewellery.
“It’s also a lovely place to bring children as we plan to have entertainment at each fair, including puppet shows, facepainting and storytelling,” she added.
The fair will be held on the last Thursday of every month. “We currently have ceramacists, artists, potters, cardmakers, jewellers, vintage clothes designers, chocolatiers, candle makers, food and much more at the fair and we aim to attract even more as the fair evolves throughout the year. The fair aims to attract people to have a browse, indulge in some shopping and have a bite to eat within the venue whilst absorbing the atmosphere the fair offers,” she said.
She also invited other craftspeople to get involved as demonstrators at the fair. “We’d like to demonstrate basketry, spinning, weaving, blacksmith, paper making and millinery. Our plan is to have a demonstration corner where the public can come and observe the work involved in creating the crafts whilst also finding the opportunity to discover various craft courses that are available,” she added.
One of the Clare craftspeople already involved in the fair is Tracey Howard from Killaloe, who makes a range of ornate glass-based products, including scented gel candles, handprinted mirrors, glass suncatchers, fridge magnets, window hanging butterflies, framed stained glass paintings and cards.
Tracey, a mother-of-two, was working in a shop part-time before realising she needed a career change to have a better work life balance
“I had always been interested in art. It started as a hobby. A friend gave me a glass-painting kit and I liked what I could do with it but didn’t think the materials were a good quality, so I sourced materials and started trying out different things to see what I could do. Initially I made things for my friends and family as presents and they all seemed to really liked them. So for a number of years it was in the back of my mind to make a career of it. I got some practical advice from the Irish Craft Council and from the Clare Artists Association.  I’ve been making a go of it as a business for two years now. I do all the painting and cutting myself,” Tracey explained.
She has transformed one room of her house into her studio and sells the products online and at fairs and shows. Tracey noted the first Artisans Craft Fair in Limerick last week went very well and is confident that it will progress well. She admitted, however, to being nervous  about starting a business during a recession.
“I felt I had nothing to lose. I needed to change my career to work around family responsibililties and this was something I loved doing and people liked what I was making. Business is picking up, so, so far so good,” she said. Her products can be viewed online at www.cre8tiveglass.com.
Hannah Arnup of Ballymorris Pottery was also involved in the fair last Thursday. “It is great to have this scale of a fair locally. There was a very diverse range of products and ware available and I think it would have been very enjoyable for people to attend and browse around,” she commented.
Although Hannah’s background was in sculpting she followed in the footsteps of her father, who was a potter. Her husband, John Egan, had been working as a thatcher but due to back problems, is now also working as a potter with her in Ballymorris Pottery. The couple met in Goldsmith University in London, where they both studied ceramics.
“Our pottery is high-fired stoneware. It’s very strong pottery for functional use. I prefer people to use the pottery I make. They are not display items. We also do presentation pieces and have done commissions for Clare County Council, schools, clubs and a number of companies for people retiring or special tributes,” she said.
Another aspect is pottery classes. “The classes are going well. It’s a lovely activity for a child or adult to learn and all of the participants bring home pieces that they make during the classes.”
She acknowledged that business is challenging in recent years. “We are kept going at the same time. The nature of what we do has changed somewhat. One thing which has helped us is that pottery is not dictated by trends, so pieces stand the test of time,” she added.
Hannah’s business was given a boost two years ago when she was commissioned by the American shopping channel QVC to create ware to sell for St Patrick’s’ Day to the Irish-American market.
“I made claddagh and cross plaques and they seem to have gone down very well. I was very lucky to get that order. The QVC buyer’s sister lives in Cratloe and she recommended my pottery to them. It’s a small world and the chances of something like that happening are quite slim. It was quite nerve-wracking as everything had to be very precise from the pieces, to the packaging and even the labelling. The products sold very well. QVC is now looking for me to come up with more products for next St Patrick’s Day,” Hannah explained.
Hannah’s art is also featured in the Ennis Wallcandy project in a piece called Bridge Contrives at Bank Place, Ennis.
“I have created an illusion which makes it look like the bridge continues on further than it does. I think it looks great and I’ve heard other positive feedback on it,” she said. For more information see. www.ballymorrispottery.com.