Top of the craft

WHILE she started out initially in theatre, changing her career path to the world of fashion design just over a year ago wasn’t a major leap of faith for Ennistymon-born jeweller Christina Brosnan. 
After all, her mother Mary is a master craftsperson so Christina had the creative talent ingrained in her DNA.
Last week that talent was very much to the fore when Christina, who now lives in Kilkenny, was honoured with one of the top awards at the Showcase 2012 Creative Expo at Dublin’s RDS.
The Creative Island overall award was presented to Christina by chairperson of the Crafts Council of Ireland, Laura Magahy, at a reception in Dublin on Saturday evening in advance of the official opening of Showcase at the RDS the following day.
Christina introduced her new jewellery collections Contour and Osseous to buyers at Showcase and her work was of such a high quality she was selected to showcase it in the exclusive Creative Island Arena. Both of her new collections use sterling silver or 14-carat rolled gold with semi-precious gemstone and bone.
“I started out life in theatre and film and worked in the industry for over 10 years, going on to set up my own creative agency. I had an amazing time and got a unique opportunity to work on the design and interiors of the private members’ club at the 02.
“Craft has always been a huge part of my life. My mother Mary is a master craftsperson, working with lace, crochet, spinning and yarn work,” Christina revealed.
The mother-of-two only started as a full-time jewellery maker over a year ago. She’s always been a bright spark and a quick learner and while working in the film business she became Ireland’s youngest ever Prop Master.
She then co-founded the creative agency One Productions broadening her interests into the world of graphic design, digital media and marketing. The winding path took her into the world of fashion design, which she studied at the Grafton Academy prior to working with John Rocha and Cuan Hanly. Her work also appeared on Off The Rails and in Social and Personal magazine.
Creative Island is a space dedicated to beautifully crafted products exclusively “imagined, designed and made in Ireland”. First launched at Showcase in 2010, Creative Island has been expanded from 55 to 85 designers, all chosen by an independent jury for their creativity, innovation and craftsmanship.
Now in its 36th year, Showcase is the country’s largest international trade fair.
While the global economy remains under pressure, buyers from Ireland and over 16 countries around the world attended this year’s show to discover the latest innovative products from enterprises throughout the country.
An estimated €20 million in sales orders were placed at the event, reflecting its huge importance as an export channel for the craft and design sector.
Presenting the award to Christina, chairperson of the Crafts Council of Ireland Laura Magahy, said the continued high attendance of both buyers and exhibitors at Showcase is key in expanding the market for Irish craft. She said the craft sector contributes almost €500 million to the Irish economy and employs over 5,700 people.
“The Crafts Council of Ireland is committed to sustaining these important jobs and to growing the sector over the next number of years as the global economy recovers,” she empahsied.
Ms Magahy also spoke of the success of Year of Craft 2011 in promoting the sector.
“Throughout the past year we worked with a network of strategic partners and supporting agencies in promoting and celebrating the outstanding talents of craftspeople living and working in Ireland in order to sustain and grow this economically significant sector.
“We would like to commend all our craftspeople for their enthusiastic involvement in the Year of Craft initiative,” she added.