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Hello April!

The blossoms on the cherry trees are a sure sign that Spring is here! It’s a good excuse to celebrate all things floral this month. Let’s start with a new contemporary collection of framed dried flower arrangements by Cavan-based designer Kirsten O’Keeffe just arrived in store. Using only Irish grown flowers and grass, Kirsten combines these with delicate attention to details.  Each eye-catching floral composition is bound together with a thin piece of copper: A unique piece that will look superb in any interiors.

Two Irish-based jewellery makers who are hugely inspired by nature are Namitha from Naoi and Melanie Hand. Namitha creates hand-painted statement earrings, celebrating the beauty and vibrancy of the botanical world: her Monstera drop earrings are certainly striking! Melanie has been designing and making jewellery for 25 years and loves to experiment with flower petals, combining them with crystals, delicate beads and pearls to produce quite unique pieces of jewellery. A great selection of work by both designers is available in the shop.

Floral fragrances are integral to scented candles and are derived partly from essential oils. The most popular fragrance is the comforting aroma of vanilla, followed closely by the soothing scent of lavender and the invigorating scent of citrus. My favorite fragrance is jasmine for its delicateness and so the ‘Go Raith Maith Agat’ natural candles by WAW are a real treat and they burn up to 40 hours so lots of opportunity to enjoy the sources of natural beauty in your home or office.

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Loveliness

Every January, I visit Showcase in the RDS in Dublin. It is a great annual trade event for makers and artists. For me, it is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with many of the makers I stock and discuss their new collections. It is also an opportunity for me to discover new Irish-based designers . the work on display at Showcase is truly inspiring and a feast for the eyes. There is everything from functional pottery influenced by the sea by The Mood Designs to crafted jewellery made from the finest of metal wire by WildWire Jewellery. As a textile enthusiast, I was taken by the stunning silk and wool scarves by Jayne Gillian and I really loved the exquisite abstract original paintings and prints by Fab Cow. Such a lift to the spirits in these still dark and wintry days!

I’m now starting to receive some of the new pieces and hope you will like them as much as I do. Just in are some very chic porcelain earrings from Co.Carlow, linen-bound notebooks by Adelle Hickey from Dublin and 100% natural wax candles from Co.Galway. Pop in and treat yourself or a loved one to a Valentine gift!

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The Bells of Christmas

The Angelus first aired on Irish radio in 1950 at noon and six o’clock. It has been a steady presence on Irish television too just before the six o’clock evening news since the launch of Telefís Éireann in 1961. This one minute iconic broadcast has evolved over the years and now includes the diversity of Irish society. The Angelus, is filmed by Kairos Communications based in Maynooth, and mainly shows people going about their daily activities, at home or at work or in their local community.

This year, Cork and Mullingar were selected as locations for filming the Angelus. It was really interesting to be part of the film-making process in the shop, where Tony Wheatley, a stained glass artist based outside Mullingar, set up his workshop for the day. A festive atmosphere was created as Tony worked away making beautiful angels.

It is lovely to see some of the scenes and streetscapes of Mullingar including the Town Band getting into the Christmas spirit! Also featured is the store front of the Saint Vincent de Paul on Bishop Gate Street, where the beautiful stained glass crib created by Tony is displayed in the window. The Angelus reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas: kindness, love, hope and joy.

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Wrap Up Warm

Now that the clocks have been put back an hour and we are getting used to longer, darker evenings, it is time to think about staying warm and cosy as the winter season comes in. It is a time when we yearn for the indoors and a slower pace if we can manage it!

Warm up your interiors with cosy layers using woven blankets or throws from Studio Donegal. When you do venture out, there are plenty of colourful handcrafted wool beanies, snoods and scarves in Handmade Design Studio to brighten your day, keep the winter blues away and stay snug and warm.  For the little ones, we have the cutest baby booties  in Aran knit. You’ll wish they could be available in adult sizes! A hot chocolate, milky tea or steaming coffee sipped from one of Vale’s hand-carved ceramic mug will no doubt keep you toasty but all grounded in the moment.

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Back to Basics

Where did the Summer go? It is hard to believe that schools are already opening their doors! Well, September is always a good time to recharge and reset and plan ahead for Autumn and settle into the cooler months.Discovering the simple pleasures that life can bring: a walk in the forest, a dip in the sea, a cycle along the canal or else picking blackberries, elderberries and apples to make delicious jams and pies, one among my favourite things to do when September comes.

Trying to embrace a healthier and greener lifestyle can be a real challenge sometimes but one step at a time is all it takes. Start by consuming less and better as well as buying locally-sourced products when possible. At Handmade Design Studio, we are part of the Design and Craft Council of Ireland Made Local campaign, showcasing a great number of very talented artists, crafters and designers all based in Ireland. 

August is when the craft sector is celebrated all over Ireland providing great opportunities to learn a new craft, make something unique and discover loads of makers and designers through demonstrations and visiting studios. It is not too to learn a new skill like lampshade making, sewing, willow weaving or hand-painting any tired-looking furniture. Check the workshop page for more info! Starting a new hobby, joining a club or doing a one-day practical course is an enjoyable way to meet like-minded people. It is inspiring and will spark your imagination and get your creativity going for the new season.

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Mid Summer

With the wonderfully warm and sunny weather in early June, it feels like a great start to the Summer! With the sun shining well into the long evenings, there is even more time to relax outdoors. You can indulge in or celebrate the simple things in life like swimming in the lake, or sea when you can, having a picnic or a barbecue and sharing food with friends and family.

Dining and entertaining al fresco are truly part of Summer outdoor living. For a casual and festive table, dinnerware in soft blues and pink together with walnut or mahogany wooden serving boards will make your dining on the patio even more enjoyable.

Wearing bright colours also brings a sense of fun and emphasises the cheerfulness that the Summer months give us. Handmade Design Studio has plenty of colourful items of jewellery by outstanding Irish designers each of whom has their own unique style. You are bound to find the piece that will suit you, a friend, a cousin or a sibling! The natural fibres in linen clothing is also a great choice to stay cool in warm weather. Shirts, crop tops and midi dresses in a range of colours and patterns are now available. Come in and try them on for size!

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Hello Spring

Spring is definitely in the air! It feels great to have the long and bright evenings and to see bursts of colour everywhere you look. Spring is a time for renewal and growth. It is also a great time to get inspired for some home colour therapy, renew and revive interior décors. Neutral and warm earthy tones such as beige, cream and browns are back on trend. They represent our sense of connection, be that with the earth, with each other or ourselves. The many neutral colours are the perfect background for any addition of richer and vibrant colours such as rose, green or yellow in say painted furniture, soft furnishing, art work or ceramics.

You can equally apply this palette to what you will wear this springtime: Bold block of electric colours motivate us for the warmer months ahead. So you can invite sunshine yellow, crisp blue or shocking pink into your wardrobe. If that seems too bold, you can always soften that vibrancy with a choice of softer pastel tones for a calming effect. Another approach suitable in Spring is to wear a sharp white top with a striking piece of jewellery.

For Spring and Summer, we have added some beautiful linen clothing to our range of handmade goods: Linen is the perfect fabric choice for the warmer months as it is breathable and comfortable to wear.  It is also a truly sustainable fibre since it is the strongest and most durable, meaning that you can enjoy your linen shirt or trousers for a long time. Independent fashion brands are creating small quantity garments that are produced in an eco-friendly way: it’s about slow living and sustainability and a world away from fast fashion.  

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Ten Years!

Handmade Design Studio first opened on Mount Street, Mullingar in January 2013 and it has been an incredible decade of creativity, discovering amazing makers and designers from all across Ireland. 

The concept of the shop remains the same as it was when I set out: to champion handmade, sustainable art and craft designed and produced on this island.  

Through the many chats, stories exchanged and moments of laughter the past decade has been one of forming friendships that I treasure deeply.

Handmade Design Studio has been host to very many workshops and creative projects over the years. Continually working on innovative ideas, I am also committed to sharing my love of hand-painting furniture. The shop is a space to enjoy the experience of crafting, repairing and restyling furniture and to learning traditional skills with guest makers and artisans.

Marking this ten year anniversary in January 2023, I wanted to express my gratitude for the constant support of customers locally and from further afield. Here’s to the next ten years!

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The Art of Gifting

Getting a gift for a loved one is one of the real joys of going Christmas shopping! All the  items you will find in Handmade Design Studio are hand crafted by makers artists and designers based in Ireland. Every piece is carefully selected for its design, quality and uniqueness. Not only are you guaranteed to find something truly special but can also know that the gift you choose is made sustainably, made locally and won’t cost the Earth!  

For the woman in your life: A reversible eye-catching luxury silk scarf inspired by Clare O’Connor’s own abstract paintings. A piece of contemporary jewellery handmade from precious metal and freshwater pearl made by Deeca.

For the man in your life: A set of Whisky stones made from Kilkenny marble by Caulfield Country Board. A pair of hand-blown glass beakers from Jerpoint Glass Monochrome collection

For the little ones: A colourful boy or girl fairy felted by Karolina Sexton. A pair of hand-knitted Aran baby booties by Nellies.

For the teens: A funky pair of earrings or necklace by Shock of Grey. A beautiful  pastel mug by Vale Ceramics.

For the animal lover: A cat or dog themed mug by Claire Molloy for the morning tea or coffee.  

For the DIY enthusiast: A voucher for a workshop to restyle a tired piece of furniture with Annie Sloan chalk paint, to make a lampshade or reupholster a chair:

For the eco-conscious: A Fir candle by FieldDay: its gentle fragrance will remind you of a walk in a pine forest of a crisp Sunday afternoon.

For the foodie: One of Helen’s Faulkner’s ceramic tableware in turquoise glaze from her Toulouse collection designed to be use everyday. 

For the art lover:  A limited edition lithograph depicting an earthy Irish landscape by Gail Kelly.

 All gifts are beautifully wrapped for you so that all you have to do is put it under the Christmas tree! And if you still have no idea what to get, a gift voucher is your best option!

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Halloween

Halloween or Samhain, as it is known in Ireland, has become extremely popular and more sophisticated in recent years. While many of the old games may be a thing of the past, new decorative traditions like intricate carved pumpkins, leafy autumnal wreaths and creative costumes are thriving.

Halloween represents the change in the season between the end of the harvest and the beginning of Winter making it a key turning point in the year. Traditionally, this time of year celebrates the connection between this mortal, earthly world and the spirit world when an array of ghosts, goblins and ghouls might make an appearance. Bonfires are lit both for protection from any ill will from such forces as well acting as a kind of cleansing ritual to mark the move into Winter.

For a moody and atmospheric décor, Leona Guidera’s artwork “Escapism” is guaranteed to stir your emotions. With your ghoulish Halloween dinner, you can serve the magic potions in one of the “smoke” glasses; these hand-blown glasses make for a very special treat! Finally, to add a touch of seasonal colour to your own or a loved one’s Halloween costume, you might like the quirky orange Froufrou stud earrings by Dana.

Be prepared to be spooked!