The start of a new year is always an exciting time to plan the year ahead: to think of new ideas, source new Irish-based makers and see the new collections from a wide range of interesting Irish designers.  

Showcase Ireland, the leading creative trade expo has moved online this year due to the current covid-19 restrictions.  They have facilitated virtual showrooms and one-to-one meetings with designers and makers. It is a fantastic opportunity to discover artisans with a passion for the pieces they make, the stories behind the work and the ways different designers source material and present their work. The collections I have been shown are innovative, quirky, stylish, colourful with quality and sustainability in mind.  

So, expect to see some beautiful new work coming in in the next couple of weeks. Check out the Gift page and follow us on Instagram and Facebook too for regular updates.

When it comes to give a gift to a special person for a special occasion, it is important to think carefully about the person the gift is intended for. It is really not so easy particularly when there is so much choice! It is worth thinking about their likes and what would make smile or laugh. We give someone a gift to show gratitude, consideration, appreciation and  love or we may simply want to show our own kindness in a symbolic way through the present. The gesture of the gift can come in so many forms: Sometimes giving someone time is the most precious gift of all.

At Handmade Design Studio, we are into giving time and taking time to think about gifts, what to choose, how to wrap and present it. We specialise in gifts that are hand-crafted, have a story and make connections that are real, sourced in Ireland and made with the attention and care you would want for a gift for someone special in your life.

Have a lovely and thoughtful Christmas

Following the most recent government’s guidelines for retail businesses, Handmade Design Studio remains closed for the time being. All going well, we’ll be open again in three weeks’ time.

With  everything at a standstill or in slow motion, creativity has helped me to stay focused and positive in these unusual times. Resuming abandoned projects has been a great outlet for me together with furniture painting, decorating, designing new scarves, making face coverings and working behind the scenes!

I look forward to seeing you in the shop next month as we adjust to our new normality for society.  In the meantime, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to contact me by email at handdesign10@gmail.com or by direct message on Facebook or Instagram @handmadedesignstudio. We have a small selection of products available online via our Facebook shop as well as the Annie Sloan Chalk Paints.

I have to admit I was very sad to have to temporarily close the shop. But I knew it was the best decision for the safety of my customers and well as my own. I will be missing the face to face chats, helping customers finding the right gifts and seeing your upcycling furniture projects taking shape. I had to suspend all the orders of new pieces that I had been really looking forward to getting this Spring. I have had also to cancel the creative workshops for now.

Nobody asked for this health emergency, nor for the physical distancing, for the illness it has brought to so many as well as the fear and the uncertainty we all feel.

Staying positive, supporting each other in a small or big way, being mindful, keeping creative and connected will help us as individuals and as a community to be stronger together. Do take care and stay safe.

Our brick and motar shop is temporarily closed but we are still working behind the scenes! Don’t hesitate to send us a message or visit our online Facebook shop, which is being updated regularly. Stay Safe. Looking forward to the time when the shop is reopen.