Tag: Jewellery

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The art of gifting

The Christmas season is definitely upon us! How did that happen so quickly?

Handmade gifts are a thoughtful and truly personal option as you want to find the ideal gift for the person you have in mind. At Handmade Design Studio, we specialise in one of a kind handmade gifts all designed and made in Ireland, ranging from textiles to ceramics and artworks. Each gift item is carefully gift-wrapped in either an eco-paper or a handmade fabric pouch all individually sewn behind the scene by myself!

Here are a couple of gift idea suggestions: A  piece of jewellery for a special occasion is always a great choice:  made from porcelain, sterling silver, semi-precious stones, fine wire, vintage beads or even silk:  All jewellery designers have their own recognisable style and create unique and intricate pieces by hand. My favourite designer of the moment is Fernanda from Wild Wire: she crochets fine colourful wire into exquisite necklaces and earrings guaranteed to be noticed!

Artisan Candles made from 100% natural ingredients, infused with essential oils and presented in beautiful containers are a truly classic gift: Try ‘Silent Night’ by Wild Atlantic Wick and you’ll be immediately transported into an enchanted pine forest …

Christmas handmade ornaments are great stocking fillers: adding a new decoration to the tree every year is a lovely way to customize  your Christmas tree; they also become part of the family heirloom and will be cherished for years to come. Check out Ashley Walsh’s beautiful ceramic stars!

Handcrafted willow baskets are both sustainable and durable items; they come in many shapes and earthy colours ranging from dark brown to green and reddish hues.  We have a beautiful selection made locally by Gearóid Breslin, a skilled willow weaver and basket maker from Mullingar.

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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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Funky jewellery

 

Dublin-based jewellery maker Betzy Medina creates funky, chunky and very colourful fashion accessories under the brand name of Sandia. For her necklace collections, she has created some striking hand-cut pieces using expanding rubber foam. This is an unusual but creative choice as a material for jewellery: it has the advantage of being extremely light and easy to wear. Painted wood is another favoured material and with her interesting colour combinations and geometrical shapes Betzy’s jewellery is sure to be noticed! Sandia earrings and necklaces make a fun addition to any outfit and can complete either a casual or a stylish look. Totally addicted! Now available in Handmade Design Studio, Mullingar.

 

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Groovy jewellery

 

I recently had a throwback to my student days when I received some new jewellery made from vinyl records by Dana Creations. As I was admiring the quirky earrings and necklaces, I began to wish I still had my vinyl collection and could immerse myself in the soundscapes of Pink Floyd or Horslips. I felt nostalgia for the times I’d have to turn the disk over to side B once the scratchy crackly sound of the record player meant side A was finished.

 

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Amour Toujours

Valentine’s day is a day for love, of course, and most importantly it is about expressing that through a carefully chosen gift for your loved one. It is the little things and moments that make Valentine’s day special and you can enjoy any number of these with a thoughtful gift. Let’s see, these could be …

irish-cob-mugniki-collier-swirl-hat-raspberry-and-plumforgotten-china-pendantwalnut-paddle-board

 

The smell of freshly brewed coffee ready to be poured into your favorite mug. It could be the Irish Cob mug by Claire Molloy.

A walk along the beach (well maybe not in Mullingar!) or in the forest or across the beautiful midlands bogs all wrapped up in warm clothes. Nikki Collier‘s Swirl hat would be ideal.

Cosying up together for a chat, a laugh or a cuddle by the fire at home with some mellow music playing in the background.

Putting on a sparkly pair of earrings or wearing a stunning pendant before going out on the town. One of Forgotten China pendants are truly vintage.

Preparing some tasty food for a dinner en tête-á-tête. You will need one of Caulfield Country boards.

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YES, it’s May!

IMAG1502-1-1-1YES, it’s time once again to put away the winter woollies and hope that the rain stays away too to let the sunshine in for the Summer months.

YES, it’s time to wear the Summer colours: some gentle pinks, yellows and mauves. The antiqued Long Leaf or Acorn Bunch earrings from ArtySmarty’s new collection are the perfect accessory. If you prefer some vibrant shades, with some subtle details, then Katie Brown’s fine silk scarves are a delight.

YES, it’s time to paint any tired-looking furniture and give it a new lease of life with Annie Sloan decorative Chalk Paints™. Provence, Louis Blue or English Yellow will give a fresh, bright and cheerful look and transform your rooms!

YES, it’s time to fill vases with beautiful flowers and stems from the garden or florist. Sarah Mc Kenna’s new collection of vases and ceramics provide the ideal backdrop to your favourite Summer blooms.

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Joyeux Noël

Christmas trayGetting a gift for a loved one is at the heart of Christmas shopping and you want to make sure you are getting something truly special. At Handmade Design Studio you are guaranteed to find a gift hand made with care in Ireland that is really beautiful and unique.

karelian cuffFor herself: Something to wear? A reversible silk and felted merino wool scarf by Inga Inne; Something to admire? An art piece by Anne-Marie Kearns. Something vintage? A Venetian beaded necklace by My Grand-Mother’s Closet. Something glamorous? A silver sterling and Czech crystal cuff by Bláithín Ennis or a Birdie ring by Niamh Spain. Something homely? A fine porcelain vase by Living Ginger designs, one of  Claire Molloy’s earthy horsehair vessels. Something to read? La vie est belle by Henrietta Heald about French interiors and lifestyle.

studio Donegal For himself: If he is a foodie: A beautifully crafted wine stopper by Matt Jones or a walnut cheese board by Caulfield Country Boards. If he is a DIY enthusiast: a can of chalk paint, Annie Sloan decorative paint in his favorite colour. If he likes his comfort: a woven woolly blanket or cushion by Studio Donegal. If he enjoys a cuppa (and what man doesn’t?), offer him a mug as Gaeilge by Placed.

IMAG0875-1For the little ones: To amuse them, a rattle or baby comforter by Essential Bears, a tooth Fairy by Guadalupe Creations. To keep them warm, a funky woolly hat by AKnits or you can choose one of the colourful hair slides by ArtySmarty.

For the teens: The fashion-conscious will appreciate a pair of earrings or necklace by Angela Cuthill or a double purse by Joan Greene. The ones with the quirky taste: a spaghetti scarf or a cool snood by C. Delabre.

 PS: If you prefer to have herself, himself, the little ones or the teens select their own gift, how about a gift voucher? All gifts are beautifully wrapped for you so that all you have to do is put it under the Christmas tree!