The best of Irish craft and design at Showcase 2017
This week I visited Showcase Ireland, a strictly trade only event where retail buyers and store owners go to source new stock for upcoming seasons.
This huge exhibition hosted in Dublin’s RDS every year shows off the latest collections from leading and emerging Irish designers.
Of course I went to scout the interiors and home accessories stalls. In no particular order, here’s a collection of the pieces that stood out the most for me…
Copper pipe candle holder by Caulfield Country Boards
Caulfield Country Boards have been on my radar for some time now and I have a dedicated feature on them planned for Homeware Huntress this year. This family team make beautiful cutting boards, serving boards and giftware. You can buy this copper pipe candle holder on their website for €60.
Wall clocks by Hey, Bulldog! Design
What a great find! Drawn in by their mix of colour and texture, I got chatting to lead designer Amanda of Hey, Bulldog! Design. Amanda studied at Camberwell College of Arts London and the National College of Art and Design Dublin, and together with Joe, makes everything in Maynooth, County Kildare. These guys have certainly got the edge when it comes to design.
Tinned candles by Dalkey Aromatics
I had to stop when I saw candles in mini tins – too cute. Especially when one was ‘Irish poitín’ scented. I got talking to Martin who pointed out that Dalkey Aromatics also do ‘Mandles’ – candles for men. Brilliant. They start at €10 on DalkeyAromatics.ie.
Midnight Flora collection by Sarah McKenna Ceramics
This navy, leafy pattern drew me to the Sarah McKenna stall. Sarah told me that it’s the new Midnight Flora collection and she has crafted it onto plates, platters, beakers, bowls and vases. Oh so beautiful.
Brass mirrors by Gilded Hound
I featured beautiful Irish clocks from an Irish coppersmith on Homeware Huntress before so I made sure to visit the Gilded Hound stall to meet the coppersmith, Siobhán Sacker, in person. Siobhán’s latest additions to her collection are these alluring brass mirrors.
Mustard chevron cushion by UNEEK Home Accessories
It was a delight to meet one of Ireland’s most respected designers Rachel McCann. Out of everything I saw at Showcase, this mustard chevron cushion from Rachel’s Equilibrium range is number 1 on my must-have list. With a 100% wool embroidered front and a linen back, this feather-filled cushion is a whole lot of luxury. Get it for €38.00 from UNKEEK Home Accessories.
Exposed bulb lamps by Copper Fish Studio
Exposed bulbs are a huge trend at the moment, especially where the element inside has been bent into a unique shape. This is Eoin’s speciality, and the fact that he makes them out of copper piping, means that you really couldn’t find a more on trend home accessory. Eoin gathers old, locally-sourced timber and copper piping and upcycles them into these distinctive statement lamps. Everything is done by hand. The wonderful variety and design of the bulbs’ elements don’t come through in this photo, but you can see them on the Copper Fish Studio website.
New ceramic collection by Danu
Having featured the striking ceramics of Danu on Homeware Huntress before, it was a pleasure to meet Ruth in person at Showcase. The epitome of Irish craft, Danu is a brand that I’m seeing more and more of everywhere I go. This girl is a real artist and my quickly-snapped iphone photos don’t do her craft justice. Seriously, watch this space.
Candles by Candella
Company founders Gosia and Marcin had me swooning over the incredible scents at the Candella stand. If only I could evoke how beautiful these scents are through the screen to you. Gosia studied perfumery and now handcrafts the candles with Marcin from natural raw materials in Kildare. By using soya wax, wooden wicks and lead free cotton wicks, they’ve made sure that everything is natural and biodegradable. I’m just so annoyed with myself that I didn’t get a close up photo of the especially beautiful copper candles from their Earth collection. Get one online for €39 from Candella.
Glazed clay jug by Rossa Pottery
It was a pleasure to meet Sarah Walsh from Rossa Pottery who told me that Rossa is Ireland’s oldest pottery. Based in Cashel, in County Tipperary, everything is 100% handmade. You’ve got to watch the videos on their Facebook page of Sarah’s husband Alan working on the potter’s wheel.
Soy wax candles by Rowan Beg Design Studios
At the Rowan Beg Design Studios stall, Michelle and Nichola chatted to me about their brand’s sustainable ethos. Their wicks are 100% cotton, their containers are made with 100% recycled glass, their lids are made from cork, their labels are made from wildgrass hemp paper, and their soy wax is farmed using sustainable methods. Mixing sustainability with luxury, they hand pour all of their beautifully-scented candles in Galway. Get one online for €22.95 from Rowan Beg Design Studios.
