Crafting makes me happy!

 via here

 

The absence of late has been down to the above - I've been happily crafting (and still working the day job) so that I can steadily supply the Limerick Craft & Design shop in town, which by the way is going wonderful! Not only do I enjoy working there...(I use the term 'working' very lightly), I enjoy spending time there, chatting to the lovely customers who are happy to see a new shop open which supports the local, arranging displays, ensuring everyones items are looking their best...who knew dusting could be so fun and of course selling and knowing that 100% of the sale goes to the artist / designer who created it in the first instance. That my friends, is an oh so warm and fuzzy feeling.

 

I particulary love when I sell an item that I know someone has worked hard on, or when an item(s) sells which belongs to an artist who works at their chosen disicpline / craft as a full time occupation. For me, this further cements their position as an artist, their work is valued, appreciated and will be admired by others in the future. I like the idea that someone has purchased my items with someone special in mind, a friend, a family member or a loved one. It's even nicer when I explain how the shop and the concept of a co-operative works. This intrigues customers even more, their eyes light up at the thought that people are working voluntarily in order to open, run and close the shop. It is also a very much, welcomed idea. Welcomed by the fact, that people are happy to see (and support) those trying to do something for the good of the city, community and for themselves.

 

With all sales, you can see people taking the time to select something special that only they will know will be appreciated by those receiving it or indeed, by themselves. The high standard and variety of stock in the shop attracts a range of customers. Young children are attracted to the funky jewellery made by Nice Day Designs, those with an eye for detail, drool over the handmade clocks made by Betty Octopus and those with a keen eye for fashion spend an age trying on the handmade colourful knits by Aine. Its interesting to watch how people shop in this creative space and also nice to see how amazed they are at the talent on display. I love turning up for my shift on a Saturday and seeing new stock in the shop and you can imagine, I've already bought at least five items in my head. Some of which will be sitting under the Christmas tree this year for others to enjoy in 2013.

 

I have nothing but good vibes for this shop. After the hard work, hours of time and negotiations and delibrations put in by the founding committee members, it deserves to be nothing short of a success and a new vibrant space where snippets of completed creativity can flourish, be displayed, enjoyed and of course, sold!

 

If you find yourself in Limerick, this Saturday, December 15th (and sure why wouldn't ya, Limerick is only fabulous!) - pop on down to Sarsfield Street for the Christmas Fair. There will be mulled cider and minced pies!! Who can say no to that!

 

Some snippets below: (taken on my iPhone)

 

 

 

 

 

Limerick Craft & Design Shop

So last Saturday saw me spend my very first day working at the Limerick Craft and Design Shop and guess what...I loved it! I loved working with Erica from Oh Sew Pretty, the support and good luck wishes from the general public and selling beautiful, handmade items for many of the artists who have their work for sale there.You cannot but, get a warm fuzzy feeling when you sell something handmade and more importantly from a local Limerick based artist, its a 100% addictive feeling!

The standard of items for sale is very high and the committee team of six members have done an amazing job over the last ten months negotiating with all the decision makers in the city to get the very best out of the space. So many hard working people have donated many, many unpaid hours and their determination shows in the standard of the work for sale, the beautiful visual display and the overall feel of the shop in general. Such is the standard, I've already purchased what feels like a million things in my head. I want everything and I want it now!

LuckyRainbowDesigns gets it's own stand!

I'm also pleased to say that LuckyRainbowDesigns has a small corner of the shop and I'm so grateful to the team for sourcing a lovely card stand for my items and assisting in selling them too. Its a great feeling to know that someone likes your pieces of work enough to spend a few euros on them and if anything it has spurred me on over the weekend to make even more stock!

I've set myself a huge challenge of making a rather large range of Christmas stock and packs of Christmas card sets. They are of course more pricey than your average set of cards but as always with anything handmade, consider the time and effort put into each item and you'll soon see that they are worth it. I would actually suggest that you adopt this attitude when you're browsing in the shop, however as always, I have found that many artists have under priced some of their items. They are super talented and skilled and the efforts should be priced accordingly, however many can be reluctant to do so in the event it turns away a potential buyer. Handmade means your getting a quality piece of work that someone has lovingly created. Its an investment for you or someone special who appreciates original or unique pieces of work, so lets embrace it!

If you find yourself in lovely Limerick, pop on down to Sarsfield Street just off O'Connell Street and say hello. The bunch of friendly volunteers would love to see you. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

*Great News*

I really am well and truely back into the craft-o-sphere once more as I'm delighted, excited and pleased to announce that I'll be one of many artists showing and selling their wares at the new Limerick Craft & Design shop which is scheduled to open in the coming weeks on Sarsfield Street in Limerick City.

Limerick Craft & Design is a new pop up shop and will showcase a wide range of craft and design all of which is made locally by up and coming established artists who live and work in Limerick. The venture is being supported by Limerick City Council in an effort to drive more business and traffic into the city itself. Like many towns and cities accross the country, Limerick has been badly affected by the recession and Limerick also has the worst known case of donut development, meaning that during the celtic tiger years, a huge amount of development took place outside and around the city centre, forcing people to spend their money outside of the city centre. As a result, trade and the overall ambience of Limerick city took a nose dive, reducing the area to a shadow of its former self. It is hoped that creative programs like these will attract more customers back to area and bring the city back to life once more! It's a slow process, but I've no doubt it will happen.

I'm looking forward to volunteering my time once the shop itself opens and have no doubt that I'll enjoy the experience just like I did with the Etsy Ireland pop up shop last summer. There are over 35 artists, crafters and designers showcasing their work and the shop itself is a real opportunity to get your work out there and of course to meet customers too! Opportunities like these are fantastic for a small business to get a small step on the creative and business ladder and allows those participating to get a real and positive insight into the running and 'goings on' behind setting up and operating a real shop. In reality, it's experience that no money or degree can buy! Although my time with the Etsy Ireland pop-up shop was short last summer, I learned and gained valuable information and experience....like security and protecting your products! No one could have prepared any of us for the fact that someone may come in and decide to pinch a few things.

When that happened, "playing shop" just got real and all of us who volunteered our time had to watch all customers (big and small) with dedicated eyes. Afterall, everyone who sent work for sale had spent money, time and effort to create their prodcuts, if something got stolen, it was stolen direct from their pocket.

Other insightful knowledge gained included Health & Safety, customer service and getting that elusive sale for you or another Etsy member and of course marketing....getting people into the shop. (It's amazing the power chalk can have on an outside wall to make a temporary sign!). The above are only a teeny tiny amout of skills / knowledge that can be gained, but if anything its an opportunity to be jumped at!

With Ruth Crean of Nice Day Designs at the helm along with other core committee members, I've no doubt you'll be hearing alot more about the shop in the weeks and months to come! Stay tuned!