It’s Spring and new designs have arrived from many of our members

 Sharon’s latest innovation in her range of Feltedfibers and Faeryfolk‘s have made an appearance 

Made from a blend of Fimo and Super Sculpey polymer clay. The Sculpey has a translucent matt finish which gives the flesh a life-like appearance once baked. These wee folk are becoming highly addictive to make..so back to cooking imps!

Sea Imps (6 photos)

I’m sure we all know someone with a similar disposition!

Granny Root – The Fanatical Knitter.
A 14 inch polymer clay/fabric tree dwelling geriatric troll. Often found sitting beside the range contemplating life’s woes or at the local stitch n bitch group gossiping about other peoples woes!

Karen has introduced some new lampshade designs (4 photos)

New journals available now on line and from my studio.
http://shop.kokodesigns.ie/epages/950003057.sf/en_IE/?ObjectPath=%2FShops%2F950003057%2FCategories%2FJournals

New journals available now on line and from my studio.
http://shop.kokodesigns.ie/epages/950003057.sf/en_IE/?ObjectPath=%2FShops%2F950003057%2FCategories%2FJournals

http://shop.kokodesigns.ie/epages/950003057.sf/en_IE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950003057/Categories/Journals” src=”https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/p480x480/486039_564498360236109_959831838_n.jpg” width=”403″ height=”403″ />

Meanwhile SharonMcDaid created a wonderful egg for the Big Egg Hunt in Dublin, here it is on completion in the Studio

And here it is at the launch in Dublin with the other chosen artists..

New stock from Feltedfibers and Faeryfolk added to our online store
http://shop.donegaldesignermakers.com/epages/950002543.sf/en_IE/?ObjectPath=%2FShops%2F950002543%2FCategories

More New stock from Feltedfibers and Faeryfolk added to our online store:
http://shop.donegaldesignermakers.com/epages/950002543.sf/en_IE/?ObjectPath=%2FShops%2F950002543%2FCategories
Hand dyed silk chiffon edged with hand-painted ‘organic’ extra fine merino making it super soft against the skin, in vibrant citric shades of green and yellow.

http://shop.donegaldesignermakers.com/epages/950002543.sf/en_IE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950002543/Categories

NUNO FELT SCARF
Hand dyed silk chiffon edged with hand-painted ‘organic’ extra fine merino making it super soft against the skin, in vibrant citric shades of green and yellow.” src=”https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/563717_511496888897935_1050505659_n.jpg” width=”403″ height=”538″ />

Arnotts in association with the Crafts Council of Ireland, launched an installation of craft Imagined, Designed and Made in Ireland as part of the Arnotts Love Irish Design initiative, which will take place in store throughout March and April. Martin has work on show alongside all the other talented designers. Thanks to everyone in the CCOI and Arnotts for supporting Irish designers! Be sure to pop in. Look out for the window displays, amazing!

Eleven members made the trip to the National craft fair at the RDS last week and as usual the “Donegal Aisle” was a popular attraction at the fair.  Shane made good use of his  trolley as he seemed to be constantly selling and replenishing his stock of Birdhouses, his new peanut feeders sold out too.

 

 

 

 

 

Joanne Gamble at her first show made a splash with her marine inspired jewellery

 

 

 

 

 

Hannah with her superb jewellery showed that there are more than one McGuinness with talent to impress the nation this year.

 

 

Brian McGee took time off from selling his new blue range of tableware to do daily demonstrations on the potters wheel in the central Crafts Councils area, drawing a large crowd on each occasion.

 

Martin Gallagher’s beautifully designed stand was a testament to his contemporary design skill.

 

National treasures Donal Sweeney and Eddie Doherty brought the colours of the heather covered hills of Donegal to Dublin with their tweed and wool textiles.

Sharon McDaid’s fantastic and colourful paintings evoked memories of summer holidays in the North West for visitors to the fair.

Animals and people populated the walls and plinths of Marina Hamilton’s stand with beautiful evocations of farm, family and wild life.

 

Emer is expecting to take a break from her Pottery making next year with other creative projects but made an impressive return to the RDS last week.

 

 

While the government decided to help by announcing the worst budget in recent  history on the day it opened, the fair still managed to meet expectations in terms of sales and we all went home happy and looking forward to next weekend’s Wintertime show in Rathmullan house.

Donegal Designer Makers return HOME to Ardara

Martin Gallagher with coffee table and Cabinet

Our exhibition Home which launched so successfully in Spacecraft gallery in Belfast in July returned home to Ardara for a local opening on Thursday evening  2nd August.  And in this dripping summer the sun even made an unexpected appearance to put the seal a wonderful occasion. The summer exhibition  opened upstairs in the Heritage Centre, Ardara, Co Donegal and is open 10.30am-6.30pm, every day until August 25^th, while across the road we have a pop up gallery with the work of 24 makers from throughout the county.

Noel Cronin With his lighting design

 

This time the show was even bigger as some of us added new pieces and a number of new members joined the exhibition. Exhibitors include artist and sculptors Marina Hamilton, Emmet Rock and Naomi Fleury, artist Fiona Higgins and Sharon McDaid, jewellers Hannah McGuinness, Joanne Gamble, Rosie Moloney, Sarah Gavigan, furniture designers Noel Cronin, PJ Patton and Martin Gallagher, ceramicists Emer O’Sullivan and Brian McGee, textile artists Karen O’Kane, Michi, Margaret Gillespie and Sharon McGinley.

Naomi Fleury resplendant in a beautiful Japanese Kimono and her intricate Origami piece

HOME reflects the work of the Artist/Designer/Makers from Donegal and their connection with their home place Donegal.  Hannah McGuinness, Creative Director, Donegal Designer Makers, who came up with the theme explained it thus- “Our main connection to each other is our home place Donegal. Whether born here or settled here we have the great fortune of being owned by it and thus feeling part of what is Donegal.

Hannah McGuinness at the launch with Isobel Sangha of Donegal Natural Soap

 

 

 

 

Our county has great dramatic beauty, is subject to erratic weather patterns, has a language of its own, is steeped in culture and tradition. All these aspects of our life in Donegal are carried through our lifetime, influencing and inspiring our work and us as people”

Launch of Online Shop

The network also launched an online shop to their existing website allowing customers to purchase all year round.

http://www.donegaldesignermakers.com/shop

 

A Belated welcome for our new members

This year we have welcomed a number of new members to the group, so introductions are overdue. Their work is currently showing in the pop up shop in Ardara along with the other group members:

Firstly Margaret Gillespie.

Margaret designs and creates modern elegant garments incorporating fine yarns with traditional Irish crochet stitches such as Irish roses and picot chains. These are especially noticable in her wedding and christening gowns.
T: (00353) 87 1412163

 

 

 

 

Secondly Anne McGonagle, Glendowen Craft Studio.

Ann McGonigle had been a member of the group for many years and she makes a welcome return this year. She specialises in the design and making of Donegal Tweed garments with a hand crochet finish. Her range includes jackets, tunics, coats, capes, wraps, hats, scarves and bags.

 

 

 

Thirdly  Joan Carey-Gallagher,  Designer cards Donegal.

Joan from the beautiful coastline town of Ballyshannon, combines her passion for handcraft and graphic design to create her products. Although specializing in wedding invitations, she also designs unique silk prints for her new creations.

 

 

 

Fourth Michelle McCarroll,   mICHI.

Michelle’s designs encompass an appreciation of design, film and environment. Born in Derry, but raised in Donegal, her passion for design was evident from an early age.  The distinct ‘Michi’ look encapsulates the fantasy of fashion, her love of colour and her total passion and respect for the Art of Couture. Her silhouettes are soft and feminine, working around classic shapes but with an added quirkiness and personality.

 

 

Fifth new member is Jeweller Sarah Gavigan

 

Sarah is a jewellery designer from Ballyshannon who graduated from NCAD with a BDES honours degree in craft design using metal. Inspired by her rural and scenic surroundings, she creates jewellery using techniques such as roller embossing and etching, creating soft delicate patterns on silver.

 

Sixth New Member Printer  Shelagh Dwyer.

 

Shelagh from Ramelton draws her impressions from various sources. Her camera accompanies her wherever she goes. The beautiful, moody landscapes and seascapes of County Donegal are also a constant source of inspiration.

 

 

 

 

And lastly Emmet Rock, Contemporary design

 

Already well versed in the design worlds of Milan and London Emmet from Raphoe is coming home to carve his own name in contemporary design.

A Preview of Home Exhibition (opens Ardara 2nd August)

Noel Cronin: ‘Long Way Home’ Lighthouse adjustable pendant lamps in walnut and maple; suspended in box frames.
“The aim is always towards the functional, the magical and the beautifully made.”

 

 

Michelle McCarroll: ‘RE.Flection’ (set of 2 lamps) “Having grown up an urban nomad, the questions I have always had difficulty answering is ‘Where do I come From?’
My concept of ‘Home’ is rather eclectic, yet remarkably, and unintentionally, my roads have always led to Donegal. I wish to convey a sense of memory, with the sea as a focal point. Amidst the inconsistency, this has always been my constant; what I have missed most when I am away, and what I have turned to for calm.
Re.Flection has been developed from personal visual memories, whereas Re.Collection is an interactive piece made to trigger thought – a storage space for memories

 

 

Brian McGee: “It Was All Fields Here” Ceramic sculpture made from local eathenware clay from brickworks fired to 1100 degrees  
“Living in Donegal for over 30 years I have witnessed changes to the people and place, both positive and negative. Whilst more open to new people and ideas. It has also been blighted by unplanned development and parochial cronyism.
Are we in danger of destroying the very things that makes the county so special – its unique scenery and natural environment? The monopoly house seemed an appropriate metaphor for unbridled greed that most can relate to. while the wind turbine is both a harbinger of clean and natural energy and a controversial addition to the landscape.”

 

 

 

Joanne Gamble: Urchin II
Made from 3mm steel with 10mm forged steel spikes and gold leaf.
“The sea urchin can look beautiful and unusual or dangerous and fierce depending on the way we look at it. It’s not everyday that you will find a sea urchin and this makes them a precious item in their own way.
It also uses it’s hard and  dangerous appearance to defend and protect itself and its home.
It’s this that draws me towards them as they remind me of ourselves and our own homes and how we protect  what is precious to us whilst feeling safe and protected within”.

Home Exhibition opening in Ardara

Our Exhibition “Home which has been running at the Spacecraft Gallery in the Fountain Centre in College Street Belfast finishes there on Saturday 28th July, it then moves to the Heritage Centre Ardara where it opens on Thursday 2nd. of August. The exhibition has attracted a lot of attention in Belfast and will be a great compliment to the Pop up shop across the street.

Both shop and exhibition will run till the 25th. August in Ardara after which we are looking at other gallery venues in Ireland who have expressed an interest in hosting it.

Fiona’s recent creative project

Congratulations to Fiona Higgins who’s new baby Sarah arrived this spring, she says “ she’s a really good baby so far, I’m enjoying this nice baby stage”.