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 | Mel Bradley Mel Bradley, award-winning designer and part-time lecturer, has been designing and creating silk wraps and fabrics for the fashion and interior markets since the 1980's. Most recently, Mel has been creating three-dimensional textiles, experimenting with new techniques.
Turning her attention to interior design, Mel's new lines include cushions, bed throws and lampshades, which have a contemporary, yet organic look.
With frequent commissions from Louise Kennedy and John Rocha, Mel won 'Best New Product' and 'Buyer's Choice' Awards at Showcase in Dublin and you can see her work on display in the cosmopolitan Morrisson Hotel in Dublin.
So, what influences Mel? Her work is directly influenced by Japanese simplicity and the natural world that surrounds her. "Every day, I walk the beach and watch the birds feed, feel the energy of the sea and hear the shells crunchng beneath my feet."
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Mel Bradley - Hand Painted Silks
The Gatehouse,
Millmount Craft Centre,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth.
041 982 7200 |  |
| Gillian Callan In the ten years that Gillian Callan has beed designing and making ceramics from her studio in Dundalk, she has made the gradual transition from 2D to 3D pieces.
Currently influenced by botanical themes, Gillian's vessels feature her signature plant motif and are both sculptural and functional. Using coiling and slab building techniques, Gillian also makes a range of ceramic wall mounted cancle-holders called 'Glimmer Lights.'
And Gillian's favourite piece from her own collection?
The cornflower vessel, which strikes the perfect balance between form and decoration.
Self-taught, Gillian also admires the work of sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, because "of the ephemeral and transient nature of his work."
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Ceramicist
Gillian Callan,
174 Ard Easmuinn,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth.
042 9337743 |  |
| Elaine Hanrahan With a studio at the Millmount Craft Centre in Drogheda, Elaine Hanrahan has been designing exquisite pieces of sterling silver and gold jewellery for twenty years.
Having trained in Dublin at the Dun Laoghaire School of Art and Design and at the National College of Art and Design, Elaine works with the properties of precious metals, contrasting the surface textures and polished finishes to unique effect, often using spiral images inspired by the Boyne Valley and Newgrange.
Elaine's collection includes custom-made pendants, earrings, bracelets and brooches. And what other designer does Elaine admire most? Rene Lalique, for the "elegance of his design and skill in its execution."
Elaine Hanrahan - Jewellery Design Studio
Millmount Craft Centre,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth
041 984 1960 |  |
| Frances Lambe What happens when opposites attract? Frances Lambe's sculptural ceramic pieces are a fusion of opposites: the smooth with the textured, the single with the multiple, the surface with the interior and the still with the moving.
Working with a variety of different clays (including terracotta, white stoneware and porcelain) Frances' work is inspired by geography, biology, botany and even astronomy.
Made using the extended pinch method of hand building and coiling, shapes such as the sphere, the oval and undulating forms dominate her pieces.
A founder member of the Bridge Street Studios and former art teacher, Frances' award-winning work has been on view at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Japan.
View Frances' Products at louth craftmark>>
Frances Lambe - Ceramic Sculpture
Bridge Street Studios,
97 Bridge Street,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth
042 9351712
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| Joe Lawler As the first shavings of wood fall like curls from the bench in his workshop, Joe Lawler likes to think of this as the "the wood releasing all its secrets."
Having served an apprenticeship with his father in antique reproduction and furniture restoration, Joe now designs and makes his own distinctive range of handcrafted architectural furniture. Using traditional methods to bring out the natural beauty of the Irish hard wood, Joe uses the finest kiln dried timber he can find.
Inspired by renowned architects and artists such as Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd, Wright, Gaudi and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Joe was previously commissioned to make a chair for former U.S. President, Bill Clinton. Also in Drogheda Port, look out for Joe's 'Maritime Chair.'
Joe Lawler - Architectural Furniture
Donacarney,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth. |  |
| Nanette Ledwith Having served an apprenticeship as a production potter and with a Masters Degree in Applied Arts, Nanette Ledwith works with clay to create one-off decorative bowls and plates, from her studio in Clogherhead.
Surface decoration and brushwork is key and Nanette treats every piece as an individual painting. As pieces of art, Nanette's work can be hung on a wall, either as an individual piece or as part of a series of work.
Her favourite piece from her own collection are small plates which Nanette describes as "loose and free.....wibbley and wobbly and have faults, but I like those too."
Nanette admires Japanese Oribe Pottery and the work of Basil Blackshaw and Michael Cardew. And what else inspires Nanett's creations? The element of surprise in nature.
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Nanette Ledwith - The 'A' Frame
Garrolagh,
Cogherhead,
Co. Louth
041 982 2959 |  |
| Garrett Mallon Garrett Mallon, the award winning jeweller based in Omeath Co. Louth has been involved in the jewellery business for 20 years. He trained in London and Dublin working with some of the top jewellery manufacturers in Ireland, before launching his own collections in conjunction with his move to Louth. Since launching his own designs, Garrett has won many craft and business awards at a county and national level, including an award from the Dublin Association of Goldsmiths. His work has been commissioned by national organisatior to date was seeing billboards with his work all over Dublin advertising the annual RDS National Craft Fair. In addition to his commissioned work and participation in exibitions, Garrett's work is on sale in quality outlets throughout Ireland, the UK and America and more recently his work has gone on sale in Dublin Airport duty free.
Garrett's favourite piece from his current work. "My favourite piece is a red gold ring set with twelve diamonds which I created for an exhibition. The piece was made to represent a solar panel."
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Garrett Mallon Jewellery
Arus Na Shamroige,
Durummullagh,
Omeath,
co. Louth
042 937 5940 |  |
| Colette Mulholland Using various felting techniques, such as wet/flat felting, nuno-felting, shibori and needle felting, Colette designs and creates a range of soft furnishings with her sewing machine at home in Drogheda.
Colette fuses two materials together, through felting, to create cushions, throws and window panels, getting inspiration from the colours, shapes and textures of foliage from her garden.
"Timeflower" is a new pattern for Colette - it's a simple design, which is repeated throughout her interiors range. Colette is also experimenting with different materials and textures, such as silk and bamboo fibres, to create different felting effects.
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Colette Mulholland
Millmount Abbey,
Drogheda
Co. Louth.
041 987 3007 |  |
| Mia Mullen Having trained as a goldsmith with a degree specialising in silversmithing and jewellery, Mia Mullen designs and fabricates all her own pieces, which are made by hand from precious materials.
Working from her workshop studio space in Carlingford, which is beside her own retail outlet, Mia creates one-off pieces, which include engagement rings, wedding rings, jewellery for any occasion, silver boxes and salt & pepper cellars.
With a recent award for 'Best New Product' at the Showcase Fair in the RDS, Mia's work is inspired by fashion and past styles.
So what type of pieces does Mia enjoy making most? One-off pieces which are made from preciouos stones which have an unusual shape. Usually, these pieces would be rings with a combination of silver and 18ct gold.
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Mia Mullen Jewellery
2 Quay Lane,
Tholsel Street,
Carlingford,
Co. Louth
042 938 3658 |  |
| Joanne McKenna Joanne McKenna, a ceramic artist, draws inspiration from travel and architecture. Her earlier work was clearly inspired by the medieval architecture of 'Old' Europe, whereas her most recent work is minimal and subtle in style, influenced by the Spanish city of Valencia.
A founder member of 'Bridge Street Studios', Joanne studied at the Limerick College of Art and Design where she learned hand-building techniques, working with slabs, coils and press moulds.
Joanne is also chairperson of the Louth Craftmark Designers Network and her favourite pieces are from a collection of vessels called 'Pot Luck', which she designed for an anniversary exhibition. Each bowl within the 'Pot Luck' collection is embellished with ribs, handles or incised lines, finished with a touch of vibrant colour.
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Joanne Mc Kenna - Ceramics
43 Oliver Plunkett Park,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth
087 973 5755 |  |
| Sarah McKenna Looking at Sarah McKenna's work, there's an obvious deep connection with the natural world, in particular the rhythmic sequence of shapes in seashells, leaves, flowers and seedpods. This connection with the natural world is also reflected in surface pattern, which mirrors the pattern formed organically by glaze or smoke.
Sarah's work also reflects the nostalgic quality of manufactured patterns such as the piercing in the peppered globes and the impressed pattern of the platters, which revisits stylised botanical patterns of traditional textiles and coverings.
With an admiration for bright and whimsical ceramics, Sarah's latest work uses lyrics and poetry, linking pieces with memories of time and place.
And Sarah's favourite piece from her own collection? The nine 'pillow' bowls which she created for an anniversary exhibition, called: "Us & More". Each bowl had a song lyric inscribed, one bowl to represent each year that she has been based at the Bridge Street Studios in Dundalk.
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Sarah McKenna Ceramics
Bridge Street Studios,
97 Bridge Street,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth
042 935 1712 |  |
| Terry O'Brien As the name of the company suggests, 'Fallen Leaves from Fallen Trees' Terry O'Brien only carves with local wood from storm-fallen trees.
Having served a five year apprenticeship with Hicks Fine Furniture Makers of Dublin, Terry carves chopping boards, cheese boards, bread boards and fruit bowls in the shape of leaves from local trees. He also carves plaques and wall hangings in addition to creating occasional furniture and lamps. One of his proudest pieces was the 'The Last Supper', which Terry carved for an alter in a Co. Meath convent.
So, what happens when a tree blows over in a storm? Terry begins the time-honoured tradition of planking, drying, planing, cutting, carving, sanding and oiling each piece, before it's ready to be shown.
Fit for Royalty? One of Terry's leaf bowls was presented to the Saudi-Arabian Prince, on a recent visit to the region.
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Terry O'Brien - Falling Leaves From Fallen Trees
Banktown,
Baltray,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth.
041 982 2908 |  |
| Fiona Thornton With an honours degree in Metalwork and Jewellery, Fiona Thornton has been using simple, basic shapes since 1999 to create bold and strong designs which were originally inspired by the forms of modern architecture.
Working with materials such as resins, enamels, industrial diamonds, silver and yellow gold, Fiona's designs continuously evolve, mirroring colour and shape fashion trends.
So, what is Fiona's favourite piece from her own collection?
The piece of jewellery she created for the'Craft meets the Catwalk' fashion show in Highlanes Gallery. According to Fiona, the piece is: "eye catching and quite large, yet still wearable if you want to be noticed!"
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Fiona Thornton Jewellery
Bridge Street Studios,
97 Bridge Street,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth
042 9351712 |  |
| Cathy Prendergast Named after the Sun God of the Peruvian Incas, INTI Leathers is rightfully gaining international attention for its distinctive range of hand-made bags, belts and travel leather goods. Having trained with top leather designers in Madrid and Florence, Cathy Prendergast set up INTI Leathers in the 1970’s in London before moving back to Ireland in the 1980s.
Cathy’s philosophy has remained true over the years, as she makes high design handbags and accessories by hand from her workshop in Wolfetone Design Studios in Knockbridge (Dundalk). The Italian leathers Cathy uses are of the highest quality, which is apparent in their rich colours, treatments and textures. The bags are lined in leather to ensure longevity and each bag has interior pockets, key rings, phone and pen pocket.
And Cathy’s favourite piece from her own collection? A large black ostrich leather briefcase which she presented to Minister Michael Martin T.D.
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INTI Leathers
Wolfetone Design Workshop,
Knockbridge,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth
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| Paddy Quigley From his wood-turning workshop at Glyde Farm in Tallanstown, Paddy Quigley has been designing and making functional, decorative and artistic pieces by hand since 2000.
Well-know for his jewellery boxes, bowls, mirrors, clocks and lamps, Paddy only uses kiln dries Irish timber. You'll find a gallery featuring Paddy's work beside his workshop in Tannanstown and his Chestnut Burr Candle-Holders and Burr Elm Bowls are proving very popular with both Irish and international buyers.
Paddy's designs have also caught the attention of film festival organisers. He was recently commissioned to design the 'Short Film Award' at the Cinergy Film Festival in the North-East.
View Paddy's Products on louth craftmark
Leyden Woodcraft
Glyde Farm,
Tallanstown,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth
087 9840775
087 9081934 |  |
| Kathleen Smyth With sewing and embroidery going back three generations, you might say that textiles are part of the fabric of Kathleen Smyth's family history.
With a sewing machine as her brush and threads as her paints, Kathleen translates what she sees in the world around her into textile wall hangings and framed pieces.
Kathleen prefers to use Irish tweeds, cottons and silks in her work, getting inspiration from the natural world, the modern world and the fashion world.
Currently studying Art and Design, Kathleen's favouite piece from her own collection is called "Stone at the Entrance of the Burial Chamber", inspired by the Burial Chamber at Newgrange in Co. Meath.
View Kathleens Products on louth craftmark
Kathleen Smyth
Killineer,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth.
041 983 9738 |  |
| Shauna Swords Over the past decade, Shauna Swords has been designing a variety of textile creations, such as lighting, wall pieces, accessories and greeting cards.
Admiring Philip Treacy's use of strong scultptural shapes in hat design, shauna draws her inspiration from free flowing forms of nature, textile technologhy, fashion trends and modern art.
Working from her studio in Dundalk, Shauna has recently begun to turn her attention to children's creations and her favourite piece fro her own work is the organic standing lamp, whicn she made for a Christmas exhibition recently.
Having studied Textiles and Fashion Design at the University of Ulster, Shauna also completed the Craft Council of Ireland Business Development Course.
View Shauna's Products on louth craftmark
Down to Earth
5 Chestnut Grove,
Bay Estate,
Dundalk,
Co. Louth
042 935 1531 |  |
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