Multy designer featured in Bloom 'Craft Village'

Multyfarnham designer Claire O’Neill of Meab Enamels was one of 33 crafts designers who exhibited at the Design & Crafts Council Ireland Irish Craft Village at Bord Bia Bloom over the weekend.

Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins were among those who visited the Irish Craft Village, and to view the work of the designers, many of whom are part of the Made Local, Made to Last campaign which highlights the originality, quality and value of Irish designed and craft-made products.

Exhibitors were chosen across a range of counties and disciplines. Over 90 small businesses responded to the Design & Crafts Council's call out for exhibitors earlier this year. Following a rigorous selection process, places were offered to 33 businesses, 25% of whom are new to the DCCI Irish Craft Village. The 33 makers exhibiting at Bord Bia Bloom were selected by a panel chosen by DCCI.

New collections launched this year include Lorraine Fletcher’s gold leaf embellished wildflower prints; Duck Blue’s floral collections featuring native Irish plants; birdfeeders and birdhouses from Coolree Design; Michele Hannon’s porcelain plates inspired by the Phoenix Park Victorian Walled Garden; Jennifer Rothwell’s "Bloom James Joyce" printed bow-ties and pocket squares; Jerpoint Glass Studio’s glass hot air balloons designed specifically with Bloom in mind; Kopper Kreation’s bud vases which use recycled iron tubes from the plumbing industry, along with Clare O’Connor’s limited-edition prints and eco-friendly umbrellas.

The DCCI Irish Craft Village featured different demonstrations daily as visitors were shown the process of turning raw material into finished products across a variety of disciplines.