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New Chief Executive Appointed Carmel Buttimer M.Sc has been appointed Chief Executive of the Crafts Council of Ireland. Prior to this appointment, she held the post of Executive Director of ASH (Action on Smoking & Health) Ireland. With a background in Economics and Research, Ms. Buttimer holds an honours Master Degree in Policy and Planning, with postgraduate qualifications in organisation development and management. During her career, she has held middle and senior management responsibilities in both the public and private sectors. She has also worked abroad and speaks fluent french. Originally from Co. Cork, and now living in Dublin, Ms. Buttimer is married and has two children.
Crafts Council Survey of Registered Craftspeople The Crafts Council would like to thank the 460 people who took the time to complete the Survey sent out in May. We are sure that the very high response rate, far higher than average according to the consultants who assisted the Council, had nothing to do with the weekend on offer at Ballymaloe in Cork! This was won by John Egan, a thatcher from Ballymorris, Co. Clare, who told us "we nearly didn't get there - windscreen wipers gave up and we had to use a large rubber band instead; fabulous food, lovely friendly atmosphere, great time"! The survey will undoubtedly help the Council to respond to what the registered professional craftworkers feel are their main areas of concern.
Carmel Buttimer, Chief Executive and Cyril Forbes, Chairman, Crafts Council of Ireland The most frequent observation made by our respondents was that they would like to see the Council more actively involved in the regions. Our recent pilot scheme with craftspeople in West Cork (see Craft Business Programme, Pg. 2) shows how quickly the Council reacted to your views. The very positive response of other Enterprise Boards from around the country indicates that the regional presence of the Council will be increasingly felt in 1996. It may be of interest to Newsletter readers to see some of the statistics that the survey also revealed: • 26% of respondents have a turnover in excess of £30,000 p.a. • 29% had a turnover of between £10,000 & £30,000 • 42% had a turnover of less than £10,000 p.a. • 38% employ additional workers other than themselves
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58% identified their craft business as their sole source of income 48% were college trained 69% were over 35 37% identified Showcase as the Council's most important activity 51 % expect that business wi|l be a lot better in the next 2-5 years, with 25% expecting some improvement at 1 9%, domestic potters were the largest group of respondents
The Crafts Council would like to thank the College of Marketing and Design for their assistance in administering the survey, and a particular thanks to Catherine Gammell who managed and analysed the returns.
DESIGNING THE FUTURE - Limerick Student Wins Top Knitwear Design Award A 24 year old knitwear designer from Limerick, Ms. Mary Corcoran, has been awarded the Irish Knitwear Exporters' Guild (IKEG) Award for 1995. Mary is a graduate of the Crafts Council's Knitwear Design Course in Limerick RTC. The Award was presented by Mr. Simon Watkins, a designer with Liberty Department Store, London. Liberty have been sourcing knitwear in this country for many years and have been looking at Irish knitwear companies capable of producing special garments for the Liberty 'own label' menswear collection. The presentation was made at a special event in the Crafts Council Gallery recently to celebrate the unique achievements of the Limerick Course, Ireland's first, and only, high-tech CAD/CAM training course for the Irish Knitwear Industry.
Speaking after the presentation of the IKEG Award, Mr. Forbes said that the success of the course could be measured by the quality of the knitwear designs produced by the students and the fact that they were all in full time employment here and in the U.K.. The CAD/CAM Course was initiated by the Crafts Council of Ireland, in response to an identified need for highly trained knitwear designers and funded by Forbairt and the European Social Fund (ESF) through NOVA, the ESF Programme for Innovatory Actions for Vocational Training and Employment.
The pattern of spend so far is interesting. We are finding that 70% of turnover is occurring in the £5 to £100 price band. The magic price band occurs between £5 and £60, with many transactions happening in the £20 to £30 band and the £40 to £60 band. The very large items are slow to sell and this year we made a particular effort to include an interesting selection of furniture, rugs, hangings, etc. However, they are accounting for 1 1% of Christmas turnover to date. The layout of the show is interesting. The Gallery is broken into 6-10 smaller sections into which a small furniture setting has been arranged. These spaces are then complimented with displays of gift items. We have endeavoured to display the largest range of craft possible. Customers can come to see beautiful Knitwear, Accessories, Leathergoods, Silks,
Course Trainer of the CAD/CAM Knitwear Course and Cyril Forbes, Chairman, Crafts Council of Ireland
The celebration was attended by knitwear companies from all around the country; major knitwear buyers from retail outlets at home and abroad and groups such as Forbairt, the Irish Trade Board, the IDA, RTC Limerick and the NCEA.
CHRISTMAS SHOW 1995 This year's show opened to the public on 23rd November and a 10% discount evening was organised for the evening of November 30th for our best customers. Saturdays have proven extremely successful in terms of sales and already we have been able to surpass '94 sales for the same days.
Our picture shows (left to right) Mary Corcoran; Julie Griffiths,
Functional and Decorative Ceramics, Jewellery, Decorations, Pictures, Wallhangings, Furniture, Clocks, Mirrors, Hats, Woodturning, Sculpture, Books, Cards, Candles, Silver and much much more. We have tried to create a more commercial feel and tempt customers to pay a return visit. We have also tried to represent as many pricebands as possible. The response of Craftworkers to the show was phenomenal and we hope that sales in the show will reach the highest level yet to justify their endeavours. Their enthusiasm helped Crafts Council create a show that represents a treasure-trove of the very finest of Irish Craftwork for Christmas.
ATTENTION ALL KNITTERS! (A New Guild) Knitwear is the largest section participating in Showcase Dublin. Of the 75 companies exhibiting in 1995, 13 were in the Craft Village. In the false security of being 'registered craftspeople' we beaver away in our solitude against the odds. Materials are more expensive, our requirements being modest to small. In many cases, wholesalers will not even consider supplying us. With knitting no longer being taught in many schools, the craft is dying. We need to inject some enthusiasm and pride back into our trade. Individually we have no voice within the Crafts Council of Ireland. Therefore we need to form a Guild, then through our elected representative a direct link is established. Lack of communication is another problem. We only have ourselves to blame. It is time to organise for the common good. Anyone interested in the above can contact me
Craft and Design Business Development Course
-Mary Lavery at (01) 2866160, or write to me
The Crafts Council, subject to funding, will be commencing the new Craft and Design Business Development Course in March '96. The programme imparts business and design advice and training for established and developing craftworkers. It enables the development of these business over a one to two year period within a supported environment.
Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow.
at Foxglove, The Cabin, Rocky Valley.
Craft Business Programme A 'Craft Business Programme' for established makers was recently run by the Crafts Council in conjunction with the West Cork County Enterprise Board, directly addressing the needs of craftworkers. It was run over a six week and one week-end basis. Similar programmes will be run
For further information please contact
in other regions in 1 9 9 6 / 9 7 subject to demand
Emer Ferran - 056 6
from makers.
I804
For further information please contact Emer Ferran
-056 61804
1996 JEWELLERY WORKSHOPS PREVIEW Reserve now as priority is being
No. 3 February 25th Sunday - Repeat
Stone Setting
offered to Crafts Council members
of Saturday workshop
No. 1 March 23rd/24th Saturday/Sunday
(full details and cost of all workshops in January brochure mailing)
Gemstones In conjunction with the Gemmological Association and Gem Testing Laboratory of Great Britain a series of lectures and hands on experience to help improve knowledge of the most used gemstones and updates and awareness of treatments in the gem world (not being given in Ireland again in 1996).
No.s 2 & 3 Stones to cover, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire and some other materials frequently encountered in the jewellery trade. Separation of the materials from Synthetics & Imitations. Treatments and Enhancements. Which ones should be disclosed. Selling points; Durability (Hardness & Toughness).Talking points; Lore and old superstitions. Cutting and fashioning. Care and caution.
No. 2March3Oth/31st Saturday/Sunday (Prerequisite - either serious prior experience or workshop No. 1, phone for verification) Mark Gridley of Hatton Garden, London will be expanding on the programmes we ran previously to allow those who took those courses to continue to advance as well as introduce good setting practices to newcomers. Participants must be practising jewellers
No. 1 February 23rd Friday evening
It is hoped that retail staff or those
(for retail staff) a general evening on all aspects of the jewellery industry
selling jewellery would do both Friday evening and either Saturday or
Enamelling/Chasing/Casting
from manufacture and repairs to
Sunday. These workshops are similar to those
offer enamelling, chasing, casting and design. Details will be in the upcoming
gemstones. No. 2 February 24th Saturday One day gemstones.
In April and May we hopefully will also
being offered in the U.K. by the
brochure.
Gemmological Association.
All enquiries to Jane Huston 056-61804
LETTERS T O T H E E D I T O R (The Council reserves the right to edit letters if restrictions on space make it necessary) Dear Editor, I write to correct an inaccuracy in your report on the Craft & Design Business Course. As one of the interviewers on the textile section I never felt, stated or agreed that there were not enough candidates for the course. At interview on the 7th June there were in fact 2 superlative candidates. Others were at the level of the previous years (commercially successful) intake and these we were encouraged not to consider in order to raise standards. I was informed by telephone on June 1 6th that the course would not run. On enquiring whether the decision was open to discussion I was informed that it was not. I was told that it would be readvertised and recruited for again at Christmas and that acceptable candidates from the June interviews would be 'put on hold'. I do not think that this has been done. Having disagreed with the factual accuracy of the first part of your report I must express total disagreement with the tone and emphasis of the second. The 'craft sector' - by which I take it you mean the whole fake-mass-produced, untouched-by-human-hand, porridgecoloured morass - is not increasing in product quality. It is saturated, boring,
bland, negative and dull, dull, dull. A fresher, better design content would do more to increase sales than yet another business course. Energy for new ideas, styles, shapes springs from the centre - in the case of the crafts this is the single, hands on, individual maker - and spreads outwards to the crafts based industries on the fringe who rely on it for influence towards change. It is this creative centre that the Council neither fosters, supports nor respects and without which no 'craft sector', and no Crafts Council either, has a right to exist. Alison Erridge, Shanahea, Kildysart, Co. Clare. I am sorry that Alison Erridge does not agree with the decision to temporarily withdraw the Council's Business Course. However, I am satisfied that it was a wise decision to re-ailocate the funding to a course with overwhelming demand for its places - the Jewellery Skills Course - when only five candidates where thought to be prepared enough for the Business Course. I am also sure that a revised programme for the Business Course will make it as successful in the late 90's as it was in the first half of the decade. The candidates "put on hold"
were all contacted and, like the Council, are waiting the outcome of our new funding application for an extended Business Course. [es//e Reed, Training Officer.
Dear Editor, I was mildly amused reading your newsletter's back page - that's where the management committee and Crafts Council staff are listed. The former carry the titles of Dr., Mr. and Ms. whereas the poor staff can't muster a single title between them! Seems like a case of "them" and "us". Laurence Egar (Mr.) Harp Maker Cork.
General Announcements For Sale Varpapuu Karelia Floor Loom 100cm; countermarch, reed, and boat shuttle. As new. ÂŁ600.00 Tel. 0505-21712
Space Available Space available in purpose built studio in Rathmines, Dublin 6 area for serious Ceramist or Sculptor interested in clay work. Would suit graduate or experienced person. Tel. 01-2893602.
We produce silkscreened transfers for large or small orders, printed with onglaze, underglaze and glass enamels, oxides and gold for china and glass. We offer a design and typesetting service and can produce artwork/ colour separations. An extensive range of colours and colour matching is available. Do ask us to send you our information pack and samples.
Space Available
e
E
Vacant unit in Donegal Craft Village. The unit comprises of 1 120 sq. ft. and is available immediately for lettings. For details of rent, etc. please contact Joseph McHugh, Business Development, Forbairt, Portland House, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Tel. 074-21155. Fax. 074-21424.
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Studio's/Workshop's to Rent The Arts and Crafts Centre at the Old Market
Pamela Moreton Ceramics
Square, Clonmellon is now ready to be occupied. Facilities will include a tea shop,
22B HOLT ROAD • CROMER • NORFOLK NR27 9JW TEL/FAX: CROMER (01263) 5 1 2 6 2 9
exhibition space and a retail outlet. There are currently 3 spacious workshops available to
Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Trust Awards 1996
educators, researchers, critics and writers, as
For further information contact Louise O'Neill, Secretary, Old Market Square, Clonmellon,
Travel bursaries of up to IR£2,000 are
Venue: University of Art and Design,
Co. Westmeath.
available to individuals or groups.
Helsinki, Finland.
Irish Crafts Directory
Applicants must be Irish students resident in
Secretariat, University of Art and Design
You may remember receiving a questionnaire
Ireland and registered for a postgraduate or
Helsinki UIAH, Hameentie 135C, FIN-00560
some time ago from Mary Dowey, who had
undergraduate award at a 3rd level institution
Helsinki, Finland. Fax. +358 0 7563 0537.
been commissioned by Town House and
in Ireland. Applicants pursuing personal
rent.
well as art historians and museum curators.
For further information contact: Conference
Country House Books to compile an Irish
research or conducting serious academic
Crafts Directory.
enquiry in the Visual Arts outside of normal
Conference
educational institutions will also be considered
TEXERE is a European network presently
eligible.
Although some craftworkers did return the
TEXERE-ITALIA 1996 - 7th Annual
operating in twelve European countries. It
questionnaire as requested, unfortunately the
comprises teachers of various subjects in the
overall response level was so low that the
For further information and application forms
fields of textiles, fashion and costume (at
project could not proceed. However, it is
please contact The Arts Council of Northern
high school, academy, college and university
hoped that it may be possible to initiate an
Ireland, 1 85 Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9
level), scholars of technical history, experts in
Irish crafts book of a different sort before too
5DU(Tel. +232-381591).
education and textile artists.
Networks in Ceramics '96
Secretariat, Le Arti Tessili - Segreteria del
International Conference
Convegno TEXERE-ITALIA 1996, Via M.
12th- 14th June, 1996.
Ciotti 1, 33086 MONTEREALE VALCELLINA
long - so the efforts of those who did take the trouble to reply may not have been in vain.
The Management Committee 1995 Chair Mr. Cyril Forbes Vice Chair Ms. Hilary Pratt Mr. Ed Kevin Ms. Suzanne May Mr. Michael McCrory Mr. David Comerford Dr. David Shaw-Smith Ms. Breda Haugh Mr. Knut Ylimmek Mr. David Hargaden Mr. Jonathan Ryan Mr. Neil Read Ms. Kaethe Burt-O'Dea Ms. Mary Jackson Ms. Bernadette Madden
For further information contact the
This Conference should be of special interest to
(PN), Italy. Tel. +432 57 15 62 or +432 69
all professionals in ceramics: artists, designers,
98 25-Fax.+432 51 08 36
Crafts Council Staff
The Crafts Council of Ireland
Dublin
Dublin
Ms. Carmel Buttimer Ms. Margaret Jones Ms. Orlagh McKay Ms. Susan Byrne/ Ms. Olga Hiney Ms. Catherine Jordan Ms. Hilary Morley Ms. Sally Dunne Ms. Aoife Montgomery
Chief Executive Administrative Officer Book-keeper Telephonist/Receptionist Exhibitions Assistant Retail Manager Shop Assistants (PT)
The Crescent Workshop Training and Education Officer Mr. Leslie Reed Supervisor/Information Officer Ms. Emer Ferran Administrative Assistant Ms. Nuala McGrath
Thomastown Pottery Skills Course Trainer Mr. Gus Mabelson
Powerscourt Townhouse Centre South William Street, Dublin 2 Tel.
01 6 7 9 7368
Fax.
01 6 7 9 9 1 9 7
Kilkenny The Crescent Workshop, Castle Yard Kilkenny
Tel. 056 61 804 or 62734 Fax. 056 63754
Jewellery Design and Production Skills Course Trainer Ms. Jane Huston All information is published in good faith but without research, so please check carefully before committing yourself to work or financial outlay Please forward all information to Nuala McGrath. The copy date for the next issue is 7th February. The Print date is 14th February.