By Chinemere Ikpe
Gifted- the Contemporary Craft & Design Fair held her annual trade fair at the RDS from 4th- 8th December with this year’s theme being “Sustainability”. The trade fair had over 100 artisan food producers, 500 designers, makers and independent retailers who showcased their works such as jewellery, fibre ,sculpture, mixed media and wood.
Figure 1 Gifted annual fair
Agnes Pryce, a woman in her mid 40’s who specializes in hand crafted stained glass. Revealed that gets her glasses from Ireland and the United States of America.
Figure 2 Agnes and her assistant with her crafted stained glasses
She makes use of really old glasses to make a special colouring and effect in the glass, with two and half thousand pieces. Agnes explained that she makes them to suit people’s needs. She stated that she has a deep love for craft and the drive to be very different in whatever she does.
“Ireland is losing its craft, its’s nice to get something handmade that’s connected to you.” – said Agnes.
Figure 3 Crafted pieces by Agnes
She’s motivated to craft lanterns and glasses because of her love for craft, and the fact that things are mass produced is making Ireland loose its craft, she said that it’s nice to have things that are connected to you.
The Crafter said she makes use of solder, glass, a cutter, grinder, foil and soldering iron to create. She uses a glass, draws around the glass to form a pattern and cuts it with a cutter to achieve desired look.
She explained how she uses different designs and styles to craft. She crafts with shapes such as fish, stars, she crafts on cemeteries, makes use of geometric designs and uses colours to make her work look nice.
Agnes revealed that she is a specialized crafter who makes pieces for celebrities and because of her distinctive her work is, it has made her really popular, a lot of people refer her and this has helped her craft grow.
Joseph McDermott an Irish carpenter, who lost his job and decided to chase his passion. He makes table lamps, clocks, mirrors, wine tables, candle holders all made from native Irish timbers.
Figure 4 A wooden clock made from timber
He revealed that he finds trees that are falling down or are cut because they become
dangerous, cuts them into planks, bring them home and dry them , cuts shapes from the planks and starts crafting.
The crafter said He sees it as a way he connects with his roots. His love for timber has made his realize how creative he could be with wood. “I just love timber and nature”
Figure 5 Wooden wine tables
He makes use of native Irish birch trees, also uses of pine trees and elm trees which are all timber to craft clocks , mirrors and stools. He makes use of chisel, harmer, saw nails, sandpaper and mallet.
Gifted – the contemporary craft and design fair is one of Ireland’s premier commercial craftwork showcase. At about 45,000 people who are focused on environmentally friendly and ethically produced goods are expected in the 5 day event.
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