JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1984

Crafts Council of Ireland Thomas Prior House Merrion Road Dublin 4 Telephone 680764 / 603070

RECORD SALES AGAINThe 8th National Crafts Trade Fair,which was opened by Minister of StateEddie Collins TD, Minister with reson-sibility for the craft sector, on 16thJanuary, was, like its predecessor, amarked success.

Direct order taken at the Fair were upby 50% as were export sales. When thefair ended after three days trading, ordersrecorded amounted to marginally over£3.3 million. The export content hasbeen estimated at £1.6 million. Judgingby the number of letters received by theCouncil from exhibitors, the majoritywere happy with the results and with thegeneral organisation.

For the first time the fair extended itslimits beyond the RDS Industries Halland into the second hall which wasmainly devoted to producers ofgiftware. While the main reason for asecond hall was to accommodate thosecompanies marginally related to thecrafts sector, whose business was inthe same market place and with thesame buyers. In 1983 many of thesecompanies operated outside thelimitations of the National Crafts TradeFair and drew many of the export buyersaway from the fair for one whole day.This year all 150 plus export buyersremained solidly buying from day oneto day three.

Once again textiles as a general categoryrecorded the most sales at £1.9 millionwith knitwear alone accounting foralmost half of that total.

Mr. P. White, Managing Director, IDA,Justin Keating, Crafts Council Chairman,Minister of State Eddie Collins TD withJoanne and Charlie Smith of WaterfordBronze, new exhibitors at the 8thNational Crafts Trade Fair.

Joe Heather, Catherine, Michael,Addrienne and Gabrielle on their stand.

TRAINING ESSENTIAL SAYS MINISTER

Opening the 8th National Crafts Trade Fair, the Minister of State at the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism, Mr. Eddie Collins TD said that in order to ensure growth the craftsman of tomorrow will have to be fully skilled not only in their craft but also in the necessary disciplines of business and marketing skills.

"I hope the Council will concern itself with this area because without first class training we are unlikely to see the sector producing those products through what in the years ahead the crafts sector in Ireland can become internationally known for: its quality, artistry and innovation".

The Trade Fair, the Minister saw as "very much a celebration of our achieve­ments in developing a thriving crafts industry over the past decade. In Ireland, we have a wealth of talent, flair and initiative and these have been successfully harnessed by our community of craft workers who are now producing products of the highest quality. The Trade Fair is the perfect show-case for these products and is invaluable in raising the profile of the Irish crafts industry".

"The organisation by the Crafts Council of this its Eighth National Crafts Trade Fair, is evidence of the important role which the Council plays in stimulating activity in the craft sector. This year, there are 258 exhibitors taking part, compared to 34 in 1977, when the first Crafts Fair was held. This figure is even

INBUCON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONSULTANTS

Designer — Textiles A long established West of Ireland firm in a traditional craft industry wishes to recruit a Designer to augment its existing management team.

The Position: Reports to the Chief Designer and carries responsibility for assisting in the development and marketing of fabrics, with the main emphasis on furnishings. Duties will include customer liaison, the selection of yarn, and the weaving of samples.

The Person: • Will have a formal design qualification in textiles including weaving.

• Will have at least 3 years' experience in wool furnishings and/or apparel, plus some experience of wool/linen mixes.

• Will ideally be fluent in French and/or German.

• Will have some practical marketing experience.

The Rewards: An attractive remuneration package, including a contributory pension and life assurance scheme will be offered to the successful person. Assistance towards relocation expenses, where appropriate, will be paid.

Replies, in confidence, quoting Reference No. 161 to:

P. J . Feeney, Advisor to the Company, Inbucon Ireland Limited, 28 L r . Leeson Street, Dublin 2. Tel: Dublin 762508/762517.

more impressive when one realises that the actual exhibitors represent more than 5,000 full and part-time craft workers".

The Minister drew attention to the presence at the fair of buyers from the UK, Continental Europe and America. He referred to this as being "a direct result of the close co-operation between the Council and other agencies, not directly involved in the craft sector, such as Bord Failte, the Irish Goods Council, and especially, Coras Trachtala. CTT has been particularly active in promoting the National Crafts Trade Fair abroad as a major source of Irish handcrafts and giftware products.

Last year, CTT brought in more than 70 buyers from overseas and export sales at the Fair amounted to £1 m. This year, they are bringing in over 100, and this is clearly a tribute both to the Fair as a source venue for craft products and to the products themselves.

"Craft enterprises are now more efficient and more commercially oriented: they are becoming more productive and increasingly aware of the need to produce top quality goods and to provide first class service. These developments are of great importance for the future growth of the industry, particularly if it is to take advantage of the growing market opportunities abroad".

MAKE AN EGGCUP Kilkenny Design has announced that it is holding an exhibition of eggcups in its shops in Dublin and Kilkenny in April.

A jury will consider for the exhibition new eggcups in any material made by any one in Ireland, which must be submitted to Kilkenny Design Workshops, Kilkenny by March 26th.

SOURCE OF RUSH All rushworkers will be interested to know that a youth group in Leighlin-bridge, with the help of Mary Landy, is studying the feasibility of cutting and harvesting the very high quality rush from the river Barrow.

Harvesting would be in August and supplies available soon after.

They would like to hear sooonest from rushworkers interested in supply source, so that this project can come to fruition. Please let Mrs. Mary Landy, Ballina-branna, Milford, Co. Carlow know.

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CRAFT FAIR AWARDS ...The Crafts Council of Irefand AnnualAwards for th& best .stand, at the NationalGraftSoTsadeJtfci/ were this,year awardedby-the jury to. Curlew Desfgosifpr the beststand in the soft goods category and toSceramics for the category of hard goods— usuaH '̂GO\?ering ceramics, leather,woodwork,/toysetc. The jury,recommenctedrthat a third prize beawarded this year to cover stands inwhich there is a mix of both hard andsoftwoods. Thve award was given to thestamd by Angela Forte, Mel Bradley andBrenda QBrieAfor their sMJIful blendingof mixed "goods in their stand.

The awards are made for the best standdesign in a tfrSde fajr context, so thatamong the criteria judged are not onlythe products and how they are presentedbut literature, graphics and attitude.

Curlew Designs are based in Boyle, Co.Roscommon and their product range is100% wool hand spun, hand knittedladies sweaters and hats. Sceramics arebased in Clonee, Co. Meath and theyk

produce an unusual and amusing rangeof ceramic containers, largely anthro-pomorphic. Forte, Bradley and O'Brienare respectively a weaver, textile printerand ceramicist and are all "graduates"of 1982 at the Kilworth Craft Workshops.

The short list from which the jury madetheir final choice and announced by themwas: Tedagh Candles; Bradley, Forte,O'Brien; Geoffrey Healy; Curlew Designs;Kilgobbin Lines; Forde Crafts; AnneMurray; Judy Greene, Silin Toys;Sceramics; Dillie Colfer and StoneenJoinery.

IDA AWARDThe IDA Trophy for the best productrange fulfilling the criteria set out for thejury was won by Cormac Cuffe, Silver-smith of Dalkey. Cormac has been anexhibitor at the National Crafts TradeFair for many years, during which hisown skills and his range of productshave shown consistent improvement.

The award was presented to CormacCuffe by IDA Executive Director PatO'Brien at a reception at IDA offices.Mr. O'Brien commenting on CormacCuffes' range of folklore jewellery saidthat the range was uniquely Irish, andthat the craftsman had "brought ourfolklore to life through his successfulcombination of Ireland's heritage offolklore and tradition with his ownremarkable skills, making him a worthyrecipient of the trophy".

DESIGN IN SCANDINAVIAThe Danish Institute for Informationabout Denmark's Cultural Cooperationwith other Nations, Det Danske Selskabis again offering seminars and courses ofinterest for 1984.

The seminar with the most relevance andof the most likely interest for craftsmenand other related to the craft sector isDesign in Scandinavia.

This is a travelling seminar, taking inDenmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, tostudy the arts and crafts of thosecountries as well as applied art andindustrial design.

The dates are August 19-31 and the costexclusive of travel to and from thestarting point of Copenhagen is 8,500Danish Kroner.

The language of the seminar is Englishand the seminar is open to professionalsand to graduate and advanced studentsengaged in the subject concerned. Thedeadline for application is 15th June1984 and since the number ofparticipants is confined to 25, earlyapplication is recommended.

The seminar costs include accommo-dation in twin bedrooms, three mealsdaily with some exceptions, lectures,transport and all other organisedactivities.

Among the visits offered will be thoseto the Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki,the new Finnish Glass Museum, theMarimekko Factory, the former studioof Saarinen and Geselius; a tour ofStockholm and the Design Centre thecollection of Scandinavia Modern; visitsto the Norwegian Crafts Market, visitsto factories, showrooms, Museum ofof Decorative Arts and so forth.

Details from Der Danske Selskab,Kultorvet 2 DK-1175 Copenhagen K,Denmark.

Mel Bradley, Brenda O'Brien andAngela Forte setting up their awardwinning stand.

Albert Boulier of Polycrafts on settingup day.

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MID-WEST CRAFT AWARDS VAT EASED AND IMPOSED INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION The Executive Officer of the Crafts Council, Mr. E. F. Sutton was asked by Shannon Development to present the prizes in this years Mid West Craft Awards.

The Mid-West Craft Award Scheme was originally launched in 1980 by Shannon Development to encourage people with ideas and initiative to put forward proposals for new craft projects. This year, the emphasis of the Scheme was changed from previous years to concentrate on re-organising a sustained effort to achievement on the part of existing or new craft projects in the Region.

The 1983 competition was designed to encourage craftspeople to develop their projects in a professional manner, with the overall performance of the 25 entries being monitored throughout the year. An increase in employment of 16 jobs was recorded during the year amongst seven of the craft people entered for the competition.

Mr. Sutton complimented all those who had entered for the 1983 scheme for their initative and skill in developing worth­while craft enterprises as well as employ­ment. He drew attention to the fact that there are now 200 people employed in 74 craft projects approved by Shannon Development throughout the Mid-West. Employment is projected to grow to 697 when these firms reach full potential.

The awards were made as follows: —

For the firm considered to have the best achievement during the year in the New craft Project Category (confined to operations established within 12 months prior to May 9, 1983) the award of £500 went to Alison Kaye of the Weavers Cottage in Whitegate, Co. Clare.

The best achievement in the Soft Goods Category was adjudged to be accomplished by Ballycar Design of Ballycasey Workshops, Shannon, Co. Clare and the award of £500 was made to Alison Erridge and Michele Hughes.

For its achievement during the year in the area of preserving the ancient tradition of felt making by producing a range of handcrafted felt jackets, hats, waistcoats, wall hangings, rugs and toys, the overall winner of the Third Mid-West Craft Award was Scythian Fleece of Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. Kaethe Burt O'Dea from the Ballyvaughan firm received her prize, the perpetual trophy and a cheque for £1,500.

In the 1984 Budget, the Minister for Finance announced his intention to introduce a new scheme to allow a refund on VAT on goods bought in this country by visitors and taken home by them.

While tourists have in a torturous way been able to avail of this sort of relief already if the retailer was prepared to deliver the puchase to the airport or sea port, it is now envisaged that tourists will be able to claim relief on production of their purchase receipt at the port of exit.

The scheme, due to begin in March, will certainly make those products carrying the killing tax of 35% a bit more attractive and it is to be hoped that craftsmen and their retailers in particular will stress the price advantage to the visitor of the new scheme.

The Minister's announcement reads "As a further measure to boost tourism, I propose to introduce a scheme to allow the refund of VAT on goods bought here at retail level by visitors and exported in their personal baggage. Details of the scheme will be announced at a later date. It will operate from March 1st, 1984."

We hope that the Minister does not follow the same method as has been devised for this sort of scheme in England.

Ministers of Finance seldom give without their other hand groping in your pocket for some of your loose change. The 8% VAT rate imposed on clothing will hit a whole and large segment of the textile end of the craft sector.

UNUSUAL MATERIALS Tony Hedgecock the blacksmith and forged iron man of Moyra, Fallcarragh, Co. Donegal, writes to the Newsletter that he has unusual materials for sale at what he considers reasonable prices.

What about this for a mixed collection? 70 Kilos of half round nickel silver wire in 1 /4, 3/16 and 1 /8 inch sections. Annealed. 30 lbs. of Ivory Bark in small (2", 1 " and %") pieces, and ideal for inlay. Various boars tusks with a 4 " radius. Buffalo and Cow horns.

Bratislava in Czechoslovakia is to be the host town for an International Exhibition of Glass and Ceramics in October 1984.

Participation in the exhibition if offered primarily to members of the World Crafts Council, with which Crafts Council of Ireland is affiliated.

The organiser in the Czechoslovakia Socialist Republic is the Czechoslovak Committee of World Crafts Council, led by their Chairman, Lubomir Chmelik whom many readers will have met during the European Conference in Dublin last September.

The theme of the exhibition is Glass and Ceramics in interior decoration of living areas. The objects will be of functional character, or smaller collections of such objects, the size and purpose of which corresponds to the requirements of interior decoration of dwellings.

Glass and Ceramics are seen as areas of artistic activity characterised by high intensity of work, a variety of genres, , many creators and levels of social demand.

The aim of the exhibition therefore is to focus attention on the functional area of interior decoration and to show the cultural and social significance of art and craft disciplines in the fields of creation and protection of the environment, in its development of new unconventional approached to the needs of present day living styles. It is hoped also that production will reflect developments of old, even forgotten techniques. A high level of design and execution are fundamental criteria.

Participating countries are allowed to present craftsmen, each permitted 3-5 pieces reflecting the exhibition theme.

TWO PRICES A U.S. buyer at the National Crafts Trade Fair speaking on her own behalf and on that of colleagues of hers also attending the Fair has commented to the Newsletter on what they consider to be a poor commercial practise by some craftsmen. This relates to having two price lists — one for the home market, one for export — the latter of course being the higher of the two.

Needless to say, they are unhappy about this and see it, in the long run, as back­firing on those practising it as buyers will be wary of the credibility of their price lists.

Further details and samples from Tony with a SEA and 50p.

NEW CORK CO-OPERATIVEA group of craftspeople in the Cork areahave joined together and have formed aco-operation,-under the name "CamdenCrafts".

A retail shop was opened at 6 CamdenPlace, Cork City, at the beginning ofNovember. There are plans for aneducational programme, and wholesalingby the co-operative is being investigated.

The founder members are:

Gabi Beuchard, Monard Pottery, Co.Cork.Cormac Hayes, Potter, Cork.Etain Hickey, Rossmore Pottery, Co.Cork.Irene Ryle, Jagoes Mill Pottery, Kinsale.

In addition, there are about 30 crafts-people who are supplying a wide rangeof crafts to the shop.

The promoters have advised theNewsletter that they have been heartenedby the positive response and enthusiasmof .their suppliers.

CORRECTIONWest Cork County Development Teampoints out that the 4 units in the SchullCraft Complex (Nov/Dec. Newsletter)are 1,000 sqare feet each, not 100 sq.feet as reported.

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WHERE TO?In New Zealand, where there are-estimated to be more full time pottersper head of the population than in anyother country, Howard William, writingin the magazine "New Zealand Crafts"suggests that there as in the USA themarket for domestic ware is decliningand that of the fine art potter on theincrease. He suggests also that thecontemporary potter has at his commanda "space age range of sophisticatedmaterials and equipment".

The thrust of his article suggests that withimports there being freed fromrestriction the market is going to beflooded with cheap Far Easter potteryand that only the best of their ownpottery will survive, and, at that, theywill have to be more in the fine artarea. He cites, however, the Australianexperience where, because of a freeimport situation, local domestic warewas never really a factor and only fineart potters had a chance but, andhere's the rub, he writes "they have asmall number of brilliant ceramic artistswho are often supported financiallythrough Government and educationagencies".

Can the artist craftsman only survivewith subsidy?

Don Carroll, Governor of the Bank ofIreland, Padraig White, Managing DirectorIDA, Minister of State Eddie Collins andFrank Sutton, Crafts Council at theopening of the 8th National CraftsTrade Fair.

MID WEST CRAFTS AWARDSBigger prize money is being offered thisyear to successful entrants for the Mid-West Craft Awards Scheme. ShannonDevelopment has announced that theprogramme, which will follow the 1983format, will commence in early March.Effectively it will demand fromparticipants a marketing/developmentprogramme for 1984 which will bemonitored by the Development Companyand those who have most successfullyattained their objective will be in with achance to win one of the awards rangingfrom the main award of £2,000 to one ofthe other 3 awards of £500 each for softgoods (textiles, clothing etc), hard goods(ceramics, metal, leather, glass, woodetc) and new entrant.

The closing date is at the end of Februaryand readers are asked to contact Mr.Jerry Lower of Shannon Developmentsat once if they live in the Mid-Westregion and want to take part.

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