Our View from the Balcony..
We were so chuffed to find out that we had been included in the Top New Products in Ireland for 2011. Our product entry and packaging took pride of place down in the main arena in the New Products Gallery.
The Corner of our stand at SHOWCASE 2011.
I paid a visit to my pal, Elaine Sarah at her stunning Button & Co stand in the main arena. A Waterford based craft brand blazing a trail on the new Irish handcrafted products stage! I must add it took me quite a few visits before I could catch a chat with Elaine Sarah, each of the previous times I paid her a visit her stand was surrounded by very official looking buyers in official looking suits! To say that Button & Co are doing well would be quite the understatement. Also worth adding that this gal is one of the most hardworking, passionate and talented girls I know, very determined and deserves all of the success and support that is coming her way! Ger was also at SHOWCASE but she managed to get through without getting her picture taken so if anybody captured a vintage looking gal tiptoeing around in red tights and matching red shoes please do send them onto me.x
Our New Vintage Inspired Bridal Fascinators at SHOWCASE.
Gals,
We returned from SHOWCASE ( Ireland's biggest Creative Expo showcasing the best of Irish Handmade Products and Brands) at the RDS Dublin, last Weds Night and it's taken us days to come round from the exhaustion of the week away. We had a long week in the run up to the fair, prepping products, packaging, designing leaflets at 2 in the morning etc, ya know that kind of thing! Once the fair kicked off it was 4 days of networking, meeting potential clients and showcasing our wares to 1000's of buyers from all over the world. It was our very first time exhibiting at any trade fair so it was a really eye-opening experience. We were showcasing in the Balcony area under the Local City Enterprise Board. We joined forces with 4 other local craft/designers as part of the new Waterford Design Collective, Kite Design Studios ( more about this in the next post) . We are already looking forward to next year's SHOWCASE and hope to be exhibiting in the main arena, fingers crossed. :) In a nutshell, we made new contacts, made new clients and we were included in the Top New Products List for Ireland 2011, a great way to step into the New Year. We also had a chance to bond with our new friends in Kite Design Studios (our new home!). There was lots of chatting, a couple of bevvies all round a great opportunity to get to know one another over the 4 days away. ( Tell you all about these guys in the next post)
( A special Thank You to Waterford City Enterprise Board for the opportunity to participate in SHOWCASE this year. Thanks also to the Crafts Council of Ireland for running such a terrific event)
