Fuchsia Craft Make Strong Presence at RDS Craft Fair
This years' National Craft & Design Fair in the RDS was a huge success. Given the economic woes of the Nation one might have expected a somewhat subdued atmosphere in the exhibition halls. Au contraire, the mood was truely festive with exhibitors reporting a strong turnout on each of the days and, most encouragingly, that visitors were spending, spending, spending.
Speaking after the Craft Fair, Fuchsia member Mairi Stone was pleased to report that, "the event was much better than last year - the weather being a big help in that regard. There were good crowds and good spending. The general feeling from the other exhibitors that I spoke with was that it was a good show. From a West Cork point of view, [customers] really recognised the Fuchsia Branding and saw the quality of what we had to offer. West Cork is well known as a holiday destination so having the Fuchsia group-stand as we did helped to connect the destination with quality craft." Thirteen Fuchsia Brand members took a shared stand which spanned the width of the Industries Hall making a strong visual impression and offering a broad range of quality handmade products.
Exhibitors also commented that there was a definite sense that visitors to the RDS were going out of their way to source Irish based makers and Irish products. In this regard the 15 strong cohort of Fuchsia Brand members from West Cork attracted particular attention.
Fuchia Brands members exhibiting at the event were Mairi Stone (Mairi Stone Ceramics), Sara Roberts (Sara Roberts Ceramics), Kieran Higgins (Kieran Higgins Woodturning), Adrian Wistreich (Kinsale Pottery), Elly Gerrits (Ellybel Jewels), Hilary Nunan, Hilary Hale (Hilary Hale Woodturning), Carmel and Kieran Cronin (Cronin's Forge), Helen Ennis (Dunbeacon Pottery), Julian Smith, Tony Farrell (Tony Farrell Woodturning), Kathleen Holland (Kathleen Holland Designs), Gidi Gur (Keystone Concepts), Sally Miller (Sally Miller Collection) and Philip O Connor (Seymours Biscuits).
The Fuchsia, long associated with West Cork, represents a symbol of quality for the food, craft & tourism products of the region. The products marketed under the Fuchsia Brand are firmly rooted in the unique traditions and influences of the region.
