So on a long drive home from Tipperary Orla Barry and I had the idea to combined our expertise and enthusiasm to bring a pop-up Irish Designer Art and Craft shop.
‘Silver Linings’ to Dundalk for the Christmas period at No.22 Clanbrassil Street. Both of us stock several shops around the country and abroad and we decided that it would be an exciting venture to set up own own.
‘Silver Linings’ is a collection of Irish designer Art & Craft. We have been very lucky that so many wonderful artists and crafts people have trusted us with there work.
Three days and nights we had a shop!
The ethos behind ‘Silver Linings’ is to demonstrate that people can buy quality Irish handmade products at affordable prices while supporting local artists, makers and designers.
- Buy Local — Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, more of your money is used to make purchases from local businesses – strengthening the community.
- Keep our community unique: Where you shop, where you eat and have fun — all of it makes your community home. The one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Your tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
- Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
- Get better service: buying from a Craft business often means buying from the maker them self they know the product well and take more time to get to know customers.
- Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future
Christmas Decorations are a wonderful gift for a family. When you buy a handmade decoration it becomes part of that family’s traditions. We have a great selection of beautiful handmade decorations.
Emma Andrews (Co Down) makes these soft fabric birds, hearts and stars 2 for €10
Sarah McKenna (me in Co Louth) offers Stars, hearts and trees 3 for €12
These fantastic glass decorations are made by Grace at Kings Forge (Co. Monaghan) also 3 for €12
The lassies at Green Gorgeous (Co Louth) have these very smart Christmas coaster which the cutout pops out to make a mini tree decoration at 19.95 for a set of 4.
For all those Tea drinkers we have Mary Cowan’s (Co Louth) ceramics coasters a set of 4 for €25
Rachel McKnight ( Co Down) considers all the other beverages, tea, coffee, water, wine and beer! set of 4 is €20
Green Gorgeous (Co Louth) have funky flowers, sky bound birds and flocks of sheep in set of 4 and 6
Everyone loves wall art, we have a wall full of fantastic frames, photography, textiles, prints and original paintings
This gorgeous illustration by Sophie Coyle (Co. Louth) of local scenery in pen and watercolour is by Sophie Coyle. An original piece of art for just €85!
Fiona Quigley (Co Louth) works with fabric, paint, paper and a sewing machine to creat this wonderfully bright pictures starting at €65
Tracey Fry (Co Louth) makes limited edition and one of a kind prints in her home print studio.
Breda McNelis (Co Dublin) works with textiles, fibres and beads to make beautiful framed pieces which draw influence from Irish countrysides. Prices start from €36
……..and then there is fashion and accessories
Ursula Celano (Co Dublin) a former graphic designer uses her skills to create contemporary fabric prints of Irish culture. We also have purses, tea towels, aprons, cushions and tea cosies by Ursula. Perfect gifts for family abroad (or at home )!
Cathy Prendergast – Inti Leather (Co Louth) Each bag is made by Cathy’s skilled hands using especially selected Italian leathers.
We have handwoven scarves and shawls from Liz Christy (Co Monaghan)
and hand painted silk and velvet scarves from Mel Bradley (Co Louth)
Rachel Tinniswood (Co Louth) offers hand felted corsage brooches and corsages prices €10, €12.50 and €17.50.
A wee bit of luxury for the man in your life, 100% Cashmere scarves from Edmund McNulty Knitwear (Co Louth)
For the little ones, we have hand printed baby grows and vests from Moobles and Toobles packaged in these cute wee bags, from €12
for a little stocking filler these heart Brooches from Sarah McKenna
and if you are in very quick you may catch one these beauties by Orla Barry, brooches (€18)
Red Earth Ceramics make fantastic porcelain tea lights 2 for €33
You can see the full range of my Natures Love Tiles €45
Glimmer Lights from Gillian Callan €15
and for a beautiful scent to accompany the candle light Lucy Annabella Organics makes these candles in a glass jar €25
And for the magpies
Fiona Thornton (Co Louth) Silver and enamel beauties starting at €70
Funky laser cut perspex rings from Rachel McKnight only €6
Gone Global range from Jill Graham (Co Down)
and Bud range from Garrett Mallon (Co Louth)
Thanks to Mark Quigley Photography
‘Silver Linings’ was officially opened on Thursday December 12th at 6pm. The shop will be open daily until Christmas Eve.
Then we pack it all up!
