For Crafters and Retailers, This is the Busiest Time of Year

You probably didn’t me to tell you that!

I’ve been cutting, sewing and packing like a crazy sewing woman over the past few weeks, and now is the point at which I spend much more time on the road travelling to markets to meet potential customers.  Two weekends ago I was at Ballymaloe House for their craft fair, and it began to feel a lot like Christmas.  Midleton kindly switched its rather gorgeous festive lights on, and as I walked out from where I was staying to get a colossal bag of chips, it felt like there was real excitement in the air.

Now I have the boxes packed again, and tomorrow I’m off to the Big Smoke! To Dublin!

Christmas on the Square

I’m going to be at Christmas on the Square, which is held in the beautiful and grand Irish Architectural Archive at 45 Merrion Square. They even provided this fabulous image of the building!  It’s an early start as I’m heading up to Dublin tomorrow morning at about 5am in order to be outside the door ready to set up and looking fantastic by the time the doors open at 10am.

I’m very much looking forward to being back in Dublin – last time I was there it was for Bloom. Then it was boiling hot, the ground was parched and everyone was sweltering. I bet it’ll be somewhat cooler tomorrow morning!

And then heading back to Ennis

On Sunday from 11am – 4pm I’ll be at Chapel Lane Market in Ennis. My “home” market, where I am truly amongst friends, both customers and stallholders.  I’ll be there for the next two weekends in the run up to Christmas then: 8 & 9 December, 15 & 16 December, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 December.

Burren Fabrics

I launched my new Burren fabrics formally at Ballymaloe (after a little bit of cheeky promotion at Chapel Lane Market in advance).

I was really pleased by the way the new fabrics were received by everyone.  It takes a huge amount of time to develop the new fabrics, and so much thought goes into getting the colours and designs right.  When I first unroll the new fabric as it arrives from the printer I hold my breath. So much depends on how it looks.  And then I cut the first bags and try them out.

My Fabulous Website!

I appreciate that many of you reading this are neither in Dublin nor in reach of Ennis, but you may well want a bag. Or need to direct your significant other towards one of my bags as your present of choice.

I’ve got a fabulous website now with an online shop that will guide you through the purchasing process seamlessly. All my fabrics are up there, including the new Burren fabrics. If you’re the sort who loves a deal, if you go to the home page (after you’ve finished reading this, obviously!) and scroll to the bottom of the page, you can register to receive this blog straight to your inbox each time it is irregularly written. And if you do that, you’ll get a 10% discount code to use against your first online order. It’s always nice to get a discount! You’ll also be the first to hear about any news I might have, and any other promotions there might be (January sales anyone??).

Merry Christmas

I hope I will meet many of you over the coming few weeks, but in the meantime, have a fantastic December, stay warm, try to shop locally where possible to support small and medium sized businesses, and have a very Merry Christmas!