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Direct From Market: Ireland

By Quinn Halford -- Gifts and Dec, 1/29/2010 8:04:00 AM

Upbeat Showcase
Guarded optimism was the mood at Showcase, Ireland’s creative expo, held at the Royal Dublin Society’s halls

Showcase Ireland's main hall

January 24–27. Pre-registration was up 30 percent over 2009, as 5,000 domestic and foreign buyers came to town to shop at 400 vendor booths. Presented by the Crafts Council of Ireland, Showcase is strong on crafts by artisans from all over Ireland, concentrating on jewelry, pottery, ceramics, leather goods, fashion and decorative accessories created under the umbrella logo: Imagined, Designed, Made with Passion in Ireland. The show was officially opened by Ireland’s deputy prime minister, Mary Coughlan, who emphasized the push by Ireland’s exporters to highlight modern Irish design and get beyond the image of leprechauns and shelleleighs. Belleek, Tipperary Crystal and Galway Crystal were among the larger exhibitors familiar to most Americans.

A new feature at this year’s show was Creative Island, a showcase for 58 selected vendors. Their booths, arranged in a circular pattern centered by an information desk and seating areas for foot-weary buyers, were the first to greet visitors entering the main hall, creating a more inviting atmosphere than the typical bowling alley layouts. These vendors were chosen from among 120 applicants by a board of retailers who were considered most likely to know which products would have consumer appeal. All products were Irish-designed and made by artisans working solo or with up to 10 employees.

Awards

Button & Co.

The Showcase Best Product Award went to jewelry designer Button & Co. for its silver and gold bracelet depicting old-fashioned buttons. The Creative Island Award was won by Inti Leathers for its handbag. Jerpoint Glass Studio took the Tabletop Award for its black and red vase, and the Craft and Gift Award went to Paddy McCormack for his copper “moon bowl.” A new award, Exporter of the Year, went to jeweler Solvar, a manufacturer of traditional Celtic jewelry popular with the many Celtic shops on this side of the pond. Solvar was also an award-winner at a presentation held by the North American Celtic Trade Association, representing U.S. and Canadian retailers of Celtic goods from Ireland and Great Britain.

Push to Reach U.S. Market
The challenge for small Ireland-based manufacturers to get a foothold in the American market is being met by a new initiative called “Inspireland,” which should have appeal to the independent U.S. retailer looking for new products. Four Irish companies representing five brands, Spirit of Ireland (jewelry), Inis (perfume), Garden of

Crafts Council of Ireland

Ireland (toiletries), Wild Goose (inspirational gifts) and Avoca Blue (glassware), came together to present a collection of products with retail prices ranging from $15 to $90 for the U.S. gift market. A display island featuring 40 to 45 products from the manufacturers is being developed to showcase the products. The whole package, display island with products, is expected to cost the retailer around $1,500. All products will be warehoused in the U.S. with a re-order minimum of three.

According to Barbara Campbell, of Fragrances of Ireland, a prototype display island will be introduced at one of Tom Ungrodt’s Michigan stores in February to gauge consumer reaction. Then, the concept will be presented at gift catalog Ideation’s June meeting in Chicago to further refine the whole package. What we saw at Showcase this week seemed to be a very promising idea, a selection of affordable giftware highlighting The Story of Ireland and offering independent U.S. retailers something new to present to their customers.

Cable Knit
A separate hall at Showcase was dedicated to Irish knitwear, which runs the gamut from the traditional fisherman’s cable knit sweaters to caps, hats, and scarves to mohair and wool throws and women’s

International Leathers

fashions. Carraig Donn, Avoca Handweavers, and Fisherman Out of Ireland were among the major exhibitors. Knitwear, too, has undergone a transformation, as young Irish designers add contemporary flair to a centuries-old craft. The Fashion, Knitwear & Accessories Award went to Unicorn Design for Diva Dress, an A-line creation in wool, gabardine and silk.

Showcase is supported by Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government agency charged with developing and promoting Irish enterprise.

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