Irish Eyes Smiling

The mood was high and buying high-pitched, according to exhibitors at Showcase Ireland, January 22–25. “Sales are good,” noted Stephen Walsh, of J. Walsh & Sons, a company known for novelties, souvenirs and giftwares. “This show is up in quality buyers.”

Walsh noted that domestic business has been a challenge due to a diminishing retail base. It's getting harder (and more expensive) to find the right buyers through trade shows other than Showcase, he said. Therefore, he's resorted to old-fashioned direct sales, researching potential clients and taking his show to them.

Highlights of the show included Index 50, a juried display showcasing new products from established brands and up-and-comers. Another show area, Source, presented a judged section of Irish craft exhibitors representing the island's most cutting-edge artisans.

For the first time, the Crafts Council of Ireland presented a Lifestyle Trend Area, featuring five display vignettes incorporating product from across the show to illustrate how they can be merchandised in lifestyle vignettes, driving customers to vendor stands.

Prepackaged gifts sets were on display in many stands, suggesting easy gift statements for the grab- and-go buyer. Nicholas Mosse Pottery, which has been at Showcase from the beginning, marked its 30th anniversary with a Celebration Bowl featuring several of Mosse's original motifs in fresh combination. The bowl will be made only during 2006.

Across the show, contemporary design with clean lines and uncluttered looks reigned supreme, But contemporary didn't necessarily mean abandoning traditional symbolism entirely. Designers are reinterpreting traditional style to make it meaningful for today's consumers.

Genesis Fine Arts, known for its bronze figurines and collectibles, is one company moving into contemporary design with home decor and gift items that are quite a departure from the Genesis' established image. It introduced Spiral, a decor collection that is both contemporary and primitive in appearance.

Belleek introduced Belleek Living, a collection of tabletop and home accessories in creamy clay, but with a very modern look — no shamrocks here! And Tipperary Crystal had great success with its new Aurora line, which combines simplified, traditional, asymmetrical shapes.

One of the most interesting elements of Showcase Ireland is the incorporation of knitwear and woolen fashions in the show. For retailers who've incorporated fashion accessories into their merchandise mix, touring the textile arts stands is worth the trip. Original, creative, boutique fashions include fun handbags made from textural tweeds and high fashion sweaters and shrugs in contemporary styles.

A large number of American buyers — representing a cross-section of retail outlets, from Dollywood and QVC to the Norm Thompson catalog and small Celtic store operations — were visiting and buying at Showcase Ireland. The next Showcase Ireland is January 21–24, 2007.