Radio Kerry and Another Talented Artisan...

Craft in Kerry had the fantastic opportunity to be interviewed live on Radio Kerry with Weeshie Fogarty last Wednesday evening.  It was part of his "In Conversations with..." show from 6-7pm and Weeshie proved to be an able and easy-going host.  Any early nerves were put aside when he started talking.  It was like having a cuppa and a chat.  We got a chance to talk about our own crafts, the upcoming craft fair April 29th in Dingle, and how all our products are handmade in Kerry FOR Kerry.  If you buy Kerry products, you create and preserve Kerry jobs.

Soft furnishings from Dragonfly Cottage

We will put a digital copy of the interview up when we get it.  In the meantime, a group of us are off to Dublin tomorrow to promote Craft in Kerry to tour operators.  It's a chance to sound out tour guides and see how well our Handmade Sessions go over.  We will be demonstrating our crafts and talking up craft to almost 300 vendors.  We will be busy!  Stay tuned for news about that shindig when we are back.

If you’re looking for something different to accent your home, or a unique gift, Dragonfly Cottage offers a range of bespoke interiors.  Anything from throw cushions, aprons, sachets and wine gift bags which are all handmade at Callan Farm, located in Kilgarvan, Co. Kerry.

What's New in Craft and Kerry

Craft in Kerry seems to be going from strength to strength!  We had a great meeting in Tralee on February 21st and managed to cover a lot of ground.  Our craft fair  on Friday, April 29th from 10-6pm in Dingle is going great!  The sign up sheet went around and we are looking for a few more people to do demonstrations.  With the Feile na Bealtaine and the Pan Celtic Festival running at the same time there should be lots of people about and hopefully they want to take Irish craft home with them!  Nationwide will be there to film us on the day.

One of Nikki Foley's fabulous quilts.  She just opened
her Sewing Shed textile shop in Keel, Co Kerry.

We are busily preparing for our interview with Weeshie Fogarty at Radio Kerry.  We have a full hour on his "In Conversations with..." program on Wednesday, March 30th.  Six of us will be present LIVE to talk about our own work and Craft in Kerry. We are looking forward to it very much as it should be great fun!

Yesterday, our own Nikki Foley celebrated the Grand Opening of her Sewing Shed in Keel near Castlemaine.  Not only does she have gorgeous fabrics for patchwork, but she in the local rep for Janome sewing machines (and they service them, too!) and she stocks textile paints, sewing notions, fabric dyes, and a wide array of embellishments. With her great prices and wonderful workshop room, she will no doubt be very successful!  We wish her the best of luck.  For more information on the Sewing Shed, contact 087-9924002.

Meanwhile, there's plenty to do to plan for the summer.  With the help of the new Craft Coordinator, it is hoped that there will be some proactive, positive changes for artisans in the county.  Please take a moment to fill in the survey www.surveymonkey.com/s/kerrycraft and send it back to deirdre@fruition.ie.  It should not take long to fill out and the information will be used to assess the needs of the craft sector and put in place programs and policies that will assist us.

The next meeting of Craft in Kerry will take place on Sunday, March 27th in Keel/Castlemaine at the Sewing Shed.  Directions will follow closer to the date.