Some of Ireland’s most creative and exciting craftspeople return to Dublin’s best outdoor market for design on Saturday Feb 4th.
Every Saturday, 10 – 5pm, this outdoor craft market takes to the streets of Cow’s Lane in the Old City, Temple Bar alongside the Queen of Tarts, Gutterbookshop, Cow’s Lane Designer Studio, Debbie Paul Jewellery, The Exchange, Retrospect and Find – a shop specialising in design, old and new.
Designer Mart features 25 Irish and Irish-based designers of fashion, jewellery, furnishings, crafts and visual arts. Since it’s rebranding from Temple Bar’s Fashion Market to Designer Mart in 2008, this outdoor market has become the ‘go-to’ source for those seeking a range of innovative and unique designs at affordable prices.
Designer Mart features some well established designers such as ceramicist Colm de Rís; artist Nicole Tilley; wood-turner Kieran Reynolds and fashion designer Chupi whose clothing and accessory range are “Made in Ireland, Loved Everywhere” and are created “for your inner magpie”!
This year, Designer Mart welcomes the up and coming talents of surrealist pop artist, Marianne Wolf of ‘Mon Petit Pois’, Ann Marie Flanagan of ‘Honeybee Headwear’ and ‘ThunderSolas’ – a new and exciting company providing leather designs for men and women.
To add to the ambience and character of Cow’s Lane, Designer Mart is delighted to introduce the eye-catching flower arrangements created by ‘The Informal Florist’– a small flower company that takes an innovative and slightly rebellious approach to floral design!
Other gems contributing to Designer Mart’s creative hub are Jamie Lewis’s hand-felted wool products including satchels, trilby hats, purses and home-ware. Fused glass jewellery by Tunde Tussal; beaded and precious stoned jewellery by ‘Trinket Box’ and father / daughter duo ‘Reichhold Originals’–who make their own glass mounted in sterling silver.
Commenting on the return of Designer Mar, Manager, Eimear Chaomhánach from Temple Bar Cultural Trust said “I am particularly excited about the number of new and exciting independent design companies that have successfully set-up business with us in Designer Mart. This year’s offering delivers an innovative approach to design and Irish craft. The architecturally award winning Old City located in the west end of Temple Bar is fast becoming the designer quarter of Dublin City.”
Visual Art is another dimension of Designer Mart, carrying beautiful framed watercolours by Eoghan Talbot and finely detailed lino cuts created in ‘The Printing Room’. Taking handmade skin-care seriously is the Wexford-based company ‘SunRose Garden’ – who are driven by the belief that health and beauty care should be as natural as possible and available at a fair price.
Designer Mart is the place to go if you want to try out something different, and find uniquely crafted items made with passion and flair by people who you will meet face to face. This outdoor market is a refreshing alternative to high street shopping and a great way to support small independent Irish businesses!
For the full list of Designer Mart 2012 traders, please click here>
