What is Craftlink – Introduction to the Project
Offaly Local Development Company and Westmeath Community Development have developed an enterprise craft training programme in partnership with Finnish Craft Producers. This is an Innovative Programme which provides craft makers in both Countries with opportunities to develop new techniques and skills and look at the use of different materials to adapt their current offerings of products or to create new products. It also examines retail opportunities in Finland and Ireland.
Local Craft Products from Offaly and Westmeath Crafters on Display in Finland as part of the Craftlink initiative.
Offaly and Westmeath Crafters go Head-to-Head with Santa Claus as their products are displayed at the Tullipakkahuone Christmas Fair in Finland As the home of Santa Claus, Finland is no easy market to break into when it come to Christmas gifts but that’s exactly what a group of Irish crafters have done when their products recently went on display at the Tullipakkahuone Christmas Fair and the Kokkola Taito Shops in Finland. Craftlink, the initiative that brought the crafters to the Finnish market, is run by the Offaly Local Development Company and Westmeath Community Development. Both organisations have worked closely with the creative industries over the past 10 years, and the Craftlink initiative, which began in 2019, supports the sector through training and shared learning. As Ireland went into lock-down, Craftlink brought together Irish and Finnish crafters and afforded the opportunity for them to develop new techniques and skills while benefiting from an enterprise and product development programme. This involved upskilling in areas including the use of marketing and ecommerce to boost sales. Luna Natural Soap Company Amongst the products being produced by the crafters are handmade soaps and shampoos, candles, hand-painted silk scarves, enamel jewellery, handcrafted bespoke furniture, handmade dolls, […]
The Creative Design Process of Commercial Craft
These webinars introduced commercial design, manufacture and production of handicraft products in to a DIY-package with materials and instructions for self-made crafts from Finland. The lecturers are designer Mari Isopahkala, handicraft entrepreneur Jaana Öljymäki and Taito Keskip-Pohjanmaa and are delivered as part of a Craft co-operation project with Offaly Local Development Company and Westmeath Community Development Company in partnership with Finland Leader companies: Rieska-Leader and Keskipiste Leader . This training is part of an Innovative Programme which provides craft makers in both Countries with opportunities to develop new techniques and skills and look at the use of different materials to adapt their current offerings of products or to create new products. CLICK title below to watch the Creative design process of commercial craft ( Day 1) Webinar – The creative design process of commercial craft WEBINAR PROGRAM: · How my products are born – Award-winning designer Mari Isopahkala http://www.mariisopahkala.com/ · The treasures of the forest – Craftsman, birch bark, Jaana Öljymäki, https://www.designjaanao.fi/ · Summary Taito Keski-Pohjanmaa, handicraft instructor Marika Saarela Click title text below to watch The Creative Design process of commercial craft Webinar – The creative design process of commercial craft, day 2 -link WEBINAR PROGRAM: Taito Keski-Pohjanmaa DIY packages, design process, instructions, packaging and productisation – Elisa Saukko and Marika Saarela https://taitokeskipohjanmaa.fi/verkkokauppa/Craft demonstration, step-by-step preparation of the Päre mood light according to the instructions in the DIY kit. – Elisa Saukko and Marika Saarela .Summary, end of the […]
Winterfest Mullingar 2019
Offaly /Westmeath /Finnish Craft Pavilion showcased their crafts at WINTERFEST Mullingar 2019. This was the first in a series of training, development and exhibition opportunities for Westmeath and Offaly Craft makers. This unique experience provided an opportunity for shared learning between craft producers. The event focused on traditional Irish and Finnish craft demonstrations and how the sharing of skills and heritage can impact on creative inspiration in the craft sector.