Friday visits ... Thursday

Well I said in wednesday's blog that I would fill you on yesterdays delights from the Craft and Design Fair and who am I to disappoint. There were a lot of the usual contenders but I'm going to stick to the ones that stood out from the crowd as it were.

I met the lovely Debbie Paul from the self titled  Debbie Paul Studio

Her jewellery is beautifully crafted with an attention to detail that is apparent in every piece

These are just some of my favourites but if you don't get a chance to see her at the fair she has a lovely studio at 1 Cows Lane in Temple Bar. She also works to commission.

Also on the balcony was Ayelet Lalor who I already talked about here. I was very excited that she's holding a studio sale on the 11th and 12th December in her Design Tower studios in aid of her trip to Asia in January. Directions and details are on her website. Early christmas present to myself maybe....I have been very good recently.

For a break from the gaudy decorations that swamp the shops this time of year check out Mary Neeson's Porcelain Angels (30-40€ each) 

Another ceramic designer in the main hall was Gwen Bainbridge, (stand 40)  whom I remember buying lovely ceramic heart necklaces and buttons from last year. Her teapots (below) are just that bit different from the norm.

Enjoy the weekend, let me know if you discover any gems of christmas fairs.

Wednesday surfs for ... christmas

This post is not that international I'm afraid, unless of course you're planning an impromptu visit to ireland.

The National Crafts and Design Fair starts in the RDS in Dublin today. Its open from 10am to 10pm every day till Friday and till 7pm at the weekend.

I'm off to have a gander on Thursday and maybe make a few purchases, purely for research purposes of course, while I'm there. Among those there that I'm looking forward to are, Alan Ardiff who I already blogged about here

Remember?

And Ayelet Lalor. Stand B11. I'm still saving up for one of her pieces. But any time I see her work I fall a little bit more in love with it. Last time I checked her work is also available to buy in the DesignYard in Dublin, but its a lot cheaper if you buy directly from her (she has a studio in The Design Tower on Grand canal quay). I'm particularly partial to her Diva range.

Wine Diva with Dog

Green Diva

I'm sure there will be lots more to tell you about Friday.

Another Christmas Fair coming up soon is The 12 days of Christmas Market on in the IFSC at Georges Dock. It starts on the 12th of December and runs till the 23rd, so plenty of time to catch it. It has everything from food to gifts to santas grotto for the children.

And if you're twiddling your thumbs wondering what to do this weekend there's a Christmas Fair in Greystones on the seafront. I don't know much about it, its in St David's School where the car boot sales are run, but Greystones is always a good day out. If you do happen along you should also check out the Ecoshop. Last time I was there I took some pics of their offerings

A miniature car made entirely from beer cans.

An artdeco-esque box by Organica Functionarte, a british company.

Also available here (last time I checked) is one of my favourite Irish chocolate companies, Natashas Living Food, mainly for the beautiful packaging, though the chocolate is very tasty too.

And after all that shopping if you want to put your feet up somewhere and have some scrumptious food go to the Happy Pear, on the mainstreet, for a cafe with personality.