Offaly makers in the national spotlight at six-day Gifted Fair at RDS

A textile designer who abandoned her corporate career for art and a bespoke gift maker inspired by the woodlands of Offaly are among the local makers showcasing their work at Gifted Contemporary Craft and Design Fair in Dublin’s RDS from December 5-10.

Offaly-based designer Hazel Greene, will be showing off her stylish creations at Gifted, which celebrates the best of over 600 Irish designers and makers from fashion to jewellery and beyond.

Offaly makers in the national spotlight at six-day Gifted Fair at RDS

Inspired by the lush acres of Charleville Forest at the heart of Tullamore, Mauricio Martino and Monica Daly from Heartworks Handmade Gifts

“My hand painted scarves are all about colour and they are abstract in design and my printed scarves are a balance of colour and detail from my paintings of women,” said Hazel.

“Gifted is such an important event in our calendar as we meet hundreds of people each day – the one thing you don’t get when working for yourself in a rural area.”

Inspired by the lush acres of Charleville Forest at the heart of Tullamore, Mauricio Martino and Monica Daly from Heartworks Handmade Gifts will be unveiling some of their own works of art made entirely from slate, at the RDS.

“We work almost entirely with slate that is salvaged from old Irish buildings, some of which would have historical significance.

“Slate is a 400 to 600 million-year-old metamorphic rock that has been used as roofing material for centuries, and as such it is an intrinsic part of the heritage of Ireland.

From their studio in Tullamore, Heartworks Handmade Gifts have been using a mix of traditional and modern tools and techniques to transform slate into a piece of fine craft and have been creating bespoke gifts since 1999.

“We enjoy creating bespoke pieces and often these one-off pieces will inspire a new range of handmade gift products. The finished design is a surprise every time.”

Gifted is a celebration of the best Irish designers and makers – people who are truly gifted.

Formerly known as the National Crafts and Design Fair, Gifted includes top cutting-edge designers and makers in Irish fashion, ceramics and glass, jewellery, art and photography, children’s gifts and presents inspired by nature.

The event also includes a Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium featuring over 120 artisan food producers, taste-tempting visitors with the best of the season’s fare.

The growth in Ireland’s vibrant design sector means that Gifted has been expanded by an extra day to become a six-day unique Christmas shopping experience.

“Giving a Gifted gift to your loved ones this Christmas means that they will be receiving a special item straight from the maker,” said organiser Patrick O’Sullivan.

“We have the top cutting-edge designers and makers in Irish fashion, ceramics and glass, jewellery, art and photography, children’s gifts and presents inspired by nature.”

Gifted offers Ireland’s largest Christmas gift shopping experience with prices starting from as little as €5.

In addition, there will be 10% off everything at the Fair on the opening day, Tuesday, December 5.

Gifted Contemporary Craft and Design Fair takes place at the RDS Main Hall from December 5-10 from 10am each day.  Full details and booking can be found at www.giftedfair.ie

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