Felted Flowers Workshop with Knit Spin Felt

Agnieszka Rupnik of Knit Spin Felt brought a great selection of colourful merino wool for the workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery on Saturday 29th October.

Layers of wool are laid out ready for felting.

A spray of warm soapy water is added on top.

Friction is added by rubbing between layers of bubble-wrap.

And with some further manipulation we ended up with these felted flowers! These can be further embellished with beads, buttons or stitching. They can then be made into a brooch or sewn to a garment or a bag.

A big thank you to Aga for sharing her skills and knowledge with us and we look forward to her next class at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery.

Patchwork for Beginners Workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Ever thought of making patchwork quilts for your home? Now's your chance to learn.
Patchwork for Beginners takes place at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery every Friday morning from 10.30 to 12.30. These classes are popular so booking is essential. Email esterkiely@gmail.com or phone 087 6193870.

Felt-making workshop Saturday 29th October: 14.00 to 16.30

This Saturday is a special workshop day at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. Agnieszka Rupnik of Knit Spin Felt presents a 2.5hr workshop on felt-making flowers (€20). Wool for felting comes in vibrant colours and you are sure to love making these flower accessories. Make a bouquet to place on your desk at work or home or even to decorate bags, headbands and other garments. A fun craft activity for everyone as no previous felting experience is required. Supplies are available to purchase in kit-form. To book your place at this workshop email esterkiely@gmail.com or phone 087 6193870.

Denise Hogan Design at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Galway-based artist, Denise Hogan creates a stunning range of hand-painted glass gift items. A selection of Denise's glass-ware as well as her acrylic and water-colour paintings are now available at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. A limited selection of oil-paintings by Joan Hogan are also available.

Absolutely Pottery arrives at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Clew Bay Blue Cereal Bowl

Brown Cut-Out Lamp

I've been a fan of Roger Harley's pottery since I first met him at the wonderful Christmas Craft Fair in the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar. So, I was delighted to see Roger arriving this morning with a lovely selection of his work for Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery customers.

Roger's pottery workshop and shop is based in Westport and the surrounding landscape influences the colours he uses in his glazes. I can attest that his everyday Clew Bay range holds up to everyday use in a busy home while being beautiful to look at and to handle.

In addition to the Clew Bay Blue range of everyday mugs, teapot, sugar and creamer, cereal bowls and soup cups Roger has also created beautiful lamps you are sure to love.

Missy Bonkers arrives at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

We're delighted to announce that Missy Bonkers has arrived at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery! Pillow Dogs, Lou Lou and Sarah Dolls and Space Cats have landed in Claregalway! Come and meet these colourful characters....each one is unique and made with love by Missy Bonkers in Galway.

Free Drop-in Events at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery: 'All Stitched Up'

Tuesday mornings from 10.30 to 12.30 is an opportunity to come and meet others in your community who are interested in any form of stitchcraft. If you like to knit, crochet, quilt, embroider or cross-stitch why not bring along your current project and share your knowledge with others over a cuppa. Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery welcomes you in to use the workshop space. On Tuesday 18th October some knitters arrived and all went home with shared information on where to buy wool and patterns locally. There is space for up to 10 people so come early next week!

Workshops at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery: Beginner's Sewing Skills Level 1

Berni McCabe's workshop on Monday 17th October took place at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. In this workshop Berni McCabe helps students to become more familiar with their sewing machines. And through a series of practical exercises helps build up basic skills to make a simple zip-case.

To book a place on the next class with Berni, email esterkiely@gmail.com or phone 087 6192870.

Featured workshop: Beginners Sewing Skills - Level 1

Bernie McCabe is a Galway-based Textile Designer Maker whose work is for sale at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. Bernie is particularly interested in recycling and up-cycling, taking something old and re-inventing it to make something new, original and exciting.

Let Bernie help you improve your sewing skills in this 2hr workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery on Monday 17th October from 10.00 to 12.30 (16Euro). Tea, coffee, encouragement and inspiration provided!

In this introductory workshop you will learn how to use a sewing machine along with some simple sewing techniques. Absolute beginners welcome.

To book your place simply email esterkiely@gmail.com or phone 087 6193870. We look forward to seeing you there!

Workshops at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery: Patchwork for Beginners

The first Patchwork for Beginners workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery took place on 14th October and was a relaxed affair. The first hand-technique was 'piecing over papers' using a hexagon template. Next week we will tackle a hand-appliqué technique. To book a place at Patchwork for Beginners on Friday from 10.30 to 12.30 email esterkiely@gmail.com or phone 087 6193870.

Featured Artist: Anne Towers

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery currently has a selection of bowls by Anne Towers. Anne describes her work as follows:

"My work has always been art led, perhaps because of an early training as a painter at St. Martins School of Art, London. I am also a colourist and try to combine all my talents in the work I produce now. I make almost exclusively one off pieces for galleries and exhibitions or commissions."

Anne is a registered craftsperson with the Crafts Council of Ireland.

Featured Artist: Joanna McGlynn

Joanna McGlynn is an interdisciplinary artist, incorporating elements of drawing, textiles, writing, print, carnival and installation in her practice.

In a society where overindulgence became the norm of the past decade, Joanna returns to simplicity.

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery's customers are enraptured by Joanna's "Chirpy Danglers", Brooches, Framed Baby Names and Greeting Cards which are also ideal for framing. For more information on Joanna's work see www.joannamcglynn.com

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery now has some wonderful knitwear by Teddy Baby

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery is delighted to offer a selection of children's hats by Teddy Baby. Simon Howell and Susie Cuthill tell us more about their craft:
"We have always shared a passion for arts and crafts. After giving-up our careers back in 2008, we took up residence on the stunning North-coast of Northern Ireland and explored everything from ceramics to illustration. In 2009, we brought our 'good life' back to the city of Belfast and after the birth of our first child; we finally decided to follow our passion for textiles and fibre art. In 2010 we started Teddy Baby, our hand-spun wool and knit-wear business.
What makes Teddy Baby so unique is that we spin our own wool, a technical skill that is rarely seen or even spoken of toady, but we are passionate about keeping it alive. The art of spinning wool is also an important part of Northern Ireland’s heritage and runs in our family.
We are part of the new generation of traditional craft makers striving to maintain a link to our cultural heritage, while exploring the possibilities of the medium within contemporary fashion, arts and crafts. It is important to us that while maintaining tradition in the artistic process, that the final design is fashionable and reflects us as designer/makers."

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery presents Helen Griffin Ceramics

Helen Griffin Ceramics based in Gort, Co. Galway and all of her work is hand-thrown on the Potter's wheel in earthenware clay.

To see some more of her work visit Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery, Claregalway Shopping Centre, Co. Galway.

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery introduces the work of Jenny McKenna

Jenny is an artist living and working in Galway. She graduated from Gmit in 2010 with a BA Honours degree in Textile design. Her main area of interest is constructed textiles using techniques such as macrame, knit and stitch. Jenny recently became a member of Groundworks studios in Galway and her work will be part of the exhibition " Objects of memory - Illuminated " which runs from 18th Oct - 26th Nov in the Galway City Museum. To see some of Jenny's beautiful handmade cards visit Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery, Claregalway Shopping Centre, Co. Galway.

Launch of Galway Craft Month on 9th October!

The Launch of Galway Craft month by County Galway Mayor, Cllr Michael Maher, will take place at 12pm on Sunday October 9th 2011 in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, Co. Galway.

Featured Artist: Louise Browne of Living Ginger Designs

Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery is delighted to present the work of Oughterard-based artist, Louise Browne of Living Ginger Designs.




Louise explains how she developed her love of ceramics:

I have always loved to make things, and from a little girl was always to be found making a variety of items. I studied Art and Design, and Textiles, and at the age of 17 years I discovered Pottery and went on to study A' levels in the subject, and I was hooked.

I went on to an Art Foundation Course, specializing in Sculpture where we were encouraged to be as adventurous as we liked. I started my Degree Course in Wood, Metal, Glass, and Ceramics at Manchester Metropolitan University, but missed the Art College vibe, and so went on to begin my Second Year at The Kent Institute of Art and Design, and felt totally at home. It was in my final year that I began working with Porcelain and my Smocked fabrics.

I graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 3D Design- Ceramics, and like many Art Graduates joined the 9-5 workforce and held numerous positions in Window Dressing, Secretarial, and lastly working my way up the career ladder in Healthcare management, but never feeling totally full-filled.

In 2007 my new husband and I decided to move to Ireland to pursue our dreams and seek a better quality of life, where I continued to develop my Impressed ranges while working Part- time. Although it has sometimes been frustrating to start a new life and career, I have found the support in Ireland for a new Crafts person much greater than that of the UK. I finally began to purse my passion full time in 2010 and now make beautiful and useful items every day, and have never been so happy in my job.

The name Living Ginger designs, was adopted from my late mother (a Potter too, based in Co. Clare) Pottery name and as a tribute to her. It was originally inspired by that of Jack. B Yeats "creativity and exuberance being the living ginger of life". Living Ginger Designs workshop is based in Oughterard, the Gateway to Connemara.