I've been meaning to write a blog for a few weeks, but it's been a busy few weeks for me and will be right up until Christmas.
Can't believe Christmas is just upon us again, it only feels like a few months ago when I put the decorations away,the year has flown.
2014 has been a good year for me. I did take a short break at the start of this year/2014. I just needed some time to focus on where I was taking things ... I had a 'stuck' moment you could say, every business experiences one at some stage. To be honest, it's the best thing that ever happened and I know that sounds strange but it was. Like I said I'm in a much happier place right now. Things are rising up!
I opened up my studio to the public last summer ... well the 31st of July! I'm a member of the Wexford Craft Trail and I manage the Facebook page as well as my own. So I took that on and I try to keep everybody happy.. I hope! Somebody has to and the person asked was me. I don't mind it though. So my studio was opened due to the craft trail as I'm a trail member. I'm now closed until May 2015 again and only open by appointment. This year after the craft trail launched in April and also all the Wexford trails had their official brand launch did I start a part-time job with no other then a member of the garden trail. It's good to escape the studio the odd day as I can get very deep down into my work and overwork and it's not the wisest to be at home 24/7 five days a week and it can be lonely at times. It's good to be amongst people, mixing with people, getting to know more people and doing something that you enjoy doing but that is also a break from your craft. Don't get me wrong I love my craft but it's another income as in the design/craft world, there can be slack periods. Plus I'm being Inspired by all the beautiful colours, textures and patterns of plants and flowers which is great and Springmount is a lovely place to work. I enjoy going to work and I look forward to carrying on with whatever project be it on the loom or working on at the table in my studio when I'm not at the other. Can I just add I'm still a Business and the majority of my time I am at my own work.
This year I also and still also have my work for sale in a new development known as the 'Market House Design' it's a retail gallery space on Gorey's main street. None of us have to be there daily as they have their own people to work there/manage it. It's run by Gorey Chamber and features craft by craftspeople from Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and one candle maker from Kildare. From Millinery to Woodturning to Ceramics and painting etc. Some well known names such as Paul Maloney and Linda Mc Kay amongst others have pieces available here. There are a few of us from the Gorey area also. It's a great space and originally was meant to go from May to August, then due to popularity extended into September and it's now December and I'm still stocking there. And Robert O'Connor of the Woodturning Studio with my lampshades.
Also I'm in the 2014 A/W issue of 'House and Home' Magazine again. I was also in the 2012 issue for Christmas. I have a small write up that I had with their journalist who interviewed me ages ago and there is also a feature on Christmas decorations where one of my baubles appeared in that. See Image below. And I also had another write up marking Heritage Week earlier this summer in August with the editor of the Gorey Guardian, this featured in all the Wexford People papers. See Image below. I've also been on television ..... on Irish Tv on Sky on the programme Wexford Matters Episode 15 you can log onto www.irishtv.ie and view that if you wish. So that's been all fun and great to have done.
So yes, I'm in a very cushy, happy little place right now and can look forward to what 2015 brings.
My signage I'm changing for next summer. I have since created a brand logo/sticker on anything that's boxed belonging to me in my signature blues and white. So every time or where you see this sticker people will soon after they familiar themselves with it will know it's made by me. New business cards and leaflets will be designed in early 2015 and the possibility of an online shop on the back of a new website before I re-open my studio in May. That's the plan and I shall stick to the plan!!
Weaving will dominate 2015, I'm finding myself doing so many other things as they are easily sellable and not having my whole focus on what I am qualified in. I'm more of a fine art weaver then that of scarves and rugs and things. Lampshades are still a popular product and I have a few new ideas for these. Weave will appear in the small framed pictures and I'll still carry on the mixed media but less of it and more weave instead of the other way around. Many people do love the mixed media pieces and they have sold well for me this summer/autumn so I'll continue with these. Print will creep in but will apply to weave only....more on that in 2015! Trimmings won't be just for lampshades and Christmas baubles...well I'll still be making Christmas baubles and elves throughout January so that they are ready come November/December 2015. It's a bleak month so why not use it to my best advantage. I'm not doing showcase 2015, but my eyes and my heart are set on it for 2016. It's either that or The National Crafts and Design Fair. Sales are wonderful but it's orders and continuous orders if your work continues to turn over is of key. I think you just have to be cute with what your offering, some people might agree/disagree but having visited showcase last January 2014 and I've registered my ticket already for 2015. I just like to see how stands are merchandised, pricing and speak to fellow designers/friends in the trade. It's quite funny as when I was there in January there was a woman whose work I knew from the Internet and we were chatting away. I had never met her before and she recognised me straight away and said she knew of me which was a little not scary but the fact that everyone's online and everyone knows everyone else. It is a little scary! I sure wasn't expecting that. But in another way it's good to be recognised. Funny! She was a textile artist producing eco designs on silk. But even listening to what they have to say and tips they give is nice and it seems that everyone wants to support each other and you can see that everywhere. I know I am very grateful to everyone whose helped me reach to the point I'm at now and that I continue to grow. (Slowly but surely!) :)
Wishing all my customers, friends and family a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2015.
Oh and I have a competition over on my Facebook page see Grainne Kenny Design for details.
Grainne :) xx
Ps: Having trouble uploading Images will try again later.
