Waterford’s craft and design industry will have a strong representation at this year’s Showcase Creative Expo, which will take place from January 19 to 21 in the RDS, Dublin.
Four craft and design companies will be showcasing the very best of Waterford creativity, design and innovation, with the assistance of Local Enterprise Office Waterford.
Kim Whyte of Pawpear, Mailo Power of Monkey Cups, Lynn Shead of Natures Alchemy and Robyn Caie of Cementique will all be representing their county at this year’s leading creative exhibition.
Running for over 40 years, the showcase event has an impressive track record in attracting Ireland’s most talented makers and designers, along with buyers from over 20 countries. It offers the chance to explore the best of Ireland’s creativity with around 450 exhibitors expected to attend including leading Irish designers and manufacturers along with the very best emerging home-grown creative talent.
Robyn Caie’s, Cementique Cementique is a small family business in the heart of Waterford City where style and function meet to create unique eco-friendly homeware and jewellery.
Robyn has always loved crafting, whether it be jewellery making, mosaic art or sewing. Handcrafted in small batches, each product takes from two days to two weeks to make and utmost care and thought goes into each piece, from the design concept down to the eco packaging.
Robyn said the creativity required for the business is what provides the most inspiration: “Due to the nature of the products no two pieces will ever be exactly alike and it is these variations in colour, texture and size that help create each perfectly imperfect piece.”
Lynn Shead, from Natures Alchemy, offers natural skincare products with a herbal medicine twist. All products are infused with organic herbs and flowers to add extra layers of healing and protection to your skincare routine. Lynn is looking forward to the opportunity the showcase will provide, and said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing all the other amazing Irish businesses on show, meeting small business friends in person there, as well as finding new stockists that will bring Natures Alchemy to new parts of the country.”
Monkey Cups, owned and operated by Mailo Power, is Ireland’s leading reusable coffee cup and water bottle company and is based at Waterford Airport Industrial Park. The business values and culture are rooted in being a sustainable business that has a positive climate change impact. Founded and owned by Mailo, the business began with a brainstorming sketch back in 2018.
“Our mission is to help turn the tide on single-use disposable cups and bottles by developing a range of colourful and stylish reusable alternatives,” said Mailo.
Meanwhile, Kim Whyte, from Pawpear highlighted how the business exists to connect people through the slow art of the handwritten message. Its exquisitely colourful stationery is designed and made in Ireland, and inspired by richness of culture, nature and heritage. Founder Kim plans to make the most of Showcase: “As a new brand it’s hugely important to have face-to-face discussions with customers, build relationships and get feedback on our product, pricing and packaging. Showcase Ireland will hopefully help me meet lots of interesting retailers face-to-face rather than by email or over the phone.”
Working in partnership with the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) around the country set up a dedicated area within Showcase every year, enabling up to 100 designers, manufacturers and craftspeople to sell directly to international buyers.
Jamie Whitty, Business Advisor at LEO Waterford said that Showcase is an invaluable stepping stone to any craft-maker or designer getting an audience with potential clients.
“With buyers from Ireland, Europe, the USA and Asia, Showcase is truly established as the must-see trade event,” said Jamie.
“For anyone in the fashion, jewellery, home or giftware business the event offers exposure to new international markets. Not only is their place subsidised by the LEO, in advance of the expo, the businesses will avail of training and briefing days in order to help them perfect their pitch and give them the tools, advice and insights to take full advantage of this fantastic opportunity.”
If your business is in pre-start, start-up or established business phase and would like to find out more about what business support services are available from LEO Waterford visit www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford/ or call to LEO Waterford offices at 35, The Mall, Waterford or the Civic Offices in Dungarvan.
