Cork Craft & Design, a leading social enterprise and membership organisation representing over 110 specialist makers and artists, marks its 15th anniversary with a record-breaking product line-up.
Boasting a diverse range of over 3,000 handcrafted items, spanning from bespoke furniture to quirky ceramics, to distinctive jewellery and unique prints, the organisation showcases the best of Cork’s craft tradition. All members, and their products, can be viewed at corkcraftanddesign.com, with a selection also available at the Makers’ Collective Shop in Douglas Woollen Mills.
As consumer demand for ethical, handcrafted goods continues to rise, Cork Craft & Design fulfils this need with its community of professional and semi-professional artisans living in Cork City and County. With wedding, Communion, and Confirmation season in full swing, the organisation anticipates heightened interest in locally made, artisanal gifts.
James McConville, Managing Director of Cork Craft & Design, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to promoting Cork’s exceptional craft tradition. “For 15 years, we’ve celebrated the rich tapestry of creativity woven by our makers, artists, and creators,” he said. “Our platform — online and in-store — offers a captivating array of unique, locally made treasures. In the past five years, our membership has grown tremendously, showing the surge in makers taking up craft, as they see the support is there for them, and the interest is there too.”
James urged consumers to consider the value of locally crafted gifts when thinking of special occasions, highlighting their contribution to the local economy and the preservation of Irish artisanal heritage. “In a world of mass-produced goods, choosing a gift that’s made locally and handcrafted with care is a statement of ethical consumption. A handmade gift by the people in your community is something that will last. Plus, you are supporting Irish entrepreneurs and their stories,” he said.
With a vision to position Cork as a hub for contemporary and traditional craft, Cork Craft & Design will also host the annual Cork Craft Month in August. Last year’s event, which attracted over 20,000 visitors, showcased the creativity and talent of Cork’s craft community through a series of over 80 exhibitions, studio trails, and Meet the Maker sessions. Further details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
For further information and to explore Cork Craft & Design’s collection, visit corkcraftanddesign.com.
