It’s all happening here at Kilkenny Design Centre! A couple of weeks ago we hosted a day of artistry and creativity when the Kilkenny Arts Officer, Mary Butler, in partnership with the National Craft Gallery, brought a group to our upstairs space to spend the day learning how to upcycle items of clothes from their own wardrobes.

With some scissors, a needle and thread (and a good dose of make and do spirit!) these ladies transformed their items into true couture pieces, and some of the finished products were really stunning. I might give it a go myself! Or maybe I’ll hang on for the next workshop; I could probably do with getting some guidance from Mary, or who knows what I’d end up with…

As I type, jeweller Maureen Lynch is working at her bench downstairs in our store. This is the first of a series of maker demonstrations that we are having in the Design Centre on Thursday afternoons called “With These Hands” – have a look at our calendar below. Every Thursday* from now to August we will have a different jeweller/artist/woodturner (you get the idea!) in our store .

The goal is to introduce our customers to the people behind the products and explore the journey from raw material to finished design. Where possible some part of the process will be carried out in store or raw materials and tools will be on display. Every event will include a special offer of some kind, whether it is a special discount or free gift with purchase on the day. Keep an eye on our facebook page for regular updates.

*The exception to the rule is jeweller K Kajoux, who will be in store on Saturday the 19^th of May. Kay will present her unique beaded creations and will be making a series of bespoke rings that you can order and pick up on the day.

So tomorrow we are hosting Julie Calder-Potts from Highbank Orchards who will be presenting her fantastic Orchard Syrup. This stuff is really impressive. It’s entirely organic and is so versatile – it can be drizzled over porridge, used in a salad dressing or marinade or as a dessert topping. I was talking to Julie this afternoon and she told me that one of her favourite ways of serving it is as an accompaniment to a cheese board, and that it goes particularly well with goats cheese, nom nom.

Julie was also filling me in on the Delicious Ireland event in Selfridge’s Foodhall in London. Highbank Orchard Syrup along with 50 other Irish artisan food producers are being featured in this ongoing event, where “some of the best food in Europe” is being celebrated, according to Ewan Venters, Selfridge’s Director of Food and Restaurants.

It’s been a roaring success, with tastings and demonstrations from some of Ireland’s most famous chefs over three weeks between the 10th and 29th of April.

Well, I have to say it’s great to see that we have inspired Selfridge’s to provide a stage for some of Ireland’s best food producers I must get on to Ewan and ask him if he would like the recipe for our fab new light bites – Kilkenny Design Centre sweet and savoury ‘griddles’… YUM!

So, so excited about our audience with Pandora Bell this Saturday. The lady herself will be with us between 12pm and 3pm on the 14th and will be offering her latest collection of confectionery to try for FREE! Where else will you get the opportunity to try something that was featured in British Vogue? Hmm?

But seriously, it’s great to see a small Irish company doing so well. We’re all about small and crafty this month at the Design Centre…

The Irish Handmade Soap Company’s fantastic range of products (in the BEST retro packaging we’ve seen in a long time) is doing very well. Lynn Kenny’s amazing mix-media artwork of birds and sheep are light-hearted and beautifully made – we also have great value prints available. Button & Co’s jewellery is particularly recognisable from Elaine-Sarah’s appearance on Dragon’s Den and the quality of the pieces is ensuring the collection continues to be a firm favourite. Lisa Ryder’s award-winning 100% silk scarves are simply stunning – so fashion-forward and impeccable quality.

So the future’s looking bright for the crafty Irish! Creativity, hard work and a commitment to quality might just be the recipe for post-recession success. Check out next week’s Kilkenny Reporter for more about these good news stories.

Available from this Monday.

And we’re only getting started! We’ll be announcing special promotions and gifts regularly over the next few months so watch this space!

It was a bit of a challenge not to accidentally scoff them while taking the picture. But in the interests of research we demolished them both once the picture was safely uploaded. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it! We can now report that these are the best cupcakes we have ever tasted. No lie. They are just magic – filled with jam, JAM! But what you have to remember is that cupcakes aren’t just for Paddy’s weekend, they’re for life. And if you ever feel the need for a sweet fix then get yourself into the Design Centre. We always have cupcakes!

Another boost was provided by an article on the Design Centre in this week’s Kilkenny People by Karen Morrissey – our favourite fashionista! It’s a great piece – so well written and with super images of our newest and most exciting ladies’ fashions. From Barbour jackets and bags to K Kajoux earrings and necklaces; Karen really captured the best of what we have on offer this season at really great prices.

So if you feel the need for a sweet green festive treat, or you want to pop in to check out our Mother’s Day gifts (hint hint…) then you know where we are!

Don’t forget to check out our facebook page for regular updates, competitions and special offers.

After our walk we headed to the Set Theatre for coffee and cupcakes, oh yeah, and the launch of the Kilkenny Walking Festival by Trail Kilkenny. The festival looks set to be a great opportunity for young and old to experience the outdoors in and around Kilkenny City and County during the five weeks of the festival.

You should visit www.kilkennywalkingfestival.ie for more information.

We have come up with our own little trail… Start at the Ossory Bridge, take in the new Lacken Boardwalk, carry on along Maudlin Street and over John’s Bridge (providing THE best view of the castle), stroll back downstream through Canal Square, climb the steps into the Castle Park (feel free to have a run around here, or throw the odd frisbee) and head across to the Design Centre for a well-deserved lunch! You can either continue being virtuous and have a healthy salad or re-fuel with something more indulgent.

Enjoy!

The campaign is aimed at highlighting the little (and large) things you can do to take steps toward making your life more “Fairtrade”.
So why not simply swop your usual tea or coffee brand to a Fairtrade one, or get your take away coffee somewhere that only serves Fairtrade – like the Kilkenny Design Centre! ]]> http://www.kilkennydesign.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=400 0 http://www.kilkennydesign.com/blog/?p=391 http://www.kilkennydesign.com/blog/?p=391#comments Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:20:45 +0000 admin http://www.kilkennydesign.com/blog/?p=391

Kaleidoscope, says The Irish Times, is “the sort of thing our Cultural Ambassador should be shouting about.” The brainchild of violinist Cliodhna Ryan and cellist Kate Ellis, this laidback, salon-style music night has been selling out the Odessa club in Dublin since 2009, and now its warm, informal style comes to the Kilkenny Design Centre for two special evenings of music, song, and surprise.

This is not a formal concert with hard chairs and polite applause; Kaleidoscope invites you to grab a drink, relax and settle into a sofa as some of Europe’s finest musicians bring you an exhilarating programme of everything from Baroque to contemporary music. On Wednesday evening Pulitzer Prize-winner Paul Muldoon reads ‘Dame Alice and I’; a specially-written poem about the Kilkenny ‘witch’ Dame Alice Kyteler, designed to inspire audiences and musicians alike, while Laoise O’Brien brings some traditional airs and soprano Michelle Sheridan performs pieces by Brahms and John Tavener. On Thursday Maya Homburger and Barry Guy from Camerata Kilkenny play works both ancient and (brand) new, including a sonata by Biber and Star by the young Irish composer Benedict Schlepper-Connolly, while multimedia sound artist Philip Jeck joins jazz pianist Francesco Turrisi for a unique collaboration.

Programme Wednesday 10 August

MEDIAEVAL AND BAROQUE AIRS
Performed by Laoise O’Brien (recorder), Sarah Groser (viola da gamba)

JOHN TAVENER: Excerpt from ‘To a Child Dancing in the Wind’
Michelle Sheridan (soprano), Marie-Louise Bowe (viola)

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Funf Ophelia Lieder
Michelle Sheridan (soprano), Cliodhna Ryan, Anita Vedres (violin),
Marie-Louise Bowe (viola), Kate Ellis (cello)

PAUL MULDOON: ‘Dame Alice and I’ (world premiere)
Read by Paul Muldoon

CHRISTINE TOBIN: ‘Dame Alice and I’
A setting of Paul Muldoon’s poem to music

CLAUDE DEBUSSY: Syrinx
Fiona Kelly (flute)

ORIGINAL MATERIAL
Performed by Christine Tobin (voice) and Phil Robson (guitar)

Programme Thursday 11 August

HEINRICH IGNAZ FRANZ BIBER: Sonata IX & Sonata X
Maya Homburger (baroque violin), Barry Guy (double bass)

FRANZ SCHUBERT: String Trio in B flat major
Amarilli Trio – Maria Ryan (violin), Patricia Ramirez Reinoso (viola),
Leonardo Sesenna (cello)

STEVE REICH: Electric Counterpoint
Niwel Tsumbu (guitar)

BENEDICT SCHLEPPER-CONNOLLY: Star
Maya Homburger (baroque violin), Barry Guy (double bass)

ORIGINAL MATERIAL
Performed by Philip Jeck, Francesco Turrisi, Matthew Nolan and Bryan O’Connell

http://www.kilkennyarts.ie/events/details/kaleidoscope/ ]]> http://www.kilkennydesign.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=391 0 http://www.kilkennydesign.com/blog/?p=368 http://www.kilkennydesign.com/blog/?p=368#comments Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:41:27 +0000 Ormonde Duke http://www.kilkennydesign.com/blog/?p=368 Thanks to all at the Savour Kilkenny Team for a wonderful festival and great opportunity to sample all the delicious local produce.
We had a great weekend and enjoyed meeting everyone out on the new Plaza.
Since then we are now stocking even more great Irish Produce at the Kilkenny Design Food Hall.
The Food Hall not only stocks our daily fresh breads and cakes but a wide selection of Irish made preserves, chutneys, chocolate and confectionary, ice cream, herbs and speciality teas.
Our Food Hall has much on offer in the way of food and food related goodies, from Sowan?s bread mixes to Kevin Dundon?s recipie books, Heather Walton Pottery to a Pandora Bell?s handmade lollipops.
There is much to feast your eyes on and some great ideas for Guaranteed Irish made gifts, and if its a sit down coffee and