The Launch of ‘The Art and Craft of Gifting’ - Offaly & Westmeath interactive buyers catalogue took place at the Reviving Retail ‘21 Event on Monday 18 October 2021 organised as part of the Craftlink Program. Consumer behaviour has changed and this event was also designed to support retailers with a unique industry specific workshop on the future of retail as they emerge from recent government restrictions. The event encouraged participation from Irish retailers and examined areas such as creating customer experiences, quality, heritage, buying local handmade products along with the challenges of amalgamating digital platforms with brick and mortar stores as more and more consumers are now commencing their buying online.
“Reviving Retail 2021 provided an opportunity for craft businesses to explore and discuss the future of retail as we emerge from recent restrictions. We were delighted to be joined by retail expert Eddie Shanahan. After the past 19 months, Reviving Retail ’21 was an exciting event connecting a variety of Offaly & Westmeath craft designers with retails buyers” said Caitriona Duggan, of Offaly Local Development Company’s, one of event organisers.
“The group of designers and makers who participated in the Craftlink program over the past 18 months have shown resilience, creativity and true craftsmanship. They offer wonderful choices for gifts or personal treats across art, beauty, jewellery, gift and home. At a time when Irish consumers are well disposed to buying Irish and buying local they add further temptation through a real point of difference” added Eddie Shanahan.
Craftlink’s purpose is to connect creative communities in Offaly, Westmeath and in Finland. With that in mind, the organisers are planning a series of meet the maker events in November. More details about the programme and upcoming events can be found at www.craftlink.eu.
The Craftlink Programme – Connecting Creative Communities is a Co-operation programme between Offaly Local Development Company and Westmeath Community Development and Finnish Leader Companies Keskpiste and Reskia. The Rural Development (Leader)Funded Programme provides craft makers in both Countries with opportunities to develop new techniques and skills and look at the use of different materials to adapt their current offerings of products or to create new products.
For further information on the Craftlink programme please visit www.craftlink.eu
Link to THE ART & CRAFT OF GIFTING Digital Catalogue, showcasing engaging collections from artists and makers in Offaly and Westmeath.
