Kildare makers get involved in August Craft Month
Events in Kildare include an opportunity to create funky felines!
August Craft Month, a month-long celebration of local craft across the island of Ireland, launches with a host of exciting events taking place throughout Kildare.
This year August Craft Month returns with a packed programme of over 400 events across all corners of the island. Events include workshops, exhibitions, open studios and festivals to allow audiences to immerse themselves in local craft.
The programme provides unmissable opportunities to experience, participate in, support, buy and learn about the local stand-out craft sector. Below are just a few of the exciting events on offer in Kildare:
Ó Lámha (‘from the hands’) is a collective group of Kildare-based creators and designers. The pop-up store is located at Southwells store beside Hartes of Kildare on Market Square in Kildare town. This store will showcase the incredible talent and craftsmanship that Kildare has to offer, featuring demonstrations and ‘Meet the Maker’ events throughout its duration until the end of August. The collective group of diverse crafters includes Pure Oskar, Coolree Design, Loinnir Jewellery, Kildare Candle Barn and many more.
In this full day course, participants will learn the basics of wet-felting, the world’s oldest form of textile making. This is a fabulous introduction to a very sensory craft, suitable for beginners and intermediate feltmakers as they will be using a resist and making a 3D item. Tamzen (former chairperson of Feltmakers Ireland and textile professional of 25yrs+ experience) will introduce the group to the basics of wet felting, then move on to felting around a resist to produce a 3D item. Everyone will go away with their own pet cat and plenty of skills to use in their own work and a creative buzz! All materials are provided. This is a full day course for adults. There will be a coffee break and lunch break (please bring a packed lunch or there are plenty of eateries in Celbridge as well as the local food and craft market).
Craft NI and Design & Crafts Council Ireland have come together to deliver this important initiative. For the first time ever, you can use the August Craft Month interactive map on augustcraftmonth.org to find the closest events happening in your local community. Share your own craft adventures by tagging @augustcraftmonth24 and use the hashtags #augustcraftmonth2024 #makeseebuy.
