Crafting Opportunity: Supporting Irish Creatives to Showcase with Confidence
Ireland’s craft and design sector has long been a source of cultural pride, artistic innovation, and economic opportunity. From traditional weaving and fine ceramics to contemporary jewellery and sustainable fashion, Irish makers blend heritage with modern creativity in ways that captivate audiences both at home and abroad. But while talent and vision are in no short supply, the journey from studio to marketplace—especially the global stage—can be a daunting one.
To address this, the Local Enterprise Office Carlow, in partnership with the Entrepreneurs Academy, are launching a new initiative: Craft Lab – Developing Your Craft & Creative Business: Showcasing at Consumer & Trade Fairs in Ireland & Internationally. Running weekly from Tuesday 20th May across four expert-led sessions, this online programme is tailored specifically for makers, designers, and creative entrepreneurs across Ireland who are ready to elevate their business through professional showcasing.
This initiative is part of Craft Work 4.0, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, and reflects a growing recognition of the need to support creatives not just in their craft—but in their capacity to connect with markets, build resilient business models, and scale sustainably.
“European programmes like Creative Europe are vital to Ireland’s creative sector,” says Cllr. Fergal Browne, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council. “They open up new pathways for collaboration, innovation and market access—ensuring our local talent has a global platform. EU-funded projects like Craft Work 4.0 help us future-proof our creative economy.”
For many Irish creatives, showcasing their work at consumer and trade fairs—whether in Dublin or Düsseldorf—represents a major milestone. These events offer visibility, sales opportunities, and invaluable industry connections. But they also require preparation, strategic planning, and an understanding of how to present a brand professionally to diverse audiences.
Developing Your Craft & Creative Business: Showcasing at Consumer & Trade Fairs in Ireland & Internationally - Craft Lab is designed to bridge that gap. Through four focused sessions, participants will gain the tools, confidence, and knowledge to identify the right fairs for their goals, create compelling displays, pitch to buyers, and develop a post-fair growth strategy. The programme is rich in real-world insights, featuring guest contributions from successful craft entrepreneurs, fair organisers, and wholesale buyers—many with deep ties to the Irish craft scene.
The Structure of Success
Each session is crafted to address a key stage in the showcasing journey.
- Session One, led by Liz Maguire, lays the groundwork. Participants will explore the difference between B2B and B2C fairs, learn to price their products for retail and wholesale, and begin curating a shortlist of events suited to their brand and ambition.
- Session Two, with Helen McNulty, dives into the visual and logistical aspects—how to design a stand that attracts attention, how to prepare marketing materials, and how to navigate international logistics like customs and shipping.
- In Session Three, Caolan Cullen explores what it means to “sell” at a fair—not just in transactions, but in conversations. From negotiating with trade buyers to taking orders and following up, this session helps participants turn opportunities into outcomes.
- Finally, Session Four focuses on scaling. Led again by Helen McNulty, it examines post-fair strategy: accessing grants, tapping into new sales channels such as Faire and Ankorstore, and exploring longer-term partnerships like licensing or agent representation.
The Irish creative sector is both an economic driver and a cultural ambassador. With events like Showcase Ireland offering a platform for hundreds of makers each year, and with Irish craftspeople gaining traction in international markets, now is a critical time to invest in the skills that underpin business growth.
“Craft is more than a product—it’s a story, a livelihood, and a community,” says Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development and Enterprise at Carlow County Council. “By supporting our creative businesses to showcase professionally, we’re building resilience in rural enterprise and nurturing a sector that reflects the very best of Irish innovation and identity.”
Developing Your Craft & Creative Business: Showcasing at Consumer & Trade Fairs in Ireland & Internationally - Craft Lab is not just about helping individuals succeed at fairs—it’s about nurturing a stronger, more connected, and more confident craft sector in Ireland. It reflects the ethos that Irish creativity deserves not only to be seen, but to be sold, shared, and celebrated worldwide.
This programme is free to attend and open to creatives across all disciplines—from textiles and ceramics to woodwork, print, leather, and more. Whether you’re preparing for your first fair or looking to grow your presence internationally, Craft Lab offers an essential toolkit for moving forward with clarity and confidence.
In today’s fast-changing world, Irish craft stands out not just for its beauty, but for its authenticity. It tells a story of place, people, and process—and when supported strategically, it has the power to thrive in even the most competitive global arenas.
Developing Your Craft & Creative Business: Showcasing at Consumer & Trade Fairs in Ireland & Internationally - Craft Lab is more than a training programme. It’s a statement of belief in the potential of Ireland’s creative sector—and an invitation to take the next step. To Book Your Place go to: Showcasing at Consumer & Trade Fairs in Ireland & Internationally - Local Enterprise Office - Carlow or call Melissa Doyle on 059/9129783 e-mail: enterprise@carlowcoco.ie