Supported by Craft NI and Invest Northern Ireland, the fourth annual Craft in Business Award recognises emerging craft-designers who are fuelling the creative economy with an innovative approach to their craft.

By demonstrating the appeal of her designs to the tourism market, Emer successfully beat off strong competition from other talented final-year students to win the top award for creative business.

As Emer says, “More often than not there is little consideration of modern designs in the tourism market and my aim is to bring our souvenirs into the twenty-first century”.

“My designs use local organic materials including Gartan clay that originates from Donegal and woods sourced from local, sustainable woodlands”, says Emer.

Based in the Northwest, we can expect to see Emer’s stunning jewellery in souvenir shops and visitor centres there in the near future.  Her eye-catching designs combine silver and gold with locally sourced materials including carved wood, vibrant fabrics, handmade lace and beads.

As Joe Kelly, Directory of Craft NI explains:

“Emer has received this prestigious prize because she has taken a fresh look at traditional souvenir design which demonstrates great potential for the tourism market”.

“Building a creative economy involves recognizing and nurturing creative talent like that of Emer and other young designer-makers”

“These graduates are the future entrepreneurs of Northern Ireland”, says Joe.

As a graduate, Emer knows the difficult task facing her in the current financial climate and has already begun to think about how to put the award money to good use:

“With the money I receive through the award I would like to create a range that can be sold alongside the traditional ones in visitor centres at tourist attractions across the country.”

She has also established strong links with tourist centres in Donegal including the Regional Cultural Centre and the Gartan Heritage Centre and, if the bid is successful, Emer hopes to get involved with the Derry-Londonderry ‘City of Culture’ activities programme.

Donal Durkan, Invest NI’s Director of Life Sciences and Creative, commented, “Invest NI is committed to supporting and nurturing the local talent which exists in our creative industries, including the craft sector.”

“I commend the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by our emerging craft designers who have shown they have the capabilities to be successful in the business world.  

The Craft in Business award is just one of the ways in which Craft NI is recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit of the craft sector.

Craft NI’s business incubation programme, making it, also provides support for young craft and design entrepreneurs.  Since the programme was established in 2005, 22 makers have been supported to set up their own businesses in Northern Ireland.