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Living

DESIGNS FOR LIFE

CREATE doesn’t just champion fashion designers. This is a long-term initiative to support emerging makers and foster craftsmanship. Let us introduce you to the Irish designers working at the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary design and help you discover the pieces worthy of a spot in your home.

ADAM FREW CERAMICS

About: One of Ireland’s most well-respected ceramicists, Adam Frew Ceramics creates functional porcelain pieces and large one-off pots. His perfectly formed tableware is decorated in spontaneous mark-making, a contrast to the finely thrown porcelain.

WHAT STEPS ARE YOU TAKING TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE AS A BRAND?

“My work is entirely handmade by me at my studio. I get the raw materials and mix up my coloured slips and glazes. In a broader sense handmade craft is the antithesis of throw away culture. Items are made much slower, in more durable and biodegradable materials at a higher price. Therefore, consumers are more considered in their purchase and more precious of the handmade item.”

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PAPER DAISY

About: A florist specialising in dried flower arrangements, Laura Beasley is the creative talent behind Paper Daisy. Handmade with love, her indoor dried flower wreaths are everlasting.

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AS A BRAND, HOW ARE YOU PUSHING FOR PROGRESS?

“The cut flower industry, unfortunately, by its nature can be very wasteful. I want to offer customers a stunning floral product that could be enjoyed for months, even years, rather than a week or two. I try to create arrangements which appear as fresh as possible and hope this approach helps to take dried flower products beyond a mere trend.”

WHAT STEPS ARE YOU TAKING TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE AS A BRAND?

“A large percentage of the flowers I purchase are Zero Waste flowers. These are excess flowers from the auctions, which are recycled and would have otherwise been disposed of. Foliage used is grown locally, and while I do admittedly occasionally use painted flower products, I will only purchase from suppliers who use water-based paints”

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D8 CANDLES

About: Born in the heart of Dublin 8, D8 Candles are hand poured using the highest grade soy wax with scents that are inspired by moments and memories from growing up in Ireland. Each vessel is hand-cast and refillable.

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AS A BRAND, HOW ARE YOU PUSHING FOR PROGRESS?

“The D8 Candle Co began during the first lockdown in Ireland 2020. What initially began as a mindful and creative outlet at my kitchen table, soon flourished into a creative business. I attribute a lot of the success of the brand to the "support local" movement. This is something I think will continue for a long time to come, as people put more value in high-quality Irish products and support creatives both locally and nationwide.”

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LAURA QUINN

About: Laura is an Irish designer and glass blower who makes beautiful glass objects by hand. Using digital technology, she creates high bespoke products which are repairable, recyclable and more sustainable.

WHAT STEPS ARE YOU TAKING TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE AS A BRAND?

“Sustainability shapes how I design and make my glass pieces. In 2019 I completed my master’s degree with an emphasis on sustainability and how we can use digital technologies to change how people consume designed objects. In order to address the sustainability of glass we need to look at the complete lifecycle of the object, from how it's designed, to how it's made, to how it's used and most importantly, how it can be repaired and reused. The Vortex Whiskey tumblers in my collection were digitally designed and 3D printed in a biodegradable material, a mould was then taken of this form. Molten glass was blown into the mould. This method reduces waste on resources used during the glass making process. Any offcuts from the blown object are re-melted and used over and over again.”

MORE TO READ

Now you’ve heard from the amazing mix of CREATE 2021 designers, why not learn a little bit more about them in Meet the Makers.