Kilcullen crafts women in network initiative

Two Kilcullen women are among the founders of a new craft network and website dedicated to craftworkers in County Kildare — Kildare Creative, writes Brian Byrne.

Cliona Kelliher makes speciality candles under the banner Purity Belle, and Emma Herlihy, as Have Ewe Any Wool?, creates knitted hats, gifts and seasonal decorations in knits.

With the launch of Kildare Creative this Thursday evening in The Elms at Punchestown, both Cliona and Emma are hoping that the initiative will increase sales for all concerned. But they also want, with their other craft colleagues, to put Kildare 'on the map' in craft terms. "There's an awful lot of talent in the group, and I'm sure there's a lot more out there, who haven't joined yet."

The launch will be followed by three days of a special Christmas Craft Fair at The Elms.

The Kildare Creative web initiative has been grant-aided by the County Kildare Leader Partnership, Cill Dara Ar Aghaigh. Members include Irish Furniture Store, Deirdre McCarthy Designs, Irish Bog Oak Gifts, The Splate Company, Eva Kelly Glass, Derek Malone Stonecrafts, K.T. Metal Design, inDividual Handcrafts, Amanda Christie Designs, Sandra Petit-Frere, Liadain de Buitlear, Made by Sinead and Dee4Candles.

All worth a trip to The Elms over next weekend, but it you miss that, check out kildarecreative.com or facebook.com/kildarecreative.

Cliona Kelliher and Emma Herlihy are pictured above with some of their respective craft products. Their full story is in this week's Kildare Nationalist.