As we all endeavour to support our local brands and makers, here we highlight a few that might be of interest.
John Hanly & Co
John Hanly & Co, designers and weavers of fabrics and accessories since 1893 have joined forces with Dublin based leading interior design and furniture store CA Design to showcase their newest range of luxury throws which pair perfectly with their range of modern furniture pieces. John Hanly Throws are 100% Irish, embodying a 127 year tradition of weaving at the mill. Located on the shores of Lough Derg in Co. Tipperary, they work only in natural fibres such as cashmere, lambswool, merino and mohair from renowned suppliers who source their wool in a sustainable and ethical manner. John Hanly’s collaboration with CA Design illustrates perfectly the synergy between style, design and comfort. John Hanly stockists include The Blue Door, Monkstown; The Irish Design Shop, Dublin; Granny’s Bottom Drawer, Kinsale; The Bottom Drawer, Brown Thomas; Heal’s and Cologne & Cotton in the UK and now CA Design. johnhanly.com
Loaf Pottery
Combining beautiful simplicity with purpose, the latest mug collection from social enterprise, Loaf Pottery, is the perfect gift that delivers on both style and substance. Handcrafted in the historic village of Crawfordsburn, Co. Down, each piece takes form on a potter’s wheel, before being hand-glazed and kiln fired with care. Every mug may look similar, but each has its own unique character, and closer inspection reveals distinctive indents from the throwing rings and potter’s hands. All profits from Loaf Pottery are reinvested into the work of the NOW Group, a social enterprise that has created the JAM card and supports people with learning difficulties and autism across Ireland. Loaf Pottery’s mug collection is available in five colours – Buttercup, Blush, Sage, Sky and Snow. £18/€20 each or £64/€71 for four. Available at loafcatering.com/shop
Tickets Please
Having trouble finding ‘something different’ for dad or grandad this Christmas? Or maybe looking for a memorable gift for a friend or loved one? People love at bit of nostalgia, so why not surprise them with these original framed railway tickets of Northern Ireland/Ireland from the 1950s to the 1970s. Tickets Please covers a wide range of stops from all over Ireland dating back 60 years. A unique and personal gift that they will cherish with each ticket frame personalised with destinations chosen by you. Available in one, four and eight ticket frames why not create your journey today and surprise them with a trip down memory lane. Shop and follow @ticketspleaseni
Enoksen
Enoksen Fly E03D wrist watch
Based in Northern Ireland, watch company Enoksen assembles its own designed watches using top quality mechanical movements and components from Japan and Germany. The brand has recently opened its first physical retail presence in Belfast from where clients can choose the components to create a bespoke wristwatch. The watch can then be assembled by Enoksen technicians and completed on site. Company founder Hans Enoksen says the unit is the first of its kind. ‘We are a small company with an eye to personal customer service and have been successful in the online sales of our watches through our e-commerce site, but I believe many people still want to touch and feel the item before buying.’ He adds, ‘The Enoksen workshop, which will be operated on an appointment basis, will provide this physical interaction and engagement.’ Enoksen watches have been much in demand since they first launched three years ago. The selection of styles is based on tried and tested, conventional designs but the branding, movements and cases place Enoksen in a unique market position. ‘Our watches are made from ultra-reliable Seiko movements,’ says Mr Enoksen. ‘The high-quality cases are German and the final assembly will soon be transferred from Germany to be completed here in Belfast.’ The branding is deliberately low key and reflects a new attitude towards consumerism and materialism, according to Mr Enoksen. ‘I believe the time has come to move away from the louder, statement watches to something more utilitarian and of modest appearance but of a quality which will match any of the best brands in the world. Our watches reflect a less-is-more approach and the reaction from buyers has exceeded all our hopes,’ he says. ‘We like the beauty of utility and modesty so you will not see a noisy badge on an Enoksen watch dial.’ The Enoksen Workshop is housed in the company’s headquarters in Lockview Road, Stranmillis, Belfast. Customers are invited to make an appointment at enoksenwatches.com
Max Benjamin
Max Benjamin Deluxe Gift of Sleep. €140
An Irish family business situated in Enniskerry, Max Benjamin has teamed up with Wicklow based luxury bedlinen company White & Green to create three sleep sets to complement the new Sleep Tight Pillow Mist and Dusty Boy Designs, an award-winning paper brand based in Co. Wexford. to design some special gift sets for the festive season. They also offer luxury gift boxes designed around their five signature best selling fragrances – Dodici, French Linen Water, Lemongrass & Ginger, Pink Pepper and White Pomegranate. Alternatively, as we become more eco conscious and want to purchase sustainable products where possible, Max Benjamin offer a Classic Collection candle and refill which is easily popped into the original glass candle holder. For all of their gift ideas visit maxbenjamin.ie/giftguide
WildBird Studio
Deck the halls next Christmas with gorgeous recycled glass decorations by Irish artist Alison Byrne of WildBird Studio. One hundred percent recycled, Alison’s clever new collection of contemporary Christmas decorations utilises her glass studio’s off-cuts, delivering a whimsical array of frosty and fabulous tree ornaments. The limited edition collection features sparkling glass snowflakes and stars, each handmade from recycled glass trimmings. Alison crushes the leftover glass into frit – glass sand – before adding iridised frit to give each piece a hint of sparkle. Finally, each piece is fused in her kiln in special moulds. Sizes range from 9cm to 11cm. €15 each and €45 for four. Order online at wildbirdstudio.ie
