"We Make" to launch their exciting pop-up shop!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
If there is one thing I believe very strongly in, it's in supporting our local design talent here in Northern Ireland! As a fashion blogger it's been my privilege to meet some very talented local designers, and I was very pleased to hear about a new initiative, "We Make" designed to bring together and highlight the exceptional talents of creatives in the fields of food, crafts and photography to name but a few!
Gathered together through the Belfast City Council Market Start up programme, a small team named ‘We Make’ have went beyond the market and will be showcasing their work to the public through a pop up shop for 10 days only from 27th Feb – 9thMarch. The shop, located in Queen Street Studios on Bedford Street will be an opportunity to browse and buy the products produced by some of Belfast’s most talented and newest artists!!
Funded by the Belfast City Council, and run by Full circle Management Solutions Ltd the Market Start up programme has provided a great platform to these makers. The small team of talented makers are offering a unique mix of food, art and craft. Products on sale range from ceramics, textiles and illustrations to photography, felt and waffles. The pop-up shop will be open to the public and is a unique opportunity to shop and purchase some exclusive and one of a kind products created by some of Belfast’s newest and most talented artists and producers (and even enjoy a coffee while doing so!) I certainly am looking forward to checking out the pop-up shop!
The makers have been collaborating together to create an inspiring and stimulating space to showcase their products. Paul Killeen, who is displaying his range of photography said “We are all very different in what we create, but we share the same goal and we're trying to reach further and push harder to achieve it. The quality is there to see. With 'We Make' others can now see that too.”
For many all of the makers this will be an opportunity to introduce new and innovative products to the market. One of the makers Emma Campbell says “We make' is a collaboration of creative folk, showcasing their talent in the city of Belfast. What better way to do it, than setting up a Pop-up Shop”
This will be the first time that the charitable group Queen Street Studios (QSS) have opened its doors as a pop-up shop. Ashle from QSS says "We are very excited to take part in such a fresh and innovative initiative as the 'We Make' pop-up shop and to support these up and coming makers and creative businesses in their endeavours."
Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Full Circle said, “we are delighted to be able to include this exciting initiative as part of the overall Market Start Up programme, and work with QSS and Jill O’Neill, founder of Refound. This is a great opportunity for new businesses to bring new and creative ideas to the market place”. Jill said, "It's so exciting to be working with an inspiring and motivated creative group of makers from the Belfast City Council Market Start Up Programme, we are assisting them on their journey through creating their 'WE MAKE Pop-up shop'. We are thoroughly enjoying the spontaneity and creativity of creating a temporary retail outlet!"
So if you're someone who wants to find something truly unique then why not pop down to the pop-up store between 27th Feb – 9thMarch? With a mix of tasty food, stunning textiles and accessories, breathtaking photography and beautiful homeware there's something for everyone, plus you will be helping to support our local design talent! I certainly will be visiting and I hope some of my lovely readers will be checking out "We Make" too!
The "We Make" group comprises of:
Elaine Marley: Waffles, Emma Ratcliffe: Illustrations and art, Leah O'Neill: Handmade felt and jewellery, Paul Killeen Mounted/framed local landscape prints, Madeleine Beattie: Porcelain homewares and gifts, Emma Campbell: Digital designs from drawings, photography and textiles, Sivanesan Ramamoorthy: Sri Lankan style cooking with everyday western food, Jill O'Neill from RE:FOUND and Deirdre Fitzpatrick from Full Circle!
Find out more information about We Make and the pop-up shop by following them of Facebook and Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/wemakebelfast https://twitter.com/WeMake_Belfast
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