HANDCRAFTED IN MONAGHAN

Liz and her husband Pat bought their cottage in the spring of 1991. By May, swallows had taken up residence in the outhouses, and it was clear that this had been their nesting home for a long time.  Hence Swallow Cottage got its name.  And when Liz set up her loom and started her hand-weaving business, it was in a bedroom in Swallow Cottage. So they made the decision to build a workshop beside their cottage to house the growing family of looms. When they moved the looms in April of 2004 the swallows swooped around the yard, getting ready to nest. It followed that the workshop inherited the name and became Swallow Studios. She is inspired by Art, from paintings to poetry. She infuses her handwoven scarves with the hues of the changing seasons. Her colour palette echoes her surroundings; the fresh hues of springtime daffodils and bluebells, the vibrant highlights of the Irish summer landscape followed by rich shades of autumn and water-filled winter scenes.                

lizchristy.com

King’s Forge was Created by Grace Brennan, who has been making fused glass in what used to be an old forge in Mullyash, outside Castleblayney since 2011. Colour, home, and the local countryside are Grace’s inspiration. She Aims to make contemporary, quirky glass that brings a smile, and adds a splash of colour to every home. Over the years, Grace has developed a range of glass giftware, which is stocked in craft shops throughout the country. In addition, she accepts commissions for public, corporate and private clients. Visitors are welcome to the studio at kings forge at any time, just call to advise in advance on

087 9705775.    

kingsforgeglass.com

Born in Monaghan, Joe now lives and works in the village of Glaslough. In school he became involved in ART promotion, organizing festivals, exhibitions and music events. He went to Dublin where he worked in the Project Arts Centre for a while and then London, where he completed an Art foundation course in Croydon College of Art, followed by a Fine art degree at Liverpool polytechnic, specializing in ceramic sculpture. He returned to Monaghan, where he ran an antiques business and craft shop. In the 1980s, he again became involved in local art promotion, teaching ceramics, working on arts festivals and putting on exhibitions. In 1995 he became artist in residence with a community arts group called Art Quake, and was subsequently its director. He also worked as artistic director of the garage Theatre and Projects at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Newbliss. In 1999 Joe made the decision to concentrate on his own work, which has been exhibited far and wide, and is now in collections,  in Ireland, the Uk and the US.            @joemallon_artofclay

I am based in Swallow Studios in County Monaghan, Ireland, and I am totally inspired by the beautiful bog lands, drumlins and rugged landscape that is a little bit off the beaten track, but is home to me.  I have always been interested in Celtic myths and legends, and love to bring the stories and designs to life in my own colourful way. I often do bespoke wall hangings and framed pieces, for people who want special little touches, like adding an initial to a sail to make a wedding gift a little more special. Each piece is hand painted in colour hues that explode with vibrant flashes and subtle washes, twisting and swirling around the spiral designs, that move throughout the Silk in a dream like fashion. I love walking through the country side and bring the dogs for a run, as well as a keen bird watcher and have recently added a collection of local garden birds to my designs. Swallow Studios is a lovely place to work, owned by hand weaver Liz Christy, with 5 looms and counting as well as a beautiful retail shop. It is the ideal spot for me to get creative.         

louiseloughmanartist.com