Wish list: Preserve-making starter kits

Esther N McCarthy is getting all the gear in place for a very comfortable, jam-making season. Oh no! It’s nearly autumn.

It’s nearly berry-picking time! Love these Katie Alice preserve-making starter kits from Griffin’s garden centre in Dripsy.

It includes a jam thermometer, jars and lids and other bits and bobs to get you jamming. €29.99

How cute is this little doorstep doggie? This cheery chap is resplendent in red with white polka dots but there are other colours available.

Check them out at Home Focus at Hickeys, €6.95.

Grey is still very much a key colour trend, whatever shade you like.

There are at least 50 out there, apparently. This Jarvis accent chair from Littlewoods, €269, will fit in with most design schemes.

Cushendale Woollen Mills on the millrace of the River Duiske in Co Kilkenny is family-run since 1880.

“We dye, card and spin all our own yarn. We also make Irish wool blankets, luxury mohair throws and fashion accessories. Because we dye all our own yarns our colours are unique to us,” says Philip Cushen.

The carpets at Áras an Uachtaráin were dyed at Cushendale, and sure, if it’s good enough for the president... Pictured are 100% lambs’ wool baby blankets, €50.

For a full list of stockists and online retailers, visit www.giveirishcraft.com and www.cushendale.ie.

Mamukko have launched their exclusive, limited-edition Astrid Tallship life-raft range of bags to mark the one year anniversary of the historic tall ship that ran aground near Oysterhaven on July 24, 2013.

A large-scale operation by the RNLI and the coastguard ensured that all 30 people on board were brought to safety. The Kinsale-based brand was set up by Hungarian brothers, Levente and Attila Magyar, who salvaged the sails and created bags outs of them.

Each carries the original Astrid logo as well as a serial number to ensure that each is completely unique — aren’t they gorgeous? Pictured is the Messenger, €295. Mamukko.ie.