Wish List: Rustic rugs and handcrafted toys to check out this week

Esther N McCarthy picks rustic rugs, cool ceramics, and handcrafted toys this week.

Cork ceramicist Siobhain Steele will be in the spotlight at Gifted, the Contemporary Craft and Design Fair, at City Hall Cork from November 29 to December 1. Siobhain, from Kildinan, is one of the founder members of the Blackwater Valley Makers who recently started an art centre in Fermoy.

The former nurse believes that traditional and handmade products are making a big comeback as more people appreciate local artisan skills.

This year sees the launch of Art Source Cork, featuring the best of contemporary Irish artists, which will run alongside Gifted Cork, and will feature 20 of Ireland’s top artists and galleries showcasing affordable contemporary art for the home.

Gifted Cork also features the Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium, with over 25 local artisan food producers, tempting visitors with the best of the season’s fare. www.giftedcork.ie.

Lidl have some lovely Christmassy bits in the middle aisles at the moment.

Watch out for these tea towels for €6.99 for a pack of two. www.lidl.ie.

On the Bathroom Shelf this week is a range of very interesting products, Celtic Wind Skincare. We love Irish companies here on Wishlist, and Paul McCourt, founder of Celtic Wind, tells us that all the ingredients are grown in harmony with the Irish climate and soil.

Rather than extract CBD from the hemp plant, they use cold pressing techniques to squeeze the whole of the hemp plant goodness into the bottle.

This means that the oil, complete with 150 compounds and nutrients, is more effectively absorbed by the skin. He developed Celtic Wind, a fully sustainable, Irish hemp business focused on premium products and supplements that are all 100% natural.

The Celtic Wind Skincare range is available via www.celticwindcrops.com and stockists nationwide from this month.

Check out these absolutely gorgeous handcrafted toys from Grainne Zannis, self-taught toy-maker.

The mother of three works from home and specialises in toys made from natural materials like wood and wool. Pictured here is Santa’s Workshop Delux Set, a nine-piece play set, made from sustainable solid pine. Grainne paints each piece with CE-certified, non-toxic watercolour paints, and varnishes with organic Irish linseed oil and burns the wood to add detail.

This one is €76 + free worldwide shipping but each piece is made to order and can be customized. Find out more at her shop, MindfulAndMaking, she can also be found on www.etsy.com/shop/MindfulAndMaking

Éadaoin Glynn is launching her first solo exhibition, ‘When She Dreamt In Colour’, this weekend.

The Cork-based contemporary landscape artist tells us she is interested in exploring the emotional response to place and the power of memory of place. She paints intuitively, abstracting landscapes, primarily in oil and cold wax. Pictured here is ‘Three Winters Deep’ in oil, cold wax, collage, and mixed media on cradled wooden panel, 60x80cm.

A limited number of signed fine art prints are priced from €25 and original artwork starts from €135.

Check it out at On the Pigsback, Douglas, Cork, until January 16, 2020. www.eadaoinglynn.com.

For the coffee table this festive season is a gorgeous book, ‘Butlers Chocolate Cookbook’. 60 recipes from the home of Butlers Chocolates desserts and cakes to make at home, from Ireland’s family-owned luxury chocolatier.

Think mouth-watering brownies and cookies, sumptuous tarts and puddings; decadent mousses, creamy parfaits, and teatime treats. Available in all Butlers Chocolate Cafes nationwide, and in leading bookshops.

Retail price is €20. www.butlerschocolates.com.

These stunning copper lights from The Kind are an example of what you can expect if you visit The Conscious Christmas Store on Fade St, Dublin 2. Sustainable brands The Kind and Jiminy are teaming up to offer some eco-friendly and sustainable presents.

The store carries all things plastic-free, including stocking fillers and presents as well as green beauty brands, recyclable gift wrap, and reusable Christmas crackers. These lights are €140.

Go to www.thekind.co for more info.

I love the warmth and texture of this Pearl rug in carmel, just perfect for cosy nights in, available from Des Kelly Interiors for €105. www.deskelly.ie.