Our Blog
Lockdown Gift Ideas..
Let’s brighten up lockdown..
Our makers love doing what they do so we want to help you do what you love to do, even if just for a few moments every day.
Here are 15 lockdown gift ideas for yourself or someone else to brighten dark days and to help you feel more positive and ready for the world when it’s open again!
- Keep in touch with friends and family the traditional way – post a card. Something to put a smile on their face when they receive it in the post and know that someone is thinking about them. We have so many wonderfully unique and relevant Irish designed lockdown cards.
- Bring out your creative side. Spend some time drawing or painting in a beautifully embroidered Irish Linen covered Sketchbook, perfect for all your drawing needs. Maybe you don’t draw or paint, why not try? You might surprise yourself and even enjoy it.
- Plan and organise. Plan life after lockdown with an Irish designed 2021 calendar. Or maybe your like me and love a good list…get all your to-do lists together and organise your life in this Rua The Cow A5 Notebook.
- Keep your brain ticking over with some good old fashion brainteasers and puzzles.
- Bake. Look good while baking with this cafe-style apron in a classic blue and white stripe with denim pocket. And how about drying up with one our Irish designed tea towels then when you’re finished making a mess!
- Learn something new. Try sewing your own face mask, or sewing a lovely hanging decoration. All sewing patterns are ideal for beginners.
- Look after your skin with natural and organic Irish skincare products and natural face soaps.
- Create a big of magic in the house for the kids with one these fabulously colourful and unique fairy doors.
- Relax and destress the mind and body with an aromatherapy candle or your favourite scented Irishmade candle.
- Don’t forget your furry friends. Pamper your pet with one of these eco-friendly pamper gift boxes for dogs.
- Give nature a helping hand with some wildflower seedbombs while out walking, so come Spring there will be a bit more colour on your walking route.
- Keep the kids entertained with these wooden activity kits.
- Add a motivational print or a little bit of colour to your home working space to help keep you going on difficult days.
- Help a little one with their worries with this reassuring wellness doll who helps children especially at bedtime.
- Send flowers that last (to yourself or someone else!). Let’s face it, who doesn’t like receiving a delivery flowers, and especially when they last for a year or more! Choose from crepe paper flowers that last forever, a super cute crochet cactus or tulip in a pot, or a luxury arrangement of preserved flowers.
Whatever it is you do to fill your time, be happy and stay safe!
And remember to support Irish when shopping online 🙂
New Nationwide Campaign
#MADELOCAL CAMPAIGN
The Irish craft and design industry is a significant contributor to regional economies. Last week, on the 29th July, the Design and Craft Council of Ireland (DCCI) launched a nationwide campaign to encourage and boost revenue for local retailers and makers.
The #MADELOCAL campaign was officially launched by Amy Huberman and An Tanaiste, Leo Varadkar and Market Street are delighted to be part of it!
So, if you have been seeing the above blue tile across your social media feeds and in stores, it’s to inspire you to support local businesses when you’re on your staycation this year! The Made Local campaign aims to remind consumers of the high-quality, unique products available from Irish makers and designers across the country. MarketStreet.ie has over 140 registered sellers from across the island of Ireland, specialising in unique and personalised handcrafts.
Pic: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Announcing the launch of the campaign, An Tánaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, said:
“Ireland is renowned for its exceptionally talented designers and craftspeople who create beautiful work which is exported around the world. These makers and the retailers make a significant contribution to the Irish economy and provide sustainable employment. The Government’s July Jobs Stimulus will help businesses to reopen and rehire or retain staff, through an enhanced Restart Grant and an extension to the wage subsidy scheme. We can all play our part; by backing the Made Local campaign, we can help our vibrant Irish design and craft sector to return to prosperity and growth.”
Commenting on the Made Local campaign, Actor and Writer Amy Huberman, said,
“I am so delighted to support the Made Local campaign. Following a very difficult few months due to COVID-19, it is important to make a conscious effort to help local craft businesses in Ireland. Our country is full of some of the most talented designers and craftspeople in the world and we are so lucky to have such beautiful produce right here on this island. We would like to encourage consumers to think before they shop and give our local makers a chance to thrive over the coming months.”
CHRISTMAS GIFTS UNDER €20
MARKET STREET CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE UNDER €20
Christmas is an expensive time of year and it can be hard to find fun and quirky gifts for everyone.
Here I have chosen some of my fave items on Market Street for less than €20, great as a Christmas gift for him or her. Give as a gift, a stocking filler, a secret Santa gift, or maybe you deserve a little gift for yourself this Christmas!
These are all made by Irish designers and crafters.
(Please note that the prices listed below are all exclusive of shipping. Each seller has their own shipping charge and is detailed on the product page)
1.Honey and Bergamot Candle in Concrete candle holder – €16.95
Ideal gift for him or her – nothing like a yummy scented candle to help you relax after a busy day or week. The concrete holder makes it more of a unique gift, and sure who doesn’t like getting candles!?
2. ‘Gym V Junk’ Funny Illustration – €18
More choice in illustrations available.
These funny illustrations make for a great gift for anyone with a sense of humour! I love this one..I’m definitely the junk machine lover haha!! More to choose from so you can find the perfect and unique Christmas gift for anyone!
3. Rustic Wall Mounted Bottle Opener – €20
(More designs available)
Great gift idea for him. These rustic bottle openers are easily mounted on the wall and catch the bottle lids nice and tidy so no need to be finding random bottle lids lying around the house!
4. Macrame Plant Hanger – €17
(More colours and lengths of these plant hangers to choose from)
Fabulous and quirky homeware gift to make any home a happy home!
5. Embroidered Irish linen lavender sachet – €8
Lovely Christmas gift for her to help with sleep or maybe someone who travels a lot. Keep clothes smelling fresh in a suitcase, and even in the wardrobe at home. The detail in the embroidery is fab and makes it even more unique.
(Product no longer available)
6.Family House Rules Print – €15
(More fun and feel good prints to choose from suitable for kids rooms, as well as homes and offices!)
7. Quirky Irish fridge magnet – €5.95
(Lots more magnets to choose from)
These clay magnets are fun and unique, and have a choice of all things Irish. Personalised Dublin street sign magnet is available too – choose what you want written on it, choose from Dublin locations, or make it unique! Great stocking filler or secret Santa gift.
8. In Case of an Emergency Frame – €20
A fun gift for anyone this Christmas. Who wouldn’t want a spare €100 close by in case of an emergency after all 😉
9. Chill Out Tote Bag – €10
(Choose from more designs)
These tote bags are a handy and practical gift for her. She can use it for nipping to the shops, throwing in shoes for work, out and about or pretty much anything!
10. Bonnie the Scottie Dog Felt Ornament – €18
(More dogs and colours to choose from – all equally as cute!)
Thoughtful and cute gift for any dog owner. They would love this to hang on the Christmas tree and to display elsewhere for the rest of the year as it is not Christmas specific!
11. ‘In Gin We Trust’ Print – Downloadable File €10 / Unframed Print €15
We all know a gin lover – and this would make a great addition to their home!
12. Personalised Luggage Tag – €8
(Embroidered letter comes in green, blue or pink)
Handy travel accessory for anyone, making it an ideal Christmas gift for those that like to travel or maybe they are heading off somewhere nice for Christmas or New Years that they can use it for!
13. Wooden Geometric Isolde Earrings – €14
(More styles under €20 also available)
A nice little fashion accessory gift for her. Always a great gift idea, and there are plenty of affordable and stylish earrings in this range to choose from!
14. Personalised Metal Straw – €6
(Choose pink, blue, purple or red)
These personalised straws are eco-friendly and would make an ideal stocking filler or secret santa gift for anyone who loves their cocktails. Or maybe just someone who likes to drink out of a straw no matter what the drink is 😉
To go alongside these wonderful Irish made gifts, we have some fabulous Irish designed Christmas cards from €3 per card.
If you can, try to support local this Christmas and try make at least one purchase from an Irish maker – they will really appreciate it a lot more than a large global retailer! 🙂
Happy Shopping!
MARKET REVIEW – BUSHY PARK MARKET, DUBLIN
Where
Bushy Park is in between Terenure and Templeogue Villages (Dublin 6W) on Templeogue Road. The market is in the Northern corner of the park near the Rathdown Ave entrance.
When
The village market is on every Saturday from 10am – 4pm from March to October.
The Market
They have around 30 stalls each week, many of which are there every week though around 25% of the stalls changes quite regularly. There are great food choices to be had, with options available for vegans and carnivores with everything in-between. Our personal favourites are the 
chips from the Surf ‘n’ Fries stall. I don’t know what they do to them but these are by far the best chips we have ever tasted.
There are also fresh organic food fruit and veg stalls if you’re on a health kick health and plenty of cakes, doughnuts and all things sweet to tempt you if you’re not.
The arts and crafts stalls change a good bit but will always have a good variety of unique handmade gifts and crafts to choose from. The craft stalls generally have unique and personalised gifts for new baby, new home, wedding and engagements, birthdays or even just to treat yourself! We have often seen some of our Market Street sellers there such as.
- Emma Higgins Art there selling her colourful artwork,
- Pictures 4 Life with their unique personalised frames for all occasions,
- BBpapercuts with their very contemporary art maps, and
- Woof Stuff with their trendy little dog bandanas and treats.
We’ve also seen picture framers selling prints and photographs (and really cool old maps of Dublin), a Polish potter with lovely flatware and tea sets, some very cool up-cycled furniture and a range of other gifts and decorative handcrafts.
As there are only a handful of craft stalls selling unique and quirky handcrafts that is one of the things we would like to see more of.
Market Events
They have occasional family fun days through the summer with games and activities for children, as well as small petting farms with rabbits and sheep. They run an international food day once a year with dozens and dozens of food stalls with food cuisines from all around the world. There is an Easter market where the Easter bunny will make a visit, and usually a popular kiddy favourite on family fun day. This summer Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall made an appearance. We found the best way to keep up to date is to follow their Facebook page which is well run and regularly updated with upcoming events.
Facilities
There are a few picnic benches set out next to the market. There is also a basket full of picnic blankets for you sit on the grass and feast, and a big bottle of sun cream tied to a tree for you to use if you forgot yours (which is a nice touch). If you need a toilet, there are two on site (portacabin style but clean) with hand sanitiser for afterwards.
Away from the market, Bushy Park is one of the better Dublin City parks. It has a really nice, recently renovated playground with something for kids of all ages and a lovely duck pond to walk (or jog) around. You will also find a nice wooded area with streams, brooks and bridges to explore as well as plenty of green space and pitches. There’s a fenced off skateboard park right next to the recently refurbished tennis and padel club, which is beside Sportworld Running Club clubhouse.
With summer outdoor yoga and bootcamp classes held next to the recently done up bandstand, there really is something for everyone in Bushy Park. We go there with the kids at least once a month and have a fun day out every time!
Our Rating
We really love this market but feel the number of craft stalls could be increased. Apart from that it has everything else you want from a local park market.
Market Street rating: 4 out of 5 stars
WHAT MAKES A GREAT MARKET
What makes a good (farmers) market?
Traditionally farmers markets were places where farmers would gather to sell their produce directly to customers, and there are still many farmers markets in Ireland still doing exactly that.
However, in recent years, the term ‘farmers market’ has taken on a broader sense, especially in large towns and cities. In these instances, farmers markets usually include interesting homemade street food vendors, locally produced baked goods and sweets, great coffee and tea and finally an interesting selection of hand-made gifts, textiles, antiques and artworks. Things you won’t find easily in the shops or online (apart from on MarketStreet.ie of course!). There are no hard and fast rules for what you might find at a farmers market but generally, everything you buy was made locally and nothing is mass-produced.
The number of farmers markets in Ireland has exploded in recent years with there being over 50 regular farmers/craft market in Dublin alone.
So what makes a good farmers market? Here are our thoughts…
Good choice of food and drinks
Variety is key, we like to see choices for everyone, a good farmers market should have something to suit vegans and carnivores. We like to see unusual cuisine represented alongside the more standard fare of burgers and falafel (we love both of these). Cakes, treats and handmade ice-cream never go a-miss either. Finally coffee, a bugbear of ours are big markets with only one coffee vendor and massive queues.
Interesting and unique gifts and handcrafts
If we travel to a market we usually want to be able to spend an hour or two there at least, and we don’t want to spend the whole time eating otherwise we’ll need an entirely new wardrobe of larger clothes! So it’s important for us to be able to potter around looking at unique and interesting crafts. Again, variety is key, we like to see original artwork, personalised frames and gifts, textiles and accessories, homemade soaps and candles, unique wooden toys etc. It’s exciting to be able to support small Irish businesses and buy unique and handmade things at the same time!
Entertainment
Rather the exception than the norm, having some kind of entertainment really can be the icing on the cake when it comes to a great market. By entertainment, we mean anything at the market that you can’t buy to eat/take home with you. For example, music – maybe a guy with a guitar or a small band, games for kids, face painting, petting zoos, street artists (e.g. jugglers). This really can make a difference and make us want to return. Some of the markets we go to have entertainment some weeks for special ‘occasions’, but not others, so it can be worth doing some research before choosing where to head for the day.
Organisation
The layout of a farmers market is important. There needs to be space for people to stop and look at things and have a chat with the makers at the stall without causing a traffic jam. The food stalls at most markets we go to get more of the footfall so it’s good to have them at both ends of the market as this pulls people across the stalls of the makers giving them a better chance to market their wares. Access to parking is also important, no one wants to spend ages looking for a space on-street and pay and display can be a real turnoff if expensive or you don’t have any change on you, so for us parking can’t be too much of a faff.
Facilities
You can split the facilities that make a good farmers market into two groups, firstly the facilities specifically set up to service the market, those being places to sit, to eat drink and chat, toilets for after eating and drinking, and perhaps somewhere to shelter if it rains. But if you’re driving somewhere to spend a few hours or even half a day at the weekend you probably need a bit more than that. These broader facilities could include a good playground for the kids to play in, a wide-open area for you to take your dog for a walk, other activities to engage in while you are there (e.g. yoga classes or boot camps).
All of these added together, we think, makes a good market a great one.
Market Reviews
With this in mind, we intend to write up some reviews of local markets we have attended based on the above criteria. Starting with a favourite of ours – Bushy Park Market, Dublin 6W.
What makes a great market for you? Have we missed anything here? What are a few of your favourite markets you think we should review?
We’d love to hear from you.
WE’RE ALL GOING ON OUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS..
TRAVEL ACCESSORIES
Who doesn’t love a summer holiday?!! And of course what comes hand in hand with going on holidays?? Yes, shopping for holidays!! Planning and getting organised for holidays can be a busy and stressful time especially if there’s kids to pack for! To help save you time running around the shops looking to pick up some fun and quirky travel accessories, we have put together our top holiday travel picks to help make your holidays (or someone else’s) even more enjoyable (and stylish!) 😃🌴☀️✈️🛳
1. Cross body bag – €65
Perfect for out and about while away, as well as for carrying the essentials while on the plane/train/boat/bus! More designs and sizes available. Also handy for carry baby changing things too!
2. Lavender sachet – €8
Keep clothes smelling fresh in the suitcase. Choose from 3 colours.
(Product no longer available)
3. Monogrammed luggage tag – €8
Lovely stylish little travel accessory. Initial comes in green, pink or blue.
4. Waterproof unisex bag – €120
These bags can be worn in multiple ways using a clip and are weather/waterproof. Perfect bag for the beach or an adventure holiday! Choice in designs.
5. Soother chain – €10.20
We don’t want a baby crying over a lost soother now do we!! Lots of colour and personalisation choices available.
6. Kids wooden activity set – €22
Travel hassle-free – keep the kids entertained with this wooden activity set to put together and colour! More choices available
7. Cloth pencil case – €15
Keep their colours together in this cool pencil roll. (Colouring pencils included)
8. Teddy with sleeping bag and passport – €15
Well these are cute for a little one’s first holiday, or any little one’s holiday to keep a record of all their amazing memories!
Choice of six teddies available.
9. Linen covered sketchbook – €27
Ideal for those looking to relax while away!
(Product no longer available)
These are just a small selection of the quirky travel accessories available on Market Street. View more here.
Let us know in the comments below where you’re off to on holidays…always fun to see where people are going and get some inspiration for our next holiday 🙂
THANK YOU DAD!
THANK YOU DAD..
Father’s Day is almost upon us (16th June 2019)..which often brings a ‘scratch-the-head’ moment of what to get dad! When asking dad for some ideas, they generally say they have everything already, so you’re really none the wiser and then it’s left to the last minute in a panic!
Well we’re here to the rescue, and have some fun and quirky gift ideas for dad this Father’s Day, to give him something a little different for a change. After all, it’s nice to get something they’ll love to say thanks for all they do!
So here are some of the unique gifts you can pick up for your own dad or the little one’s dad, keeping it simple and fun..
1. Bottle Opener – €18
Need I say more?!
2. My Daddy Frame – €30
For the fun daddy from the little ones!
3. Wooden Cufflinks – €70
Available in different colours and patterns, these are the perfect father’s day gift for the stylish dad!
4. Fridge Magnet – €5.95
A perfect fun and quirky gift for any dad.
5. Sports bag – €120
This waterproof and Irish landscape print bag is for the sporty and adventurous dad!
6. Personalised Scooter Print – €59-€79
Personalise with any special and meaningful words, phrases and names.
7. Handcrafted Mug – €26
Perfect for any tea/coffee loving dad.
(Product temporarily unavailable)
8. Charlie Chaplin Line Illustration – €35-€55
A lovely gift for any dad. More illustrations of iconic Irish sculptures to choose from.
9. Daddy and Me – €34.99
A special gift for a special daddy!
10. Family Name Print – €24
A unique personalised print with family names.
WEDDING GIFTS…TO HAVE AND TO HOLD!
WEDDING GIFTS…TO HAVE AND TO HOLD!
Most couples nowadays are saving for their honeymoon or a house, or spending all their savings on their big day, and so prefer to receive money as a wedding gift.
However, depending on who the special couple are and your relationship with them, you may want to give something a little different and get them a unique and personalised wedding gift as a keepsake of their special day.
Trying to decide what wedding gift to buy can be a headache, so here at Market Street we have put together some truly special and unique gift ideas for all budgets, to help you choose the perfect wedding gift for the perfect couple!
1. Wedding Card – €3
A detailed hand-drawn illustration wedding greeting card.
2. Monogrammed Luggage Tags for the honeymoon – €8
A quirky gift to start their journey together as Mr and Mrs.
3. Commissioned Painting – When the Story Began €75
A thoughtful and unique gift, bound to be treasured forever.
4. Personalised Pebble Art Wedding Day – €65
A unique wedding gift for a unique couple.
5. Personalised Heart Balloons Print – €29.99
An elegant personalised keepsake for their big day.
6. Handmade Ceramic Planter – €28
A piece of handcrafted home decor to add to their home as Mr and Mrs.
7. We Go Together Personalised Print – €39-€59
A fun gift for a fun loving couple to hang on their wall.
8. Personalised Mr&Mrs Frame – €30
A lovely wedding keepsake to remember their big day.
8. Jewellery – Cufflinks For Him and Necklace For Her – €125 / €89
Something a little more personal without being personalised.
10. An Original Painting – €200
Something different, inspiring and original.
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These are just a small selection of the amazing gifts available, view more wedding gifts.
Leave us a comment below to let us know what type of wedding gift you like to give (or would like to receive!)…
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE LOCAL
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE LOCAL
Irish online shoppers
Irish people love being Irish. And why wouldn’t we?! Always up for the craic and wanting to have a laugh, we’re known for our good manners and of course our love for the black stuff…tea that is 😉
So why is it when it comes to online shopping we could be better at supporting local? Did you know that the Irish are the biggest international online shoppers in the world? According to a report in the Irish Times in 2018, 84% of Irish online shoppers purchased from overseas sellers ahead of local. That’s shocking!
However, in my opinion and from previous experience, part of this may be down to the fact that’s it’s not always easy to find what we’re looking for from Irish sellers online. When it comes to digital expertise, small Irish businesses are not the best (according to Ireland Digital Health Index), but that’s not to say that what these SMEs do and create isn’t the best! It just means we have been forced to shop overseas to find what we’re looking for in unique gifts.
Support local for unique gifts
When it comes to finding something different and unique, many of us resort to online shopping, especially when it comes to gifts. Nowadays giving personalised gifts and unique gifts for any occasion, is the norm. It’s nice to give and also to receive a gift that someone has put some thought into..something handmade and personalised, you know they have put more effort in and it means more. With plenty of choice to buy unique gifts online from overseas, we are missing the opportunity to support local makers because we can’t find them!
Over the last 6 months in particular I have been to quite a lot of local fairs and markets across the country and have come across some AMAZING talent and FABULOUS products that make a perfect gift! I honestly have wanted to buy everything! It’s such a shame I didn’t know about all of these makers and their creations before now because they really are special. This is why Market Street is here today. You NEED to see this stuff!
Without sounding cheesy, Market Street supports the dreams of these small Irish businesses and gives us the opportunity to support local and shop Irish.
My top 5 reasons why there’s no place like local when looking for the perfect gift..
- We are supporting someone’s dream to be able to make what they make and earn a living from it. Someday this could be you and wouldn’t you like the support from Irish shoppers?!
- We are supporting local jobs for these makers as well as all the suppliers and businesses they interact with to carry out their business. You may be for one of these people or work for them, and isn’t it nice to have a job!
- We are investing in and encouraging local entrepreneurship so we benefit from unique products made with passion and care. We all love something different!
- We are showcasing the local talent that lives amongst us.. Like seriously, the talent is unreal!
- And finally, be proud to support Irish!
Need I say more?
Just check out some of the amazing and unique gifts available on marketstreet.ie and you won’t need convincing!
Support Local.
Shop Irish.
We’re continually working to add new sellers and new products, but if there are any other types of gifts or products you would like to see available on Market Street, just leave a comment below..