Meet the Maker

Published on June 07, 2023

Meet the MarketStreet.ie Maker Suzette, The Farrow Collection, Co. Cork. The Farrow Collection is a family business, run by a husband and wife team in county Cork. They handmake luxurious candles and wax melts with 100% plant-based wax. A huge part of their motivation in running their venture is that they are totally involved in the creation of their products from conception to manufacturing to delivery. They are very conscious of the materials used to make their products, ensuring raw materials are sourced from well-established suppliers who are much more attuned to working sustainably. This is a key component in their business philosophy and are creating features in their products that allow customers to re-purpose them. How did you start out making your product? My passion for candles and home fragrances has always been with me since I was young. I would always want a pleasant smell in my space and would buy loads of candles. I love the feeling that a candle can give you and how a scent can evoke loads of memories. One day I was curious about how candles are made so I bought some cheap wax, fragrance, and wicks and made a few candles. The results were disastrous ???? I had no scent coming from any of them and they burnt unevenly. It was then that I started researching candle making, I watched loads of videos too. I was getting more interested in the subject and I began getting the idea of starting a hobby, making candles. At the time I and my family had decided to move to Ireland, so I and my husband had the idea of starting a family business and ultimately it ended up in a business. I am very environmentally conscious, so I wanted to be sure that the product I make would be an eco-friendly brand. How long have you been making your product for? I started testing my first candle and wax melts in February 2021, this was when I stopped working full-time to focus on the business. Home fragrances need a lot of testing to get the perfect scent and burn. What did you do before making your product? Before I started candle making, I worked in Social Care I managed a residential home in Malta. The residence catered to young people living in alternative care. The job was very stressful but very rewarding and I am still in contact with the young people who lived there. Seeing them grow and succeed in life is more rewarding. What helps you work better? There are a few factors that help me work better. I love working in an organised space, planning my week, and having structure and routine definitely helps me work better. While self-care is an important part of my life that I feel helps me work better, it also helps me in different areas of my life. What's your favourite thing to do on the weekends? This always depends on my mood, I am very moody hahaha. There are weekends when I love staying in and just snuggling on the couch watching a film with my husband and Son, mostly in winter when the weather is rainy or grey. Some weekends I love exploring nature and going for nice walks and treks around Ireland, I love going to the beaches too. I love the sea! While there are weekends when I love cooking good food at home. Meet the MarketStreet Maker, The Farrow Collection What’s your favourite holiday to celebrate? Christmas! I love Christmas, all the lights, meeting family, and the Christmas spirit. What is the most interesting fact about you that many people don’t know? The fact that I am a criminologist. What is the weirdest fact you know? I just recently found out that the acid in our stomach can melt metal! Now that is mind-blowing and so weird! What is the weirdest skill you have learnt? I think the weirdest skill I have ever learned was that of removing sea urchins with a fork from the bottom of the sea. Living in Malta, my summer holiday was at sea. So I learned to remove the sea urchins with a fork to eat them. This is not an easy skill, because most of the time they break! VIEW THE FARROW COLLECTION

Published on May 26, 2023

Meet the MarketStreet.ie Maker Andria, Wild Watermelon, Co. Dublin. Introducing Andria of Wild Watermelon, a creative business that produces greeting cards and A4 prints on high quality, recycled stock. Printed and designed in Ireland for those who care about family, friends and the planet. How did you start out making your product? I’ve always loved stationery, who remembers their fancy paper collection?! Over the years I’d always designed my own cards for St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas for family and friends to keep in touch. How long have you been making your product for? I’ve been illustrating my cards for many moons, but officially started up my business just before the pandemic. What did you do before making your product? I went to DIT and studied Display Design which was an amazing course that covered so many aspects of design such as illustrating, pattern making and many more practices that add to my skillset. But oddly after college, I found myself in customer service roles in a variety of industries, including Financial Reporting! For someone who was terrible at Maths, it was a good fit as I loved working with clients and colleagues to achieve the best outcome. However, the call of illustrating was always there... the rest is history! What helps you work better? A daily walk! Clears the head and gets you focused on the day-to-day to-do list! I’m a member of a great creative group that helps with best business practices. Plus other card makers and designers really motivates me! Despite being a highly competitive marketplace, everyone in the greeting card industry is supportive and encouraging - it’s so unique in that way. What's your favourite thing to do on the weekends? With two little boys, we spend our time out and about which is great... especially as I don’t have to confront the house work or stand on Lego pieces! What’s your favourite holiday to celebrate? Being a greeting card designer, I love all holidays as there’s always a reason to send a card! But if I had to pick one, it would be Halloween... especially with the kids! Living in Ireland, it makes it an extra special time due to its heritage and connection to one of our ancient celebrations. What is the most interesting fact about you that many people don’t know? I love winter, I’m a winter kinda gal... not to say that I dislike summer, but much prefer wintertime. Especially those crisp, bright blue days! What is the weirdest fact you know? You can only fold a standard piece of paper in half 7 times, try it, I dare ya! What is the weirdest skill you have learnt? Apart from making evening dinners that the kids don’t eat? I’ve learnt how to emboss paper manually... and still trying to perfect it!

Published on May 15, 2023

Meet the MarketStreet.ie Maker Louise, Culu Design, Co. Wicklow Introducing Louise O'Hara of Culu Design, an Irish design studio that creates modern, colourful and eclectic handmade jewellery. Inspired by her love of colour, an out of control earring obsession and a desperate need to create! How did you start out making your product? I started out with polymer clay about 25 years ago as a teenager, looking for a creative outlet. I started making beads originally. This led to me doing a jewellery making course about 20 years ago which sparked the idea of setting up my own business. As is often the story, life then took over and I fell into a corporate job and set my dreams aside for another day, but I always made earrings for myself and as gifts over the years. How long have you been making your product for? I’ve been making earrings all my adult life, so for about 25 years on and off. I’ve always been obsessed with earrings and being a creative person generally it just made sense to me to make my own. What did you do before making your product? I’ve worked in an office full time since finishing my education. The dream of a creative career was always just that, a dream, I let fear hold me back from making the jump for too long. It’s not easy when you have bills and responsibilities! I was made redundant due to the pandemic and with that came an opportunity for a pivot, and here we are! What helps you work better? Oh there are many things.  I think being organised (annoyingly so at times!) has stood to me. My studio is teeny tiny, so I keep it in good order. I love spreadsheets, scrum boards and post it notes!  When I started my business everything was chaos, I think it needs to be like that at the beginning when you’re figuring everything out, but I am currently implementing processes to keep things flowing better, as I get busier and busier!  What's your favourite thing to do on the weekends? My very favourite thing to do at the weekend is eat with family and friends! There’s nothing better than a nice restaurant with my two favourite humans, my partner and my little apprentice, our five year old daughter. Also rambling about in nature, a walk in the woods with those two, and if we can involve a picnic too I’m in heaven! What’s your favourite holiday to celebrate? Christmas definitely! I’m not too concerned with Christmas itself exactly, but it’s the one time of year that all of my family get together and there’s lots of yummy food. What more can you ask for!  What is the most interesting fact about you that many people don’t know? Oh wow, I’m not that interesting at all! I think the most interesting things about me are my creations, and they’re free for the world to see. What is the weirdest fact you know? You can’t lick your elbow. Did you just try?! What is the weirdest skill you have learnt? I’m a boring old fart, I don’t have any weird skills. Unless you’d describe being able to fall asleep ANYWHERE a skill, my other half would! I’m always go go go, so if I sit (or stand) still for too long, there’s always a risk I might soon be snoring! VIEW CULU DESIGN

Published on May 03, 2023

Dublin will be celebrating their 40th Pride this year on the 24th June celebrating everything LGBTQ+. If one day isn’t enough for you then no worries, as June is Pride month. That’s right a whole month to celebrate Love and identity in every form it comes. So What is LGBTQ+? I know, it's confusing. It keeps changing every time you look but that's because the community is growing and identifying more groups to love and involve. So here is a quick definition for you so you can fully support the community confidently! L - Lesbian (Females who are sexually and/or romantically attracted to females) G - Gay (Males who are sexually and/or romantically attracted to males) B - Bisexual (A male or female who are sexually and/or romantically attracted to both males and females) T - Trans (A blanket term for those whose birthed gender, aka male or female, does not match how they identify. For example a male at birth who identifies as female would identify themselves within the Trans community. They can identify as male, female, both, or neither otherwise known as non-binary) Q - Queer or Questioning (Queer is a blanket term for not being straight or being trans. Questioning is those who are not sure about their sexuality or gender and are exploring)  + - Everything else that is not covered above (Some of those are Intersex, non-Binary and Asexual)    Quick Tip: If you are not sure of someone's pronouns, most people are willing to tell you how they prefer to be addressed if you ask nicely.  The Day It Self Wondering what is happening? Well they have plenty to do to keep you entertained and to suit your tastes and needs.  There will be a parade walking from O’Connell Street to Merrion Square with a variety of walkers from individuals to corporations and community groups all showing their support. Their festival will also have plenty to do with live music, food, and other vender and entertainment there will be something for everyone.    And don't worry if you have extra needs as the festival caters for everyone. They have an accessible viewing area for the parade, ISL interpreters, run key events in accessible venues and more. All you need to do is fill out an accessibility form on their website.  https://dublinpride.ie Pride Up Your Life! Make your life a bit more colourful with some of the amazing options we have in our Pride section of MarketStreet.ie with options for you and your favourite 4 legged friend. Fused-Glass Rainbow / Chakra Heart Suncatcher PRIDE – Rainbows and Rainbows Reversible Dog Bandana SHOP PRIDE GIFTS & ACCESSORIES