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Design & Ambition, the key fabric of Edel MacBride's Success

Edel MacBride is an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and more. Having been involved in the craft and design industry since the tender age of 11, (to source funds for a trip to Dublin!) craft is in her DNA. Edel’s story about business, the industry, involvement in a host of initiatives in the North West City Region (Donegal and Derry/Strabane districts), the award winning #PledgeScrubs campaign and support for initiatives like #BuyDonegal, is a fascinating one.  ‘’I was lucky to following my dream of getting into Art School at LYIT. Back then courses involved lots of expensive materials and the 80s were a challenging time. But I had a focus and an eye for fashion, which thankfully has stayed with me.’’...

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FIONA HERBST - ONCE AN ARTIST, ALWAYS AN ARTIST - POLYMER WEEK

Ireland is a beautiful country full of history and legends where people love their stories full of sprites and fairies… so no wonder art is flourishing there. Today’s blog is about a polymer clay artist living in a very rural area of county Donegal, Fiona Herbst. Art and creativity has always been part of her life. Both her parents and grandparents were collectors of fine art. Although she always wanted to go to art college, she was directed towards a more ‘sensible’ choice of career, her other interest - social work. However art was never put aside. In college, Fiona discovered polymer clay. Creativity became her form of relaxation. “I would knit, sketch, paint, write and then I discovered polymer...

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Mayor's Visit to Number 19 Craft & Design

Mayor visits businesses in Derry and Strabane Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Brian Tierney visited local businesses in both Derry and Strabane to hear how they are dealing with operating during the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Tierney spoke with owners and staff across a number of businesses in the hospitality and retail sector about their feelings, and their concerns, moving forward. "I was pleased to meet as many business people as possible to hear about the measures they have put in place and what their thoughts are as they try to navigate a very difficult period," said Mayor Tierney. "The last three months have brought a lot of uncertainty for our local businesses, and it was great to...

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