Get your work visible in Ireland, Europe and the US. March 2020 and the onset of Covid pushed Bernadette to pivot and she founded Crafters of Ireland. Bernadette a management consultant who specializes in Innovation and Design Thinking knew her market inside out through mentoring and business advice clinics delivered via Irish state supports for entrepreneurs. So, what is Crafters of Ireland? It is an innovative support service for the arts and crafts sector which started in Ireland but is now reaching out to Celtic crafts people who want visibility in Ireland Europe and the US. Using the same expertise used in her consultancy firm, this venture looks and functions like an online store but that is where the similarities end. The service is designed on a hypothesis-based business model allowing for flexibility to change when the need arises. The website itself is incidental. It is all about getting exposure in Ireland, Europe and the US for this sector. They believe that when someone strives to be self-sustainable, they should get every opportunity to achieve their goal. Many in this sector lack self-esteem and confidence. They suffered from isolation problems long before covid, due to the nature of their work. Many left school early and do not have business acumen, they do not use pricing strategies, they do not have negotiation skills, they are uncomfortable talking about themselves and their work and Crafters of Ireland can provide each individual with the tools they require individually to run a successful business.
Bespoke service – Members are not just a number on an online store Bernadette meets all potential members via zoom and finds out their particular needs if any from a business standpoint. Once on board they are launched as a new member via LinkedIn and then every 7 to 10 days an individual post goes out on their behalf on Crafters of Irelands social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Partners – They have five channel partners in the US, all are online magazines and each month they run a feature on individual crafters, providing them with great exposure. They provide other perks such as the option to have YouTube interviews with their broadcaster Niamh Cooper, these interviews are shared across their social media. Their members can upload unlimited videos of themselves showing and talking about their work, videos are used by Crafters of Ireland to promote them across all their social media platforms. They are based in Tipperary Ireland; but their reach is global. They formed a collaboration with the Irish American Business Network (17.5k members) who host 2/3 live arts/trade events each year where up to eight members talk about themselves and their products via a presentation on zoom. They held a live exhibition in Portugal via Ireland Portugal Business Network in July which was very successful. They are in talks with contacts in Germany and Spain to see if there is traction there for more of these events and for Celtic crafts people around the world to join and enjoy this subscription-based service
They have five channel partners in the US, all are online magazines and each month they run a feature on individual crafters, providing them with great exposure. They provide other perks such as the option to have YouTube interviews with their broadcaster Niamh Cooper, these interviews are shared across their social media. Their members can upload unlimited videos of themselves showing and talking about their work, videos are used by Crafters of Ireland to promote them across all their social media platforms. They are based in Tipperary Ireland; but their reach is global. They formed a collaboration with the Irish American Business Network (17.5k members) who host 2/3 live arts/trade events each year where up to eight members talk about themselves and their products via a presentation on zoom. They held a live exhibition in Portugal via Ireland Portugal Business Network in July which was very successful. They are in talks with contacts in Germany and Spain to see if there is traction there for more of these events and for Celtic crafts people around the world to join and enjoy this subscription-based service. Just fill out the application form and the founder will reach out to you. https://www.craftersofireland.com/application-to-register/

