SHOP LOCAL ON GREEN FRIDAY
THIS is the second year that Irish shoppers are being asked to support local businesses and to take a different approach to the mass consumerism Black Friday. The Green Friday campaign aims at supporting small independent Irish businesses on Friday November 29.
The Green Friday initiative encourages local businesses to come together to organise events, while also asking consumers to reconsider their purchases this Christmas and, where possible, to shop local.
Locally, artists and craft makers are joining the initiative, with Creative Spark, Bridge Street Studios and Carlingford Design House among those holding special events for customers on Friday.
Creative Spark at Clontygora is hosting its inaugural open studio event, on Friday from 5pm to 8pm.
A wide range of beautiful handcrafted items will be on sale and customers will get the opportunity to talk directly to the local artists and makers.
Items for sale include Soilse Candles range of naturally scented soy candles and infusers by Karen Lavelle and unique t-shirts from Beezti designs by local fashion designer Blainaid McClean.
There will also be exclusive pieces from Print Studio members Niamh
Gillespie, Gráinne Murphy,
Petra Berntsson, Henry Kasozi, Bernhard Gaul, Una Curley, Tracy Fry, James McLoughlin (duckjam art) and Omin.
So, for a variety of unique textiles, fine art prints, paintings, illustrations, greetings cards, decorations, stocking fillers and lots more...Creative Spark’s open studio shouldn’t be missed.
There will also be special promotions, mulled wine and refreshments to launch the festival season.
The open studio will continue on Saturdays November 30, December 7 and 14th from 2pn to 5pm.
Likewise there is No Black Friday for the artists in Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk instead they are going GREEN! Avoid the global online chaos and go green, and buy Irish, and buy local. The artists are opening their studios on Friday November 2 where will be a beautiful variety of new work and a wide array of gifts available in the gallery shop. Visitors can also get a chance to meet the artists and see their workspaces and discover more about their process. Studios will be open from 12.30 - 5.30 every Friday and Saturday until Christmas.
Bridge Street Studios was founded in 1995 and is nestled under the eaves of an old 18th century grain store and has been a nurturing hub for artists and small business ever since. Go through the blue gates across from St Nicholas’
Church and find a treasure trove of gifts in paintings, ceramics, prints, textile art and mixed media all made in Dundalk.
Meet the makers, Orlaith Cullinane, Fiona Quigley, Rachel Tinniswood, Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon, Orla Barry, Sarah McKenna, Mary Cowan and Lisa Sherry. Chat to the artists and find out what goes behind the scenes in a busy art collective.
Garrett Mallon is also welcoming customers to Carlingford Design House on Friday, where beautiful craft work by local makers as well as craftspeople from across the country is on sale.
And, of course, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Shop Local’ voucher scheme gives people the opportunity to support a host of local shops, businesses, and services all year round.
The Green Friday initiative is speared by Cork duo Bronwyn Connolly and Meadhbh O’ Leary Fitzpatrick.
Bronwyn explained: ‘During Black Friday the average Irish person buys four products and spends €300, with internal Black-Friday Global data for 2018 showing an 1852% increase in sales compared to an ordinary day. We are hoping that people will consider spending some of this money on locally produced products and services – there is so much choice out there! The Irish retail industry is primarily made up of small, family owned, indigenous companies and in supporting them, we are supporting our communities to stay strong, relevant and vibrant in amongst the many international retailers we have here in Ireland.
She said that the campaign was a huge success last year , and from humble beginnings Green Friday reached a national movement with over 170 businesses getting involved and reaching over 25,000 people on social media. ‘ This year we want to double that amount!’
‘ The support we have received has been fantastic,’ she continued. ‘Black Friday puts serious pressure on small businesses to discount during the Christmas season, which may not be possible and is often not sustainable. Our aim is to get the word out to businesses that there are other ways to promote your wares and to engage customers.
Ms. Connolly commented: ‘Artists and craftspeople spend years working on their skills and honing their craft and there’s very much a journey involved to following that interest and passion through the ups, downs and sacrifices involved in building a business from your creative abilities. It also takes time to develop your product, and indeed your brand, and build that necessary brand loyalty within the local and wider community.’