CODY FOR SALEFashion designer Helen Cody's rollicking new collection of one-off pieces is about colour, femininity, quality, and - hey, why not, they're only clothes - fun also.
Next Saturday, she will sell the whole lot (about 60 items) at the Odessa Club off Exchequer Street. Cody usually designs to commission only, so this is an opportunity to get something remarkable. Imagine black silk tulle dresses with mother-of-pearl buttons, crochet lace mixed with patchwork, gold metallic fabrics . . . it's a mad, wonderful mix, all made by her own hand. Joining Cody is fellow designer Tim Ryan, who has a similarly ethereal style and American jewellery retailer Vicki Lynn. Artist Marge Block will sell works on paper. Saturday, December 3rd, 11.30am-5pm at the Odessa Club, 12-14 Dame Court, Dublin 2 (01-6707634). Eoin Lyons
DERRY GOOD INDEED Derry was one of the first off the mark this year with its annual Crafts Fair, reclaiming the Guildhall after the long years of the Bloody Sunday Tribunal. Over 50 exhibitors filled the hall, and visitors were lured up the stairs by the promise of Man of Aran Fudge, in about 20 different melt-in-your-mouth flavours. Many of the exhibitors will be in St George's Market in Belfast this weekend, and at the RDS National Craft Fair on Dec 7th-12th. They include adorable fleece hats and scarves for babies from All Tucked Up, and paintings on silk (above) by Dara Hand. At Atlantic Knitwear look out for cool quilted skirts designed by Julie Griffiths in her studio in Donegal town. See also Brian Magee's ceramic bird houses and pots, and Anne Hyland's sweaters and shrugs made with polyamide yarn, as soft as cashmere - well, almost. We also loved the handmade bath salts, creams, scents and soaps made by Donna Keeney. Her brand name is Ballgreen and her products are as good as the most luxurious imports . . . and made in Co Donegal. We also liked Ann McGonigal's use of Magee tweeds to make contemporary jackets, and another stall selling Irish linen shirts and pyjamas - the last traces of the once thriving textiles industry in the north-west. Patsey Murphy
ONE OF A KIND
If you are trailing around looking for a piece of furniture that exists in your head but not in the shops, try Habitat. The shop has collaborated with furniture designer Charles O'Toole of Charles Furniture for a service called "One Off". O'Toole will work with the customer to create a piece of furniture that will fit the space its owner wants it for. Initial enquiries and meetings are free, but there is a €150 charge for secondary concepts and drawings. This is refundable when the order goes ahead. Prices vary depending on the furniture. Habitat, College Green/Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 (01-6771433). Nicoline Greer
BREAD-Y STEADY COOK When you come home after a hard day and can't face cooking how about this? Cook the night before, or on a Sunday when the kitchen is usually "on" with the family meal. Ideally a casserole, curry or other "hotpot" dish which will look after itself and not require too much of your time to simmer into a delicious weekday treat. No need to worry about potatoes, rice or the like, either. Instead keep it simple by serving with this delicious bread, which you can pop in the oven for five minutes or so. The result is mouth-watering - soft on the inside, slightly crispy on the outside, and a great mopper upper of any sauce or gravy. It's €2 from Madina, Moore Street, Dublin 1 (01-8734011). Freezes well, too. Phyl Clarke
MINISTRY OF SOUND Ever seethed with rage at the sound of someone sniffing? Cringed at the sound of nails scraping down a blackboard? Or does the sound of the Crazy Frog make you jump up and down in frustration? Researchers at Salford University's Acoustic Research Centre are trying to find out what is the worst sound in the world. Their website, "Bad Vibes" is unlike most university websites. About 30 samples of torturous sounds are on the site for you to listen to and to rate, from tolerable to really awful. The masochistic can download them as ringtones. They are keen for people all over the world to contribute to their survey, to see if people in some countries dislike some sounds more than others. Listen and vote at: www.sound101.org. Nicoline Greer
WINNING WEDDINGS An Irish bride spends an average of one year planning her big day, according to Jacinta O'Brien, editor of Weddings Irish Style. The magazine launched a nationwide search in August for the best providers of nuptial services and products, as voted for by brides and grooms. Winners were revealed at a dinner in Clontarf Castle on Thursday and included: Wedding couturier: Ro Molloy, Phibsboro, Dublin 7. Best salon: Scarlett Bridal, Ennis, Co Clare. Best new salon: Contemporary Bride, Shinrone, Co Offaly. Deirdre McQuillan
OUR DAILY ARTS From its title, the Arts Journal might sound like a stuffy academic periodical, but it's actually an invaluable website for anyone who wants to keep up to date with cultural news and arts issues. Every day the Arts Journal scans the arts and culture sections of over 200 online publications such as the BBC, the Guardian, the Times, the New York Times and the Washington Post. It then compiles an online list of links to the most interesting articles and divides them into the following sections: ideas, visual arts, music, art issues, people, publishing, media and dance. You don't even have to log on every day. You can sign up for free daily e-mails, which give a list of direct links to the articles of the day. The site is run by editor-in-chief Douglas McLennon, a former arts reporter for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Seattle Weekly, while Pulitzer prize-winning author Jack Miles is the senior editor. Check it out at www.artsjournal.com. Eimear McKeith