E-business, new design development, quality-control and regional crafts fairs are among the strategies planned to increase sales of Irish crafts at home and abroad over the next three years, according to the chief executive of the Crafts Council of Ireland, Mr Leslie Reed.
Mr Reed made his comments to 40 west of Ireland craftworkers at a recent information seminar in Galway at which the Kilkenny-based crafts council outlined its strategic plan for 2000-2003. The Galway seminar was the first of a series of six, catering for craftworkers in different regions who are represented by the council.
The craft business in Ireland is worth £100 million annually and employs 3,300 people full time and 2,600 part time. The council represents over 1,200 of the country's craft companies.
Galway potter Rob D'Eath, from Sliding Rock pottery in Spiddal, welcomed the council's decision to visit the regions, and hoped concerns expressed by workers in Galway would be addressed by the body. Some craftworkers had felt unrepresented by the organisation, he said.
One of the most contentious topics raised at the Galway seminar was the council's quality mark, held by some 20 per cent of businesses represented by the body. Under the strategic development plan, the aim is to have 40 per cent with the mark by the end of this year. This accreditation is awarded by a panel of judges, which includes retailers, journalists and craftworkers. The inclusion of craftworkers on the panel was criticised, as was the term "quality mark".
"The process should be externally audited," Rob D'Eath said. And while he agreed that certain craftworkers who are producing "really excellent goods" should be given credit, he objects to the term quality mark.
"Calling it a quality mark is sending out a message that crafts which don't have it aren't quality. It's just down to a name," he said.
The need for greater consultation between the council and workers is acknowledged in the body's strategic plan. Other changes are also being implemented.
Until now, the Showcase International Trade Fair held in Dublin each January was the craft industry's main marketing vehicle and the council's biggest success story, said Leslie Reed. However, space limitations have restricted the numbers who can exhibit, especially in showcase's prestigious Village area. That has caused resentment among some craftworkers.
But now showcase is going online, which will offer enormous advantages to crafts people, said Mr Reed. It can cater for anyone capable of taking advantage of it and offers the council an interactive marketing site.
However, another planned marketing strategy - the establishment of regional crafts fairs - was criticised by one of the west's largest crafts employers, potter and craft shop owner Judy Greene.
Greene felt that while the intention of the fairs was good, in allowing workers to display their goods to a wide array of potential buyers, it could have an adverse effect on craft people.
Shop owners who buy goods from craftworkers will object to the same goods being showcased at regional trade fairs, she said. Competing directly with shops which support workers all year round would not benefit the industry.
Discussions between the council and craftworkers continued over the weekend in Killarney. Letterkenny is the next venue, on June 10th. After the summer season, the council will address craftworkers in Cahir, Armagh and Dublin.