Craft Shapes Ireland is a family run business based on a family farm in Bunclody, 10 Miles from this years NPA site. Brain Child of husband and wife duo Melvin and Maria Porter the young business is to exhibit at the national ploughing for the first time this year.
“ We are so excited at the thoughts of our young business to have its very own stand at the ploughing this year” Maria Said. “It has been on the bucket list since we started this business as I have been attending the ploughing annually since I was a child” said Melvin. Growing up on a farm it has always been one of the highlights of our year, going to the ploughing and absorbing the electric atmosphere it has to offer, and now the fact that Maria and I are actually going to be exhibiting gives me goosebumps at the thoughts of it”
“Our business was launched at the beginning of 2016 when we spotted a niche in the market for Irish crafting shapes and blanks, I had been a crafter and wanted to buy Irish but couldn’t, Melvin has always been interested in working with wood so we both decided that if we cannot buy Irish then why not Supply Irish!… The rest is history!” Says Maria
Our business has developed since it was born and we have now extended our offering to Craft supplies such as, Paint, glue, embellishments, solid wooden boxes, basically all you need to finish the crafting blanks into masterpieces. As a crafter herself Maria also creates finished gifts too.
What was the motivation to base our business on the family farm? “Well like with all generations there is the matter of succession on the farm, and that had a part to play in it” Melvin said “Being small farmers we knew we would need to supplement our income but also be available to help on the farm as and when we were needed, we also have a young family and to have support near us to help with the children was a fundamental need when getting a business off the ground…as they say It takes a village!”
Our stand at the ploughing Championships is definitely the highlight of our year so far, we cannot wait to meet our customers and show new customers what this local family business is made of! This year we are launching our Christmas gift collection at the show to include solid wood Christmas eve boxes, Santa trays and family Christmas signs. We also have a brand new, never seen before selection of children’s door and wall plaques that can be personalised on the day ready to go to their new home.
We are so excited and cannot wait to see you there! The Hub tent, Unit 53. IF you cant make the ploughing you can find us at www.craftshapesireland.ie