Ethel Kelly of the Claypipe Visitor Centre in Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon was recently presented with a prestigious award for her excellence in customer service by NACTA (the North American Celtic Trade Association ).
She was presented with the award by Anne Tarrant, executive director of NACTA.
A native of Bastion Street, Athlone, her family are involved in a range of creative enterprises in the Midlands.
The Claypipe Visitor Centre is the umbrella company for Ogham Wishes and BogBuddies, both unique and innovative examples of contemporary Irish craft.
Ogham Wishes are a range of individually painted letters depicting the ancient Irish alphabet on hand made paper and they are beautifully framed. BogBuddies are a range of hand-made collectible characters which are also all hand-crafted from real Irish bog. If you are looking for something uniquely Irish, contemporary, and hand-made, it seems that Ethel Kelly really has the edge.
Based in the village of Knockcroghery, Ethel was thrilled to receive this award. “As a small crafts producer, to receive this award is a wonderful recognition of our products and customer service. To receive such an award from an organisation which represents so many craft retailers in North America really means a lot to us”.
She was presented with the award at Showcase 2012, Ireland’s leading International Craft Wholesale Trade Exhibition, where her range of products created much interest among those attending this important crafts event.
Ethel further commented that an award such as this in recessionary times also acts as a reminder that small companies such as those involved in crafts contribute so much to the local economies in which they are located. “As a small scale business, I am proud of the products we produce and the customer service we provide. Crafts have a vital role to play in Ireland’s economy. Recent figures released by the Crafts Council of Ireland show that if we all spent more on local crafts for gifts and so on, even a little can make a big difference. An average spend of €10 by every Irish household on Irish craft would generate €14 million for craft businesses all over the country, creating and sustaining local jobs and communities.”
Further information about Ogham Wishes, BogBuddies, and the Claypipe Visitor Centre are available on www.oghamwish.com
