Page 26 - Our Wexford

was to become her signature – Since then, she’s seen her pieces Quality is timeless, and
delicate mesh and crystal – in worn by the likes of Nicole for 18 years now the high-
cuffs, belts and earrings. “It got Scherzinger from the Pussycat
a phenomenal reaction”, she Dolls, and X-Factor judge; had quality, beautiful products
says, “and sold out, so I had to 15 of her designs selected by made by Paul Maloney
go home and make more. The Brown Thomas fashion director Pottery in an idyllic
seeds to my business were planted Shelly Corkery; while the location barely a stone’s
in that garden centre.” So, the accolades have grown and grown.
decision to start her own studio “At the moment my focus is throw from the urban
and retail business was born. bustle of Wexford town
the home market but this year
She operated out of the renowned I’m planning to move towards have been charming those
independent boutique, Place, in the UK market,” she says of her who will always appreciate
Gorey with designer and artist current plans. “I have to say all the imaginatively-designed
Juliana Walters whose concept of the local support I’ve received and the well-made
Place was, and that proved an has been really fabulous. I’m
important step for Bláithín. one of these people who doesn’t
“She’s a wonderful person,” the like to pressurise my friends or
jewellery designer says now of family or anything, showing
Juliana. “She has a really good them my collections, but there is It’s with a good proportion of
eye for unusual objects and a customer base out there and if tender loving care, along with
I learned an awful lot from they like it they’ll buy it.” years of experience and an
working alongside her. She was Having attended college in appreciation of what people
also my first ever stockist and Dublin for four years, she want as well, of course, as expert
really liked my pieces.”
appreciates being out of urban craftsmanship that Paul Maloney
The Wexford County Enterprise life and back in County Wexford, and his team have managed to
Board also came along with yet less than an hour from wow them through thick and
support and Bláithín was soon the capital on the nearby road thin.
heading for her first trade show network. “I find it very inspiring Located in Barntown, just off the
at Showcase Ireland in 2013, living in the country and I’m main artery between Wexford
picking up valuable business just better designing in quiet and and New Ross/Waterford, Paul’s
from the likes of the Kilkenny calm,” she explains. “There are workshop attracts a significant
Shop in Dublin’s Nassau Street fabulous amenities here, like the chunk of walk-in (or more
and the Fran & Jane collection of beaches and even the local hotels. usually, drive-by) business. It also
boutiques. It’s a really nice place to live.”
achieves a lot of its turnover by
selling to selective outlets such
as Kilkenny Design and Carrig
Donn and some independent
craft shops.

Meanwhile, local clubs and
organisations realise how
much the products of Paul
Maloney Pottery are valued
and prizegivings organised
by everyone from Wexford
Racecourse to golf clubs, bridge
clubs and Wexford Creamery will
often feature some of the work.
RIGHT: Paul is also an accomplished
Jewellery designs painter; he has painted in acrylic
by Bláithín Ennis and oil throughout his life and
has been a first prize winner in
Europe’s largest Plein Air Festival.
He recently produced a range
of prints titled Field of Dreams,
striking images of the animals he
sees in the fields about Wexford.
These works of art are also made
here in Barntown so there’s
always a huge variety on offer

26 OUR WEXFORD