Passion and inspiration at Belturbet's Studio Eight

Studio Eight in Belturbet is an Irish brand founded by designer Kirsten O’Keeffe. Kirsten designs and handcrafts her creations from her home studio beside a beautiful lake in Cavan and this is her second year to participate in Showcase.

Dried flowers have become her passion and she sources them from small Irish flower farmers and suppliers from counties Cavan, Wexford, Westmeath, Carlow and Cork. These designs are reproduced by hand, each one unique to the flower used in the arrangements and displayed in the same composition.

Each flower is dried to create an everlasting natural piece of wall art. Handmade papers are used to create a stunning textured backdrop for the flowers.

Kirsten is most excited ahead of next week’s event. “It provides me with a wonderful opportunity to reach a larger audience; I actually did it last year so this is my second year of Showcase.

So, 2024 was really just a taster for me because I really hadn’t been dealing in wholesale until then. I got into a number of Irish independent gift shops through Showcase and I’m really hoping to build on that at this year’s event.”

She is thrilled also to have one of her pieces selected for display in ‘The Edit’ - a spotlight area/collection in the overall Showcase

“That has been a highlight in the build up to the show for me.”