Derry artist Ashling Ramsey returns to Guildhall Craft Fair

For Derry artist Ashling Ramsey, what began as a way to help fund her daughter’s college education has developed into a thriving creative business, with her distinctive hand-painted glassware now finding its way into homes and collections around the world.

The founder of Willow Studios is one of more than 100 talented designer-makers, artists and artisan producers who will exhibit at this year’s Guildhall Craft Fair, returning to the city from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15.

A familiar face at the annual event, Ashling has been exhibiting at the Craft Fair for the past eight years and says it remains her favourite showcase of the year.

Having studied Fine Art in Belfast, she spent almost 30 years teaching art and painting before taking the first steps towards establishing her own business.

“It was only when my daughter Zoe was going to college that I decided to sell some of my pieces at Fairs to help pay the cost of that,” she explained.

“It went well quite quickly and I ended up stocking the pieces in shops across the North West of Ireland.

“When Covid hit I started selling online and because people couldn’t get out into the shops the sales really took off. I was shipping orders to all over the world.”

Ashling has developed a distinctive artistic style, creating colourful, bespoke hand-painted glassware and artwork that combines decorative beauty with practical use.

“My style is bright colours and it’s quite influenced by the rich textures and styles of Tiffany glass, Murano glass and the sweeping landscapes of the Irish countryside,” she said.

“I love the way light and colour combine and how the colour bounces when you put the pieces in a plain room as a centrepiece.”

Her work has attracted some interesting admirers over the years, including the late Alexandra Hamilton, the Duchess of Abercorn, who she met while exhibiting at Derry’s Walled City Market.

“She said my work reminded her of Russian art and commissioned me to produce her gifts which she presented to people she met from all over the world.

“It’s a lovely thought that my art is on display in places where I’ve never been but there’s now a piece of me there.”

While her pieces have travelled far beyond the North West, Ashling says there is something particularly special about returning to the Guildhall each November.

“I’ve been coming to the Guildhall Craft Fair for the last eight years and it’s my favourite Fair of the year,” she added.

“I just love being in the Guildhall and Council’s Events team do a perfect job in bringing together such a high standard of crafters.

“There are customers I have met through the Craft Fair who come back every year, so I always make sure I have new pieces ready that they could add to their collections.”

Visitors to the Willow Studios stall will have the opportunity to browse Ashling’s latest creations, including new work specially prepared for this year’s event.

And while her business has taken her in directions she could never have anticipated, Ashling is happy to let her creativity and the people she meets guide what comes next.

“My aims for the future are to just keep going. I couldn’t have planned for all the things that have happened since I started the business and I have found that your next direction is dictated by the people you meet.”

The Guildhall Craft Fair takes place from Friday November 13th to Sunday November 15th, bringing together more than 100 exhibitors from across Ireland.

The event marks the beginning of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s wider ‘Christmas Starts Here’ programme and offers visitors the opportunity to discover unique, handmade gifts while supporting independent makers and small businesses.

Opening times:

• Friday, November 13: 12pm – 8pm
• Saturday, November 14: 10am – 6pm
• Sunday, November 15: 10am – 6pm

For further information and updates on Council’s Christmas programme visit www.derrystrabane.com/christmas.