Offaly gifts and homewares on sale in Arnotts for Christmas
Products from a design studio in Birr which specialises in creating personalised gifts are now being stocked in Arnotts Department store.
The Arnotts Department Store Christmas Market launched on Friday, November 17 and owner of Flying Fig Studio Karla Finnegan said that she was “in utter disbelief” that people can find lots of her creations there this year. “They’re stocking some things you’ll have seen before and some brand new designs too.”
Reacting to the news, Karla said: “As a very small business, this opportunity is incredibly meaningful, and I'm thrilled about the collaboration.
“Flying Fig Studio takes pride in offering unique, handcrafted gifts and homewares, with each item designed, illustrated, and printed in my studio in Offaly. While many of my products are personalised, Arnotts will be stocking a curated selection from my non-personalised range.”
Customers at Arnotts can find a variety of Flying Fig Studio products, including mugs, tote bags, wooden gift tags, and unique greeting cards. Karla said that she is “particularly excited” about launching new items such as the We Three Kings Christmas card, the Yer Man and Yer Wan mugs, a mug and tote bag both featuring nostalgic Irish 90s illustrations and a wedding card with a handmade Child of Prague ornament.
Karla continued: “I'm so excited about this collaboration, and it means a great deal to have the support of Arnotts, an absolutely iconic Irish store. This opportunity not only allows Flying Fig Studio to reach a broader audience but also signifies a vote of confidence in my small business.
"I hope this collaboration helps more people to discover Flying Fig Studio and that it contributes to the business going from strength to strength. Especially during this Christmas season, I encourage everyone to support small and local businesses where they can.”
You can find Flying Fig Studio's creations in-store at Arnotts on Henry Street, specifically in the Christmas Market on the second floor. This placement provides a great opportunity for customers to discover Flying Fig Studio, and lots of other small Irish businesses, during the festive season.
Flying Fig Studio designs, illustrates and hand makes a range of gifts and homewares, many of which are inspired by Birr and Offaly. Karla personally designs and produces all the products herself, such as the Birr landmarks mug, Tullamore landmarks mug, and mushroom mug which is hand printed with illustrations of fungi found at Birr Castle and the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Karla Finnegan takes inspiration from her surroundings and on walks around Birr Castle and the Slieve Bloom Mountains. She said that there are lots of “amazing birds” around Birr Castle. “I've got a bird mug ready to go now. I'm working on an Irish wildlife one as well with just lots of illustrations of nice Irish wildlife."
The Birr Landmarks mug features a selection of stunning illustrated landmarks including Emmet Square, the Great Telescope, John's Hall and Birr Castle.
Karla also has some mushroom inspired products such as a mug and tote bag. She enjoys designing products that her friends will like or creating a design around a theme that she is interested in. The Offaly native created a camping mug recently and as a result a customer contacted her to enquire if she made farming mugs in the same style so Karla then decided to design a mug around this theme.
She aims to be as eco-friendly as possible so all of the packaging she uses is plastic free and she also makes a donation to the World Land Trust every year which plants trees on behalf of Flying Fig Studio.