Set the scene for memorable meals with the interchangeable products of six craft workers, writes Eoin Lyons
Gathered at the Kenilworth Square home of Liz Nilsson, a Swedish-born textile artist, the six members of Six Times Tables are a varied bunch of craftspeople. What brought them together was a plan to design their wares for use on the domestic tabletop. In a move supported by the Crafts Council, each artist has produced goods under five headings: passion, nostalgia, ice, monochromatic and aqua. Whether glassware or ceramic, every item complements another, so they can be used side-by-side.
Some of the group's work was shown last summer at Habitat in Dublin and pieces can now be bought directly from each artist. They hope to appeal to buyers who appreciate traditional craft methods, put together in a modern way. See sixtimestables.com. Items can be ordered by calling the artists, and all welcome visitors to their studios.
MICHELE HANNON
Michele Hannon's hand-built clay vessels could be used as vases, but also look well empty. One may stand alone, but they're designed to relate to each other as a pair: the organic shapes interlocks. What all that means for your table is a sculptural object that will add height in the centre, (the tallest of the vessels is half-a-metre high), not to mind a bit of interest and a ready-made conversation starter. They cost between €140 and €360.
Michele Hannon Ceramics, Mill Lane Studios, Glenside Industrial Estate, Palmerston, Dublin 20, 01-6208899
PATRICK HALL
Patrick Hall took inspiration from traditional china patterns for these dinner plates, but gave them a modern edge by enlarging the pattern in a wide border, which is textured due to a technique that involves rolling lace into wet clay. There are various serving dishes in the range, so buy one large plate to serve from or use one plate for each place setting with plain blue or white china. They make for a fresh look at breakfast or lunch and are priced from €30. The largest plate is slightly sunken and could be used to float candles.
Patrick Hall, Moneylawn, Gorey, Co Wexford, 086-8253752
LIZ NILSSON
Liz Nilsson is a textile artist who has produced tabletop pieces that are screen-printed on heavy linen. Whereas linen is usually regarded as a special fabric, and needs a lot of care when washing and ironing it, Liz's table runners are easier to manage. Runners cost €75 and napkins €15 each. The runners might appeal to those who have bought a solid wood table and want to show the wood rather than cover it with a tablecloth. Liz suggests runners can be placed over a plain tablecloth to add colour and texture.
Liz Nilsson, 54 Kenilworth Square, Rathgar, Dublin 6, 01-4976058
EVA KELLY
Eva Kelly's glass platter with fused orange and yellow spots was designed with eating outside in mind, but isn't just for use in summer: its bright colour would help cheer a winter table. It costs €150 and is striking enough to sit alone on a sideboard or table, but Eva would prefer to see it used at the table to serve any kind of food. Looks best sitting on a light coloured or natural linen tablecloth, so the pattern can be seen to full effect. Use it as the starting point of your table setting.
Eva Kelly, Primrose Hill, Calverstown, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, 045-485389
EDMOND BYRNE
Edmond Byrne's hand-blown glasses are small in size with sandblasted lines circling the outside. These are purposefully uneven and each shape of glass is slightly different - they're not supposed to be perfect. In the hand, they have a special feel. They would make neat water glasses, used alongside taller wine glasses. The vase pictured follows the same idea of free flowing glass and the coloured pieces in the ice bucket are ice-cream dishes.
Edmond Byrne, The Crow Gallery, Crow Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, 087-2325841
JOANNE McKENNA
Joanne McKenna's Egg Bowls act as a centrepiece for the table. They cost €25 each and are designed to sit together in threes, in a way that allows them to rest at an upturned angle. They could also be lined up in a row or any other configuration you fancy. Their purpose is obvious - holding small foodstuffs such as olives, nuts or fruits - but at night a tea light placed in each bowl makes the colours glow and will diffuse candlelight around the table. Use them with plain white china and match your napkins to the colours inside the bowl. Colours can be produced to order.
Joanne McKenna, Bridge Street Studios, 97 Bridge Street, Dundalk, Co Louth, 042-9351712