As the first retail trade event of the New Year,Top Drawer takes place from 16-18 January and showcases the newest product launches, cutting edge designs and must-have products for the New Year.

With the support of Craft NI, Lisa Chan, Jenna Kirkwood, Heather Burgess and Aine Clarke all showcased their work at this prominent event.

“It would be too expensive to go over on your own. The financial support and communications back-up from Craft NI has been brilliant. I can’t wait to go,” said Aine Clarke, knitwear designer from Derry. Her company, Hansel and Gretel, has attracted attention from a celebrity clientele including Michael Buble, Kirstie Allsopp and Cecilia Ahern.

Jenna Kirkwood from Bangor said she is delighted to be part of the female foursome and thinks that with support her beautiful hand crafted paper products could sell in stationery shops across the UK. She set up her own business, The Paper Pattern Company, in 2010 and specialises in printmaking, book binding and paper making.

Two of the designer-makers – Heather Burgess and Lisa Chan – both hail from Carrickfergus. Heather produces handmade cards, lavender bags, brooches and framed fabric pictures under her Rag Button label. She combines her love of vintage fabrics, embellishments and all things miniature to create a unique range of work that employs her extensive skills.

Lisa creates stunning, unique pieces of fine, handcrafted jewellery from Swarovski Crystals, Freshwater Pearls and semi-precious stones, finished in Sterling Silver.

The four designer-makers were supported by Craft Northern Ireland’s Trade Development Programme, an initiative supported by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Arts Council Northern Ireland and the Regional Development Agency; Invest NI through the Creative Industries Innovation Fund.

The programme provides assistance to makers to attend commercial events and research export opportunities for their businesses.

URL: http://www.topdrawer.co.uk/