Maker Profiles

Louise McLean - Willow Artist

Louise McLean is a willow sculptural artist and designer basket maker who lives on the outskirts of Portrush. Her work is largely influenced by the rugged landscape and stunning coastlines of Ireland. Workshops are delivered provincewide to all ages, stages and abilities.

Louise went back as an adult learner in 2001 to study the University of Ulster Traditional Heritage Craft Skills and fell in love with all traditional crafts, her main areas are Basketry, Straw craft and Wood carving.

Louise has worked with Tom O'Brien, Joe Hogan, Ann-Marie Eitchel , Alison Fitzgerald and Cathy Hayden.

When in Christchurch, Louise enjoyed the opportunity of weaving with New Zealand flax and spent time with renowned artist Ali Brown.

Range of products made include basketry, coppice crafts, carvings, straw craft, Bee-Skep and many driftwood items.

Geri Martin - Chocolatier

Geri Martin is the owner of The Chocolate Manor, NI's leading provider of handcrafted bespoke chocolate creations. Geri established the business in 2012, whilst on maternity leave with her second child, and has grown the small craft business into a profitable enterprise supplying 4 and 5 star hotels across the island of Ireland, events organisers and retailers with a range of unique bespoke chocolate products. Geri has been called upon to create handcrafted chocolate for celebrities, international events and has twice showcased her work at St James' Palace at the invitation of HRH The Duke of York.

Helen Walshaw - Designer-Maker

Have fun with Helen, designer-maker, creating your own unique textile piece using a wonderful collection of antique and contemporary Indian printing blocks and water-based inks. This simple technique gives immediate and stunning results so is perfect for adult beginners and children alike.

Sam Swart - Cookie Artist

With her love of both cookies and art, Sam started Causeway Cookie Company 2 years ago, creating yummy, gluten-free, edible works of art. The cookies are hand made in small batches, iced with Royal Icing & then hand painted with edible paints.

As well as creating bespoke, personalised platters & gift boxes, Sam attends various artisan markets throughout Northern Ireland, but mainly along the beautiful North Coast.

November 2017 was Sam’s first time entering Cake International in Birmingham, with a toal of over 1500 international competitors. She was awarded a Bronze Medal and placed 12^th out of the 28 entries in the Decorated Cookie Category.

Sam enjoys sharing the experience of creating your own little masterpieces, with kids of all ages, by incorporating a ‘Decorate a Cookie’ activity at the various markets.

Janet Millar - Calligrapher, Illustrator and Mixed Media Artist

Janet has been passionate about all aspects of visual art since she first held a pencil as a child. She now specialises in the skill of calligraphy since first learning about it when it was an exam option in her Art A Level. Her expertise has evolved through the years with the consistent practice and studying of letter forms and how to use them not just in her commissioned work but in everyday life.

From her early beginnings in putting this new skill to use, Janet worked alongside a local wedding photographer in applying the handwritten finishing touches to his clients wedding albums. This then expanded to her own wedding clients, private commissions such as handwritten family trees, framed memory verses and presentations, restorations, right up to today, where Janet now has her Irish themed pieces reproduced into high quality prints and greeting cards which are available online and have been purchased from as far away as the U.S.A.

Through her interest in the wide range of pens available for calligraphy, Janet has recently been commissioned to work alongside the world famous Manuscript Pen Company in creating artwork to feature on packaging for a range of their products. The National Trust at The Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council are also clients, among others from corporate, hospitality and private sectors.

In recent years, with the great interest in modern calligraphy and it’s more relaxed, yet beautifully effective technique, Janet has been able to expand her workshop appeal by offering modern as an option to the more traditional calligraphy.

Linda Lewis - Textile Artist

Linda Lewis is a Textile Artist and Special Needs/Art Coordinator, her practice revolves around creating felt pictures that respond to local landscapes. She also extracts both inspiration and materials from our Coastline. The pictures are created using locally sourced sheep’s wool which adds a familiarity to the narrative of each piece.

As well as producing her own pieces Linda also accepts commissions. She has created many bespoke pictures that evoke the atmosphere of the given scene - whether it be a crisp coastal view or a wistful mountain landscape.

Linda facilitates workshops in various locations province wide. She relishes in sharing her passion for felt and textiles and this skill can be transferred to children and adults of all ages. At the end of each workshop there is always a wonderful array of unique works.

Awards include the Textile Bio Diversity Award 2005, presented by David Bellamy and the James McCord Bursary 2009, presented by Neill Shawcross. Linda has also collaborated with a number of artists in a variety of Community projects.