The Business of Craft Awards 2025 announced

Incredible Socks, One Dame Lane, Rowena Sheen Jewellery & Pawpear win

at the Business of Craft Awards at Local Enterprise Showcase 2025

8.45am, Monday, 20th January 2025

The winners of the Business of Craft Awards have been announced this morning as part of Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2025 in the RDS.  The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices was brought in to recognise the businesses behind the amazing craft and design products that are created across the country.  

The awards had four categories; Best Newcomer for the best craft and design business who is exhibiting for the first time, One to Watch for the best craft and design business who has excellent export and international potential, Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability and Best Visual Branding for the business who has outstanding branding across physical and online presences. 

In the Sustainability Champion category, the winner was Rowena Sheen Jewellery, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare.  The business stood out as an example of how sustainability can lead innovation.  Rowena creates contemporary Irish jewellery using salvaged native Irish woods, recycled sterling silver, and finished with Burren wildflower beeswax, which is a by-product of her father’s honey business. 

In the One to Watch category, the winner was One Dame Lane, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow.  Established by Lyndsey Kavanagh in 2017 this sustainable jewellery company have a two-pronged approach to business with a both a consumer store and online presence alongside a bespoke service that is tailored to the bridal.  The company are growing steadily and are planning to grow the business internationally in 2025.

 The award for Best Newcomer went to Incredible Socks, supported by Local Enterprise Office Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, in their first year at Showcase.  Set up in 2023 by Marc Carey, this sock brand set out to create a premium product that wasn’t on the market.  A sustainable ecofriendly range of bamboo material socks for men, women and children.  Each pair sold also sees a contribution to three charities, Focus Ireland, Jigsaw and the Bombay Teen Challenge. 

The final award, and a new addition for 2025, was Best Visual Branding, which went to Pawpear, supported by Local Enterprise Office Waterford.  The illustrated stationery brand, in just their second year at Showcase, were selected for their exceptional visuals at the event that were consistent across their website and social channels.   

Each of the 105 Local Enterprise Office supported companies who are taking part in Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2024 were eligible for the awards.  The event takes place across three days where the companies will get to meet with national and international buyers from the craft and design sector.    

Tom Rooney, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices, said; “Our winners todayshowcase exactly what a great Irish craft and design business looks like.  They all have created beautiful products that consumers will enjoy but they have also built solid businesses behind those products.  These are sustainable forward-thinking companies that have their eyes on bigger things, whether that be expanding their businesses, exporting into new markets or innovation in product design they all have extremely bright futures.  The shortlist for these awards highlights how lucky we are to have such a strong cohort of craft and design businesses in Ireland and why they are renowned around the world.”

 Showcase 2025, which is a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar has opened its doors to over 4,500 buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, which will generate a forecast of €25million worth of sales orders during the show. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.

The winners of the first year of the Business of Craft Awards in 2024 were in the Sustainability Champion category, Palm Free Irish Soap, who create a luxury range of Irish made soaps, deodorant and shampoo bars, free of palm oil.  In the One to Watch Category the winner was Bex Shelford Prints, who specialise in fine art prints, cards, screen prints and the award for Best Newcomer went to Sully and Juno, who create a range of sensory friendly clothing.      

Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.

 

SHORTLIST - Business of Craft Awards 2025 – Local Enterprise Showcase @ Showcase 2025

 

Newcomer

  • SIOG Botanicals – supported by LEO Kildare
  • Incredible Socks – supported by LEO Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown (WINNER)
  • Mojo & Co – Supported by LEO Louth

 

One to Watch

  • Culu Design – supported by LEO Wicklow
  • One Dame Lane – supported by LEO Wicklow (WINNER)
  • Fussy Food Plates – supported by LEO South Dublin

 

Sustainability Champion

  • WASI – supported by LEO Cork North & West
  • Rowena Sheen Jewellery – supported by LEO Clare (WINNER)
  • Crafts of Ireland – supported by LEO Cavan

 

Best Visual Branding

  • Pawpear – supported by LEO Waterford

 

Ends

 

About Showcase

Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® is one of the country’s largest international trade shows.  The annual event is attended by thousands of buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, Mainland Europe, Asia and Africa generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide. More than 300 Irish brands are exhibited at the fair, including emerging Irish businesses supported by their Local Enterprise Offices. Showcase is for trade attendance only. www.showcaseireland.com / @showcase_ireland

 

About Design & Crafts Council Ireland

Design & Crafts Council Ireland is the national agency for craft and design in Ireland, we support designers and makers to develop their businesses in a sustainable way, and advocate for the societal benefits of craft and design. DCCI's activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 64 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients. www.dcci.ie / @dccireland

 

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. We work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate, and win export sales in global markets. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth, regional development, and secure employment. http://www.enterprise-ireland.com / @enterprise_ireland

 

Local Enterprise Offices

The 31 Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide.  Since their establishment in 2014 they have been for the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training, and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development. For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to: