Of course this sign with the adorable sheep appeals to the knitter in me.
Since it was Sunday evening when we were going to dinner, I didn’t get to go into the Irish Design Center but they have many wonderful gifts I could see in the window.
I still have a woven wool scarf I bought here years ago.
Here is a Pitt News Article You Don’t Have to be Irish to Love Ireland
Waiting. Patiently.
My granddaughter Anna made the beautiful flower covered ceramic art in her high school ceramics class. She gave it to me at Christmas. I put a glass jar inside to hold the stems in water.
The daffodils are from Ireland, but bought them at Trader Joe’s Monday afternoon. I’m sure many will have opened up by morning.
Bringing Spring inside
“Celtic Culture was founded in 2004 with the mission of bringing a wide range of style forward products from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. The company was founded by Andrew Carr who has traveled extensively in Ireland and the British Isles and has always had a love for all things Celtic. ” from their Website
Just about fifty miles from downtown Pittsburgh, you can find all things Celtic.
Celtic Culture Shop is a gorgeous gem right on East Main Street in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
We saw sweaters, cloaks, wool caps, jewelry, crystal, greeting cards, home decor items, preserves, candies, chocolate, sweets and even Marmite.
It would be a pretty time to drive out to the Laurel Highlands and check out the Celtic treasures, do a little holiday shopping.
The photos were taken in the summer on the day of the Yarn Crawl- August 2019, but just recovered this first day of November, 2019. Thanks for your patience, Andrew.
Guest blog from my friend Kristin -blog follower and frequent commenter
“Sign we saw in Londonderry “Derry” Northern Ireland.”
People at Work. Meet Shillelagh maker, Mr. Patrick Byrne. Today I got invited to his workshop, Byrne Shillelaghs, to photograph him making a shillelagh. Irish Walking Sticks, right here in Pittsburgh. Made to order. I got to see a work in progress- A Thumb Stick. His custom designs are gorgeous. I saw an authentic thorn stick too, with the thorns still protruding from the column of wood.
We met because we both donated our artistic creations to the Kidney Gift of Life Gala.
Custom Branding, Embedded Coins, Gems, Nameplates are all a possibility when ordered your custom made shillelagh. Here is Pat Byrne holding one made of hard maple.
Here is Mr. Byrne, holding the shillelagh that was given to him by a man who said, “You’re Irish aren’t you?” and went into his house and brought this out and gave it to him as a gift. This first shillelagh started his thinking, I could make this! And he does, beautifully. His son does the art work and branding on the shillelaghs and made one with a Celtic knot carved design that was stunning.