EssenC Designs (www.EssenC.ie)

About

studio showroom (my shop)

my machines

 i am the designer behind the EssenC Designs label. it is pronounced S and C, which was inspired by the initials in my name – which is Sinead Clarke (it is an traditional irish name) i live in virginia, a small town in co cavan, ireland(the north mid-lands) and work about 13 mins drive away, near my home house. it is in the middle of the countryside, and is called Killinkere. my townland is derryham. i work in an old farmhouse on a working farm. it belonged to my neighbour Jemmy Clarke who died on march 20th 2007. he was very close to me and my family and as he had no family of his own he left his house to my family, which is how i ended up there. i studied art for 1 year in dublin, preparing my portfolio for art college. then i spend 4 years in limerick in LSAD – the limerick school of art and design, studying fashion design. i graduated in november 2006 with an honours degree in fashion design. i completed my degree collection of 6 outfits which were all inspired by the travelling circus. i entered the collection into the mitelmoda young fashion awards and won best knitwear collection. the prize was offered by world famous MISSONI knitwear from milan. i went to work with them in the summer of 2007, i returned home in july, began designing and making reversible knitted handbags to sell at christmas craft shows in dublin that year. customers really liked my handbags, they sold well and my business kinda took off from there. i made more bags, designed some unusual scarves, designed a website, handed out business cards which i made myself and now i have a two year old business which is doing well (apart from the recession part ot things which is slowing all businesses down). in september i begin year 3 of my business and i cannot believe it – it has flown by. time flies when you’re having fun!

loft studio & office

my studio

more knitting machines

my kitchen / reception