Step into wold of unique
gift ideas at Celtic Creations
 HELEN RITCHIE holding a Tain Blue Pottery vase. |
The Window to the Soul
Celtic legend is ripe with tales of people moving between the physical and faerie realms.
Wear this piece as a reminder that your soul is what binds your physical self to the spiritual world and that it needs to be nourished with an open heart and mind.
– Keith Jack on one of his unique designs.
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
N. VANCOUVER – Celtic Creations is located in the Lonsdale Quay Market in North Vancouver. As you reach the second level of the market, it’s hard not to notice the entrance into the Celtic Creations shop.
Framed in a spectacular Celtic design, you step into the shop and on to a unique Celtic design tile mat at the door. The other thing that you will notice is how bright and airy and well merchandised the shop is.
Cork-born Helen Ritchie and Scottish-born, Keith Jack, complement each other in the work that they both do in the shop.
Maura and I dropped in to visit at Celtic Creations on St. Patrick’s Day and we spoke to both Helen and Jack about some of the new products in the store and, of course, Keith’s beautiful Celtic design jewellery.
Since I visited Celtic Creations last, Helen has added some beautiful blue pottery to her inventory. She said, “this pottery is called Tain Blue Pottery and it is hand-painted in the Highlands of Scotland. We have some of the vases, pitchers and dinnerware.”
This pottery would make a lovely gift if you weren’t tempted to keep it for yourself.
Helen also pointed out some unique wall hangings called Ogham prints. The Ogham alphabet is the earliest known form of Irish writing.
“This writing dates from the First Century BC and was widely used by the Celts for centuries,” explained Helen.
“Ancient Ogham can still be found on many standing stones throughout Ireland,” she said. “Each Ogham is individually painted on hand-made paper and beautifully framed in a contemporary black wooden frame.”
An explanatory text accompanies each Ogham gift, outlining the history of Ogham writing with the Gaelic and English translations.
 KEITH JACK with one of his beautiful Celtic jewellery designs. |
“From the Wild Goose Studio in County Cork, we have a unique range of wall-hangings which combine heritage with the contemporary inspired by myths, legends and history,” said Helen. “All our pieces are handmade by skilled craft-workers and finished in pure bronze or cast iron.”
Also, new this year at Celtic Creations is the Burns Crystal from Ayrshire in Scotland.
Give yourself some time when you visit Celtic Creations because there is a lot to see. If you have any questions about the unique new merchandise, Helen or Keith or the knowledgeable staff can give you the background on the product.
In many cases you will learn something about the history of Ireland or Scotland that you may not have known previouly.
Keith designs beautiful Celtic jewellery and each piece is accompanied with an explanation of the design. His designs are displayed at Celtic Creations and it is rare that a designer would be on hand to explain the intricacies of the design and its meaning.
Whether you’re buying the piece of jewellery for yourself or as a gift for your wedding, there can be no doubt that it will have much more meaning when you have met the designer and know the history of the design.
Maura and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Helen and Keith, we had lots of laughs and the craic was in high gear.
For more information about Celtic Creations, call (604) 903-8704, or visit: www.celticcreations.net.
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