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Celtoi Designs anniversaries, weddings, christenings, birthdays and special occasionsceltic gifts for birthday, anniversary, civil partnership, wedding, special occasion
Adrian McAleese, Celtoi DesignsCeltoi Designs is a small craft and artistic enterprise based in Dundonald, not far from the iconic Stormont Parliament buildings in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  It was created by Adrian McAleese around 7 years ago and since then Adrian has quickly made a name for himself in the competitive giftware market, having come to the attention of exclusive stockists and clients from showings at many prestigious trade and craft exhibitions around the country. 

 

Individual Attention, Global Service

Although supplying a number of exclusive stockists, Adrian still prefers to deal with his clients on an individual basis to ensure their specific requirements are understood and incorporated into each piece.  His impressive client base extends from Australia to America as well as throughout the UK and Ireland.  

 

A True Irish Cottage Industry

In recent years Adrian, concerned that his product was in danger of appearing mass produced and losing its 'Heart and Soul'. Adrian elected to scale back production and return to his roots.  Each piece is now carefully and lovingly hand made in the comfortable and calm surroundings of his own home and Celtoi Designs has returned to being a true Irish Cottage Industry.  Gone is the impersonal business and factory setting that Adrian felt ran contrary to the ethos and very essence of his products.

 

The Celtoi Knot Poem

Adrian believes that his self-penned poem adds appeal for the discerning client and differentiates his products from the more commonplace and 'run of the mill' mass produced Irish folklore mementos.  I have found that the poem, truly reflective of Celtic Mythology, really resonates with people in search of more than simply a 'souvenir'- something that is deeper and more meaningful than it might appear at first glance. 

 

"For me the Celtic knot tells the age-old story of life how we travel along our own journey, how we meet and influence others, the twists and turns our lives take and how it really never ends.  My customers kept asking me about it so I wrote the poem to explain it and now this poem is very much part of the product and it appears on everything I design.

I have found that the poem and Celtic mythology really resonates with people who want to buy more than just a product something that is deeper and more meaningful than it at first might appear. Call it 'mystical marketing' if you wish,  but I firmly believe that the inclusion of the Celtoi Knot Poem enhances the value of each Celtoi Designs gift. 

 

And Adrian may have point as he was recently commissioned by the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin to produce an exclusive series of art pictures inspired by the Shrine of St. Patrick’s Bell .  Read Adrian's poem in full here.

 

Local, National and International Press Recognition

Adrian's work has been featured in dozens of newspapers, magazines and publications at home and abroad.

 

His work will has already featured in the following publications:

 

·         Irelands Homes Interiors Magazine- Northern Ireland

·         More 2 Life supplement, Sunday Life- Northern Ireland

·         Homefinder, Belfast Telegraph- Northern Ireland

·         The Belfast Telegraph- Northern Ireland

·         Business Eye Magazine- Northern Ireland

·         Northern Ireland Interiors- Northern Ireland

·         Ulster Tatler Interiors- Northern Ireland

 

·         Irish Interiors Magazine- Ireland

·         Irish Gift Retailer- Ireland

·         Irish News- Ireland

·         Irish Times- Ireland

·         Real Homes Magazine- UK

·         Home Accents Today, USA

·         Accessories Merchandising , USA

 

In addition Adrian has also appeared on local television and radio and has given presentations to entrepreneurs and small business owners on his experiences of starting up and running a small artistic enterprise.   He has also written various articles on Interior Designs subjects for local glossy publications.

 

The Future

Adrian's wish is to keep his business true to its origin - to ensure that each gift is carefully and meticulously designed and hand made with an attention to detail not found elsewhere.  Deeply committed to his family, he does enlist the help of family members at times, particularly that of his mother who lovingly makes each of the hessian gift bags by hand.  New clients are placing orders from America, Australia and Canada, and Adrian greatly enjoys hearing stories of their Irish ancestry and heritage, and is gratified to know that his gifts encapsulate their personal details in a way that no commercially mass-produced products possibly can.  

Pictures produced as gifts often result in new orders from other individuals impressed by Adrian's workmanship and artistry.  He is happy and gratified to see his business gradually expanding as a result, but always seeks to ensure that it does not become too big too fast.  Adrian's prime motivation and satisfaction comes from the knowledge that the careful attention to detail lovingly bestowed on each gift invokes such a positive and appreciative response from each and every gift recipient.

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