About Me

Karen Cunneen Bilbow

I am an Irish Textile Artist, Designer & Lampshade Maker & Mum of two fabulous girls. I have a passion since I was a young child for Arts and creating. During my years at the Limerick School of Art and Design, I discovered the world of printmaking and this, for me, was liberating. I developed a passion for vibrant hues, printing techniques, textiles and textures. I received my Diploma & my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Art Printmaking from the Limerick school of Art & Design in 1995 & 1997.
After college, I continued my passion for Art as a hobby.

Fabricate

Fabricate was born on the 5th February 2018, after receiving the devastating news that I had suddenly lost my job. I decided it was time to turn my long-time hobby into my career.
I created a lampshade for my nieces’ nursery out of necessity when I couldn’t find what I was looking for online or on the high streets. The response was amazing, so this was the start of my lampshade adventures.

I design & create unique products that are functional and high quality. I love to create Bespoke art ranging from Textile tote bags, Cushions and Aprons They have an individual style you will definitely not find on the high street, inspired by colour and Nature. My homewares are a piece of functional art for your home or make an ideal Unique special gift.

The fabrics used in my textile cushions, totes & aprons are printed here in Ireland and using my own artwork, these are guaranteed to create a feature in your home. When you purchase my products you are supporting my dream and supporting local.  I believe that “Handmade has a charm and is something to be treasured” so I love to create unique handcrafted products. 

My Passion

My business has evolved to include Classes & Workshops, I thoroughly enjoy teaching, I teach my own classes & Creative School textile projects in a variety of schools around Ireland.

I teach Needle felting, Wool painting, upcycling and lampshade making classes to students from both the Home Economics & Art Departments in the schools
Currently the junior cycle has a strong link to “Recycle & Green” with an emphasis on sustainability, this is achieved by using hand dyed local sourced wool in the felting projects and upcycling or creating your own fabrics for the lampshade making workshops 

The creative classes element of my business is my passion it is so rewarding, to see the students try new art forms, learn new life skills and use the creative process to express themselves but to trust their ideas and explore possibilities

The Future

My business has gone from strength to strength, I appeared in a business feature on TV3 Ireland AM in Feb 2018 only weeks after my business was born. The response from this was amazing and has given me the confidence to work hard and make Fabricate a viable successful business. TV3 was such an exciting opportunity which I thoroughly enjoyed the response was so positive & with an influx of orders it encouraged me to build this website, which I am very proud of.

Unfortunately, due to Covid 19 & government restrictions, like so many other smaller businesses. I had to close my studio, which was devastating.  I now have my all my business online. Classes and Workshops are running throughout the year. I hire suitable venues for my classes across Ireland. 

You will find creative making & craft kits on my website. 

I am excited about Fabricate’s future, I recently won an ILDN Award and have expanded my product range to include up-cycle furniture and Unique handcrafted upholstery pieces and my own range of Textile Cushions and Eco tote bags.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, if you would like further details on my product ranges, classes, or need assistance in ordering a special gift or a commission piece please don’t hesitate to contact me.

 

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