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The secret to happiness

portmarnock beach by catherine dunne

I know I’ve been quiet these last few months but I’m back now.  I had to step away for a while due to an illness in my family.  Sometimes when things are running smoothly, life can change very quickly.  It’s like that old expression, ‘no news is good news’. Still, when it comes down to it, it makes us appreciate the good stuff and the people we love in our lives.

During this time, I spent many mornings on Portmarnock beach with old friends that I hadn’t seen in ages.  There’s something so healing about being beside the sea when there is turmoil in your life, it’s interesting how we always turn to nature when times are tough. It was very different to the silent swims I’m used to here in the west, Saturday morning beach discos were new to me and I’m back now to the silence. I came back to the west with a head full of new ideas for new designs so keep an eye out for new work coming up.

Someone once told me that the secret to happiness is to want what you have.

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Wild Atlantic Way Collection

As you may have noticed, I am obsessed with the sea and am endlessly taking photos of it.  This mini collection of occasion cards features photos of waves and beaches on our Atlantic Coast.  Fanore Beach, the beach just outside Ballyconneelly in Connemara, a wave in Doolin and the view of the Blasket Islands from the Dingle Peninsula are where these photos were taken.

I hope you like them.  If you have other mini ranges you’d like to see, I’d love to hear from you.

Catherine

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New Wall Art for Sea Swimmers

swimming cap friends by catherine dunne

There’s something about sea swimming that brings you back to your childhood.  At least this is the case for me.  Yesterday I went swimming in Kinvara and it was pretty wild with waves that were bigger than usual for the sheltered beach I go to.  It was freezing but it was great fun!  Whatever is in your head before you jump in is almost left in the waves when you get out.  It’s so good for the head and there’s the social side of it too which is great – like a camaraderie of madness!

I’m always struck by the grey green of the sea in winter, and the striking contrast of the swimming caps and swimsuits of the women.  I’ve just launched a brand new series of wall art which is A4.  It’s important to me that it’s an eco friendly product so every print comes with an eco friendly backing board and is wrapped in a biodegradable cello.  Each one is signed by me.  They’re so colourful and are perfect for sea swimmers, especially on those darker days.

I hope you like them.

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New Sea Swimmers

sea swimming irish greeting cards by catherine dunne

 

I’m getting a little obsessed with my sea swimmers!  When I go swimming these days, the sea is usually a dark grey or as James Joyce called it ‘snot green’.  What always strikes me is the colours, especially the women – mainly their bright swimming caps, towels and robes.  The men are interesting too with every attire from long swimming shorts to little speedos!  All of this is in contrast to the backdrop of the sea and often grey skies.  Another thing that I absolutely love about all this, is how we’ve all become less self conscious of our lumps and bumps.  Honestly, sea swimming is good for the soul!

I hope you enjoy the colours.

Catherine

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All seasons greetings for sea swimmers

women sea swimmers ireland

I love this collection.  As a sea swimmer, I’m often drawn to the bright colours of swimming caps and towels and robes and socks and onesies against the dark green or grey seas that we often see here on the Irish coast.  I also love that they’re not all perfect and that they have the usual lumps and bumps and wobbles that are more the norm!

I hope you enjoy them, I’m on a roll now so expect more and I’m working on a complete collection that will be ready in the new year.

Hey, one more thing … thanks a million for supporting my small business.  Thanks for the messages and all of the good stuff.  And remember to wrap up well after your swim and keep it up!

 

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Aprons for Ocean Lovers

For ocean lovers and lovers of ocean lovers!

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been passionate about the sea.  From walking alongside it, to swimming in it as well as precious years hanging out with friends in the shelters on Portmarnock Beach.  When things have been really tough, I went to the sea and found comfort in the peace of it.  Breakups with boyfriends were spent throwing rocks into it and later on when my children arrived, I brought them there too and they love it now as well.

ocean lovers apron catherine dunne

I’ve recently turned into an environmentalist.  Like most people these days, I didn’t plan to but I feel that it’s important now to stand up for what you love.  First it was the art on my greeting cards and now it’s the Ocean Lovers Apron.  Why an apron you may ask … good question!  It was the size that I liked, it was something that allowed me space to work with that I didn’t have on a tote bag or a cushion cover.

When I thought about what to call it, I looked at other designers and they had things like London and New York on them.  I’m in Galway these days but what if I moved somewhere else in Ireland.  Anyway, I decided on Planet Earth, because that’s what it’s all about.  It’s not a trade mark, it’s a location.

So for all you ocean lovers and lovers of ocean lovers, this one’s for you!

Sea Shepherd

10% of the profits from the Ocean Lovers aprons will go to Sea Shepherd.  I love this organisation, they’re strong, effective and not administration heavy – meaning that everything that is donated to them goes directly to the cause.

About Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organisation that engages in direct action campaigns to defend wildlife and conserve and protect the world’s oceans from illegal exploitation and environmental destruction. Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 by Paul Watson, one of the original members of Greenpeace. Since its grassroots beginnings it has grown into an unstoppable global movement with independent groups established in over 20 countries.