If you are a newsletter subscriber, you might recall that I mentioned in my last one that I had been invited by Etsy to take part in the first EU Artisan Day. As you can see in the photo here, it came to pass! I attended some meetings in the EU Parliament building with 7 other Etsy sellers from the EU, celebrating our craft heritage and speaking of the realities of running a micro/small craft business. I felt incredibly honoured to be included in this group! I think we were a good mix of sellers from different crafts, and different countries (Sweden, Greece, France, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and my good self representing Ireland!) You can see some lovely photos of us on my Instagram . It was so nice to meet other Etsy sellers, and find out how much we had in common. Even though it was a short period of time, it felt like we got to know each other well, since we were dining together and staying in the same hotel, as well as participating in Etsy EU Artisan Day.
There was a lovely bunch of Etsy staff also staying in the hotel, and they were so helpful and accomodating to us. It was wonderful to meet them, and they did so much to make our trip such a success. So - what did we do?
In the morning, we attended a meeting in the EU Parliament building, which was chaired by Billy Kelleher (Irish MEP), and which had a lot of attendees who are involved in the craft policy sector. There was a report presented on the realities of working in craft, and really there was an emphasis on keeping small & micro businesses in mind when the EU is drafting legislation which affects craft businesses. We had a tour of the EU Parliament building, before we broke for lunch. There was a reception in the evening, which featured a panel discussion on related issues about public policy and craft, with Irish MEP Maria Walsh, the Irish EU Ambassador Cáit Moran, Etsy's Head of Public Policy, Jeffrey Zubricki and the CEO of Etsy, Josh Silverman. (Irish representation was strong, since we will host the 6-month presidency of the EU next year!) The event also featured examples of our various crafts, beautifully displayed in the Plein Publik building in Brussels.
It was my first time visiting Brussels, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was a great opportunity to practise my rusty French - well the taxi driver thought I did ok! - but I think he was being generous! The first day I arrived in the morning, so had the whole day to sightsee. I did a lot of walking, though some of it was unintended by me, but intended by Google Maps which sent me all over the city!! Even though it was a short visit, it was thoroughly enjoyable, and I would love to visit again in the future.
Not much new knitting content this month, but I am working on TWO new patterns (a hat, and slippers) which I will have some more information about in my next newsletter. I'm wary of outstaying my welcome if I make this a post too long ; ) Feel free to sign up to my newsletter for all the details of what I am working on in general!