Meet our Resident Artists

Stone Row Artisans, as it's name suggests, is a collective of talented designer~makers and artisans from the Causeway Coast, based in our beautiful shop at 1st Floor, 2-6 Stone Row in Coleraine. Currently we have ten resident artists from the immediate local area. Let's meet them.

Emma Thorpe from Atlantic Rose.

Inspired by her 10 year long career in archaeology, Emma uses the ancient techniques of chainmail and viking knitting, alongside sand casting and hand forging, to produce beautiful and unique pieces of jewellery. Based in Portstewart, Emma's work is inspired by everything from the natural shapes of the Giant's Causeway and local coast line, to the industrial graft of the Belfast shipyards, ropeworks and linen mills.

In addition to her ready-to-wear pieces, Emma provides a bespoke jewellery service, working closely with clients to create unique jewellery that they will treasure forever.

You can find more of Emma's work on https://atlanticrose.co.uk

Claire McDowell from Bad Bird Crafts

When I was 5 years old, my mother, a wedding dressmaker, gave me an old broken tiara to play with. After leaving it outside, I watched as a magpie swooped down and stole it - that began a life long love affair with these mischievous ‘bad birds’

Bad Bird Craft is Claire McDowell, a wildlife artist, from the beautiful North Coast of Northern Ireland. Inspired on a daily basis by the stunning wildlife found on our coastline, rivers and woods, Claire believes that being in nature is one of the best things we can do for our wellbeing.

Bad Bird illustrations take up to 40 hours of finely detailed rendering, working mainly with colour pencils, and inks, and are based on beloved Irish wildlife. The sculptures are made from Merino, Lancashire and Shetland wool, or polymer clay and resin, and incorporate salvaged and vintage items to add a touch of magic.

Graham Watts from Causeway Coffee

Graham moved back to the Causeway Coast after spending 25 years in London working in IT.

'I could never have predicted that I would move back and help launch a coffee roastery but so glad I did'. Since then Causeway Coffee has been on a mission to ethically source and roast the highest quality coffee beans from around the world. In the five years since launch they have one the Gold award at the Irish Food Awards (Blas na hEireann) three times and the Silver once. In addition they have one a UK Great Taste Award for the last three years and been awarded Great Taste Producer status. Their little team is passionate about coffee and showing anyone who cares to listen how to source, make and taste amazing coffee. Graham is also now chairman of Taste Causeway CIC which is a collaborative group of food and drink business based in the Causeway Coastal area.

Vivien Kennedy from Cercle Boutique

cercleboutique is a sustainable fashion shop selling curated collections of preowned and vintage
clothing for the modern wardrobe, from its own website and now also from its exciting new shop at
Stone Row Artisans in Coleraine. cercle was started in late 2019 by Vivien Kennedy, long time
fashion nerd ,former solicitor, francophile and mum of two grown up sons. The boutique provides
an inclusive space where smart, busy women of all ages and sizes can choose to like style but love
the planet.
cercle specialises in fine natural fabrics like silk, cashmere and linen .We stock the odd “label” but
primarily select pieces with reference to the quality and aesthetic. While we prefer the philosophy
of pared back, timeless style, we also enjoy a standout detail and reference current fashion trends in
our stock ,not just for fun ,but to show that almost all are circular .Our shop aims to be part of the
sustainable style movement removing the stigma of second hand dressing by providing a chic,
considered alternative to fast fashion.

Tonia Kennedy from Clearly Creative

A born & bred local woman with a passion for Fused Glass and the local countryside. Tonia has lived in various places throughout her career but has always returned to the causeway coast. With a love of bright colours and a real talent for working with this fragile material Tonia often makes bright and fun pieces as well as the more muted tones of beach and rocky scenery.

Jennifer McCullough from UPainted

Pre-loved shouldn't mean unloved

I'm Jennifer, the owner and furniture artist behind Upainted.

Based outside Limavady I hand paint vintage furniture for sale but also work with clients on commission, transforming sentimental pieces or sourcing on trend mid century styles for their home.

Having messed around with paint my whole life, (my first up-cycle was a hat stand and can of canary yellow paint when I was 15!) I see the potential in often forgotten pieces of vintage furniture and love to give them a second chance either through restoration or bespoke design.

I try to spread the joy and therapeutic benefits of painting as a hobby, by running workshops and selling paint supplies, having found it kept me sane during my nursing career.

I’m delighted to say Upainted has been a finalist in the Fliprunway Awards 2020 and the Irish Made Awards in both 2021 and 2022 helping raise the profile of furniture painting as a profession.

Second-hand doesn’t have to mean dull and boring. Get in touch and we can work together to create something you will treasure.

Eoin McConnell Photography

Living in the Causeway Coast and Glens it's easy to fall in love with the landscape, the views and the seascapes. I'm really lucky that my photography allows me to spend time in what I feel are some of the most beautiful spots in Ireland.
I enjoy capturing the many scenes around the north coast and creating images and gifts to allow you to see the views all year round. We have recently introduced a range of photographic gifts which are perfect for giving a 'piece of the north coast'

Heather McFarlane from Purple Heather

“Purple Heather? Is your name Heather?”

‘I love colour and I especially love bringing a mix of vibrant colours and patterns together, whether it’s a REloved piece of furniture, colourful scatter cushions or a unique handmade lampshade – bring it into your home and brighten your day – every day!’

Heather loves nothing more than taking that 'wee' chair that was once owned by a great aunt; a piece that we want to keep for sentimental reasons and giving it a new lease of life. With a little pizazz, an injection of colour that tatty, neglected chair can be transformed into a beautiful statement piece that will be RE-loved and admired in your home for many more generations.

Heather also makes unique lampshades and loves creating unique pieces using fabric remnants that would otherwise go to landfill!

Heather has also worked alongside Sarah Moore on the BBC television production - ‘Money for Nothing’ – a wonderful experience to work with ‘skip salvaging’ people specialising in REvamping chairs to be REloved again.

Heather is based in Dromore, Co Down as well as being part of the Stone Row Artisan’s Team.

Call to have a chat and arrange an appointment to discuss ideas – 0777 58 48 350

Sarah Mackay Art

I am Sarah Mackay, a mixed media artist living on the North Coast of N.I. painting wildflowers and wildflower landscapes. My inspiration comes from the dramatic landscape and nature that surrounds me, both in the wild, coastal environment in which I live and in the woodlands and gardens just a short distance inland.

Ernie Kilpatrick Hand carved wood.

The team at Stone Row Artisans as well as his many admirers and customers know Ernie not just as a green wood worker, chair maker and spoon carver but someone who's talent, skill and insight can transform a simple peace of wood to a thing of beauty without a machine in sight. But don't take our word for it. Have a look here at his Instagram feed. Enough said.