Today, I'm thrilled to announce Irish American Mom's Online Giftshop is officially open for business. (This giftshop has closed its virtual doors.)
Here, you'll find handpicked and curated Irish and American gifts, perfect for showing appreciation to family and loved ones who may be Irish or Irish at heart.
To celebrate our grand opening I thought I might host a little giveaway for a beautiful Celtic House Blessing by Kevin Dyer.
But before I share the details of how to enter our giveaway, first let me introduce Kevin's magnificent artwork. His Celtic prints and tapestries are available for sale in my giftshop.
Table of Contents
Fantasy Art by Kevin Dyer
Kevin is a self-taught artist who first started painting in the 1970's. He took up printmaking, recognizing the need to create multiples of affordable original artwork in order to make a living.
Honing his skills as a printmaker he created new artwork using relief printing with embossing. Over many years of trials and errors, he developed techniques for creating molds for unique paper cast works of art.
Paper casting is a complicated process. It involves creating a drawing and then sculpting it in wax. A rubber mold is created off the surface of the wax. Finally a paper cast is made in the rubber mold using wet cotton pulp.
Each paper mold or cast is painted by hand, with Kevin creating a wide variety of finishes by mixing colors, washes or pigments.
Kevin recently expanded his designs to offer digital prints of his beautiful images. He also creates woven tapestries based upon his original designs.
I am thrilled to be able to stock these digital prints and tapestries in my giftshop.
Celtic Art
Kevin is a student of ancient art and is particularly interested in Celtic history. Here's how he describes his artistic inspiration:
"There was an original impulse for man to do art in the first place. Images and objects that take us out of our day to day consciousness. A magic icon or at least a feeling that allowed the viewer to step out of the ordinary world of words and survival, and allow a more ancient wisdom to arise. I am looking for that magic."
Kevin's artwork is evidence he has found magic and ancient wisdom. Here's how he describes his feelings of connection with the past.
"When I am working, it never really seems like I am alone. It’s a strange feeling like channeling a human need to create. Voices of the past seem to want to pass along a vision or standard."
His wish is that his images might speak to you to that you can find your own magic. And let me confess, when I first saw Kevin's work displayed at the Dublin, Ohio Irish Festival this summer, I fell in love with his artistry. As I studied the interwoven loops and Celtic patterns and spirals of his designs, I felt a mystical connection to the past.
Thank you, Kevin, for sharing your incredible talent with the world.
The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a framed copy of Kevin Dyer's Celtic House Blessing Digital Art Print.
The winner may choose the background color they like best.
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Sunday September 11th, 2016.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration for your entry why not tell us which of Kevin's pieces, displayed in this post, is your favorite.
One winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Sunday September 11th, 2016, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries by clicking here.
Thanks to everyone who supports this little giveaway by leaving a comment, and a big, big thank you to all who share the news of my giftshop opening with family and friends.
Update – Winner Chosen
Good news. Our winner has been chosen using the randomized “Pick Giveaway Winner” WordPress plug-in.
Congratulations to …..
Chuck
I’ll send Chuck a quick e-mail to let him know he is our prize winner.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and entered this little giveaway. I truly appreciate your kind words of encouragement and appreciation for Kevin Dyer's beautiful artwork.
Irish Inspired Gifts
If you like to give and receive Irish gifts here are some other ramblings you might be interested in exploring...
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
If you enjoyed this collection of blessings and sayings from Ireland, here are some more you may enjoy....
Irish Wisdom and Sayings About Horses
Christi Caughey
I love the Celtic art work here! The knots are so beautiful.
Susan Kurek
I love Celtic Art and the pieces featured here are particularly lovely! Thank you for sponsoring this contest drawing. I enjoy your posts!
Julianne Bruce
All of the pieces are exquisite! I love the one you're giving away because of the triskels and use of threes. We are a little family of three, which would make the blessing even more special. Congratulations on your store! Headed there now!
Maury
I love Kevin's gorgeous Art! It truly touches my heart and spirit!
barbara j boylan
Gorgeous. Lovely artwork. My favorite of course is the Home blessing.
Thank you for sharing this with us today. I love to see when your posts pop up in my email, as I am surely guaranteed a good read and interesting history with a flair .
Karen Fogarty
Maith thú!
Lorna Mills
Fab prize!
Very best of luck on your new venture 🙂
Liam Garvey
Really nice range of goods in your shop - best of luck with it!
Kim
This is just beautiful. All the best to you in your new endeavor!
Carrie
Looking forward to checking out your shop!
Anne
Lovely!
Keri
Beautiful work!
Chery Barker
Mairead, congrats on your new gift shop! What a great idea! I don't need to be entered in the drawing, just wanted to wish you well on the new addition to Irish American Mom. All the best!
elizabeth
the art work and the incorporation of color end in a clean slate of art.
Rosaleen Butler-Kelly
Many Congrats on your New Venture !! The Art is absolutely Exquisite .!! I love them all but The House
Blessing is very Special !! The Celtic Tree of Life is simply Amazing --what wonderful Talent !! The Quirky
Irish Art by Olyart brings me back to my youth on the Farm with the Sheep & Shamrock !! Wishing you
years of success in you New Store.!! I'm looking forward to browsing --all the very Best.
Frederick Clark
The art work is beautiful, especially the one about the doorway which I love greatly. Also love the work you put into your messages. I look forward each day hearing from you as my ancestors are from Ireland and I just love the country and its history and people. Fred
Maureen Mitru
Kevin's work is beautiful!
Fredericki L Clark
Thank You for all of your hard work in postings. I love the doorway print. I am an American Irishman as my ancestors are from County Louth, Ireland. Thank you again. Fred
MB
How lovely! Congratulations, and all the best on your new venture!
Rosalee Stackhouse
I Iove Celtic art and sayings!!
Patricia
Congrats on your new venture! This art work is gorgeous!
Bill Cokas
They're all phenomenal, but the geometric rose might be my favorite!
Bernadette
Very nice!
michael smith
I love all things Celtic. Success with your new venture. Look foreword to seeing more of your work.
Mary Miner
I love the Celtic blessing,I love anything Irish.The site is beautiful and I am sure to visit it again.
Penny Wolf
The house blessing for sure! It will be hung directly across from my front door.
Thank you
Kathryn Guare
Excited to see the launch of your new shop, Mairead! You've got some lovely things and I've got my eyes on a few of them!
Debra McC
What a fabulous idea, and what seems a natural progression. You brought us closer to our Irish roots with your blog, & we trust you to bring us the best Ireland has to offer. Many thanks!
mMaureen O Hanlon
Thank you Mairead for sharing this lovely art piece give away, I would love to have it hanging in my hallway,
All the very best of luck in your new shop
Regards Maureen
Amphitryte
I *love* that Wild Irish Rose print. Gorgeous!
Bernadette
The tree of life print is my favourite. It's very earthy and mystical and I could get quite lost in the beautiful, uniquely Celtic detail.
Irishnannie
Here is yet another opportunity presented by you, Mairead*, to learn about special creativity!
Thank you to you & Kevin Dyer!
God bless you both!
Maurice
Very nice work.
Helen Thompson
I enjoy reading your messages to gain more insight into my Irish heritage. I am not American, but South African, but still find your input so interesting. Good luck with your new shop! I'd love to win Kevin Dyer's print to make a statement of my Irish roots in my home
Jean
So excited for you, Maireád! Goregeous items--especially Kevin's work! Best of luck in your venture! x
Brighid O'Sullivan
Congratulations on the store and the art work is absolutely wonderful! Talented artist!!
Sara McLain
In this new venture.....you go girl!!!
Sophie Moss
I would love to win this! Kevin's work is beautiful. I recently watched the children's movie "The Secret of Kells" and was blown away by the Celtic artwork and how intricate the designs were that went into it. Thanks for the giveaway!
nicole henke
Congrats on the new shop- all the items are lovely, just like this one!
Love to win to give to friends who are getting married this Fall!
Thanks for great posts too!
Sandra Newman
Such a lovely prize!
Carmel
Beautiful work
Stacy Barnett
Absolutely beautiful.
Carol Brady
Kevin is very talented! Thanks for your giveaway!
Sinita
Lovely artwork!
Your gift shop looks great!
Susan Kirek
Love Celtic art!
Traci
Lovely story. What a talented man! Thanks for the giveaway.
Sherry Farley
I love ALL of the art....but the Celtic House Blessing would be extra special next to an entryway.
Mary Ann
Beautiful artwork! May the luck of the Irish be on my shoulder!
Thank you.
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary Ann - so glad you like it.
All the best,
Mairéad