Púróga Pebble Art transforms simple, natural materials into heartfelt stories. Using pebbles, shells, and driftwood, each handcrafted piece captures the warmth of everyday Irish life—full of character, connection, and meaning.
Inspired by nature, Ireland, and community, every artwork is one of a kind, with its own story to tell. With a cúpla focal woven throughout, each piece carries culture, authenticity, and a touch of positivity.
What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
My day starts with coffee and plenty of it. Being a one woman operation, the morning is all about the “engine room” clearing admin, managing my website, and updating the order book. If I’m not at the desk, I’m out the door for training, networking, hosting a workshop, heading to a craft fair or a foraging trip to find the right stones and driftwood.
Afternoons are for the screen. I handle all my own marketing and social media accounts to keep the connection with my customers real. Once the “office” side is boxed off, I head back to the workbench. That’s the best part of the day getting stuck into making orders and letting the materials tell the story.
What do you like most about your work?
That feeling of “time-blindness” it’s that pure state of creative flow. When I’m at the workbench, I completely lose track of time hours pass without me even realising I’ve forgotten to eat. It’s a total state of play where the world outside just quietens down. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of snapping out of it and seeing that you’ve created something entirely new from a handful of natural materials and the cherry on top is seeing people get excited about what I’ve created, yeah, I love that!
What do you like least about your work?
While I’m always grateful for a big retail order, making the same design over and over can feel like I’m doing it in my sleep, it’s the “boring” side of the business that lacks the spark of a one off piece. Being a one woman operation also means the admin and emails never really stop.
It often eats into my free time, and there are days I’d love nothing more than to just switch off the “boss” brain, sit down, and actually catch up on a TV drama series without thinking about the next deadline.
What’s your favourite craft item in your home?
I have beautiful artwork from various artists, but if my house went on fire, I’d grab a jewellery box my daughter made for me when she was seven. She’s twenty now, but she made it from lollipop sticks and seashells because she knew I loved handcrafted gifts. The thought and effort she put into it was so heart warming. It’s a constant reminder that the heart behind a piece is what makes it irreplaceable.
Tell us about your first craft item you made
A puppet show in school. We each sculpted the puppets heads using clay and hand painted them and hand sewed the clothing and assembled the puppets together. Very enjoyable but I do remembered being freaked out by how they looked!!
What advice would you give someone who is considering this craft career?
My advice is simple: “get in line”. There are many others doing what you do and some have been at it for a long time they are further up the line than you and that’s okay. Don’t expect to be brilliant straight away.
You have to learn your craft and grow steadily. If you stay in that line and keep putting in the work, you will gradually find yourself moving toward the top. It’s about patience and respecting the process
Where do you get your inspiration?
Beyond the materials, I’m deeply inspired by people specifically Irish people and our culture. There’s a certain warmth in our everyday lives and communities that I love to reflect in my work, often bringing in a cúpla focal to keep that connection to our heritage alive.
What’s the most challenging part of your craft?
The constant juggle. The line between my business and my home life is practically none existent. My brain is always on work mode, It’s hard to truly ‘clock out’ and just be present.
What made you choose your discipline?
Nature, it’s that simple. Nature reimagined
What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a DCCI member
If you’re serious about your craft do it. Being a DCCI member gives you a seat at the table and connects you to a professional community that understands the juggle. It moves you from being a ‘hobbyist’ to a recognised professional, opening doors to training, grants, and showcases that you simply wouldn’t find on your own. It’s an essential step in respecting your own work and committing to the steady growth it takes to reach the top.
