Warmth in Longford's winter: Annarita Monaldi's Craft Around the Clock

Coming to Ireland for the first time to study English in a summer course, Annarita Monaldi from Italy has a unique skill with textile crafts. She has lived in Ireland for nearly thirty years, and her work has been sold globally. 

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While studying Foreign Modern Literature and Languages, Annarita had several jobs to support herself:

“Around that time, I also started to knit custom orders for a couple of wool shops in Bologna. That was my first step into transforming my passion for textiles into a business, as up until then I would knit just for family and friends,” she said when asked about how she began to pursue her craft professionally. 

“In 2022, a very important experience happened to me when I was accepted into the Crafting Business Programme for makers and crafters. In Ireland, it was run by the Technology University of Shannon and the Design & Craft Council of Ireland, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. This programme really opened my eyes to all the opportunities available for designers and makers, as well as a foundational understanding of how to transform my crafting skills into a small business.”

One of the challenges that Annarita has faced is the misinterpretation that craft designers and makers are hobbyists rather than full-time professionals. She explained the difficulty in making a craft business into a profitable endeavour, and how crafts are not recognised the same as other forms of art. 

“Sadly, crafting does not enjoy the same level of consideration as other human skills, like art, music or drama. For some reason, most people seem to be able to recognise a beautifully executed piece of art, a wonderfully played piece of music, or a well performed piece of drama, but when it comes to craft, people have a much harder time recognising the skill, hard work and artistry that goes into it.”

Annarita’s sculptures have been popular pieces, as well as her framed crochet reproductions, false taxidermy and tea cosies. Her makeup removers have also been very successful. 

Annarita explained how trends influenced her earlier work.

“I did not enjoy making those items that everyone was making over and over again, just to make some sales, as I much prefer designing and creating my own original pieces.”

“Although I love the process of making, I’m probably more of a designer than a maker. And I’m very particular about how I want my pieces to come out. My house is full of bags of works-in-progress, as I tend to get bored of a project as soon as I am able to complete it to the standard I am aiming for. I don’t enjoy making the same items over and over, and most of my pieces are one-of-a-kind or very limited editions.”

Annarita has noted a resurgence in craft makers due to ‘rediscovered heritage’ to try knitting,  crocheting, embroidery and weaving.

“The younger generations seem to have rekindled a genuine passion for manual work, and many studies now have confirmed that using the hands and developing manual skills can improve our sense of wellbeing,” she said. 

“For many years I have had a dream that I hope I will soon be able to make a reality: the creation of a craft hub, where craft workshops and classes are held to offer people the possibility to enjoy all different types of crafts and manual work, to learn or rediscover the positive aspects of being involved in a tactile activity.”

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With a goal to change the perspective of crafting by letting people try themselves, Annarita is all about keeping the legacy going from watching her mother and grandmother. 

“For me it’s also very important to honour the legacy attached to the skills I learned through my mother and my grandmother, that I would like to pass on to other people, for them to enjoy and cherish as much as I have enjoyed and cherished them for over 50 years now, and that I’ve been able to bring with me wherever I go, as I have them with me, in my hands.”