I’m Joanne Condon. A Furniture artist, workshop mentor and author. In college I studied Fine Art in Crawford College of Art and Design, where I received my degree in Fine Art. After a year of getting the opportunity to teach part time in a further education college, I decided to attend Limerick College of Art and Design where I qualified to be an art teacher.

In 2011, I started my own business, while still teaching art in a further education college. I wanted to see what opening my own business upcycling furniture would be like. I opened up a premises while still teaching. After 2 years of working in both jobs, I decided to commit to my own business. Over 10 years later I am still here. (Business formerly know as ‘Kyle Lane’)

Change is always a good thing

My upcycling furniture business has changed quite a lot over the last few years. I used to have a retail shop and moved to a retail/workshop space but noticed that most of my customers where travelling from all different parts of Ireland. After I launched my first book Furniture Crush I decided to take a workshop tour around Ireland to gauge the need for me to have a premises. Workshops sold out within 24 hours and continued to sell out workshop after workshop. It became clear I didn’t need a premises to do what I loved and not having a premises gave me more time to take on amazing opportunities.

For a number of years I was the Upcycling expert for RTE one’s the Today Show.
Upcycling Furniture Book
Furniture Crush
May 2018, I released my first self published book called Furniture Crush. 12 colour popping painted furniture projects. Its packed full of different techniques and tricks to have fun while getting professional results.

About me: Workshops

Workshops are my favourite thing to do. In the few years of teaching, I have thought well over 1,000 people how to upcycle furniture. I get loads of amazing emails from people who have attended and transformed their homes with the techniques they have learned and that makes my heart want to burst.

In July 2018, I couldn’t believe that I was shortlisted for a Award for Mollie Makes Magazine. It was such an amazing day and I had to pitch to a panel of judges as to why I thought my workshops were the best. I was just so delighted to be there among so many amazing creative businesses. My category was the last to be announced and I couldn’t believe my name was called out for the Best Workshop Award. I cried the whole way up to collect that award!

This pretty much sums up what its like at an upcycling workshop. Attendees proud to show off their projects and having the best laugh but learning everything I can give out in one day!

Online Courses and Classes

Now I am developing a whole range of online courses and classes. They allow me to share more in depth processes. It also enables me to reach more people from all around the world which is pretty exciting.

Irish Upcycling Award

Awards

I love sharing projects and tips on Instagram. In 2019, I won best DIY and Upcycling Account and also came away with the Outstanding Achievement award for the House and Home Influence Awards.

Thank You for visiting my website

Thank you for taking the time to find out a little more about me! If you would like to sign up to my newsletter ( top of the page) to get upcycling furniture guides and be first to know about new workshops please sign up to my newsletter!

Joanne XXXXX