Carrie Creamer Artist

22/05/2026

So... Bell Shrines
Bell shrines have existed in Ireland since the early medieval period, made to honour saints whose lives called people together, whose presence was held sacred enough to be kept, named, and passed down through generations.
I could be wrong here... They are almost always made for men — monks, abbots, bishops.
My great Aunt Ellie from Bawnboy, Cavan, lays on St Mogue's Island in Templeport Lake — the same ground where Ireland's oldest bell shrine tradition was kept.
This bell shrine is made for her and acts as a witness for her and people like her.The 8 small hands on the base mark each child she helped mother. St Brigid's cross is pressed into the clay — the patron of those who give without recognition. Impressions of fabric, branches, and dragonflies carry her.
The tradition of bell shrines says: this life was sacred enough to hold.
The Bell Shrine Project is a series of handmade ceramic shrines, one for each person that I would like to witness.
In early medieval Ireland, bell shrines were made to hold sacred bells and honour those deemed worth remembering.
A big thank you to Leitrim School of Art for all your expert advice and support. Onto the next BellShrine!

08/05/2026

I've been trying to find time for the last two years to make a bell shrine for a project which I started around my great aunt Ellie. So, here is the beginnings of a bell shrine for her. I've adorned it with objects and things that I think might have been important to her. There are 8 little hand prints representing her nieces and nephews as well as nods to the wildlife and religion.
Anyway, it's all going to form part of a show around grief, loss and memory of people. The first bell shrine of many. I have to paint it, fire it and glaze it and add some drawings to it...before the finished piece.
For information about Bell Shrine:
A bell shrine is a highly decorated, usually trapezoidal-shaped metal container designed in medieval Ireland to hold, protect, and honor the early hand-bells associated with Irish saints, often kept in churches. These shrines, often crafted from bronze with silver, gold, and gems, were crucial relics believed to possess sacred powers, frequently used in ceremonies, for swearing oaths, and as part of healing.

10/03/2026

A selection of old work which have played a central role in current work.

02/02/2026

A wonderful book to draw from for a new piece of work... grief, loss, memory and traditions of Leitrim.
Stepping back to understand what was, is and could be. Don't loose the history folks!!

12/09/2025

And here it is:
A Town has a heartbeat, just like a person. We forget that. Towns, like bodies, can grow tired, scared, or quiet. They can grieve. They can lose their pulse if not tended to. Have a read. Once all confirmed- we will let you know exhibition dates!

A town has a heartbeat, just like a person. We forget that. Towns, like bodies, can grow tired, scared, or quiet. They can grieve. They can lose their pulse if not tended to. In Ireland, many towns…

20/01/2025

Still - a working painting in progress- Carrie Creamer Still here thinking about memory!—its fluidity, its layers, and its ability to carry both the beauty and the burden and pain of life. I do wonder sometimes though if maybe the stories we tell ourselves and others are never fixed; they shift within all of us as we grow and understand each layer to a greater or lesser extent....

Still – a working painting in progress- Carrie Creamer Still here thinking about memory!—its fluidity, its layers, and its ability to carry both the beauty and the burden and pain of life. I …

17/10/2024

I finally started the project "A Cabinet of Curiosities" with two local schools. As part of my visit to Mohill National School, I met a group of 6th class students. The project was designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a sense of connection to both personal and shared stories. We began our session with an introduction to my work and how it connects to the broader themes of storytelling....

I finally started the project “A Cabinet of Curiosities” with two local schools. As part of my visit to Mohill National School, I met a group of 6th class students. The project was desi…

01/10/2024

https://carriecreamer.blog/2024/10/01/objects-of-my. -affection/
A look into objects and their memory, loss, grief and history. There is always a story to be told

In my living room, I have an old printing press drawer hanging on the wall. The tiny box shelves are damaged with dents and some veiled in cobwebs. I keep an assortment of things on each shelf; a t…

01/10/2024

In my living room, I have an old printing press drawer hanging on the wall. The tiny box shelves are damaged with dents and some veiled in cobwebs. I keep an assortment of things on each shelf; a tiny baby toy from a Wendy house; a selection of passport photos from different people; a windup toy; an old love letter; a clay model; several badges; a baby tooth; some rocks from day trips; and two little swan shaped coat hooks from my grandmothers gilet....

In my living room, I have an old printing press drawer hanging on the wall. The tiny box shelves are damaged with dents and some veiled in cobwebs. I keep an assortment of things on each shelf; a t…

19/08/2024

I really love this little magical spot. Absolutely brilliant morning out yesterday at St Mogues Island, Templeport. The weather was on our side. Thanks to Aidan Brady for a great tour and the honey! St Mogues is looking really good. A beautiful spot steeped in history and the final resting spot to a number of Creamers. We'll be back! I haven't finished making and creating art about this place.