Craft Focus - Dec 2017/Jan 2018 (Issue 64)

craft focus 15 industry news BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN TECH AND CRAFT Craftiv8 is a start up technology and craft company, whose aim is to join technology and traditional crafting. Craftiv8 formed in February 2017 and its first product is Galactic Plastic, which combines a new material with traditional marbling and resin working styles. The company successfully launched the product back in the summer on Hochanda and aim to bring it to a larger audience and continue to expand the range of art and technology crafts. Galactic Plastic started out its life initially in medical devices to help with lower limb conditions such as Hip Dysplasia and Cerebral Palsy. It became Galactic when one of the researchers added in some interesting pigmentation. The one-of-a-kind sculpting material is colourful, flexible, skin safe, low melting and has almost no smell. It’s easy to work with low power heat tools, and bendable at 60 o C and you can marble and change the colour of it at 90 o C and use it with silicone moulds. It has a lot of exciting craft uses and you can view the video and images on the company’s Facebook facebook.com/ galacticplastic or visit the website galacticplastic.co.uk . CSS INDUSTRIES, INC. ACQUIRES SIMPLICITY CREATIVE GROUP CSS Industries Inc, a leading consumer products company within the seasonal, celebrations and craft markets, has announced that it has just completed the acquisition of Simplicity Creative Group (Simplicity) from Wilton Brands LLC for $64 million subject to certain closing and post-closing adjustments. Simplicity is a leading provider of home sewing patterns, decorative trims, knitting and crocheting tools, needle arts and kids’ crafts products under the Simplicity, Wrights, Boye, Dimensions, and Perler brand names. Simplicity’s products are sold to mass-market retailers, specialty fabric and craft chains, wholesale distributors and online customers. “A key component of our strategy is to strengthen and expand our portfolio in core markets through new product development and complementary acquisitions,” says Christopher J. Munyan, CSS President and Chief Executive Officer. “Simplicity’s pattern business is the perfect complement to our recently acquired McCall business, and the other product lines expand our reach into adjacent markets such as kids’ crafts and needle arts. Simplicity has built a strong portfolio of well-established brands in the craft industry, and we welcome their talented team to CSS.” UK’S FIRST TV CHANNEL DEDICATED TO SEWING AND QUILTING On air and behind the scenes, the team of top industry experts work hard to bring Sewing Quarters viewers tons of exciting projects. Whether you’re into dressmaking, bag making, piecing, patchwork or quilting – you’ll learn something new every day. The online shop is packed with tools, haberdashery essentials and fabulous fabrics – from simple solids to designer gems. And with the 30-day money back guarantee and single daily postage charge, customers can shop with confidence. If you’re interested in working with the team, contact Ian Munro (buyer) via email at ian.munro@immediate.co.uk . To find out more, tune in daily from 8am to 12 noon on Freeview 78 or go online at sewingquarter.com . COLOUR, CRAFT, CREATE Sandra Rushton is an artist and avid crafter with a passion for combining her original hand-drawn artwork with craft to create original pieces for use in paper craft and multimedia projects. Sandra first appeared on Hochanda in January 2017 with a range of inspirational journals. Stamp sets and card kits accompanied the range, and in February, the first of two A4 colouring and decoupage books became available with step-by-step instructions for blending alcohol markers, pencils and coloured examples providing inspiration. Her latest book Timepieces & Other Curiosities offers a Steampunk- themed range of hand-drawn images in different sizes that can be coloured in a range of media. A watercolour edition is also available, which uses high quality watercolour paper, and is ideal for any water- based media. Stencils are a new addition accompanying the book, the first of many new products moving forward into 2018. For more information visit sandrarushton.co.uk