Craft Focus - Jun/Jul (Issue 67)

craft focus 7 industry news A round-up of latest news from the crafting industry industry news LOEWE CRAFT PRIZE WINNER ANNOUNCED The Loewe Foundation has awarded its 2018 craft prize to London-based classical ceramicist, Jennifer Lee. Jennifer received a prestigious silver trophy and €50,000 cash prize, which was presented by the actor Helen Mirren at a ceremony at the Design Museum in London. There were 30 finalists in all, and the judging panel comprised leading figures from across the worlds of design, architecture, journalism, criticism and museum curatorship. Special mentions were also given to French textile artist, Simone Pheulpin and Japanese potter, Takuro Kuwata. The winning piece will be featured as part of an exhibition at the museum. “All 30 of the finalists would have made a great choice for a winner,” says Dean Sudjic, essayist and Director of the Design Museum. “In the end, we went for a very accomplished, distinguished piece – one which really shows how important hand-making is in this digital era.” Visit loewe.com for more information. FMM SUGARCRAFT TOASTS 70 YEARS OF SWEET SUCCESS Sugarcraft specialist FMM is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Siobhan Lees, Head of Sales and Marketing, tells us more. Tell us about the history of FMM Sugarcraft Back in 1948, the present owner’s parents, Joe and Mary Clements, started a business making filter coffee bags from home, before expanding the range to include products for the catering trade. Sugarcraft became increasingly popular in the 1990s, and with our expertise in injection moulding, it seemed a natural progression for the business to develop tools and equipment for this emerging market. We still make projects for the catering sector, and nowadays most of the business is focused on designing and manufacturing sugarcraft tools. More recently, we have developed the FMM Funcraft brand, and through our distributor Creative Expressions we supply tools, equipment and air-drying clay for the craft market. The company’s 70 th anniversary is an important milestone – how are you marking the occasion? We’ve got lots going on, starting with the creation of a 70th anniversary logo. In addition, we are developing a new brochure and website, together with retro imagery and lots of social media. We are also hosting a birthday networking event at the One Big Show in June. Do you have any new launches or interesting promotions coming up this year? We manufacture in excess of 180 products, all designed to create beautiful decorations and textiles, from simple shades such as clouds, stars and hearts all the way through to cutters that can be used to make intricate flowers and foliage. We even have press-ice tools that are designed to make royal icing easy. Our range continues to evolve and expand, and later this year we will be launching a product that nods to our heritage, as another way of marking this milestone. To find out more, go to fmmsugarcraft.com TRIMCRAFT ANNOUNCES CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP WITH MIND Nottingham-based art and craft supplier Trimcraft has announced a new corporate sponsorship with Mind, the mental health charity. Following government research that highlighted the important role craft plays in health and wellbeing, Mind has been encouraging the public to support its work by holding a ‘crafternoon’ fundraiser. Trimcraft has long promoted the health benefits of art and craft as a positive process for anyone struggling with mental health. As part of the new scheme, it will be supporting the charity through its products, social media and volunteering initiatives. “Our aim is to help people express their creative personality,” explains Satyen Fakey, CEO of Trimcraft. “Our partnership will not only provide funding to support mental health, but our product donations will help achieve our mission in the form of crafting therapy to improve mental health and social wellbeing.” “We’re delighted to be supported by Trimcraft,” adds Kathleen Miles, Director of Fundraising for Mind. “We know the power that creative activities can have to improve people’s mental wellbeing so it feels like the perfect fit. Every penny raised from the partnership will mean that Mind can continue to provide vital services, like our Infoline and online advice services. This will help us to make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.” To find out more, visit thecraftblog.com