h+h cologne 2024 closed its doors with strong figures and a positive feedback from the industry. In line with the market...
Craft Focus magazine is a bi-monthly trade publication for the craft industry, distributed to Art & Craft shops, Toy shops, Model shops, Haberdashers and Needlecraft retailers.
Each issue contains detailed information on upcoming trade shows and reviews many new and innovative products, enabling retailers to make informed and profitable buying decisions for their business. Find out more about the magazine here.
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h+h cologne 2024 closed its doors with strong figures and a positive feedback from the industry. In line with the market...
40 years of Messe Frankfurt Medien und Service GmbH
Messe Frankfurt Medien und Service GmbH (MFS) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year....
The Little Stitchers Collection from Bothy Threads
Say hello to the Hop, Skip, Jump ranges from Bothy Threads. 12 brand new cross stitch kits,...
Autumn Fair returns, Sept 2024
Autumn Fair returns on the 1st – 4th September at NEC Birmingham as the indispensable destination for buyers to...
What a show season it has been. The team reported back positively from Spring Fair, a buzzy show with a bustling stationery and craft presence. I enjoyed my time at CHSI Stitches - it was great to chat to so many of you and be able to touch the products on offer – pictures just don’t do them justice! If you couldn’t make the events, please do catch up in our show news.
This issue, we have a preview of the London Stationery Show. As a stationery addict, it’s always highlighted on my calendar, plus I just love the Business Design Centre and its prime location in Islington. Do check out who will be attending and make a note of the stand numbers ahead of the day to make sure you don’t miss out! And please do pick up a copy of the magazine!
I have enjoyed liaising with numerous candle making companies this issue and have put together a three-page feature dedicated to the craft on page 73. There’s complete kits, wax options and stunning vessels whether you’re thinking of stocking the individual candle making components or the box sets! As well as this we have our summer product showcase, a focus on needlecrafts and of course, plenty of crafting and gifting inspo for dad this Father’s Day.
Rachel Westall, Editor
PS. If you have any news you would like to submit to this site or Craft Focus magazine, please email editor@craftfocus.com
Rachel x
These lovely, blue Agapanthus buttons were created and inspired by the huge swaying blooms to be found growing wild in the summer months on the Isles of Scilly the spectacular little islands just off the coast of Cornwall. Stockwell Ceramics is a Cornish based crafts company producing high quality ranges of handmade ceramic buttons, brooches, pendant necklaces, earrings, cufflinks and hanging decorations. All of the products are handmade in its studio.
Email : info@stockwellceramics.co.uk or visit the website: www.stockwellceramics.com for further info!
If you like this, check out more inspirational ideas.
Outsourcing is a common practice for many businesses that need an extra helping hand and expertise when it comes to business activities – and SMEs are no different. In fact, over one-third of SMEs actually outsource some form of activity.
Owen Campbell, Operations Director at Kura, says: "Any business, whether an established company or a startup just getting into their industry, can benefit from outsourcing.
"It not only helps manage workloads better, but it can ensure that all businesses have the right expertise and people in place to provide high-quality services.
"This can be especially useful for SMEs who don't have the time and resources to create whole teams within their business structure."
But what can SMEs outsource, and what benefit does it have for their business?
Martin McTague, National Chair, the Federation of Small Businesses, shares how we need to think more broadly about innovation policy to capture the full economic potential. To many, the term "innovation" is usually associated with big names such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. But, in reality, the development and use of new ideas and technology is not confined to the tech industry. We need to think more broadly about innovation policy to capture the full economic potential. A new report by the Federation of Small Businesses – titled The Tech Tonic – found that across all sectors, seven in ten (69 percent) small firms have introduced a new form of innovation in the last three years. This includes the development of an entirely new product(s) to their market (25 percent), significantly improved existing or new product(s) (38 percent), and better staff and customer experience (25 percent).
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