5 CONTENTS SHOWS 17 Shows, news & events Stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry 20 Creativeworld trends We take a moment to explore the three new trend worlds you can explore at the upcoming Creativeworld in Frankfurt in February 2027 FOCUS ON 26 DoodleCraft Design Meet Debbie Harding, the creative force at DoodleCraft Design, the wonderfully crafty take on game night 33 40 years of creative reinvention Tara Strickland, Head of Design at SANTORO talks to Craft Focus about the enduring appeal of Gorjuss and Swing Cards and why continually creating something new remains at the heart of the business. 42 Inspiring makers, one book at a time Clare Martelli, Editorial Director at Herbert Press, talks to Craft Focus about the art of creating craft books that are as practical as they are beautiful 60 RETAILER INTERVIEW Melanie Shed, owner of independent creative shop Ethel & Em in Lancaster, talks to Craft Focus about her simple mission: to make creativity accessible to everyone 53 23 BUSINESS 64 National Campaign Calls for 90 Minutes’ Free Parking Spring & Autumn Fair, has launched a new national campaign calling for a minimum of 90 minutes’ free parking in town and city centres across England 66 How social commerce is redefining retail Speaking at Spring Fair 2026, Alison Battisby, founder of social media consultancy Avocado Social, discussed how social commerce is not a trend on the horizon, it’s already here, it’s accelerating, and retailers who ignore it risk being left behind 68 The gift of IP Why now more than ever the giftware industry needs to protect their designs in the age of AI, says Laura Newbold Breen, ACID CEO 70 Economic growth FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie looks at how economic growth depends on businesses having both the confidence and the means to invest – for many, that starts with access to finance 62 57
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