Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 66)

HUNKYDORY CRAFTS “The show was very successful for us this year,” says Claire Hamer, trade sales manager at Hunkydory Crafts. “Our feedback is getting more positive each year as we broaden our product offering and improve our customer service. We had a new stand layout and I loved its openness, creativity and flow.” The company launched its new Prism range, featuring markers, ink pads, water colour pencils and gemstones at the show. hunkydorycrafts.co.uk MOUSELOFT 2018 marked Mouseloft’s 23 rd year at CHSI Stitches, and it was another successful event for owners Roger and Helen Hart. “It was a fantastic show for us this year, with many new customers and a great opportunity to catch up with existing clients,” says Roger. “Our new counted cross stitch range, Paw Prints, was extremely well-received.” mouseloft.co.uk SEARCH PRESS “Search Press had a really positive Stitches this year,” says publicity manager, Mary Ellingham. “We saw an uplift of 20 per cent in orders, and a welcome increase in new accounts on previous years.” The craft publisher also celebrated the 10 th anniversary of its Twenty to Make series, which has sold two million copies to date. Several of the group’s top authors were on hand to meet craft retailers, while the new Win Your Show Order competition also caused a stir. searchpress.com DANNELLS It was another good year for Dannells, which exhibited for the fifth time in 2018. “Our new Needcraft range, which includes wall art kits and sewing bins, was very well received. Reorder levels of our classic products, including lampshade kits, were also good,” says director, Jamie Dannell. “It was also a great opportunity to meet our lovely customers, and show them our beautiful soft furnishing products.” dannells.com VIRIDIAN DISTRIBUTION Viridian has been exhibiting for the past 15 years, and enjoyed one of its most successful shows yet. “Our orders were the highest for many years, but the number of leads we took was the best ever,” says David Husbands. “I put this down to the organiser doing a much better job of filtering out the people that shouldn’t be there. It gave us much more time to talk to genuine customers.” viridianyarn.com PIXELHOBBY This was the first year at Stitches for Pixelhobby. “One of the highlights was watching how people took to the craft,” says owner, Janet Eden. “Over the course of the show, visitors were able to build our snowy owl and parrot designs. It was amazing to be surrounded by so many talented and creative people.” Pixelhobby launched a wide range of new kits at the show, including its new London and unicorn kits. pixelhobby.org.uk craftfocus 41 CHSI Stitches