Craft Focus - Feb/Mar (Issue 71)

CRAFT4CRAFTERS IS BACK IN BATH The Craft4Crafters show will arrive back at the Bath & West Showground for its seventh appearance from 11 th -13 th April 2019. Visitors are promised a wide variety of craft suppliers, exhibitors and workshops, with two floors packed with traders, groups and guilds. “As well as the popular favourites, we also have new exhibitors attending this year,” says sales manager Debbie Bailey. “We are very excited and pleased with our line-up and visitors will not be disappointed. This exhibition has been running for 35 years since the early 1980s, and it has gone through several name changes since then. Craft4Crafters is pleased to have taken over the reins of this prestigious event.” The Bath & West Showground is currently undergoing a major regeneration initiative to improve its facilities. This includes a £1.2 million expansion project for its restaurant and café areas, while the Showering Pavilion will now offer two large cafés and a lift. Doors open daily at 10am. Tickets purchased in advance will receive a £2 discount and can also be bought on the day. Call +44 (0)345 3040 222 or visit craft4crafters.co.uk for details. LUXURY FABRICS ON SHOW AT TEXTILE FORUM Taking place on 13 th and 14 th March at One Marylebone in London, Textile Forum is a fabric show aimed at the luxury fashion sector. The event has been running since 2002 and takes up two floors of the prestigious venue, attracting buyers frommajor retailers and brands as well as established independent design businesses and start- ups. Visiting companies include LK Bennett, Mint Velvet, Burberry, Carolina Herrera, Mulberry, Cath Kidston, Arcadia and John Lewis. Fabrics on display at the twice-yearly event will include lace, silk, wool, leather, cotton, jacquard, tweed, jersey and stretch, as well as trimmings, linings, buttons and labels. Find out more at textileforum.org.uk shows, news and events CHSI STITCHES RETURNS TO THE NEC CHSI Stitches will take place once again this month, running from 17 th -19 th February at NEC Birmingham. Featuring more than 200 craft exhibitors with over 100,000 products on display, the popular trade show offers plenty of inspiration for retailers. Highlights this year will include The Craft Report, which will reveal valuable information and insights into the buying habits of customers. There’s also a full programme of workshops and seminars, a new product catwalk and the Bright Sparks Pavilion, featuring some of the sector’s most exciting new brands. The Craft Focus team will be exhibiting on stand G30, so come and say hello to Tracy and Andrea. You can also sign up for a regular copy of our bi-monthly title or any other publication in the KD Media Publishing portfolio. Our full 15- page show preview starts on page 47. Go to chsi.co.uk for latest show developments. CONSUMER SHOW NEWS MAKERS TO DEMONSTRATE SKILLS IN CHELTENHAM Made by Hand Cheltenham is set to run from 8 th -10 th March 2019. Run by a not-for- profit organisation, the three-day event will feature the work of British designer-makers and will take place at Cheltenham Town Hall. There will also be craft demonstrations and workshops, with visitors able to meet the makers and discover the stories behind their products. This will be the show’s second edition following a successful turn last year. “The incredibly positive response to Made by Hand Cheltenham was very exciting,” explains Sarah James, event director. “Visitors really appreciated the special quality of the makers that they met. When you launch an event in a new area it’s difficult to predict that will happen, but I couldn’t have been happier. We had more visitors than we could have hoped for and sales were very strong. I’m really looking forward to the show in March.” The event will bring together a handpicked selection of 100 award-winning makers from across the UK including jewellers, potters, furniture makers, textile artists, glassmakers and wood workers, all selling directly to the public. There will also be two-hour workshops exploring a variety of materials and techniques such as weaving, calligraphy, pottery and bookbinding. Go to madebyhandengland.org.uk for details. 26 craft focus