Craft Focus - Feb/Mar (Issue 71)

Exhibitor profiles This year’s exhibitor highlights ENCAUSTIC ART – CREATIVE WAX 12BP03 Encaustic Art was established more than three decades ago and has been fully updated in the last year. Its iron-powered hotplate offers a new world of creativity to crafters of all abilities. The product uses wax, which melts and reshapes again and again until the user is satisfied with their creation. The inventive item is enduringly popular, perhaps because it offers instant and forgiving results. +44 (0)1239 831 401 encaustic.com BOTHY THREADS 12A01 Bothy Threads has plenty of new designs available at this year’s show, including 10 cute kits from Bebunni. There’s also four additions to the Hannah Dale tapestry range worked in Anchor threads on 10hpi colour printed canvas. Other new releases include the Love London and Love Paris retro kits in colourful cross stitch and blackwork, as well as Dragon Fae and Autumn Song, two magical designs on 16hpi full colour-printed Aida. +44 (0)1900 828 844 bothythreads.com CHECKER DISTRIBUTORS 12B02 Checker Distributors will be showcasing its new felted wool pressing mats by The Gypsy Quarter. The product makes it easy to press any pieced or embroidered block, and the density of the mat absorbs seams and stitches, effectively pressing both sides at once. The texture also stops fabrics from shifting so there’s no distortion when pressing. Checker will ship from the US to the EU in three business days with no VAT, and it supplies more than 140,000 products across the quilting and sewing sectors. Well-known brands available include OmniGrid, Olfa and Clover notions, Hobbs and Bosal batting, Aurifil and Mettler thread, Benartex, Free Spirit, Michael Miller fabrics, C&T Publishing, Atkinson and Martingale patterns and books. +1 419 893 3636 checkerdist.com CORINNE LAPIERRE BP16 Embroidery has become increasingly popular in the last few months and this kit is a bestseller in Corinne Lapierre’s current range. It offers a fun and easy way to help crafters develop their skills. Made in Yorkshire, the pretty design comes complete with everything that’s needed including soft wool-mix felt, DMC threads and a bamboo hoop. The product is a new addition and will be launching at CHSI Stitches. Free sample packs are available with every trade order and the retail price is £14.40. +44 (0)113 246 0403 corinnelapierre.com craftfocus 59 CHSI stitches