Craft Focus - Feb/Mar (Issue 71)

What was your original aim for Gina-B Silkworks? Initially, the company was solely about making reproduction textile trimmings, also known as passementerie, for theatres, museums, palaces and films. I would give talks, write articles and host workshops on the techniques involved, many of which have almost been lost to history. My husband came on board and we began to design specialist tools to use during teaching. In its current form, the business was intended to reach people who could not attend a workshop. Our first products were button-making DVDs and related materials. Other videos followed, and we still sell those early titles today. How has the company evolved since then? We now offer a comprehensive range of craft kits, materials and publications. We focus on traditional textile techniques, often updated with specially-designed tools for a modern audience. Through TV shopping, we have been able to extend our reach, which has helped us to grow. We have kits that will help the end user build skills that will remain long after the project has been completed. What are your key product lines? We are probably still best known for our buttons, with many people assuming this is what the ‘B’ in our company name stands for! Our other key lines include Teneriffe Lace looms, our Flower Comb ribbon ruching tools and a Japanese craft line. We are also the makers of Creatiframe textile art looms and the PaperLathe system for tassel and bead- making. We continue to develop products for other forms of passementerie too, including knotting, ganutell, braiding and weaving. We launch items every two months, with major new collections about once or twice a year. Does the company exhibit at any trade shows? We will be attending CHSI Stitches for the first time this year, showcasing a range of products including our ribbon ruching and Japanese craft additions. What has been your biggest business challenge to date? We have just finished repackaging our main product lines to reduce bulk waste, and we’re really happy with the result. There was a lot of effort involved but we intend to continue to be more conscious of how we package our goods. Are there any significant launches coming up? We are really excited by the kits in our Japanese craft and button-making collections. Our Sagemon template tools are great stash-busters and can be used to create wonderful fabric creations traditionally used in mobiles. The finished dolls are really cute too! We also have two launches in our button- making range. The Yorkshire Button kit features a reusable loom, while the Little Button Journal offers a permanent way for makers to keep their first hand-crafted designs. The Teneriffe Lace category also continues to grow, and our ‘Sun in Splendour’ loom is cleverly devised to create lace in two shapes that can be stitched together to form a larger piece. Search Press will also be publishing my new button-making book this summer. How do you expect the company to develop in future? We are keen to take our products to a wider audience by reaching out to retailers around the country. Most of our ranges can also help drive sales of consumables such as fabrics and threads. We have also begun creating more online content, giving our customers another way to learn how to use our kits and tools. A passion for historic textile trimmings has become a successful business for Gina Barrett, founder of Gina-B Silkworks a stitch in time +44 (0)7714 643 362 ginabsilkworks.co.uk craft focus 97 up & coming