Craft Focus - Jun/Jul (Issue 73)

49 PROFILE Do you exhibit at any trade shows? We always attend CHSI Stitches and this year went to Cologne for our first international show, H+H. We’re also heading back to the NEC in September for Autumn Fair, where we find that our stand- out packaging attracts customers from beyond the craft world including museum shops, gift outlets and garden centres. What has been your key business milestone to date? There have been so many, but this year got off to a great start with a move to new premises three times the size of our previous headquarters. We are growing so fast at the moment, and with lots of exciting opportunities on the horizon it feels like there’s something to celebrate every week, from working with our first Russian distributor to speaking with major retailers in the US. Where can retailers get to see your products? We have our wholesale website where retailers can view products, prices and, of course, place orders. We’re also available at trade shows and we’re more than happy to supply samples and arrange meetings. How often do you launch new kits? We bring out designs for both trade show seasons in February and September. Sometimes a product will slip through at other times as I just can’t wait to get them out there! Do you enjoy working in the craft industry? Absolutely. Craft has been my life for 10 years now, since I graduated, and even though I have pivoted a few times, it remains the core of everything I do. I find the textile craft industry incredibly supportive and open, ready to celebrate each other’s successes. I love seeing how far the sector has come in terms of popularity and innovation and I can’t wait to be riding the crafty wave for many more years to come. What’s coming up next? We are just about to unveil six black embroidery kits featuring bestselling animal designs including the unicorn, cat and bear. I also have a new embroidery line coming up that I’m just putting the finishing touches to. It will feature animals in a really fun and cute way. Beyond that, we’re already looking to 2020 and another craft to add to the range. We’re also recruiting for a creative marketing manager to help take us to the next level. “I’ve always loved nature and animals but was never inspired by the craft designs available, which tended to be very traditional. My embr oideries were original ly a series of il lustrations that I had done for my own pleasure, but once f inished they clearly lent themselves to stitching kits, with clean lines and a fresh colour palette.” Hawthorn Handmade +44 (0)1258 863 873 hawthornhandmadewholesale.co.uk