Craft Focus - October/November (Issue 75)

9 INDUSTRY NEWS Industry news Royal School of Need lework welcomes Duchess of C ornwal l The Duchess of Cornwall came face-to-face with her stitched portrait at the Royal School of Needlework recently. The duchess, who is a patron of the school, was attending the launch of the Face & Figures in Stitch exhibition. Her portrait was created by RSN’s embroidery studio using the historic blackwork technique. It will be displayed alongside 100 other works including key figures from history and familiar faces like Henry VIII, Shakespeare, Nelson Mandela and David Bowie. Additional pieces on display are by the school’s students and from RSN’s textile collection. “Blackwork uses just one colour of thread which enables dramatic effects to be created, making it ideal for depicting faces and figures,” says Dr Susan Kay-Williams, chief executive of the school. “Our team worked hard on the preparation, firstly choosing the right image and then sampling the stitches beforehand. The pose was chosen from a photograph of the duchess taken during her first visit to us in November 2017.” The exhibition will run until 19 th March at RSN’s Hampton Court Palace studios. Go to royal-needlework.org.uk for details. Major new craft trade show to launch in 2020 A major new trade show, Crafters’ World, is set to launch in 2020. Organised by WeDoYourDo Ltd, the event will take place at Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 6 th and 7 th September. The two-day event promises a strictly vetted trade audience and interactive experience. Buyers can expect a broad range of craft materials as well as workshops, demonstrations and presentations. The show will be promoted to every single UK crafter across both traditional and digital retail. Promising a completely new approach that’s tailored the rapidly changing industry, Crafters’ World will focus primarily on costs, making return on investment less of a consideration for prospective exhibitors. WeDoYourDo will also be launching the Creative Costume Designer Show, focusing on cosplay, steampunk, reenactors and other groups. The event will run from 12 th -13 th September at New Bingley Hall, Birmingham, and will cover materials, textiles, fabrics, equipment and accessories. Visit craftersworldshow.co.uk for details. Latest news from the craf industry  CRAFTERS’ WORLD ORGANISER DOMINIC FLEMING SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO CRAFT FOCUS: “Crafters’ World is a new trade show that reflects the changing and shifting requirements of the UK’s creative craft market. For exhibitors, it offers a completely fresh approach, with much lower costs and greater ROI. It will be held at Ricoh Arena, Coventry, which offers free parking and only hosts one show at a time. There’s also an onsite hotel and excellent road and rail links. The event is set to break the mould, with a focus on attracting quality buyers. The great thing about starting afresh is expectations, and while we don’t expect to get several thousand buyers, exhibitors can be certain that everyone they meet has been through a vetted registration process. Crafters’ World will also focus on attracting buyers from other areas of retail, who wish to add value to their product mix or service. This includes garden centres, coffee shops, stationery and art stores, care homes, schools and prisons. The show is set to tempt retailers that haven’t attended an exhibition in years by offering more choice, with a drive on new and emerging kits and hobbies. There will be some thought- provoking ideas from exhibitors on adding value. We’ll also have presentations that will show how to engage with the next generation, many of whom will be coming from a non- traditional background. These buyers may not have the same motivation but will still require the same materials and skills. Crafters’ World will be held in early September, giving retailers a well-needed boost before the winter rush.”