Craft Focus - Feb/Mar 2020 (Issue 77)

9 INDUSTRY NEWS Industry news Latest news from the craf industry  Crafterama show launches at Ally Pally The team behind Stamperama is launching a new show, Crafterama. The retail event will take place at Alexandra Palace from 1 st -2 nd August 2020, featuring stamps, papercraft and other must-have materials and supplies. The new show is an extension of the popular Stamperama brand. Visitors can expect a fun and interactive experience with make and take demonstrations, well-known brands and famous faces from the craft world. Exhibitors will include The Art of Craft with John Lockwood, Honey Doo Crafts, Sweet Poppy Stencils, Hobby Art, Lavinia Stamps, Sentimentally Yours with Phill Martin, That Craft Place with Lisa Horton, Stamps Away, Daisy B Crafts, Inkylicious, A Crafty Place, Stampers Grove and Limetree Craft. Go to crafterama.com for information. GMC signs Blue Star Press GMC Distribution has announced that Blue Star Press will join its growing list this January. The new addition will take its place alongside Sterling Publishing, The Taunton Press and a selection of Penguin Random House US imprints. Titles from Blue Star Press will be available to all UK customers and non-exclusively across Europe. The publisher’s books focus on the arts, creative processes, wellness and witty non-fiction. Its imprint, Paige Tate & Co produces creative how-to guides, lifestyle titles, devotionals and colouring books. “We are very pleased to welcome Blue Star Press and we look forward to introducing our customers to its strong range of contemporary titles across a variety of topics,” says GMC’s sales director Michael Robb. “The inclusion of this list is yet a further sign of our growth as a distributor and why high street bookshops and gift retailers alike should look to us.” Call +44 (0)1273 402 836 or visit gmcdistribution.com The Wholesaler UK celebrates 20 th anniversary Online director The Wholesaler UK was founded in 1999, when the internet was in its infancy. The website aimed to bring together the best of the country’s wholesale suppliers and the independent retail trade. “It’s hard to believe that we are now celebrating our 20 th birthday, still going strong and pursuing our original goal,” says Sue Naylor, director. “We put our success down to our accountability, the fact that we personally vet our content and our policy of linking only to bona fide traders. It’s what gives retailers the confidence to use the directory in their search for new suppliers. “A big thanks to our loyal customers for their continued support! We look forward to welcoming more wholesalers on board in the future, whatever products they’re offering, to join our ever-growing community. During our birthday year, we’re offering a 10 per cent discount off our normal rates for new advertisers. Please contact us for details. “As you can see, our dog mascot is getting in the party mood as well. He’s only three years old but that’s almost 20 in dog years! Here’s to another 20 years collaborating!” For further information, visit thewholesaler.co.uk