Craft Focus - October/November 2020 (Issue 81)

5 EDITOR’S LETTER On the cover When it’s cold outside and the trees are covered with white snow, there’s nothing better than sweetening your time with a cup of tea and a new embroidery project. The beautiful cover image is provided from Zweigart and shows beautiful Christmas fabrics in lovely shades of red and grey. Sweet deco ideas for the festive season can be conjured up with the company’s Christmas embroidery idea booklet no. #104/295 - check out our Christmas products feature to see more! Be sure to also explore the rest of the collection of embroidery fabrics in aida, linen and Evenweaves – all 100 per cent made in Germany and always with Zweigart’s renowned quality. Visit the company’s website www.zweigart.com fo r further information. Getting in the spirit! Christmas 2020 is going to be a good one. Of course it is, the year owes us that! Feeling festive and fabulous, we have part two of our Christmas special showcasing cards, make-your-own advent calendars, Christmas decorations and more. We also have a sugarcraft feature if you’re going to make your own delicacies; and a craft kits feature with fabulous ‘boxsets’ which make perfect gifts! As well as our ever-popular brand spanking new feature, we also have a focus on glues and adhesives and keen sewers will enjoy our sewing and stitching special! I chat exclusively to Kirsten Burke from The Modern Calligraphy Company about how, since lockdown, sales of calligraphy products have rocketed, you can see more of the company’s products in our Art Supplies feature. With so many trade shows being digital and with the rise of social media, we all can recognise the importance of going online. So, this issue we have excellent advice from the Department of International Trade about how to gain support, encouragement to take the plunge online and how to secure trade deals overseas. There’s help out there if you are wary of taking those first steps. I hope the final quarter of 2020 hears tills ringing, footfall increasing and most importantly health and happiness. Happy reading, Rachel Westall Editor Rachel x EDITOR Rachel Westall +44 (0)1376 514 000 editor@craftfocus.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Scott Brothwell SALES MANAGER Sarah Mclean +44 (0)1376 538 490 sarahm@craftfocus.com ACCOUNT MANAGER Tracy Voice +44 (0)1376 535 618 tracyv@craftfocus.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Stephanie Hodder, Vicky O’Connor, Sarah Young +44 (0)1376 535 616 artwork@kdmediapublishing.com PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Lorna Butcher WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Stuart Weatherley DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR Katie Laley +44 (0)1376 514 000 KD Media Publishing, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP craftfocus.com Craft Focus is solely owned, published and designed by KD Media Publishing. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Craft Focus is published six times a year. ISSN 1758-0900 @craftfocus @craftfocusmag @craftfocus MEDIA PUBLISHING Craft Focus is proud to be associated with and supporters of: