WWW.CRAFTFOCUS.COM OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER FOR CRAFT HOBBY + STITCH INTERNATIONAL AND PROUD SPONSOR OF TRENDING NOW FINISHING TOUCHES Learn through play PLUS! Ribbons & buttons Creature comforts Reduce, reuse, recycle Eco-friendly crafts Sewing for the home Children’s crafts Trend: All things metallic! Company profiles Trade show news
® SR ribbon is a leading, renowned brand of top quality ribbon, supplied to wholesalers of haberdashery, floral, packaging and craft industry across the entire UK and Europe. SR ribbon is produced using high quality fabric and with excellent colour consistency, with a large and growing range of colours and a wide selection of sizes. SR is continually expanding its range to meet our customer demands and changing market requirements. For all the information regarding our range and our distributers please go to www.superribbons.com or e-mail sales@superribbons.com www.superribbons.com E: sales@superribbons.com T: 020 8806 1111 NEW IN! Cotton bias 25mm in 20 popular colours
3 CONTENTS In this issue... REGULARS 9 Industry news What’s happening within the craft and hobby market 15 Brand spanking new Brand spanking new products 61 Tried & tested Craft Focus account manager, Tracy Voice, gets stitching on this blue hydrangea design from Letistitch 80 Bookstand The latest book releases 30 June/July 2022 75 63 78 FEATURES 33 Time to play! Children’s crafts 45 Conscious living Eco-friendly crafts 51 Treat yourself! Crafts for under £15 63 Shine on! Trend: Metallics 68 Creature comforts Sewing for the home 75 Haberdashery essentials Ribbons and buttons to top up your collections 78 Teacher’s pet Back to school
4 FOCUS ON 30 Heritage Crafts Susan Ryder, Managing Director of Heritage Crafts discusses the company’s gorgeously British designs and why we can’t get enough of them! 40 Cygnet Yarns Katie Stephenson Company Director at Cygnet Yarns Ltd talks to Craft Focus about all things knitting as she talks us through the company’s vast ranges 58 Cascayde Carly and Greg Murray, the husband and wife team behind Cascayde, talk to Craft Focus about their on-trend ranges of plastic-free products 82 Retailer interview Haberdashery, Slipstitch, is located in Muswell Hill, right in the heart of London - the perfect place to spot trends and inspire crafters old and new. Owner, Rosie Fletcher tells us more… BUSINESS 84 Understanding the new Plastic Packaging Tax Now PPT is fully in place here’s some guidance from HMRC to ensure your business is ticking the right boxes 86 Careful costings Catherine Erdly, owner of The Resilient Retail Club discusses the rising costs we are facing and how to manage pricing and profitability 89 Level up Martin McTague, National Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, looks at the UK government’s Levelling UP programme 91 Business growth Dids Macdonald, CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID), looks at whether licensing provides an effective way to grow a business 94 Web savvy Sara Davies gives us tips on how to make your website professional, efficient and easy to use SHOWS 25 Shows, news & events Stay up-to-date with what’s happening in your industry 68 40 58 33
www.faedmunds.com info@faedmunds.com
S U P R A C O L O R ® A Q U A R E L L E For more than 30 years, Supracolor® Soft pencils have embodied versatility. Their high quality lies in the brightness and vibrancy of the colours, as well as their unique covering power. The 120 Supracolor Soft Shades are suitable for a multitude of techniques, from fading, blending with fingertips, building textures to drawing watercolours. The pencils continue to be favoured by amateur artists, graphic designers and illustrators alike. Made in Geneva, they are available in collections of 12, 18, 30, 40, 80 and 120 pencils and are also sold individually. Caran d’Ache Swiss Made Excellence since 1915 carandache.com For all enquiries please contact: JAKAR INTERNATIONAL Ltd 410 Centennial Avenue, Centennial Park, Elstree WD6 3TJ • Tel: 020 8381 7000 • Email: info@jakar.co.uk
7 EDITOR’S LETTER On the cover So on trend, the Bohemian Palms Embroidery Kit from Hawthorn Handmade is a stunning display of dried flowers ready to stitch up. Follow the detailed instructions including clear photos and illustrations showing you how to do each stitch. Each kit comes with the pre-printed 100 per cent cotton fabric, wooden hoop, DMC threads, needle and pattern. For more information, visit the website: www.hawthornhandmade.com Feeling jubilant Despite the chaotic world we are living in, we can always come back to craft to keep calm and carry on. We hope you are all geared up to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this June, what a wonderful way to kickstart summer. I’ll be popping up some home-made bunting and getting into the spirit with a Pimm’s in hand, for sure! It was lovely to see so many of you at The London Stationery Show. We hope you had a good show and have some lovely creative selections for a productive Q3 and Q4. This issue, we have a focus on eco-friendly products and I was even lucky enough to catch up with husband and wife team, Carly and Greg Murray, owners of Cascayde – the ever so stylish eco-friendly tape suppliers. Read all about the company on page 58. Gearing up for the third quarter, we have Back to School products as well as a focus on children’s crafts, ribbons and buttons, and a fabulously glitzy trend feature on metallics starting on page 63. As always, we have the latest industry news and show updates to keep you in the loop. Enjoy the glorious weather and keep doing what you love! Happy reading! Rachel Westall Editor 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 538 555 tracyv@craftfocus.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Stephanie Hodder, Vicky O’Connor +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:
Learning Kits Value-packed tools specifically developed to teach beginning modellers and other hobbyists how to use the Terrain and Landscape Systems. Learn to sculpt terrain, cast, colour and install rocks, landscape various scenes, create paved areas, make trees, model water features and other scenic details Resealable packages for easy storage. pauline.hinkley@bachmann.co.uk www.bachmann.co.uk E: office@viridianltd.co.uk T: 0117 300 5244 www.viridianyarn.com Knitting Needles & Accessories Amigurumi Kits Trade enquiries: Discus UK Made Pottery Wheels CRAFTSMAN Electric Potter's Wheel • Designed & made in UK • Lifetime support • Lightweight, portable & easy to store Pottery Products Ltd. E: sales@potterswheels.co.uk • 5 year warranty • Powerful, 16kg of clay • Ideal for beginner and professional use www.potterswheels.co.uk Tel: 01730 300762
9 INDUSTRY NEWS Industry news Latest news from the craf industry Staedtler Teachers’ Club celebrates 10 years with new collaboration Staedtler UK, stationery giant and manufacturer of the world’s most recognisable pencil — the black and yellow stripy Noris — has announced an exclusive partnership with www.whsmith.co.uk Designed to benefit primary school classrooms across the nation, the partnership will provide members of Staedtler Teachers’ Club with 30 per cent off Staedtler products purchased at www.whsmith.co.uk in celebration of the Club’s 10th anniversary year. Rachel Owen, Head of Marketing at Staedtler UK, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to partner with WHSmith.co.uk and provide this offer as a huge ‘thank you’ to our loyal database of 20,000+ Teachers’ Club members. “We hope our members will be able to make good use of the discount throughout the year and we’d love to see even more teachers joining the free Club when they hear about the discount.” Primary school teaching staff can sign up to become a free member on the Staedtler Teachers’ Club website here: www.teachersclub.staedtler.co.uk Dame Prue Leith backs charity knitting campaign A Scarf for Lewy, the campaign by The Lewy Body Society to wrap the Royal Albert Hall in a huge scarf to raise awareness of Lewy body dementia, has been given a boost with the support of chef and broadcaster Dame Prue Leith DBL. Dame Prue has joined dozens of volunteers who have already knitted or crocheted a scarf, with the charity aiming to join together enough scarves to wrap around the entire 244 metre circumference of the building, in an event to be held on 22nd September, 2022. Knitting groups and individuals are invited to contribute and help raise awareness of Lewy body dementia, the second most common type of dementia in older people. Lewy body dementia is a littleknown type of dementia that’s very different to the most common type, Alzheimer’s disease, and requires different support and treatment. It can be very challenging to live with and is often misdiagnosed. The charity wants more people to know about Lewy body dementia so that those affected get better support, and there’s more scientific research into the disease. Jacqui Cannon, Chief Executive of The Lewy Body Society said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Prue for her support, and to all the knitters up and down the country who have got out their needles in support of A Scarf for Lewy. Through this event we hope more people will hear about Lewy body dementia and show their support to families affected by the disease.” Scarves should be 30cm/ 12 inches wide and can be any length. The deadline for receipt of scarves is 15th August, 2022. Further details can be found at www.ascarfforlewy.org.uk
10 New Market Director UK & Ireland at Stabilo Stabilo has announced the appointment of Shahbaz Khan as its new Market Director UK & Ireland. In his new role Shahbaz will head up Stabilo’s UK & Ireland office, leading the brand into the next phase of its development in this market. As Market Director, Shahbaz will be focused on the brand’s distribution channels, working closely with the sales team to drive growth and re-focusing the business on key target areas. Shahbaz brings fresh energy to the brand, with a keen eye on Stabilo’s core range of iconic products, in particular the much-loved Boss Original highlighter. Shahbaz has a wealth of experience from his previous role as country manager at toy brand Clementoni. A key player during his time there, Shahbaz oversaw the tremendous double-digit growth of Clementoni as it became a preferred supplier in the UK for infant and pre-school toys, developing the brand from start-up to an established player in the toy market. Prior to joining Clementoni Shahbaz was a toy buyer for Argos, firmly connecting him to the toy market within the UK. With the ever-changing dynamics of the stationery market, his experience as a buyer will help support Stabilo as it continues to target new demographics with its innovative designs and creative offerings. The key out-take from the BHETA / Gardenex / PetQuip Future for International Trade Conference which took place on March 17th was that while export was likely to outperform the home market in the coming year, it was vital for both importers and exporters to ensure they were not dependent on any one territory for either sales or supply chain. Speakers, who included UK government insiders, successful companies exporting from the UK currently, market analysts, legal, financial and compliance advisors, concurred in advising both current and novice UK exporters on both big picture opportunities and perils and the detail of how to proceed successfully in the current environment. The key points were: • The continued growth opportunity in home and garden improvement, thanks to macro-factors such as home-based work and play, privacy, security and wellbeing • The likelihood that well-managed export would prove more buoyant than the home market in 2022/23, owing to the squeeze on disposable income in the UK • The crucial need to become less dependent on any one source, supply chain or geographic market as ‘economic warfare’ (ie sanctions and cessation of trade) becomes a reality across the world and not just in relation to the current Ukraine-crisis. The conference, which was open to all UK suppliers, also heard from its keynote speaker, Shelley Boyle, Head of Business Development at online retailer, ManoMano. Shelley presented a fascinating and practical illustration of how ManoMano could offer a clean and simple way to ‘export’ into numbers of European territories while avoiding the administrative implications of Brexit. Other speakers at the conference included UK government lobbyist, John Arnold, who outlined the Government’s current views on international trade opportunities and threats, compliance expert Tim Hiscock from Strong & Herd, Rathbone’s Olivia Merrick with an insightful worldwide economic forecast, international legal expert Andy Hood from Fieldfisher and CP Euromonitor International’s Nick Stene confirming the sector opportunities across the globe. Attendees also heard from established exporters, Croydex, Spear & Jackson, Monument Tools, Grow Sow Simple and Chickenguard, all of whom were able to advise on the practical details of how they were all succeeding in export and all from different perspectives and levels of experience. Will Jones, Chief Operating Officer of BHETA commented: “What this very successful conference demonstrated was that with informed good practice, export opportunities are very real in the home, garden and pet sectors. It also showed that while the challenges of BREXIT remain, there other hurdles being presented by the pandemic and by military and economic warfare that should be addressed urgently. These hurdles are surmountable but planning for a different world should start immediately for any UK company reliant on import, export or both. A proactive approach now can ensure that the undoubted opportunities can be realised going forward.” Amanda Sizer Barrett, Director General of Gardenex and PetQuip added: “It was great to be partnering with BHETA again to deliver yet another top-level export conference, thanks to the quality of the agenda and the insights, inspiration and practical advice that the speakers were able to share.” Will Jones agreed: “This was key occasion for all companies in our sectors who are interested in maximising their export opportunities. It was equally informative for any company in the sector which imports products or components, whether or not they export as well.” For more information contact any of the organisers. Contact Gardenex or PetQuip by emailing katie-mai@petquip.com; or visit www.gardenex.com. Contact BHETA by emailing zm@bheta.co.uk or visit www.bheta.co.uk International Trade Conference speakers advise on how to proceed in the current environment
info@corinnelapierre.com - tel: 0113 2460403 Felt embroidery kits to delight & inspire www.corinnelapierre.com Creativity in a box ! free sample packs with every order! Perfect Product Partnership for Haberdashery & Craft Retailers Dannells manufacture the NeedCraft® range of craft kits that you can use with your fabrics, textiles and papers to make creative products around the home, and also Stick-IT® the most popular range of self-adhesive lampshade materials. We supply for retailers, wholesalers, distributors, workshops, manufacturers and educational establishments. Kit prices start from only £2.91+vat free delivery. Lampshades - Table Lamps - Floor Lamps Lanterns - Clocks - Bins WWW. DA NN E L L S . COM i nfo@danne l l s . com 01992 70031 1 @needcraf t _ Introducing newWhite Craftfoam! A completely blank canvas for any modeller, sculptor or crafter to work with. Fabricated by Panel Systems Also available in grey and green. Craftfoam is one of the most popular materials with craft enthusiasts – here’s why: • It’s easy to cut and shape, sand, mould and bond • It’s lightweight, but rigid • Available in a range of thicknesses • Arrives boxed in a convenient selection of sizes Suitable for sculpting, model making, crafts, hobbies, floral displays – the possibilities are endless. For more information or to place on order, call 01909 774914 or email: sales@panelsystems.co.uk Buy at our online shop www.craftfoam.co.uk
12 Launch of RSN Sip & Stitch RSN Sip & Stitch is a brand-new annual event encouraging stitch lovers around the world to get together with friends to share their passion, have fun with stitch, and raise funds for the RSN. Taking place on World Embroidery Day on Saturday 30th July, RSN Sip & Stitch is a celebration of needlework for everyone around the globe. The Royal School of Needlework will provide a wide range of ideas and themes to host your perfect event, from RSN Stitch Bank challenges to different theme ideas including Stitch a Selfie, Postcards From Home and Wellness. Plus there will be quizzes and stitch templates. The resources will be available on the RSN website from the beginning of June. So save the date, or even the weekend, and host your own RSN Sip & Stitch event. Dr Susan Kay-Williams, Chief Executive of the Royal School of Needlework said: “Both needlework and socialising with others have been recognised as effective ways to reduce stress and can help improve wellness, and RSN Sip & Stitch combines both! Whether you host a party at home, in your local hall or online, join us in celebrating World Embroidery Day and help raise funds to support our work.” The Royal School of Needlework is a registered charity and receives no government funding. This year, donations raised by the Sip & Stitch events will fund and help expand RSN Stitch Bank. The RSN is passionate about keeping the art of hand embroidery alive and RSN Stitch Bank aims to digitally conserve and preserve every stitch in the world to be the biggest repository of stitch. Every year, stitches are lost as they fall out of use or through general wear and the age of the object. Textiles also continue to be threatened by changes in manufacturing processes and more aggressive issues of war, neglect and destruction. RSN Stitch Bank was launched in September 2021 with the first 150 stitches to kick off celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Royal School of Needlework. There are now a total of 225 stitches featured on the website, with more coming later in the year. RSN Stitch Bank is free for all to use. For more information on the RSN Stitch Bank, visit www.rsnstitchbank.org. For more information on the Royal School of Needlework, visit www.royal-needlework.org.uk WTTB launches new artworking service to support resellers An easy-to-use design service has been introduced by one of the UK’s leading online print platforms, giving its resellers the opportunity to boost their business and increase capacity. As part of its continued growth, WTTB has now unveiled Artworker+, an additional offering for any customers who have to outsource their design or don’t currently offer that facility. And it means that users will have a creative team of experts on tap, without the overheads of taking on more staff and still be able to expand their businesses. To showcase the versatility of the subscription service, the company is now offering a free, 14-day trial for 200 customers, on a first come, first served basis. Artworker + has been developed in response to customers who often need a design service but aren't able to provide it directly themselves. The new system will cover everything from logo creation to graphics for social media posts, to more complex design work such as large reports or even books. WTTB is currently offering Artwork+ as a monthly subscription service with a variety of options, with a minimum sign-up time of one month. Packages start from £175 a month for the Beginners subscription for up to 20 hours of work – which is more suitable for individual traders or small enterprises – up to £1049 a month for the Professional offering which includes 120 hours of design and up to five projects being looked after at the same time. All four packages – which includes Standard at £350 a month and Premium at £525 a month – allow for unlimited amends at no extra cost. Gary Peeling, CEO of WTTB which is part of the Precision Proco Group, believes this new addition to the print offering will be very well received. "We've deliberately made this very flexible and with packages to suit all kinds of business needs," he said. "It may be that people need some design cover during busy holiday periods or it might be it's not a service they've previously offered to their customers but the addition of which could improve their bottom line. We've created a huge amount of options including everything from creating PDFs to adding a bleed to even offering artwork for art-led creations such as a graphic novel. "We're also hoping that moving forward we will also be able to give customers the option for one off pieces of work that they might need some help with." To register for the free trial go to https://artworkerplus.wttb.co.uk/
New craft i ng products - ava i labl e now! For more details please contact ExaClair Ltd. 01553 696600 enquiries@exaclair.co.uk www.exaclairlimited.com Creative Boxes Origami and lettering Dried Flowers For card making and oshibana
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW COLLECTIONS? Founded in 1834, we are Manchester’s oldest textile company. With 180 successful years trading at the forefront of the textile industry, we’re a business that you can trust. We have been supplying into all areas of the wholesale and retail markets ever since the industrial revolution, never comprising integrity. As our customer, you gain access to an international sourcing and distribution network. This is supported by our market expertise, significant experience and sound technical knowledge. BOOK YOUR VIEWING SOON Call: 0161 872 1444 WWW.BEHRENS.CO.UK
15 BRAND SPANKING NEW Brand spanking new Check out some new and exciting products in the current market EXACLAIR ExaClair Limited, the UK subsidiary of the Clairefontaine brand, has launched a new ‘dried flowers’ collection within its crafting ranges. These attractive packs will undoubtedly prove popular with fans of ‘Oshibana’, the Japanese art of pressed flowers. There are five different colour themed packs available, including yellow, rose, lavender, red and an assorted option. Each pack contains 12 dried real flower and leaf pieces, which can be handled carefully with a clamp to create a wide range of attractive items. They’re ideal for card making, as well as being used to decorate a wide variety of ornamental or display items. +44 (0)1553 696 600 sales@exaclair.co.uk www.exaclairlimited.com STOCKWELL CERAMICS These new, ceramic, Peace and Freedom brooches, hot from the kiln are available from Stockwell Ceramics. They’re entirely handmade in Stockwell’s Cornish studio and come in a large and small size. The design is taken from the wonderful collection found in The Warner Textile Archive. info@stockwellceramics.co.uk www.stockwellceramics.co.uk CYGNET YARNS New shades in Pato Everyday DK include Putty, Gold, Magenta and Duck Egg. Everyday DK is your go-to value yarn with its soft handle and plenty of shades to choose from, this yarn makes for an ideal choice for charity knitting, toy projects and economical knitting. With more than 40 colourful, neutral, neon and pastels shades to choose from there’s a shade for every project. sales@cygnetyarns.com www.cygnetyarns.com
16 HERITAGE CRAFTS Evening Kick-Off (PSEK1622) is part of the Silhouettes range from Heritage Crafts. The design measures 12.5cm x 12.5cm and has an RRP £19.60. The design is available as a full kit on 14ct aida or 27ct evenweave. sales@hcrafts.com www.hcrafts.com ANCIENT WISDOM Ancient Wisdom has been working around the clock to bring to your customers this new range of fruity scrub soap on a rope, made from the highest quality fragrance oils and natural luxury Egyptian loofah. These soaps comes on a cotton string which makes it easy to hold and to hang off the shower or a tap. +44 (0)1142 729 165 care@ancientwisdom.biz www.ancientwisdom.biz VIRIDIAN This is Opal’s 18th year of its Rainforest sock yarn range, with eight shades to choose from. You can swim with Sophia the seahorse or burrow with Karlchen the badger, there’s so many exciting adventures to pick from! Not only will you be knitting with the lovely Opal yarn, but you’ll also be supporting the rainforests as Opal will donate 10 per cent of the profits from this range to save and help the rainforest, its animals, and its communities. Opal has managed to raise €268,000 so far. office@viridianltd.co.uk https://viridianyarn.com
LETISTITCH LTD - is a new cross stitch brand company, established in the United Kingdom. This project is intended as a wholesale business, founded by the designer Anastasia LucaBrasoveanu in 2019. Our kits are manufactured in association with Luca-S Company. Our aim is to offer customers pleasant stitching experiences and establish new collaborations and partnerships. WWW.LETISTITCH.COM letistitch@gmail.com | +44 7780122430 | +44 7469364150 Wholesale for cross stitch and diamond painting Nearly 5000 cross stitch kits, bead embroidery, cross stitch fabrics, yarns, and more... ls-b2406 ls-b1192 mer-k204 ls-b7005 mer-k205 RIOLIS, Cd’A, RTO, PANNA, Luca-S, Leti Stitch, Freyja, Magic Needle, Kreinik, Mill Hill, Venus and more... Register online for your purchasing account www.stitchcompany.com Nieuwstraat 6 | 4264 RE Veen | The Netherlands T: +31 (0) 416 695 070 | E: info@stitchcompany.com
18 THE CRAFTY KIT COMPANY Inspired by the wildlife of the British countryside, this beginner-friendly kit from The Crafty Kit Company’s new ‘animal families’ range contains everything needed to make a cute little hen and two chicks. Inside you’ll find specialist felting needles, 100 per cent felting wool, and clear, stepby-step instructions. It’s proudly made in Scotland by The Crafty Kit Company. The RRP is £13.60. +44 (0)1620 860 907 trade@craftykitcompany.co.uk https://trade.craftykitcompany.co.uk PEAK DALE PRODUCTS Spotting a gap in the market, Peak Dale has introduced a taster kit that’s easy to do but rewarding, postbox-friendly and affordable. Keeping this brief in mind, the Intro Into range was born. “We’ve been throwing ideas around here at Peak Dale Products HQ office and are launching five crafty kits.” Dan Aldous, Director at Peak Dale continues, “We’ll constantly be adding to the Intro Into range. Keep an eye out for more new and exciting kits which are in the pipeline including origami, iris folding, metal embossing and pebble art.” +44 (0)1298 78447 sales@peakdaleproducts.co.uk www.peakdaleproducts.co.uk CORINNE LAPIERRE This brand-new design by Corinne Lapierre is the perfect projects for embroidery enthusiasts, including beginners. It’s perfect to learn or develop your embroidery skills while making something useful you can keep forever. Everything is included in the beautiful box, making it perfect for gifts. The kit contains clearly illustrated instructions and templates, as well as soft wool/viscose mix felt, DMC embroidery threads, toy filling and a needle. Handmade in Britain and packaged in Corinne’s signature brown craft boxes, with printed folk-art motifs on every side, the fully re-useable, recyclable, and compostable packaging also makes for a great shop display. +44 (0)1132 460 403 trade@corinnelapierre.com www.corinnelapierre.com
Introducing the ‘Intro Into’ range of craft kits Thread Art Hearts Origami Flowers Marquetry/Parquetry Cork Coasters Crepe Paper Flowers Glass Painting Trade-only website. Apply for an account at: www.peakdaleproducts.co.uk/signup Phone: 01298 78447
20 BOTHY THREADS Blooming with Love is the 99th kit in the ever-popular collaboration between Bothy Threads and Wrendale Designs, marking the special occasion with another fun and colourful design that brings stitching to life. Can this mischievous Spaniel be forgiven for digging up the tulips with that cheeky grin? Part of the Bothy Threads Spring Collection, available on 14th June 2022, the kit contains; 16 count Zweigart Aida with a printed speckled background, pre-sorted stranded cottons, needle, stitch diagram and instructions. The finished size measures 26cm x 26cm. This design uses full cross stitches and back stitch. info@bothythreads.com www.bothythreads.com HAWTHORN HANDMADE Hawthorn Handmade’s new Granny Square Needle Minder is perfect for all crochet loving stitchers! This handy magnetic needle minder will keep an eye on all your needles and pins when you’re not using them. Entirely made in the UK, the RRP is £8. +44 (0)1258 863 873 wholesale@hawthornhandmade.co.uk www.hawthornhandmade.com EUGENIO GABARRÓ, S.L. Nanbag is the new concept for leather handles. They’re specially designed to be added to your DIY bags and also for any bag you have. Currently there are three designs: Sunny – inspired in the ancient Furoshiki technique, only a knot with your favourite fabric is needed to have a practical and casual bag. Click – the most comfortable handles, just screw them to your bag. Palm – the newest handle, with leather cord and metallic ring. A step further in your designs. All Nanbag leather handles are manufactured following 100 per cent artisanal techniques. They’re available in different colours to find the best combination for each printed fabric. +34 938 033 852 www.eugeniogabarro.com
20 % Enjoy Off Online By Using SFCMAG20 *excludes wax & sale items* helping you concentrate on your creativity. www.suppliesforcandles.co.uk Wax Fragrance Accessories
22 GROVES No matter what you choose to sew, pressing your masterpiece is a pivotal part in any project. The long-awaited return of the Iconic Oliso SmartIron® is here and it has got a whole lot smarter! The team at Oliso have enhanced its signature feature, the revolutionary patented iTouch® technology, lifting and lowering with the touch of the hand, not only preventing burns but saves your wrists and time, allowing for more sewing time! A new diamond ceramic-flow ™ soleplate with pro-press ™ core gives the SmartIron® a superior heat, added durability while retaining the effortless glide and users already know and love. Steam is essential to get those super sharp seams (or stubborn creases!) in and out of your fabric, Oliso has developed a Rapid-response™ Triple play® steam system for powerful horizontal, vertical, and variable steam. The anti-drip prevents leaks, and new anti-calc cartridge prevents hard water build-up, this paired with the auto-clean system will keep your iron working longer without relinquishing on any of the 1800 watts of power. This product is exclusively distributed across the UK by Groves. sales@groves-banks.com www.grovesltd.co.uk CRAFTER’S COMPANION Craft your own dimensional elements, stunning floral centrepieces and botanical toppers with the Decoupage Flowers Collection from Gemini. Create and colour everything from wildflowers and cottage garden blooms to exotic orchids. This range features matching stamps and dies that work together, each showcasing a different beautiful flower with matching foliage. From lilies and poppies to roses, bluebells and orchids. Simply stamp the image on a piece of card or paper and die cut the elements using the dies in the corresponding die set. Layer up each section to create your stunning 3D decoupage floral design. All you need is a die-cutting machine, a die and your chosen card or paper stock. Simply create your plate combination using the helpful Sandwich Guide in the instruction manual and run through your die-cutting machine – it’s that simple! The stamps are made from the highest quality clear acrylic, which means that you can see straight through the stamp to line up the image accurately. Just adhere your chosen stamp to an acrylic block or Rock-a-Block and stamp away! This means that you’re guaranteed accurate impressions every time. The stamp imagery has been purposely sized so that it slightly overlaps the cutting edges of the dies. Designing the stamps in this way ensures seamless edges, and when the decoupage layers are assembled, they appear much more realistic. Experiment with your favourite medium to add beautiful colour to your floral decoupage design. Floral centrepieces created using the Decoupage Flower Collection, are the perfect size to accompany any craft project. +44 (0)1388 660 930 https://ccglobal-group.com/trade-partnerships MICHAEL’S BRIDAL FABRICS Michael’s Bridal Fabrics has increased its range of eco-friendly French laces. Some are using organic cotton, combined with viscose made from wood pulp where new trees are planted when the ones to produce the yarn are cut down. One of these articles is a re-coloured existing design, and now include colours: Jeans, Dk Emerald and White. Many of the existing designs will also be converted to using the organic cotton option as we replace them. +44 (0)1322 380 480 www.michaelsbridalfabrics.co.uk
25 SHOWS & EVENTS This season’s most unmissable events Curated Meetings goes global Following its hugely successful beta trial and launch within the UK at Spring and Autumn Fair, Curated Meetings is now opening its doors to buyers and brands from across Europe and the rest of the world, inviting them to take part in this new gamechanging way of doing business at Autumn Fair on the 5th-6th September 2022 at NEC Birmingham. The programme is now open to retailers and buyers who have purchasing responsibility and are actively sourcing across product categories including home decor, housewares, garden, toys, party, beauty, wellbeing, seasonal, accessories, jewellery, white label and more. Attracting brands and buyers from across the UK, Europe and rest of the world, Curated Meetings facilitate efficient, 15-minute pre-scheduled, one-to-one meetings between qualified buyers and relevant suppliers based on a mutual interest to drive new business opportunities together. Working closely with DIT representatives, Curated Meetings is specifically focused on attracting buyers and brands from Central & Eastern Europe, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Nordics, France, USA, Mexico, and India, with buyers from Four Sisters, The Snug, Hedgerows, and Henry Vokes Adare from Ireland, Manor from Switzerland, Kosmelita from Lithuania, and Pro-92 from Slovenia, already confirmed. Elizabeth Miller, International Buyer Community Manager, Curated Meetings said: “Two highly successful Curated Meetings events have taken place at Spring and Autumn Fair in the last year, and it has without question proven its value. As part of the next phase of our strategy, we are very excited to be extending our reach to become a truly international proposition. Curated Meetings is a game changing programme for the global retail community; for international decision-making buyers it offers the opportunity to discover amazing products in an efficient, focused, personal and highly productive way. For international brands, Curated Meetings enables a fast-track route into the UK market – plus brands don’t have to exhibit at Spring and Autumn Fair to take part in Curated Meetings. For both brands and buyers, it offers incomparable returns on time and investment and will take your business to a whole new level.” International buyers attending Curated Meetings will be able to accept meeting invitations with suppliers in advance of Autumn Fair and secure up to nine 15-minute meetings to touch and feel the products, all taking place in the exclusive Curated Meetings lounge. Approved buyers will also receive up to £350 in travel expense subsidies. Drew Stevenson, Source Specialist, from ASDA, took part in Curated Meetings at Spring Fair in February 2022, and said: “Through Curated Meetings, we did supplier groundwork in advance to identify the right meeting opportunities, and it worked really well. Today we had meetings with people we’ve not spoken to previously and scoped products we’ve not sourced before. I will join Curated Meetings again and advise our trading teams to do the same.” Curated Meetings at Autumn Fair takes place on the 5th and 6th September, 2022 at NEC Birmingham. For further information and to sign up please visit www.autumnfair.com/curated-meetings Shows, news & events Diary dates Autumn Fair 4th-7th September, 2022 NEC, Birmingham www.autumnfair.com Top Drawer 12th-13th September, 2022 Olympia, London www.topdrawer.co.uk Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair 15th-18th January, 2023 Harrogate Convention Centre www.harrogatefair.com Christmasworld 3rd-7th February, 2023 Messe Frankfurt, Germany www.christmasworld. messefrankfurt.com Creativeworld 4th-7th February, 2023 Messe Frankfurt, Germany www.creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com CHSI Stitches 19th-20th February, 2023 NEC, Birmingham www.chsi.co.uk
26 Frankfurt update In 2023, the three leading consumer goods fairs Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld will be held simultaneously and thus for the first time at the Frankfurt exhibition centre from 3rd and 4th to 7th February, 2023. In order to link relevant market players even more intensively and actively promote business with new customers, the range of paper, office supplies and stationery products will be repositioned within the three leading trade fairs. The individual product sectors of Paperworld will be presented in the leading international trade fairs Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld in a way that is both target group-specific and theme-specific. “One thing is quite clear: the former exhibitors and visitor target groups of Paperworld will continue to find their business home in Frankfurt in the future and in exciting product segments, freshly put together according to synergies and efficiency, which equally reflect the increasing fusion of the lifeworld home and office. In this way, we’re actively addressing the changes in the market, introducing our exhibitors to new, potential buyer groups and thus creating real added value. We give trade visitors numerous new business impulses and inspiration through changed perspectives”, explains Philipp Ferger, Vice President Consumer Goods Fairs. For example, stationery and school supplies complement the product mix at Ambiente Giving. Creative writing, painting and drawing materials will in future expand the portfolio of Creativeworld, the world’s leading trade fair for hobby, craft and artists’ supplies. The packaging and ribbon product groups are closely linked to the theme of celebrating and giving. Christmas is the seasonal occasion with the highest volume of gifts in the year and therefore the season that drives sales for these product areas. Going forward, they’ll therefore be presented at Christmasworld, the trade fair for seasonal and festive decorations. This is where the trade, whether large-volume (garden centres, DIY stores, florists’ wholesalers, food retailers and drugstores) or retail, will find the greatest inspiration. For more information: www.consumergoods-frankfurt.com A New Home for BCTF Next year’s BCTF will be taking place from 16th-18th April, 2023 at a new home in the heart of Yorkshire, The Harrogate Convention Centre. This well-established exhibition venue in the heart of Harrogate is a popular choice with retailers, who will benefit from being close to the railway station and easy access to the many excellent hotels and restaurants in Harrogate town centre. Furthermore, BCTF South is set to launch in 2023! Following the success of BCTF in Harrogate and strong reputation built over 46 years, BCTF will expand out from the north of England next year with the addition of a second show in the south of England. The first BCTF South will run from 7th-9th May, 2023 in Sandown Park, Surrey, where it’ll be a magnet for high-quality buyers from London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and further afield.
sales@ichf.co.uk www.ichfevents.co.uk 01425 460812 NEW FOR 2022
28 BCTF 2022 Award Winners The 2022 BCTF Award winners were announced on 11th April in an emotional ceremony that saw the amazing British craft community raise a glass together for the first time since 2019. The award sponsors included some of the UK’s greatest champions of British crafts and consistent supporters of the British Craft Trade Fair, an event which is original for its exclusive focus on handmade British products and inspires great loyalty amongst exhibitors and retailers alike. The incredibly eclectic mix of talented designers and partnerships who make up the BCTF community once again ensured that deciding upon the winners was an extremely difficult task. Along with excellence of design (rich on the ground at BCTF!) many judges were moved by the compelling personal stories they heard from exhibitors and the powerful emotion they were able to channel into work of an exceptional quality and resonance. A broad range of disciplines were recognised in the 2022 awards, including Jewellery, fashion accessories, glasswork, ceramics, embroidery and papiermâché, whilst winners received prizes that included gallery exhibitions, association memberships, website hosting and media support and promotion that will give a further boost to their businesses in the year ahead. The Winners • The Platform and Function Award Winner - Shelley Faye Lazar • The NAJ Award for Excellence in Jewellery Winner - The Metalsmith • The Giftware Association Award for Excellence Winner - Erum Aamir Ceramics • The Home & Giftware Magazine and Denre.com Best Post-Newcomer Award Winner - The Very Crafty Zebra • The Heart Gallery Best Newcomer Award Winner - Beverley Sommerville Ceramics; Highly Commended: CAHM • The Pyramid Gallery Award for Excellence Winner - Twists Glass Studio; Highly Commended Joint Winners - Kate Rhodes Jewellery & Jenny Chan • The Giftware Association WOW Factor Award Winner (as voted for by exhibitors): Joanna Coupland Judges also paid tribute to organiser, Kerrison Craft Exhibitions, which took over the running of BCTF last year and ensured it was once again a show to be proud of, truly reflective of the great wealth of artisan makers and design-talent we have here in the UK. Commenting at the end of a very busy and eventful few days up in Harrogate, Show Director, Kane Thomas said: “I’m so proud and happy that the first BCTF to have been organised by Kerrison Craft Exhibitions has gone so well, despite all the challenges faced by our community over the past couple of years. I want to thank everyone who participated for their support and commitment to BCTF, which is at the heart of an exceptionally vibrant and fascinating industry. “The whole team at Kerrison has loved working on BCTF and we›re very excited about our plans for the future. Significant investment has been put into this show and we are hugely looking forward to seeing how we can develop it over the years”. Creative Craft Show returns The award-winning Creative Craft Show will return to major cities across the UK this autumn bringing supply shopping and workshops to crafters in Farnborough, Exeter, Glasgow, and Birmingham. From September to November, these shows celebrate the world of creativity bringing the latest supplies, techniques and inspiration to dressmakers, crafters, quilters across the country. Unmissable events in any crafter’s calendar, dates for your diary are: • The Creative Craft Show, Farnborough International, 2nd-4th September, 2022 • The Creative Craft Show, Exeter, Westpoint, 22nd-25th September, 2022 • The Creative Craft Show AND Crafts for Christmas, Glasgow, SEC, 13th-16th October, 2022 • The Creative Craft Show AND Simply Christmas, Birmingham, NEC, 3rd-6th November, 2022 Visitors to The Creative Craft Show can dive into yarn, sewing and dress making demonstrations and practical workshops as well as papercraft, jewellery making and felting features. Crafters can update their supplies stash with the latest products and creations from the world of creative craft and get inspired by new and exciting ideas and tips. As always, there will be aisles of expert exhibitors where crafters can update their supplies stash with the latest products and be inspired by new and exciting ideas and tips. Those visiting The Creative Craft Shows in Glasgow and Birmingham can enjoy additional hobby and craft exhibitions for the same price. Visitors heading to Glasgow will be able to visit Crafts For Christmas and The Creative Craft Show with the same ticket. Birmingham shows tickets also give access to the Simply Christmas and ICHF’s sister show Cake International. For ticket sales, opening times and safety information about The Creative Craft Show and Cake International, please visit www.creativecraftshow.co.uk
To pre-order any of these books or to request a full catalogue please contact Rachel Macphail (rachel@davidandcharles.com) for UK Sales or Kelly Rule (kelly@davidandcharles.com) for International Sales. Alternatively, you can call the team direct on 01392 790650 NEW NEEDLECRAFT TITLES FROM DAVID & CHARLES ISBN: 9781446308486 Price: £24.99 Pub Date: April 2022 ISBN: 9781446309223 Price: £16.99 Pub Date: Sept 2022 ISBN: 9781446309209 Price: £16.99 Pub Date: July 2022 ISBN: 9781446309131 Price: £17.99 Pub Date: Sept 2022 ISBN: 9781446309162 Price: £14.99 Pub Date: June 2022 CraftFocusAd.indd 1 10/03/2022 10:59 Right time, On trend, In stock. Discover more at autumnfair.com 195x141+3 AF for Craft Focus v2.indd 1 27.05.2022 16:00:31
30 The feeling of home Susan Ryder, Managing Director of Heritage Crafts discusses the company’s gorgeously British designs and why we can’t get enough of them! Tell us a little bit about the company. Where are you based? When did the company start? The company started in 1987 and is based near Rugeley in Staffordshire. What’s your background and why did you start the company? I worked as a primary school teacher for many years, specialising in music and English. When I had the opportunity to retire, I turned my hobby of counted cross stitch into a business. How has the company evolved? In the late ’80s cross stitch was becoming very popular and we were lucky enough to grow with it. I’d been producing my own designs for a while and it was lovely to be able to spend most of my time designing. We started by selling our kits at local shops and at craft fairs all over the country. I gave talks, demonstrations and workshops and it was very rewarding to see how much people enjoyed cross stitch and how therapeutic they found it. We next exhibited at trade shows in the UK and America, started working with other artists and designers and the business grew quite rapidly. Our kits were in most cross stitch shops in the country and we worked with distributors in other countries. It was a very exciting time! What do you specialise in? We’re very much a British company. My first designs were of British buildings such as cathedrals, cottages, castles, and later maps of the British counties, and this British theme still continues. We have lovely country scenes, landscapes and shoreline designs as well as British animals and evocative scenes from the past. Talk us through the current products you’re particularly excited about. Do you have a favourite? We’ve just launched eight new designs. I love John Clayton’s Summer Cottage, which depicts a beautiful English cottage and garden, and Karen Carter’s three seaside designs are full of colour and detail. Nigel Artingstall’s Hedgehogs in Spring is very attractive and Peter Underhill’s The Pessimist reflects his sense of humour. Our range of Silhouettes has been around for many years and it’s nice to see two new designs in this series. At the moment I’m enjoying working with Peter Underhill on our Golden Years designs. These feature a couple who are enjoying their golden years with their dog, and they’re proving to be very popular.
31 PROFILE HERITAGE CRAFTS +44 (0)1889 575 256 www.hcrafts.com Do your products suit all levels of crafters? We have designs for everyone: men, women and children, from beginners to experienced stitches who are looking for a challenge. Craft has boomed over the last year! Have you noticed any new trends? There seems to be more interest in nature, flowers and animals in particular, but all our designs are popular, even the Willow Pattern which goes back to 1988. How often do you launch new ranges? We launch a new range when we have five or more designs ready. How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking your products? We like to get to know our retailers and help them as much as we can. Our staff are always there to talk and advise. What sets you apart from your competitors? We’re told by our retailers that our customer service is second to none. We also have designs which are one of a kind and our charts and instructions are very clear. Do you visit any trade shows? Do you plan to visit any soon? Because of the pandemic we’ve not exhibited at any trade shows for two years, but we hope to be back at Stitches next February. What are you looking forward to most over the next year? I’m looking forward to working on new designs and seeing all the new ideas which come from our artists, staff and friends. What new products can we expect from you in the future? We can expect some surprises! Our artists are always coming up with something new and we never know where their ideas can lead. I do know that there will be more from Peter Underhill including Golden Years. There will be more Silhouettes and more from Karen Carter too and John Clayton is working on a couple of Christmas designs featuring William the bear.
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