WWW.CRAFTFOCUS.COM OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER FOR CRAFT HOBBY + STITCH INTERNATIONAL AND PROUD SPONSOR OF TRENDING NOW CHRISTMAS CHEER PLUS! Festive crafts to keep you busy Sentimental sunflowers To have & to hold Soft crafts Flying the flag for Ukraine Cardmaking Knitting & crochet Autumn Fair preview Stamping & embossing
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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 82 Bookstand The latest book releases 91 Tried & tested Craft Focus editor, Rachel Westall, tries her hand at Clairefontaine’s creative lettering kit available from Exaclair Ltd 28 August/ September 2022 67 15 57 FEATURES 35 Festive finds Christmas crafts for all 45 Make your mark Stamping and embossing 49 Spooky décor Halloween makes 57 Made with love Cardmaking ideas 61 Knitting and crochet Books, tools and yarns to keep keen knitters coming back for more 67 To touch and to hold Soft crafts 76 Flying the flag Sunflowers have long been a beloved symbol of Ukrainian national identity. As the war continues, we celebrate all things blue and yellow as we hope for brighter days ahead
4 FOCUS ON 52 Bothy Threads Chrissie Rayment, Managing Director at Bothy Threads discusses their first ever embroidery range launching this September 74 Trotec Laser James Hutton, Marketing Executive at Trotec Laser talks to Craft Focus about the personalisation trend that’s going nowhere and how to get your company creating items individually designed for your customers 84 Pineapple Fibre Art Emma Manson, Owner of Pineapple Fibre Art discusses her crochet business and her plans for the future 96 Duttons for Buttons Deborah Richardson, Owner of Duttons for Buttons talks to Craft Focus about their three shops and 100-year history BUSINESS 86 QR codes to boost sales Discover how improved usage of QR codes could significantly boost retail sales in the craft sector 88 NFTs a cautionary tale The World IP Day 2022 theme was IP and Youth – Innovating for a Better Future. Dids Macdonald, CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID) shares a cautionary tale about NFTs 98 Create and connect A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all. It’s a famous saying and it’s so true! Sara Davies tells us why… SHOWS 23 Shows, news & events Stay up-to-date with what’s happening in your industry 30 Autumn Fair preview What to expect at The NEC 33 The Knit Show Harrogate is ready to host this exciting new trade show 35 49 82 61
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7 EDITOR’S LETTER On the cover Fill your festive stockings and sacks with Artgecko Sketchbooks this Christmas! Create seasonal themed artwork using the Shady toned card – ideal for gifting and trying something new over the festive period. Available in A4 twin wire sketchbooks and A4 PRO padded Geckos. The Artgecko Sketchbooks ‘Shady Gecko’ A4 Twin Wire Sketchbooks are available in various toned cards – jet black, desert sand (buff/tan) and ash grey (light grey). For further information, visit: www.artgeckosketch.com Christmas in July Yes, you heard right, it’s time to start prepping for Christmas, the busiest selling season of the year. It’s time to start thinking red and green yarns, pompoms, wreaths and cardmaking supplies! Don’t worry, we have plenty of features to help you on your way! Cygnet Yarns is introducing three of her new festive colourways in our Christmas feature and we have two pages dedicated to cardmaking – as always Crafter’s Companion have given us so much inspiration! If that’s not enough we have a spotlight on Knitting and Crochet, perfect for shops looking to stock up ready for winter makes, blankets and throws. We’re so excited to hear that Bothy Threads is now introducing embroidery kits! I was lucky enough to catch an interview with Chrissie Rayment, Managing Director who has given us the latest on the new launch happening this September! Check out what she has to say on page 52. As well as all the info you need about Autumn Fair, we also have all the current industry news and the latest crafting products on the market. Enjoy the summer ahead! 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:
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9 INDUSTRY NEWS Industry news Latest news from the craf industry Craft Your Christmas with Sara Davies Sara Davies, Queen of Crafting, is launching her debut UK tour bringing every possible tip and solution to create the perfectly styled Christmas. Craft Your Christmas with Sara Davies begins in Reading on 19th November and then tours the country, finishing in Edinburgh on 11th December. Tickets went on sale on Tuesday 28th June at 10am from www.Sara-Davies.com An estimated two in three women take part in some craft hobby, making it one of the fastest growing trends of recent times. From gifts to garlands, cards to crackers, wrapping paper to mantlepiece decorations, Sara will show audiences how to craft their own Christmas with a range of practical demonstrations, lots of top tips and a healthy slice of her down-to-earth know how. Interactive, creative, and fun this is an evening for friends to share ideas and whether it’s making your home look warm and inviting for the season, about pimping up your door, mantlepiece, tree, table, or making perfect cards and gifts or wrapping presents. Sara Davies says: “It goes without saying how much I love crafting but crafting for Christmas is simply the best time for crafting. I’m going to share all the little hacks and shortcuts to achieve that perfect look for the perfect crafty Christmas. Sharing this with your friends, will make a great night out and hopefully you’ll leave having had a ton of fun, feeling excited about having a home-made personalised Christmas.” For more information and to book tickets, visit www.Sara-Davies.com The GA and CIA merge The Giftware Association is pleased to announce that as of 22nd June it’s taken over the operational, management and memberships activities of the Creative Industry Association. Both associations have huge synergies with their respective industries which will benefit the members of both associations with newly added skill and resource. This means the Creative Industry Association, and of course its members, are now part of a much larger organisation, which will help secure the associations future, with greater resources, greater support, and opportunities for all members and vice versa. The GA has been serving members and the gifting industry for over 70 years, ensuring they thrive and grow through opportunity, community, and connectivity. Sarah Ward CEO of The GA comments: “This is not only an exciting opportunity for both associations to strengthen one another, it also cements our commitment in offering members new routes to market and new opportunities for growth which is need now more than ever. Having worked with Craig over the last 24 months, it become clear to me that we should be working together more closely. The Creative Industry Association holds the same values as The GA. I for one am looking forward in developing this important collaboration and welcoming members old and new in due course.” Sarah is and will be the CEO of The GA and will be taking the CEO role of the Creative Industry Association. Craig De Souza CEO and Founder of the Creative Industry Association says: “I’m a great believer in collaborations and opportunities that help members levitate themselves. When Sarah and I first spoke, we could see straight away how aligned our associations are, everything we do is for the betterment of our members. Under Sarah and her team, The GA have and are doing some inspiring things, more recently the amazing Gift Awards and I know the Creative Industry Association and its members will flourish. With The GA, BATF’s and members’ help and support together we can do great things!” Craig De Souza will be an ex-officio member of the national committee for the Giftware Association, as well as helping Sarah and her team with the smooth transition of the Creative Industry Association. Gert Schyberg, board member of the BATF and Deputy Chair of The GA comments: “At the BATF, we actively seek good associations with strong ethics and vision for future growth. As a collective, lead by myself, we could see the vast potential to bring the Creative Industry Association into our group. We also value the importance of having key personal like our GA CEO Sarah Ward, which is why we will be retaining Craig De Souza’s services, on a part time basis for the next two years. Having two influential CEO’s working together offers strength in skills, insight and knowledge which will be vital for this important collaboration.”
10 Yarnstravaganza 2022 There’s a new event on the horizon for knitters and crocheters this year. From 17th to 24th September 2022, UK Hand Knitting are launching a Yarnstravaganza, a nationwide campaign to encourage crafters to visit and enjoy the benefits of their local yarn shop (LYS). We all love to visit a yarn shop for advice, to squidge some yarn or simply to be with like-minded people. Where would we be without them? UK Hand Knitting is calling on all crafters to show their love this autumn. There will be lots going on in store with hundreds of special events, goodies, limited edition commemorative project bags and enamel pins up for grabs. UK Hand Knitting has created a special map on its website to make it super-easy for crafters to find their nearest participating yarn shop, so make sure you check out what’s happening at your local shop. Save the date and get ready to join in the fun. Visit: https://ukhandknitting.com Global craft business, Crafter’s Companion has announced the appointment of David Stern as its new NonExecutive Chair. David joins the County Durham based craft supply company with more than 30 years’ experience in retail and consumer brands in the UK and US. Originally from New York, David spent 11 years in leadership positions at Unilever and most recently led bath and beauty brand, Crabtree & Evelyn through a successful digital transformation. With expertise in areas such as international expansion, e-commerce and consumer branding, David also sits as NonExecutive Chair for three other UK companies, Bleach London, Lights4fun and Duke & Dexter. David, who is now based in the UK, said: “Joining the Crafter’s Companion board offers a fantastic opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with a forward-looking and innovative company. “Crafter’s Companion is a well-established brand with an extensive portfolio of products that seek to inspire and support creative people across the world. There is so much potential for further growth and I’m excited to be a part of that.” David’s latest appointment follows an extensive process by the Crafter’s Companion Board to find a successor to Richard Harpin. After six years with the business, Mr Harpin took the decision to step down in late 2021 in order to focus his time on his primary business interests. Simon Davies, Chief Executive Officer at Crafter’s Companion, said: “Following a thorough and comprehensive search, we are delighted to welcome David Stern to the Crafter’s Companion team. “His expertise and experience with businesses that share our aspirations for global growth and omni-channel market position will make him an integral part of our future plans. We’re looking forward to working with David in the next stage of Crafter’s Companion’s journey.” Crafter’s Companion announces new Non-Executive Chair David & Charles bring you Exisle Publishing! David and Charles will distribute Exisle Publishing books (Exisle), including imprints EK Books and Little Pink Dog Books, in a new agreement beginning July 2022. The David and Charles in house team will oversee sales and marketing, with books being distributed through GBS. The list is being distributed on an exclusive basis in the UK and non-exclusively in export territories. The Exisle list features titles in mind, body, spirit and health and wellness categories alongside children’s books under the EK Books imprint. The award-winning children’s list has a particular focus on the communication and understanding of complex issues. Exisle is a former nominated publisher for the Bologna Publisher of the Year (Oceania Region). New Zealand based Exisle CEO and publisher Gareth St John Thomas is the son of David St John Thomas, who originally founded the David and Charles business in 1960. Speaking of the move to David and Charles, Gareth St John Thomas said: “We’re excited to be working with David and Charles in this new partnership to develop our UK and European book sales. We see great opportunities with our exciting Spring 2023 front list alongside scope to grow our backlist sales in all our categories.” The David and Charles sales team will be in touch with customers and sales accounts in the coming weeks to introduce the list and spring 2023 new title program. Visit: https://davidandcharles.com
Bath Bombs - 180g www.ancientwisdom.biz care@ancientwisdom.biz +44 (0)1142 729 165 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 _ 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
12 New series from Search Press Launched in 2007, the first titles in the original 20 to Make series were a publishing phenomenon. The 20 to Make series was the first full-colour range of craft books to offer accessible inspiration across a range of subjects in a pocket-sized format – and at pocketmoney prices of just £4.99. More than 2.5 million copies of the original series have now been sold. The All-New 20 to Make series builds on that legacy. As with the original series, all the projects are simple to make with easy-to-follow instructions matching a detailed illustration of the finished project. The All-New 20 to Make series has been given a fresh, contemporary look that’ll appeal to a younger audience as well as traditional crafters. And they also include a comprehensive techniques section to help get readers started. Beginners will love the simplicity of these straightforward projects, while more experienced crafters will find endless inspiration. Each title has 64 pages brimming with brand-new projects in a beautifully designed hard cover – for just £6.99. Caroline de la Bedoyere, Director and Co-owner of Search Press Ltd, says: ‘‘The idea for the original series came about after many discussions with craft retailers. We were constantly being told that they wanted books that were impulse buys for their customers – low price points, packed full of inspirational projects. Ideally priced at £4.99, they would entice people to dabble in new crafts. Visit: https://trade.searchpress.com Pentel recruits John Cotterell Pentel has appointed industry veteran John Cotterell to manage its sales territory from Staffordshire to the Channel Islands, encompassing south and mid-Wales, south-west England and much of the M40 corridor. John joins Pentel following the recent retirement of long-standing Pentel territory manager Sally Evans. With more than 40 years’ experience John has extensive knowledge of the stationery industry and writing instruments in particular, gained through territory and national account manager roles with Stabilo, Esselte and, latterly, Pilot. During his four decades in the industry John has managed accounts within most sectors of the industry including education, wholesale, dealer groups and independent retailers. Asked what appeals most about his new role with Pentel John says: “I’m extremely happy to be joining Pentel – a very strong brand associated with quality products that I’ve known for many years during my career in the industry.” Graham Craik, Pentel Director of Sales UK and Ireland, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome John to Pentel. He is a well-known and respected figure within our industry and with his experience and knowledge I have no doubt that John’s appointment will help take the Pentel brand forward and further strengthen our team, while continuing to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the independent stationery channel.” For further information, visit: www.pentel.co.uk
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REPLICAST MINIATURES RESIN ARCHITECTURE AND MOULDINGS for your Dolls House, Figures and Findings etc Check out our website www.replicastminiatures.co.uk Contact us on 01903 725593 or email info@eggersdelight.com if you have any questions. Compact LED Desk Lamp White N3280 Black N3281 Lightweight & Portable - folds flat • 3 colour temperatures • Touch sensitive buttons NEW www.native-lighting.com To become a stockist, then please get in touch: T 01173 709995 E sales@native-lighting.com Alan Provisor ONLINE Fabulous range of braids tassels and cords in amazing colours. Check out the website or call me www.4tr immings.com 01204 465233 | sales@alanprovisor.com
15 BRAND SPANKING NEW Brand spanking new Check out some new and exciting products in the current market ANCIENT WISDOM Ancient Wisdom’s fragranced hand and body lotions are enriched with goodness. AW has been producing wholesale aromatherapy and bathroom products over 20 years. These lotions are designed to keep skin naturally smooth, leaving your hands feel nourished, protected and softly scented. You can choose from Ginger & Orange, Mango & Lime, Coconut & lemon, Raspberry & Pomegranate, Blackberry & Almond and Sandalwood Silk Lotion. Important to mention, these hand and body lotions are free from parabens, sulphates and other nasty chemicals. +44 (0)1142 729 165 care@ancientwisdom.biz www.ancientwisdom.biz VIRIDIAN Viridian is celebrating 14 years of the Opal Schafpate range with eight shades of premium yarn. The wool from which Opal Schafpate is made, has been supplied from sheep from the nature reserve Alb Biosphere in south Germany, where traditional practices of sheep-rearing are still used by migrant shepherds. With the purchase of the Opal Schafpate collection, you support the German migratory sheep farming and promote the landscape preservation of the Swabian Jura. So far, over €118,000 has been distributed to the shepherds. Schafpate 14 is a 4ply yarn made of 75 per cent virgin wool and 25 per cent polyamide it’s hard wearing yet gentle to delicate skin, perfect for both little ones and the more mature skin. And don’t forget that Opal is perfect for not only socks but also makes beautiful baby clothes along with an abundance of other 4ply garments. office@viridianltd.co.uk https://viridianyarn.com EXACLAIR ExaClair Limited has launched a new Creative Box to add to its range of Clairefontaine handicraft products. The Lettering Kit Creative Box features a selection of premium items, perfect for those wishing to try the popular art of brush lettering. It contains four pre-printed sheets to colour, a lettering brush, pipette, three bottles of premium quality Jacques Herbin inks (10ml), a lettering initiation booklet and a full instructions sheet. Lawrence Savage, Marketing Manager at ExaClair Limited, says, “This Clairefontaine Lettering Kit offers further choice for the end user and makes an ideal gift for those seeking to experience brush lettering. Other creative boxes include an origami garland complete with LED lights, crepe paper flowers and Christmas decorations.” +44 (0)1553 696 600 sales@exaclair.co.uk www.exaclairlimited.com HAWTHORN HANDMADE Hawthorn Handmade has introduced three new cross stitch kits. Firstly, Born to Craft is created with just a simple cross stitch. Secondly, A Stitch in Time is perfect for all stitchers; and lastly the rainbow design perfectly complements the new crafty word designs. The bright and fun pattern has no fiddly partial stitches or back stitch and the block colours make this a really simply project for beginners. info@hawthornhandmade.co.uk www.hawthornhandmade.com
16 BOTHY THREADS Bothy Threads is preparing to release 39 new kits on 16th August, 2022. Here’s a sneaky peak of one of the designs that will create a buzz this summer, the Botanical Bee tapestry, designed by brand new artist Jade Mosinski. It is stitched on 10 count full colour printed interlock canvas in Anchor tapestry wools. Keep an eye on www.bothythreads.com for the rest of the designs. The RRP is £69.99. info@bothythreads.com www.bothythreads.com CYGNET YARNS Cygnet’s Silcaress Stripes DK is the latest range to launch for summer. This double-knit yarn is incredibly smooth with a silk-like feel to it, made with 100 per cent naturally soft acrylic. Its hight twist gives great stitch definition to finished projects and is perfect for bright crochet projects. Beach inspired, this range made up of six beautiful shades bringing summer vibes to your crochets and knits. This self-striping yarn is a lovely sunny addition to the Cygnet collection. Silcaress DK is available in a 100g ball with a generous 245m meterage. sales@cygnetyarns.com www.cygnetyarns.com 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 has already launches 10 crafty kits.” Dan Aldous, Director at Peak Dale said. “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.” +44 (0)1298 78447 sales@peakdaleproducts.co.uk www.peakdaleproducts.co.uk CORINNE LAPIERRE We couldn’t be more excited to reveal Corinne’s brand new Christmas with the Mouse Family hoop kit. It launched in June on her Create and Craft TV show and early response has been phenomenal. This very special hoop kit features these little creatures getting ready for Christmas. Amid twinkling lights, the three little mice are putting finishing touches to their tree, hanging homemade garlands and acorns. A festive kit with a difference, this atmospheric design evokes cosy winter nights full of joyful anticipation. As always, the kit contains everything needed to complete the project, including a 19cm wooden hoop, and comes in her distinctive recyclable folk printed box. +44 (0)1132 460 403 trade@corinnelapierre.com www.corinnelapierre.com
Design: Noa Haim Instruct ional Animat ion: Mandeep Singh www.col lect ivepaperaesthet ics.com Paper STEAM Toys Made i n Ho l l and 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 CROCHE T MANDA L A K I TS Designed and assembled in the UK using gorgeous hand dyed yarns. K I TS I NC L UDE YARNS , R I B BON , HOOP, PAT T E RNS AND CHAR TS . WWW. P I NEAP P L E F I B R EAR T . COM emma@pineapplefibreart.com @PineappleFibreArt Bespoke, laser-cut Stencils. High-quality. UK production photocentricgroup.com/craft 01733 349937 craft@photocentric.co.uk Get in touch with our experienced team today Durable Mylar µm 350 Fast
18 WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER Obsidian is one of Wow’s latest releases this summer. This powder is a mix of colours, and they’re all ultrahigh in grade size to give you amazing results every time. Try inking up a piece of card with Wow’s slow drying ink pad and sprinkle with Obsidian, watch as you melt it and all the colours merge into one another, then die cut words from it as you see in the featured card. It’s fabulous on buttons and glass, try it on anything that’s heat resistant. You can also randomly sprinkle it and heat from underneath, creating your own one-ofa-kind background. A top tip is to try mixing it with a plain powder to change the effect completely, this can stretch your supplies like you wouldn’t believe. +44 (0)1727 738 460 sales@wowembossingpowder.co.uk www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk HERITAGE CRAFTS Bay View (PSBV1632) is a new design from the Silhouettes range. the design measures 12.5cm x 12.5cm and has an RRP: £19.60. the kit contains: Zweigart fabric, DMC stranded cottons sorted on to numbered cards, a needle, and clear charts and instructions. sales@hcrafts.com www.hcrafts.com THE CRAFTY KIT COMPANY This beginner-friendly kit from The Crafty Kit Company is a fantastic introduction to the art of two-dimensional needle felting, also known as ‘painting with wool’. Inside crafters will find all the tools and supplies needed to create an autumnal scene of woodland toadstools, including specialist felting needles, 100 per cent felting wool, and a recycled foam felting pad. Proudly made in Scotland by the winner of Best Sustainable Craft Company 2020 and 2021, this kit would make a wonderful present, either as a boxed gift or as a finished project to display on the wall in its bamboo hoop! The RRP is £18.95. +44 (0)1620 860 907 trade@craftykitcompany.co.uk https://trade.craftykitcompany.co.uk SINCLAIRS Featured are Artgecko PRO Tracing Sketch pads A4 and A3. New to the Artgecko PRO range, each PRO tracing Gecko is filled with 50 sheets of 90 GSM (62Ibs) 100 per cent acid free, light surface tracing paper. The PRO tracing Gecko is suitable for all artists. hello@artgeckosketch.com www.artgeckosketch.com
20 ZWEIGART This lovely dusty pink of Zweigart’s Lugana (3835/403) in combination with the subtle beige of the Belfast premium linen (3609/770) are the perfect colours for any vintage-inspired wedding. Beautiful ideas around the marriage theme can be downloaded free of charge from Zweigart’s homepage: www.zweigart.de/embroidery info@zweigart.de www.zweigart.de THE FIBRE CO. It’s an exciting time for The Fibre Co. as it prepares for a full autumn programme. The company is providing stockists with products that support the staggering increase of yarn crafters that came out of the pandemic. Specifically, launching a new affordable range of yarns called &Make, 35 per cent more affordable than the luxury yarn lines. Educational content including live online classes, how-to videos, blogs and new designs are all part of the programme. The Fibre Co. also offers a collection of knitting and crochet patterns and will be a vendor at The Knit Show, 3rd-4th September, 2022 at The Pavilions of Harrogate. +44 (0)1768 779 292 contact@thefibreco.com www.thefibreco.com PINEAPPLE FIBRE ART Ring Around the Rosie Mandala Kit is the newest offering from Pineapple Fibre Art, the textured design was inspired by the beautiful merino yarn from Cornish yarn dyer The Camel’s Yarn and is an intermediate crochet level. Completed with yarns, hoop, ribbon, written pattern and chart and smartly packaged, these kits are a treat to make. +44 (0)7815 790 283 emma@pineapplefibreart.com www.pineapplefibreart.com LETISTITCH The kit L8042 Be happy! measures 4.1in x 6.1in (10cm x 15cm). It contains 18 Anchor colours, Aida 16ct canvas in white and includes stitching instructions, needle and pattern. +44 (0)7780 122 430 +44 (0)7469 364 150 letistitch@gmail.com www.letistitch.com GROVES The Trimits collection of craft kits continues to grow, bring retailers a selection of exclusive to Groves designs in the most popular crafts. New for 2022 are three ‘My First Kits’, available in cross stitch, knitting and crochet. These have a fun and contemporary feel that children will want to pick up and try. Each kit contains everything needed to complete the project, including tools. To view these and more head over to the Groves website. sales@groves-banks.com www.grovesltd.co.uk
We provide a fast, friendly, and reliable service on our increasing range of products such as…. Plains • Laces • Embroidered Beaded • Tulles • Edgings • Motifs • Buttons • Accessories • Eco Going Green: Alongside the launch of our new Eco Fabrics range, we are promoting the many things we do to be a “Green” supplier including using as many recycled items as possible. Such as using recycled carboard for our big rolls of fabric. Contact us to find out more! E: admin@michaelsbridalfabrics.co.uk • T: 01322380480 • W: www.michaelsbridalfabrics.co.uk Michael's Bridal Fabrics @michaelsbridalfabrics @MichaelsBridal N e w B o o k s f r o m D a v i d & C h a r l e s P a t t y L y o n s ' K n i t t i n g B a g o f T r i c k s C r o s s S t i t c h f o r t h e H e a r t Y a r n M a n d a l a s f o r B e g i n n e r s & B e y o n d T h e W i n d i n t h e W i l l o w s F e l t F r i e n d s C r o c h e t Y o u ! C r e p e P a p e r , B l o o m s , B u g s & B u t t e r f l i e s F o r s a l e s e n q u i r e s c o n t a c t : r a c h e l @ d a v i d a n d c h a r l e s . c o m o r f o r a f u l l c a t a l o g u e v i s i t : w w w . d a v i d a n d c h a r l e s . c o m
22 KNITTING FEVER Saxony by JMF is a luxurious blend of cashmere and extra-fine merino combined to deliver elegance and a classic tweed look and feel. Cashmere provides the luxe while extra-fine merino provides multicoloured woolly nubs throughout. It’s perfect for super high-end garments and accessories at a user-friendly worsted weight gauge. There are seven new designs, all with 75 per cent cashmere and 25 per cent extra-fine merino wool. customerservice@knittingfever.com www.knittingfever.com COLLECTIVE PAPER AESTHETICS Heart Board Pyramid is a model construction system compound of truncated tetrahedron (a triangular pyramid) and truncated octahedron (a solid form with eight triangular faces) which offers exciting learning experiences creating mathematical objects in pop-up architecture scale. The principal tool is a cardboard cut-out that can be folded into three-dimensional polyhedral building blocks. These blocks are connected to each other by cardboard joints, several of which are integrated into the cut-out itself. The polyhedral packs can be assembled along multiple axes, allowing for a vast variety of three-dimensional configurations. The innovative design is in use by education departments in museums since 2014. The design was selected by The SXSW EDU Learn by Design competition in 2018 as one of 10 groundbreaking works of physical learning environments and chosen by FRAME editorial in 2020, as one of five cardboard designs to improve home learning environments for children. noa@collectivepaperaesthetics.com www.collectivepaperaesthetics.com REPLICAST MINIATURES A brand-new addition to the company’s range are these angel wall plaques. They’re available in various sizes. You can paint the angels any colour to match your interior! +44 (0)1903 725 593 sales@replicastminiatures.co.uk www.replicastminiatures.co.uk Aldwin van Krimpen GLEENER INC Save your faves! From jumpers and suits, to sofas and bedding, Gleener Battery-Free Fabric Shaver & Lint Brush helps you get the longest life from your clothing, upholstery, and linens. The three different Fabric Safe Edges™ eliminate pilling, lint and pet hair from virtually all fabrics. Each edge is designed to gently revive a different type of fabric, from big and bulky, to medium, and delicate. The integrated lint brush picks up pet hair, dusts away dandruff and can be used to beautifully finish any de-pilling job. Extend the life of all your faves without the need for expensive and toxic batteries. info@gleener.com www.gleener.com
Wellbeing Australia’s leading natural health magazine that focuses on organic living, alternative therapies, environmental issues and natural living. Textile Fibre Forum The Australian magazine for fibre arts that showcases talent and individuality through its in-depth look at artists and exhibitions. PATCHWORK & QUILTING TEXTILES & TEXTILE ART WELLBEING & MINDEFGULNESS Quilters Companion Showcasing quilts from world-renowned quilters, pictured in beautiful settings, with step-by-step guides to creating your own quilted masterpiece. Yarn An inspiring collection of ideas from emerging Australian designers to knit, crochet, felt, spin and weave. KNITTING Embellish This mixed media publication fuses fashion, fantasy and art to create gifts and homeware. EMBELLISHMENT Felt Each issue features comprehensive, unique wet and dry felting projects to suit a wide range of skill levels. FELTING VINTAGE Vintage Made Covering vintage fashion, design and patterns. INDULGE YOUR PASSION WITH OUR EXCLUSIVE RANGE OF CRAFT MAGAZINES... You will love our extensive range of craft magazines, order your magazine subscriptions now! Manor House Magazines is the sole UK and European importer and distributor of these fantastic Australian magazines MANOR HOUSE MAGAZINES 92 Plains Avenue, Maidstone, Kent ME15 7AU | 01672 514 288 | info@manorhousemagazines.co.uk | www.manorhousemagazines.co.uk CRAFT RETAILER? Increase Footfall & Sales Ask About Our Trade Discounts PATCHWORK, QUILTING & STITCH CRAFT HAND EMBROIDERY Classic Inspirations The world’s most beautiful embroidery magazine. Each issue contains unique projects for beginners to advanced stitchers, detailed instructions and full-size, tear out pattern sheets. Homespun Award-winning magazine combining classic crafting with a more modern approach to textile crafts. Projects include sewing, quilting, embroidery, patchwork, knitting, crochet and appliqué
If you want to be part of these events please contact sarah@crafterama.co.uk Tel: 01234 855833 www.stamperama.com th th 11 -12 March 2023 Alexandra Palace, London Art Stamp & PaperCraft Shows Fun, friendly and interactive shows since 1998 www.crafterama.co.uk Exciting retail shows including art stamps, paper crafts, mixed media, soft crafts, beading, etc FREE Make & Take space on stand available Stamperama owned and organised by Stamp Addicts Tel: 01234 855833 sarah@stampaddicts.co.uk th th 10 -11 Sept 2022 YEC, Harrogate Sunday 9th Oct Newcastle Racecourse Sunday 25th Sept Athletic Stadium, Bedford FREE Make & Take on stand space available
25 SHOWS & EVENTS This season’s most unmissable events London Stationery Show 2022 The 17th-18th May saw the return of the UK’s largest event dedicated to everything stationery, including arts, crafts, paper and writing materials and much more. The Business Design Centre hosted London Stationery Show for two days of business, education, and creativity, with over 150 brands attending, showcasing thousands of products from high-end stationery to everyday office staples. London Stationery Show was a huge success, accepting many UK and international visitors. Despite the short six-month period between this show and the last, there was still plenty to see. Exhibitors wowed with stunning displays, presenting escalated ranges and new, innovative products. The show coincided with many new product launches, and it was great to have a sneak preview of what’s to arrive in the industry over the next few months. Alex Butler, Event Director, stated “We were delighted to welcome everybody back to the show, including both new and returning exhibitors and many visitors from around the world. We were excited to showcase the industry’s latest innovations, as well as the many wonderful features on offer at the show.” Throughout the day, visitors were invited to the Retail Matters Live Talks, hosted by industry experts. Topics of conversation included a mini masterclass in PR, how to grow your business, selling on Instagram, the trend forecast for Spring Summer 2023 and much more. Retailers found the seminars to be a great success, with plenty of tips and tricks to take away with them. Speakers included Martha Keith of Marth Brook London, Sam Donnachie and Hannah Malein of Colour Hive, Catherine Erdly of The Resilient Retail Club, Rachel Waring, Nerrisa Pratt of Untld Project and Therese Oertenblad of Small Business Collaborative, working in conjunction with Elizabeth Stiles. Dates for London Stationery Show 2023 have already been confirmed. Be sure to mark 16th-17th May, 2023 in your diaries. Shows, news & events Diary dates Autumn Fair 4th-7th September, 2022 NEC, Birmingham www.autumnfair.com The Knit Show 3rd-4th September, 2022 The Pavilions of Harrogate 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 h+h americas launches successful inaugural show Many smiles and happy faces were seen during the first edition of h+h americas which took place from 22nd-24th June, 2022 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Centre in Rosemont/Chicago. Right off the bat this trade show and conference gathered 195 exhibitors and more than 2,000 attendees during two and a half days of activities on the show floor and extensive conference sessions. “We’re very encouraged by the strong response we received among the handicraft community,” said Mette Petersen, President and Managing Director of Koelnmesse Inc. “We had buyers from all major retailers as well as store owners from all across North America, Europe, and as far as Australia coming to our event.” Visit: www.hh-americas.com
26 Stationery Matters Awards 2022 After a day of business and networking at London Stationery Show 2022, the industry came together on 17th May at the Business Design Centre to acknowledge and celebrate this year’s Stationery Matters Awards winners. The aim of these awards is to celebrate the latest and greatest products in the stationery industry and the organisers are delighted to say that the standard of this year’s entries was truly outstanding. This year’s judging panel was made up of individuals from companies that span the breadth of the stationery industry. This includes Ruth Burgess (B&M), Judy Bendall (Blenheim Palace), Tallie Patterson-Gordon (Coleman Group), Joe Guest (Cult Pens), Claire Marsom (Hallmark), Alanah Whittaker-Thompson (Morrisons), Kat Squire (Papier), Katherine Walsh (Southbank Centre), Anna Balan (The Courtauld), Chris Workman (The Giftware Association), Elizabeth Lovatt (V&A), Andrew Foster (WHSmith), Hannah Fisk (ZSL). All shortlisted products could be viewed and enjoyed by visitors at London Stationery Show, as they were displayed for all to see at the Stationery Matters Hub. Head of Marketing Ella O’Keefe remarked: “We felt it was important that all finalists were celebrated for their fantastic products and that is why we decided to create a dedicated space where visitors to London Stationery Show could appreciate such brilliant innovation within the industry.” THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS CAN BE FOUND BELOW: Arts & Crafts Product of the Year Frisk - Frisk Watercolour Hot Pressed/Smooth 300gsm Paper Pads (A6-A3) Children’s Stationery Product of the Year Once Upon A Tuesday - Co-Parenting Family Planner for Kids 12 month Diary/Organiser/Calendar of the Year HELLO TIME - HELLO TIME Planner Filing and Storage Product of the Year CCGlobal - Spectrum Noir Universal Black Pen Trays Gift Packaging and Wrap of the Year Storigraphic - Op Art 3 Op Art Series Licensed Stationery Product of the Year Manuscript Brands - Lego Colour Pencil 12 Pcs with topper Notebook/Journal of the Year MD Paper - MD Paper Notebook Journal Codex 1 Day 1 Page Novelty Stationery Product of the Year Manuscript Brands - Lego 2.0 Convertible Ruler with Minifigure Social Stationery Product of the Year Sun-Star Stationery - PIRI IT’ STICKY MEMO Sustainable Stationery Product of the Year Coffeenotes - Tailor’s Collection Wirobound Notebook (Navy Wool) Working from Home Product of the Year Perfect Planner Company - Business & Lifestyle Planner - Entrepreneur Edition Writing Instrument of the Year Kaweco from Studio Pens Ltd. - Kaweco Collection Iridescent Pearl Fountain Pen Alex Butler, Event Director of London Stationery Show, stated: “It was wonderful to see the industry come together to acknowledge and celebrate our finalists. All were so deserving of an award, and we thank them all for entering. The ceremony was a lovely way to end such a great first day at our 2022 event.” A big thanks goes to the judging panel, to those who entered and a huge congratulations to the winners. Curated Meetings announces compelling line-up Curated Meetings at Autumn Fair which takes place on the 5th -6th September, 2022 at NEC Birmingham, has announced its first round of confirmed brands selected to showcase their products including eco-conscious and tech innovations, statement jewellery, crafted leather bags, aromatherapy and candles, artwork, books and games, to pre-approved and budget-holding buyers from retailers including WH Smith, Paper Tiger, Brown Thomas, FY!, Harvey Norman Ireland, Lark London, Ragdale Hall Spa, Nest, as well as international retailers including Manor Pharmacy from Switzerland, and Lithuanian store group Kosmelita. Attracting brands and buyers from across the UK, Europe and rest of the world, Curated Meetings facilitate superefficient, pre-scheduled, 1:1 15-minute meetings between qualified buyers and relevant suppliers based on a mutual interest to drive new business opportunities together. Hundreds of pre-scheduled meetings are due to take place across two days at Autumn Fair, the UK’s leading marketplace for wholesale Home, Gift and Fashion. Julie Starr from Filofax who had a very successful Curated Meetings experience at Spring Fair and is also confirmed for Autumn Fair this September says: “We joined Curated Meetings to present our new products and great new collections – it’s about reaching buyers that we may not have thought about before and doing one to one quick interaction meetings. Curated Meetings is exciting and fast paced. The companies we met were really interesting – quite vast from traditional stationery retailers to international distributors. For us, that was great because we want to broaden the reach and awareness of our brands worldwide.” For further information and to sign up please visit: www.autumnfair.com/curated-meetings
28 Award-winning craft show comes to Farnborough For the first time, the award-winning Creative Craft Show will be arriving at Farnborough International from 2nd-4th September, bringing exciting workshops, impressive features and fascinating demonstrations from industry leaders plus over 100 expert exhibitors ready to assist and advise visitors. An ultimate weekend for hobbyists and crafters, the Creative Craft Show will welcome in the autumn season with cosy displays and festive features from local artists and organisations with the theme of harvest. Visitors to the Creative Craft Show can pick up sewing tips and advice from a former contestant of BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee. Mark Francis, from the 2020 series, will be on hand at each day of the show to share his stitching, sewing and fashion design skills with crafters in Farnborough. Mark can be seen regularly on Sewing Street TV demonstrating his own patterns and those of many other brands too. He also gives talks throughout the country, teaching workshops and bringing excellent content with the brands Juki, Vlieseline and Native Lighting. A special feature at the new show in Farnborough is a capsule exhibition of Woman’s Weekly vintage sewing patterns and fabrics beautifully recreated by a team of dressmakers and an archivist, telling a story of fashion styles and trends over the decades. From macramé, silk painting and lace making to quilting and needle felting, visitors can get involved with demonstrations and bookable in advance workshops offering the chance to try something completely different or extend their skills with specialist crafters. With more than 100 exhibitors, the show is the place to be for all very latest supplies, ideas, and innovations in the craft and hobby world. Visit: www.creativecraftshow.co.uk for more details and all the latest information. Conscious crafting at Sitiches 2023 Conscious Crafting is the theme for CHSI Stitches 2023, when the event takes place 19th-20th February at the NEC, Birmingham. The event brings together the creative craft industry for two days of education, networking, procurement and business opportunities. The Craft Report is an integral part of the show, providing industry with a trends update and in recent years a more focused special report into the year’s theme. Next year’s report aims to explore the ‘Conscious Crafter’ a multi-faceted audience and highlight opportunities for the trade to better engage with them, as well as providing valued updates on key trend data such as spending, hierarchy of crafts and audience growth and profile. The Conscious Crafting theme will explore four key factors that crafters take into consideration and the extent to which this affects all elements of their decision making. Wellbeing/Health Consciousness: using the restorative power of craft to consciously improve wellbeing. Environmental/Ethical Consciousness: ensuring that their personal sustainability values are translated into their crafting life. Value Consciousness: explore what buying better means when it comes to craft supplies, and the factors that encourage consumers to invest in brands and products. Social Consciousness: the extent to which sharing the craft experience, at any stage of the process or journey, is a key consideration for crafters. Attendees can expect the biggest line-up of craft products on the market from leading suppliers, renowned retail experts will be sharing essential insights in the keynote speaker theatre and a range of demonstrations will be available to showcase the latest innovation. For more information visit www.chsi.co.uk
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INCREASE YOUR OFFERING Four days, four buying destinations. Autumn Fair’s distinctive product sectors are where best-sellers are discovered. Showcasing the latest products, trends and innovations across home, gift, and fashion, Autumn Fair is a leading wholesale marketplace for retailers to source the best products. Across Gift and Kids, Toys & Play, visitors will encounter the latest crafting collections from a wide array of returning favourites such as Hawthorn Handmade and Stitching Me Softly, as well as some exciting new faces including Artcuts and Viridian Distribution. Autumn Fair is a curated show for a new era of retail and the power of diversification is something that can only be explored at the shows, helping to offer customers something different, and stand out from the crowd. With a depth of product inspiration, Autumn Fair incorporates four key buying destinations: Home, Gift, Moda and Design & Source over four days, with 12 sectors including: Everyday, Home, Living & Décor, Housewares, The Summerhouse, Beauty & Wellbeing, Gift, Greetings & Stationery, Kids, Toys & Play, Footwear, Jewellery & Watch, Womenswear, Fashion accessories and Sourcing. Discover your next best-sellers at Autumn Fair 2022 ahead of the Golden Quarter, retail’s busiest and most profitable time of year. With hundreds of exhibitors, live speakers and seminars across the four-day event, ideas and inspiration are bound to flourish and grow. Daniel Mayhew, Event Director at Autumn Fair says: “Off the back of two incredible Autumn and Spring Fair’s we head towards this September’s show in a very positive and buoyant mood. Our fantastic exhibitors and so many of the industry’s leading bellwethers continue to support the show and many use it as the only platform to showcase their new collections. Each season they experience the invaluable benefits of committing to such a longstanding and trusted show which attracts so many purchase-ready buyers. I’m delighted to report that most sectors are already nearly fully booked with many of our must-see and muchloved brands returning to the show.” Anup Dave, The Puppet Company and Wilberry Toys says: “Spring Fair 2022 was the best we’ve had so far, so as you can imagine our expectations for Autumn Fair 2022 are much bigger! With several new lines being introduced it’s the ideal place to showcase these, talk to our customers and share the exciting plans we have ahead of us! We’re really looking forward to Autumn Fair 2022, it’s an important show for us!” Visit www.autumnfair.com to discover a full list of exhibitors, show information, and to register. And download the official Autumn Fair App for interactive tools to help you plan your visit and navigate the show. Autumn Fair Where: The NEC, Birmingham When: 4th-7th September, 2022 Website: www.autumnfair.com 30
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