WWW.CRAFTFOCUS.COM OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER FOR CRAFT HOBBY + STITCH INTERNATIONAL AND PROUD SPONSOR OF TRENDING NOW CUT & CREATE Perfect papercrafts PLUS! GET CRAFTY! Mother’s Day makes Upcycling special! Valentine’s Day ideas Winter product showcase Made with love Making clothes at home It’s showtime Spring Fair preview
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 57 Tried & tested Craft Focus editor, Rachel Westall, tries sits back and relaxes with Hawthorn Handmade’s cross stitch kit ‘Born to Craft’ 86 Bookstand The latest book releases 58 December 2022/ January 2023 15 46 79 FEATURES 35 Craft trends 2023 Movers and shakers in the world of craft and stationery give their insider knowledge on what will be big in the year ahead 42 Love is in the air Valentine’s Day ideas 48 Reduce, reuse, recycle The upcycling trend is here to stay 51 Cut and create Papercrafts 61 Fashion fever! Making clothes at home 71 Time to say thanks to y our leading lady Mother’s Day 79 Baby it’s cold outside Winter product showcase
4 FOCUS ON 46 JPT Europe Shinya Masuda, Managing Director of JPT Europe Ltd, discusses their brand King Jim and the demand for Japanese products 54 Schiffer Publishing Head of her game at business and development for Schiffer Publishing, Séverine Jeauneau talks to Craft Focus about the vast array of books they publish 58 Holly Berkley Jewellery Holly Berkley Jewellery is run and owned by jewellery designer Holly Berkley. Holly specialises in producing wire work sculpture and jewellery crafting kits. 67 Faber Anya Hogg, Marketing Manager at Faber Artisans chats to Craft Focus about the opportunities for businesses through their multi-vendor marketplace 84 Retailer interview Rosie Scott, Founder of The New Craft House talks to Craft Focus about the growing trend to use eco materials and how her business is dedicated to selling deadstock fabric BUSINESS 88 Scaling up Scaling up skills is vital for small businesses to thrive, says Tina McKenzie, Policy and Advocacy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) 90 Lucky number seven Gary Prince, Chief Strategy Officer at SimplyPayMe, offers seven tips to protect your business in a difficult financial climate 92 Anti Copying in Design Dids Macdonald, CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID), looks at David vs Goliath copycat cases that have been exposed 98 Mindful marketing Sara Davies discusses how a wellplanned marketing campaign can do wonders for your business SHOWS 23 Shows, news & events Stay up-to-date with what’s happening in your industry 29 Fun at the fair! Spring Fair preview 33 Toys & hobbies galore! Toy Fair lowdown 29 71 61 54 33
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7 EDITOR’S LETTER On the cover Noro yarns are known for their vivid hues combinations of colours found in nature. These colours also tap into the multiplicity of shades found around us. Noro’s reliance on natural fibres is another link to the natural world. Chock full of wool, silk, mohair and other fibres drawn from animals and plants, Noro yarns have a visceral connection to the natural world. “Natural fibres have great features that synthetic fibres cannot mimic, and we want to leave these as much as possible in our yarns,” says Noro. The yarn’s reliance on natural fibres is enhanced by the careful way that these fibres are gathered. All animal fibres used to create Noro yarns come from certified organic farms, including producers in Australia, the Falkland Islands and South Africa. One of the most prominent qualities of Noro yarn is its hand spun, loosely processed quality. This, too, is an essential part of Noro’s vision of creating yarns that remain true to their natural heritage. Keeping processing to a minimum and eschewing the use of harsh chemical treatments is critical to this vision. Friction created by agitation and heat during processing can weaken natural fibres; by shortening this process, Noro reduces the damage done to fibres and to the environment. Minimising the amount of machine handling also preserves the original qualities of the fibres. In fact, variations and slight unevenness in the yarn’s texture is not a mistake but rather a deliberate choice so that knitters may feel closer to nature. “From ancient times, Japanese have accepted, enjoyed and been charmed by the non-uniformity, unevenness and occasionally the coarseness of nature. It may be the base of us, and not only the basic philosophy for Noro yarns.” Visit www.noroyarns.com Merry Christmas As the year 2022 draws to a close we can reflect on another uncertain 12 months for retail. Of course, factors have included the war on Ukraine, the ‘new normal’ way of living with Covid and the aftereffects of the Pandemic; plus the cost of living crisis. They say small business owners are a resilient bunch and that you are. Fortunately, the craft industry is continuing to draw in newbies and come up with new and fascinating ideas and trends. Tom Daley is now almost as well known for his crochet patterns as he is for his gold medals; BBC’s The Repair Shop recently welcomed His Majesty The King to appear on screen championing the importance of traditional arts and crafts; and everyone I know is all for the upcycling trend – whether that’s in your home furnishings or your wardrobe. We have a feature dedicated to upcycling on page 48 ; and a Making Clothes at Home special on page 61. Craft is continuing to be on trend and for that we look forward to 2023 with hope and excitement. Always a popular date in retailers’ calendars – and a great way to brighten up the high street is Valentine’s Day, we have a fab three-page special dedicated to this money spinner. This edition I have spoken to some big names in the world of art and craft about what they predict will be hot in 2023. Always an interesting read. As always, thank you so much for your continued support and we wish you a fabulous festive season. Merry Christmas! Rachel Westall Editor EDITOR Rachel Westall +44 (0)1376 514 000 editor@craftfocus.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Scott Brothwell SALES MANAGER Sarah Ellis +44 (0)1376 538 490 sarahe@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 PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Lorna Butcher shared.artwork@kdeventsandpublishing.com WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Stuart Weatherley DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR Katie Laley +44 (0)1376 514 000 KD Events & Publishing Ltd, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP craftfocus.com Craft Focus is solely owned, published and designed by KD Events & Publishing Ltd. 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 Craft Focus is proud to be associated with and supporters of:
9 INDUSTRY NEWS Industry news Latest news from the craf industry Metallic Elephant turns 15! Metallic Elephant turns 15 this year and it’s testimony to the brand that in 2022 have had record machine sales, their best since trading began in 2007. Metallic Elephant continues to deliver excellence in engineering with ‘ease of use’ being a priority for the hot foil press market where personalisation has seen exponential growth. With five models currently in their stable the company serves a global base of clients including many luxurious and leading brands. The biggest growth in 2022 has been with the KSF 3 platen press, a hand operated press that can deliver a A5 plus bleed print area. Many clients have been keen to seize on the opportunity of adding this to their range by making it their number one capital investment of the year. Clients have been impressed equally with the build quality, reliability and the chance to supply commercial levels of print on their products whether its stationery for weddings or greeting cards to printing on acrylics and leathers. A third of all sales for this product have been shipped to North America alone. Key points: The KSF Series 3 is a commercial grade press manufactured from the highest end materials and finished in modern anthracite grey and silver to be an attractive addition to your premises. Boasting a large print area of 200mm x 250mm and ¾ tonnes of pressure this is the ideal workhorse for all artisans. The KSF Series 3 can make an impression on a vast array of materials, the platen setup, auto foil feed, accurate heat control and counter on this machine allows for quick loading of products enabling the user to quickly add their designs to stationery, leather items and much more. The KSF Series 3 has a floating heater box with easy pressure adjustment. You can print up to 30mm thick items with ease and minimal effort. With one pull of the handle, foiling, debossing and embossing is at your fingertips. For further information, visit: www.metallicelephant.co.uk Curious Universe award success Now in their 10th year, the Bath Business Awards recognise the importance of celebrating the positive accomplishments of all Bath-based businesses and acknowledge Bath as a great place to live, work and do business. They toast successes, celebrate achievements and highlight successful and innovative businesses doing great things across the region. Bath-based arts, crafts & toy company, Curious Universe, has been awarded the prestigious Bath Business Awards 2022 SME Business of The Year. Already listed in the Sunday Times 100 earlier this year in recognition of its significant achievements and growth, Curious Universe is also a finalist in the National Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards. Listing the company as one of the best in the country, it has now been shortlisted as a finalist in the Lloyds Bank Small to Medium-sized Business of the Year category. John Styring, Curious Universe CEO, recently underwent a gruelling Dragon’s Den-style presentation process to make it to the final selection in this prestigious awards platform. “2022 has already been an incredible year of growth and development for the company. These awards are the icing on the cake in recognising the passion and commitment across all members of the Curious Universe team,” comments John. “Winning the Bath Business award SME Business of The Year award and being shortlisted among the great and good both locally and on a national level is a real testimony to what we have and continue to achieve across all areas of the business. We are investing heavily in our product development and employee opportunity programme. This, coupled with our continued focus on sustainable ways of producing and marketing our ranges will help us to develop and maintain our growth within the community and on an International playing field.”
10 WTTB expands merchandise range Online print platform, WTTB, is expanding its offering – which is great news for its customers wanting to grow their businesses. WTTB has added to its already extensive range of products with a whole host of new merchandise, all of which can be personalised. And that should be of huge benefit to reseller customers as well as businesses which want to create bespoke corporate gifts. Along with acrylic blocks – suitable for awards – WTTB has several different kinds of mugs, mouse mats, coasters, canvas prints and photo blocks which can all be personalised. This range has now been extended to include aprons, snow globes, card packs, phone cases and bespoke journals. WTTB always offers a huge range of individualised Christmas products such as personalised wrapping paper and advent calendars and this has also been expanded, with tree ornaments, card packs and baubles now available. And to make the process even easier to use, WTTB has created a dedicated Personalise Me Service, where users can get help with everything from design to adding in customers’ names on to products. Louise Stephenson, Managing Director of WTTB which is part of Precision Proco Group, believes the new items will be well received. “We’re always looking at way of helping our customers grow their businesses and giving them a wider selection of merchandise to offer is a great way to do that, particularly as we head towards the busiest time of year. It’s also a great way for companies wanting to give a personalised gift to their customers to do that in an imaginative and memorable way. This year, with all the challenges businesses have been facing, it’s more important than ever before that everyone maintains customer loyalty and these products are a cost-effective way of achieving that.” All products are available at www.wttb.co.uk with information on the personalisation services available at: https://www.wherethetradebuys.co.uk/personalisation-services Artstat’s new mailers Artstat’s new mailers are available now. Simply login for hundreds of seasonal promotions to suit any retailer with an artistic or creative element to their business. Artstat is based in Manchester, conveniently sited to provide rapid nationwide distribution. Established in 1978, it has many years of experience supplying a vast range of top-quality art and craft products to our wide base of trade customers. The company services independent retailers, department stores, museums, galleries and tourist attractions. To open an account or seek further information, visit: https://www.artstat.co.uk/
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 _ 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
12 Crystal Art Buddies now available Named Best Licensed Toy, Best Collectible Toy and Best Creative Toy at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2022, Craft Buddy’s latest collectible toy range, Crystal Art Buddies have finally launched this month. Available online and also at major nationwide retailers including Hobbycraft, B&M, Forbidden Planet and ToyTown, the first series of Crystal Art Buddies (‘Buddies’) features 25 of your favourite characters from the Disney, Disney Princesses, Star Wars, Marvel and LOL Surprise! universes. Suitable for kids over aged six, the Buddies are perfect gifts and stocking fillers for the festive season. As one of the most innovative crafting companies in the UK, Craft Buddy’s flagship brand Crystal Art was recently awarded Highly Commended in the Best for Children category in Craft Beautiful magazine’s Best of Craft Award 2022. With its new Buddies range, Craft Buddy has combined the hugely popular diamond painting craft with the world of collectible figurines. There’s been a huge buzz on social media surrounding the launch, with the product championed by many influencers, culminating in the multiple award wins at the BlogOn Toys Awards, voted for by toy industry influencers and bloggers. “The response the Buddies have received so far has been mind-blowing! After the early reaction we received when we debuted the Buddies at the Toymaster May Show, and Autumn Fair in September earlier this year, we knew the Buddies would be popular. Then, the exclusive launch to consumers at MCM London Comic Con in October was a wild success!” said Gary Wadhwani, co-director of Craft Buddy, “We’re very confident that the Buddies will be a big hit this holiday season. There’s a huge demand for new gifting ideas that are also priced competitively; and as Christmas looms, Buddies are perfect for stocking fillers or party gifts for family members of all ages.” Sergio Anna, Craft Buddy’s Head of Product commented “With the successful launch of the Buddies and also the recent Star Wars Crystal Art Collection, we’ve established a strong brand affinity among the fans of our licensed partners. With the upcoming Disney D100 100th anniversary celebrations, we’re excited to work with Disney to create more never-seen before Crystal Art products, which will be launched in Q1, 2023.” For any trade sales enquiry, please reach out to the trade team via email: trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk Big Colour Co new eco-friendly ranges Big Colour Co is renowned for inspiring young artists both at home and in the classroom thanks to its extensive range of high-quality ready mixed paints that are manufactured in the UK. The brand is constantly innovating and evolving to suit the needs of its customer base and therefore, Brian Clegg, the company behind the Big Colour Co brand, has dedicated much of its recent product development to creating an eco-friendly paint range that’s not only sustainable but that also matches the quality of Big Colour Co paints Paintdrops™ are a completely one-of-a-kind, innovative way to paint. Each set includes six individual single-use paint pods that are simply dropped in water and stirred. The outer pod dissolves to create vibrant paint in various colours. The Paintdrops™ use only natural organic ingredients with no preservatives and can be mixed in the accompanying Paintdrops™ Bamboo pot for ease of use. Emily Griffiths, Marketing Manager at Big Colour Co comments: “Paintdrops™ have been in our product development plans for a while and our brilliant team have worked hard to create a range that is wholly sustainable and plastic free. We know that there’s been a huge demand for a product range like this and response from retailers has been extremely positive. The brand extensions are also infinite as going forward we look to diversify into more varied colour ranges as well as Paintdrops™ sets to offer more creative possibilities for young artists.” In addition to Paintdrops™, Big Colour Co has extended its everpopular Bioglitter range with the addition of Bioglitter 30gram Single Bags which can be used to refill the Craft Bioglitter 40gram single jars. Available in 14 vibrant shades, Bioglitter® has been developed to tackle the problem of micro plastic pollution created by regular plastic glitter damaging our planet and marine habitats. It’s made from plant-based cellulose, sustainably and ethically sourced raw materials which don’t harm our planet or oceans. Bioglitter Paint has also been added. The sparkly, highquality paint is made from plants, not plastic and this new line extension gives young artists more sustainable and diverse creative possibilities. Available in eight colours, the paint is also packaged in recyclable bottles that can be recycled. For further information, please call +44 (0)1706 666 620 or visit the website: www.bigcolourcompany.co.uk
Crochet mandala and bauble kits, designed and assembled in the UK using hand dyed yarns. emma@pineapplefibreart.com www.pineapplefibreart.com
Contact us today for the full range of papers and items to decorate www.exaclairlimited.com • enquiries@exaclair.co.uk • 01553 696600 Aneasycraft forall ages - simplytear thepaper thenglue itontheobject! MINI-KIT Complete kit - papier mâché shape, decorative papers, glue and brush. Psst... between you andme we are the BEST SELLERS
15 BRAND SPANKING NEW Brand spanking new Check out some new and exciting products in the current market CORINNE LAPIERRE Another addition to the fantastic range of hoop kits, this project shows some of Corinne’s favourite woodland friends having marvellous fun on the frozen lake. Inspired by winter Scandinavian folk themes, Corinne’s choice of colours and patterns are always a delight and this new design is no exception. The kit contains everything needed for the project: soft wool mix felt, a needle and DMC thread. It also contains the hoop so only scissors are required! The clear, illustrated colour instructions and stitch guide included make this kit suitable for crafters of all abilities. This handmade decoration will be cherished year after year, especially as it is so easy to display using the wooden hoop as a frame. All kits come in distinctive folk printed recyclable box and are perfect for self-purchase or as an original and accessible present. +44 (0)1132 460 403 trade@corinnelapierre.com www.corinnelapierre.com THE CRAFTY KIT COMPANY Make yourself a juicy selection of seasonal fruit, whether you’re a beginner or an expert crafter. Use the clear instructions and UK-sourced materials provided to make this quirky craft come to life! Designed and made in Scotland by The Crafty Kit Company, the RRP is £18.95. +44 (0)1620 860 907 trade@craftykitcompany.co.uk https://trade.craftykitcompany.co.uk CRAFTER’S COMPANION With die-cut windows to reveal the wonder of the natural world, tumbling cascades of wisteria flowers, chic birdcages and stunning original illustrations, the Nature’s Garden Wisteria Collection shines with the elegance of a summer’s day. Perfect for Mother’s Day makes! This full papercraft collection of stamps, dies, embossing folders, stencils, patterned paper and vellum pads everything you need to create sweet and summery scenes in your cards and crafts. And bring your makes to life with flower forming foam, dies and the brand-new Petal Powder, designed to add an extra sprinkle of texture and rustic atmosphere to your floral makes. +44 (0)1388 660 930 https://ccglobal-group.com/trade-partnerships
16 CURIOUS UNIVERSE Curious Universe introduces a brand-new Art Fantastic series for budding artists aged six to 14. This dynamic paint-by-numbers series is developed around exciting and colourful themes including dinosaurs, wild animals, mythical creatures, and mandalas with progressive difficulty levels designed to appeal to a range of abilities. With three-in-one or single design kits to choose from at a range of accessible price points, each pack contains everything a child needs to create their very own masterpiece. +44 (0)1225 614 310 info@curiousuniverse.co.uk https://curiousuniverse.co.uk EXACLAIR ExaClair Limited, the UK distributor for Avenue Mandarine has announced lift-off for a new space themed Décopatch kit. This kit is a great introduction to the world of Décopatch, a simple and fun way to create unique items by tearing or cutting the paper specifically created for this technique and gluing to the shape with Décopatch glue, which dries quickly and leaves a shiny coating. The space kit contains everything needed: a crescent moon, a rocket and a cute cosmonaut, all waiting to be decorated using the brush, glue and three sheets of paper with rockets, moon and stars and silver design papers. The rocket comes in two pieces and can provide fun storage or simply be used to send the cosmonaut off on adventures into space! +44 (0)1553 696 600 www.exaclairlimited.com CRAFT BUDDY LTD. A combination of collectibles with play value, Crystal Art Buddies feature your favourite characters from the Disney, Disney Princess, Marvel, Star Wars and LOL Surprise! Universe. Series one includes 25 Buddies and they’re perfect for gifts and stocking fillers! Suitable for age six and over. trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk www.craftbuddyltd.co.uk
New Year, New Craft Over 2500 products available at www.peakdaleproducts.co.uk Phone: 01298 78447 Email: Sales@peakdaleproducts.co.uk Coming soon HO L LY B E R K L E Y J EW E L L E RY W i r e Wo r k i n g K i t s & To o l s “I was very pleased with the quality of the set. My daughter has made a beautiful ring.” Karen S. Wellingborough Discover my range of fabulous wire working kits; you’ll find a kit to suit you whether you’re a novice or an experienced crafter. Each kit comes complete with an accompanying Youtube video & an illustrated PDF, so you can get on with the fun of making! Everything you need to begin your wire working journey. WWW. H O L LY B E R K L E Y J E W E L L E RY. C O . U K hollyberkleyjewellery@outlook.com 07789 971 396 — AS S E EN I N VOGUE —
18 HERITAGE CRAFTS Heritage Crafts has two lovely new additions to the Golden Years range from Peter Underhill: Heart of the Home (GYHH1658) measuring 15cm x 14cm and Hello Little Friend (GYLF1659) measuring 18cm x 15.5cm. These designs are available on 14ct aida and contain whole stitches only. The kits contain: Zweigart fabric, DMC stranded cottons sorted on to numbered cards, a needle, and clear charts and instructions. sales@hcrafts.com www.hcrafts.com CRAFT BUDDY LTD. The brand-new Star Wars Crystal Art Collection includes 30cm x 30cm Canvas kits, Framed Picture Kits, Notebook Kits and Card Kits, which makes an awesome piece of decoration for Star Wars fans and also a perfect gift to put a smile on the franchise lovers! Let’s sparkle up the galaxy with Crystal Art! trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk www.craftbuddyltd.co.uk VISIBLE IMAGE Visible Image has released brand new co-ordinating dies for some of the company’s most popular stamp sets. These dies are a game changer, making it so easy to add dimension and layers. info@visibleimage.com www.visibleimage.com
E: office@viridianltd.co.uk T: 0117 300 5244 www.viridianyarn.com TRADE ENQUIRIES: Explore the reaches of your imagination by combining art, cra , and mathematics to create the age-old geometric form of the polyhedra. Use just one center point to create shapes that are folded symmetrically and build upon each other. With easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, you can construct models from regular polygons, including equilateral triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, and decagons. Childrenfriendly for ages eight plus. No complex folding. Expand your creativity threshold and understanding of geometric forms through creating paper sculptural forms. FOLDING POLYHEDRA BY (AUTHOR): ALEXANDER HEINZ ISBN 9780764361579 Contact: sales@gazellebookservices.co.uk To see our full range please go to WWW.SCHIFFERCRAFT.COM RRP £27.99 Published by Schier Cra | Pages: 184 Illustrations: 405 colour & b/w photos & illustrations ELASTIC WEBBING BIAS BINDING ZIPS LACE BUTTONS AND MORE. . . Go to WWW.PHILIPSTAMP.COM and sign up for a trade account - we think the easiest way to order Gutterman and DMC thread online…
20 SINCLAIRS New from Artgecko Sketch, are Stashy Gecko Portfolios – ideal for scrapbooking, gifting, photo albums, memory books and keepsakes. The Stashy collection contains two different card types one book which contains kraft card and the other containing jet-black toned card. Both books are ideal for stashing your keepsakes, photographs or drawing memories within. Every Stashy book has been hand crafted with skip binding and a black silk tie ribbon closure – added little features to make your book extra special! You don’t have to gift an empty book – why not create a book of memories for your loved ones as a memorable gift this holiday season. hello@artgeckosketch.com www.artgeckosketch.com ANCIENT WISDOM Magic Spell Candles are empowered by real gemstone chips, and artisanal fragrances each representing a different purpose of a magic spell. These are soy wax candles, the great things about soy wax is that it has excellent fragrance-holding qualities and releases the fragrance evenly throughout burning. Soybean candles often burn cleaner, cooler and last longer than paraffin candles and also leave minimal wax residue. Also your customers can re-use the candle jar as it come with a cork lid. +44 (0)1142 729 165 care@ancientwisdom.biz www.ancientwisdom.biz PANEL SYSTEMS Calling all architects, product designers and model makers: Craftfoam is the material for you! Firm and malleable, lightweight and strong, Craftfoam is an Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) material, making it incredibly versatile. Compatible with most non-solvent-based adhesives, Craftfoam can be shaped into just about anything, and with the company’s wide range of sizes, thicknesses and colours including the all-new mint green, you can be sure that you can find exactly what you need. Craftfoam can even be delivered right to your doorstep from the warehouse in Sheffield! sales@panelsystems.co.uk www.panelsystems.co.uk/products/modelling-foam
23 SHOWS & EVENTS This season’s most unmissable events The consumer goods world is back in Frankfurt In view of the major challenges of issues such as supply chains and resource scarcity, rising inflation and energy costs as well as falling consumer spending, it’s all the more important to meet each other in real terms and remain in dialogue. To this end, Messe Frankfurt is bringing together the key players of the entire sector in Frankfurt. “Opening up new perspectives and opportunities is our greatest concern in our role as an active business promoter and reliable partner of the global consumer goods industry. We’ve understood that we need to radically rethink and change our trade fair formats. That’s why we’re creating a new, physical trade fair experience, with three leading trade fairs at one time, covering all the key meta-topics and trends that specifically move manufacturers and retailers forward,” says Julia Uherek, Vice President Consumer Goods Fairs. In addition, the physical trade fair experience will be complemented by smart digital services, not only parallel to the physical events, but also beyond. “This means we are increasingly becoming a yearround business enabler, with a wide range of digital services that we offer 24/7,” says Philipp Ferger, Vice President Consumer Goods Fairs. From 3rd/4th to 7th February 2023, the three leading international trade fairs Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld1 will be held in parallel at the Frankfurt exhibition centre and present the entire world of consumer goods to the trade on one date each year. This concentration will make Frankfurt the intersection for all forms of trade as well as for purchasing decision-makers from HoReCa, Contract Business and Concept Decoration. The new format is off to a good start. At present, 4,700 exhibitors from 80 countries are expected, 85 per cent of them from abroad. “The demand and the great confidence of the market are overwhelming. For each leading fair, the top international brands and interesting newcomers are here. This means we show a range of quality and diversity. The world is once again at home in Frankfurt”, says Ferger, underlining the international significance of the events. Ambiente Giving is also launching with synergy-rich innovations: in the new Urban Gifts & Stationery section in Hall 4.2, visitors will find trend and design-oriented gifts, fast-moving products, decorative accessories, writing utensils, greeting cards, bags and personal accessories. With an even broader Stationery range of stationery, greeting cards and writing instruments, the choice here will be more attractive. At Creativeworld, the leading international trade fair for hobby, craft and artists’ requisites, all the flagships and market leaders from all product segments will also be there, including, for example, Clairefontaine, F.I.L.A. Group, Folia, Kreul, Kuretake, Marabu, Rayher, Royal Brush, Royal Talens, Schmincke and Staedtler. The exhibitors will show innovative articles for the creative hobby, materials for graphics and artists’ supplies, arts and crafts and textile design as well as graffiti and street art. For the first time, products for creative writing and drawing also enrich the range. Numerous classic writing-utensil manufacturers are expanding their product portfolios in the direction of creative materials, so the joint appearance under the Creativeworld umbrella is a logical step for the market. The new exhibitors include, for example, Centropen, Schneider Schreibgeräte and the writing utensil manufacturer Stylex. With this realignment, the trade benefits from an unparalleled crossover of product groups, themes, segments and synergies. Shows, news & events Diary dates Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair 15th-18th January, 2023 Harrogate Convention Centre www.harrogatefair.com Toy Fair 24th-26th January, 2023 Olympia, London www.toyfair.co.uk Christmasworld 3rd-7th February, 2023 Messe Frankfurt, Germany www.christmasworld. messefrankfurt.com Creativeworld 4th-7th February, 2023 Messe Frankfurt, Germany www.creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com Spring Fair 5th-8th February, 2023 NEC, Birmingham www.springfair.com/welcome CHSI Stitches 19th-20th February, 2023 NEC, Birmingham www.chsi.co.uk h+h Cologne 31st March – 2nd April, 2023 Koelnmesse, Cologne www.hh-cologne.com
24 Speakers confirmed for CHSI Stitches 2023 People Tree founder and award-winning digital expert among speakers at leading craft industry trade event Speakers have started to be confirmed for CHSI Stitches 2023. Speakers making the line up so far include Safia Minney, MBE, internationally recognised founder of sustainable fashion brand, People Tree; and Andrew Davis, award-winning digital expert who has worked with some of the UK’s biggest brands. The key annual trade event is now open for registration and attracts around 6,000 craft buyers looking for the latest products, new ideas and innovative suppliers. It brings together the creative craft industry for two days of education, networking, procurement and business opportunities. The show is taking stand bookings for exhibitors for 2023 – an opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers to be among the creative craft industry’s biggest and brightest brands in showcasing latest lines to key buyers. The show’s 2023 theme is Conscious Crafting, exploring and shining a light on key factors in the customer decision making process. This will be bolstered with the results of the Craft Report – the annual independent report into the creative craft industry. The report will be unveiled at the show and will deliver valuable insights, data and updates on trends. One of the event’s highlights is its quality speaker programme, bringing together leading lights in retail, e-commerce and digital marketing among other disciplines. These hugely popular speaker sessions provide a focal point for discussion, learning and collaboration. More intimate bookable campfire sessions will follow the main presentation to enable visitors to get their questions answered. The speaker line up to date can be found here: www.chsi.co.uk/education/insights-hub/ Steve Mitchell, Event Director said: “We’ve increased our investment in our speaker programme in recent years as we realise the value that these global experts can bring to designers, manufacturers and retailers. We had such brilliant feedback last year on our speaker programme and it has inspired us to pull out all the stops to create our best line up yet, giving visitors to the show a unique and valuable experience and fresh knowledge they can apply to their business.” Brand leaders will be holding hands-on sessions in the Conscious Crafting Demo Area, enabling visitors to experience and try out new trends and techniques. 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 Successful summer season boosts Scotland Fair Autumn Tourism in Scotland has begun to bounce back strongly with foreign visitors returning this summer, bringing much needed business to shops and attractions around Scotland. Following this successful summer season, Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn, provided a welcome chance to re-order, seek new products and network with suppliers. The show took place at the SEC in Glasgow from 17th-18th September. Having been brought forward by a day because of The Queen’s funeral, the Show still attracted retailers keen to restock and re-order. Although visitor numbers were below prepandemic levels, those that did attend were encouraged by the continued innovation and creativity shown by suppliers. The Launch Gallery for new suppliers was as usual a mecca for buyers seeking new products and ideas. Suppliers such as Christine Gilbert Art, Fiona Matheson Studio, Lin Pin Crafts, Little Paper Soul cards, 1874 Works and Flow Glass were exhibiting for the first time. Exhibitor Chris Lewis said: “Despite the expected lower footfall I had a great show, my orders were up on last year as were the value of orders and all with good customers and many of them new.” Show Director Mark Saunders said: “Business was brisk following a good summer season and the Autumn should follow suit. Despite the challenges facing the economy there is still strong demand for good quality giftware which we have witnessed over the last two days.” Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring will be held at the SEC, Glasgow from 22th-24th January, 2023.
The UK’s favourite tradeshow for the festive sector - meet retailers and buyers from garden centres, gift shops, department stores, independent stores, tourist attractions, cathedral and heritage centres, events and venues and much more ... Harrogate Convention Centre 15th - 18th January 2023 www.harrogatefair.com - 01902 882280 - simon@harrogatefair.com Harrogate Christmas & Gift
26 Cracking Christmas With just four months until the doors of the UK’s favourite festive show opens to the trade, Harrogate Christmas & Gift has a wealth of exhibitors signing up for the show, including favourite returning companies and many new names too. Once again, presented at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 15th to 18th January 2023, Christmas retailers and buyers will be spoilt for choice with six halls packed with the latest, up and coming products from trees, lights and decorations, to gifts, garden and homeware. The 2022 show marked the return after two years of COVID restrictions and it was apparent that buyers were keen to see products first hand with many exhibitors stating that it was their best trade show ever. Simon Anslow, show organiser comments: “Unlike many other product types, Christmas and gift items tend to be less brand related and retailers and buyers rely on seeing, touching and even smelling items to see if they will fit well on their store shelves. Visitors in 2022 were keen to get business back on track and placed valuable orders with many exhibitors at the show. We are looking forward to a similar vibe next year.” The 2023 event welcomes the return of numerous well-known names including DCUK, Festive Productions, Floral Silk, Florelle Imports, Gisella Graham, Kaemingk, Lesser & Pavey, Noma and Sage Décor (to name just a few). Alan Pimms, Managing Director of Sifcon International (SIL), confirmed his promise to return to the show in 2023 after stating that the company had a fantastic experience. He said that his stand was continuously busy and the value of orders placed far exceeded expectations. Exciting new brands include Ashleigh & Burwood with a portfolio of fragranced products including lamps, reed diffusers, candles and premium gift packaged home fragrance ranges: Boltze Gruppe with a huge range of new home collections for spring and summer 2023; Mulberry Studios leading the personalised gift market with innovative gift products; The Seasonal Group – creators of bespoke environments and magical experiences with virtual reality rides and animatronics; and Vivid Squid which personalises and brands lots of quirky items such as power banks, smartphone cases, promotional items, souvenirs, pens, signs and much more. There is still stand space available for companies wishing to expand their portfolio of retailers including large multiples and smaller independents. Harrogate Christmas & Gift is also the favourite buying portal for numerous garden centre buyers seeking seasonal products; plus tourist attraction and heritage centres, theme parks, cathedral shops and many more. IN BRIEF: Who: Harrogate Christmas & Gift, www.harrogatefair.com Where: Harrogate Convention Centre, Kings Road, Harrogate, HG1 5LA When: 15th-18th January, 2023
Agave Watercolour Sketch Hemp Bamboo Sketch Bamboo Mixed Media Natural Line www.hahnemuehle.co.uk Artist p pers made f om environmentally friendly fibres Come visit us at Stand E07 CHSI Stitches, NEC Birmingham from the 19th-20th February 2023. Show offers will be available. sales@toyway.co.uk www.toyway.co.uk By Bachmann Premium Eco-Friendly Educational Crafts Origami Art Kit Dough Art Kit Sticker Puzzles Reusable Doodle Placemats Step by Step Drawing Books Velvet Colouring Cards Visit Stand 620 at Giving & Living or visit Stand 5H24-J25 at Spring Fair to see the full range of products! Focus PepPlay advert.indd 1 15/12/2022 14:04
FUN AT THE FAIR Four days, three key buying destinations. There’s a place for every business and every product type at Spring Fair. Check out the individual sectors to find out more about the area of Spring Fair that suits you best Spring Fair, the UK’s marketplace for wholesale Home, Gift and Fashion returns to the NEC Birmingham NEC from 5th-8th February 2023 hosting an even more dynamic and inspirational offering. As the largest and most accessible ‘shop for shops’, Spring Fair is a trusted platform for discovery and innovation, putting the most sought-after products, bright new finds, and industry-leading creative thinkers, under one easy-to-navigate roof whilst giving retailers unparalleled cross-buying opportunities. Almost 90 per cent sold out across the show, Spring Fair encompasses 14 sectors within four destinations across eight halls – Home which includes Living & Décor, Housewares, Everyday, and The Summerhouse; Gift including Christmas, Floral and Seasonal Decorations; and Moda fashion featuring its own catwalk as well as Jewellery & Watch, Womenswear, Fashion Accessories, and Footwear, and the newly launched responsible sourcing show Source Home & Gift - all offering thousands of much loved and established favourites alongside an array of sustainable and new brands showing for the first time. The show creates a compelling and unmissable platform for buyers to touch, feel, and experience the latest products, trends and innovations. Nicola Meadows, Portfolio Director, Spring Fair, says, “All of the team at Spring Fair are very excited about opening the doors to the next Spring Fair. We’re all committed to offering our visitors, thousands of the UK’s brilliant retailers, the most accessible, diverse, and inspirational marketplace for discovering their shop’s bright new finds. The show offers an incomparable destination for sourcing newness, innovation and your next bestsellers. Our vision for discovery builds on the show’s heritage as a trusted platform for buyers and adds an improved layout and unparalleled opportunities for crossbuying and creativity.” Spring Fair exhibitors The Kids, Toys and Play sector at Spring Fair will be brimming with suppliers of craft gifts for children of all ages. You can find one of our newest exhibitors, The Mauveworx showcasing their new dino marble game, a whole kit for children to put together and play instantly, and their new Pack a Den kit/ playhouse which is great for in and outdoor play. Offering a wide collection of crafting kits for children, James Galt is showcasing arts and crafts products including creative cases, stationery, water magic and young art. Long-standing Spring Fair exhibitor, Wilton Bradley, is showing its new Sew 29 SPRING FAIR
For further information please visit www.springfair.com Amazing range, created for kids taking an interest in sewing. These fully functional starter machines ensure kids who want to try sewing can do so in a fun and safe way. Perfect for helping kids develop dexterity and channel their creative energy, Sew Amazing’s line of sewing tools and accessories helps children design and make their own unique clothes and textile pieces. Faster, safer and easier than traditional sewing, Sew Amazing’s range of products means children develop the patience and skills required to create a variety of stunning pieces they can be proud of. Receiving creative commendations from the Toy Shop UK Independent Toy Awards, Sew Amazing products are an ideal companion for kids of six years old or more. Both the Sewing Station and the awardwinning Sewing Studio machines come with everything needed to get started including bobbins, spools of thread and headed pins to name just a few. Kids can unleash their creativity whilst developing their hand to eye coordination. New to Spring Fair and based in The Netherlands, SES Creative offers a wide range of crafting kits for kids from fingerpaint, poster paint, colouring pencils, markers, chalk, play dough and more. Kids crafting experts, Thames & Kosmos return to Spring Fair with a magnificent range of scientific kits to enable kids to explore their imagination and learn through play. The Playwrite Group have been exhibiting at Spring Fair for over 10 years and visitors will find a huge range of craft kits from dinosaur mould and paint kits to jewellery making kits. Reviving an old favourite, Bachmann Europe have gone from strength to strength launching Thunderbird 2, International Rescue’s heavy transport aircraft model kit containing Pod 4 and its cargo Thunderbird 4 and piloted by Virgil Tracy. Within the Gift sector, Spring Fair visitors will also discover Stitching me Softly with a new bathroom basket set with washable wipes alongside its bestselling Plant basket kit in all colourways. Artcuts sees a new spring/summer trend in 2023 for kits with anything floral/ nature focussed. Flowers and animals are very popular, as is mindful/conscious craft – creating something with a purpose. Another trend is sustainable wood crafting (they only source woods from certified forests) and crafting that’s designed to last which people can keep for themselves for a long time or give as a quality gift to loved ones. Artcuts has also noticed that shops now like to run their own workshops with the craft kits they sell, which became very popular over the last year. Exhibitors Hawthorn Handmade are turning 10! This year sees the Dorset based company celebrate a whole decade of making awesome craft kits for beginners and beyond. Explore their kits at the show! Also not to be missed is Southfield and the company’s collection of craft and stationery. Plus, don’t miss out on the opportunity to browse Search Press’s stand. So many titles – and who doesn’t love a new book! 30
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TOYS & HOBBIES GALORE! Rebecca Deeming Communications & Events Manager at BTHA discusses what to expect at Toy Fair 2023 What can visitors expect from Toy Fair 2023? Toy Fair 2023 is back with an incredibly packed show! We’re so excited to welcome hundreds of global and independent toy brands all under one roof, including Character Options, The Elf on the Shelf, Coiledspring Games, Winning Moves, Craft Buddy Ltd, plus many more. Exhibitors will be showcasing thousands of toys and games from many different categories, including art and crafts, plush, board games, STEM toys, tech toys plus lots more. Visitors at the show will get a first look at new toys, trends, themes and crazes for 2023, as well as exclusive retail offers which are only available to on-site attendees. This year we’re also welcoming back influencers to Toy Fair, with our dedicated Influencer Day taking place on Thursday 26th January 2023. We’ll be sharing an influencer friendly programme of events in January, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that. We’ve also recently launched the official Toy Fair Instagram page, so make sure to follow @toyfairuk where we’ll be posting lots of engaging content, including blogs featuring exhibitors and behind the scenes posts! Are there any new areas or developed areas of note? We’re so excited that Toy Fair TV and the Demo Zone are returning to the show this year, for the first time since 2020! Toy Fair TV will be interviewing key spokespeople from exhibiting companies on their stand, whilst the Demo Zone will be full of company representatives showcasing their latest launches. Both features add such a great atmosphere to the show and you can expect lots of fun and laughter, as well as getting a sneak preview of lots of new toys, so be sure to keep an eye out for the camera crews roaming around the venue! The Greenhouse located towards the back of the Grand Hall is always a mustattend area, where you can find smaller, up and coming manufacturers who will be showcasing innovative new creations. Visitors may very well discover the next big thing here! Are there any competitions/ workshops or seminars to watch or attend? The unveiling of Toy Fair’s Hero Toys on the first morning of the show is always a must-watch for media, buyers and retailers alike. Taking place outside the press office, this is your chance to get a preview of the new and innovative toys launching in 2023. It’s an event you’ll not want to miss out on! Are there any new exhibitors you’re excited to welcome? We have just under 50 new exhibitors that we are looking forward to welcoming to the show this year, all showcasing a great range of products. As a little sneak peek, Little Brian will be at Toy Fair 2023 for the first time, showcasing their colourful range of paint sticks to help make painting less messy. You can also expect to see new exhibitors Razor USA who make scooters for kids, Sequin Art Limited, who produce a range of sparkly, sequin craft kits, The Mystery Agency, who make escape room puzzles and Smiffy’s showcasing their fancy dress costumes! How can exhibitors and visitors sign up? We’re completely sold out of exhibitor space now but visitors can register for their free visitor pass on the Toy Fair website here: https://toyfair2023.eventreference.com/register Make sure to join the community on LinkedIn, Instagram & Twitter @ToyFairUK and follow for regular updates and announcements about the show! What: Toy Fair When: 24th-26th January 2023 Where: Olympia London 33 TOY FAIR
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