35 CRAFT TRENDS FOR 2023 We speak to movers and shakers in the world of craft and stationery to find out what’s going to be big over the next 12 months Crafting has been evolving for years and what I love is that it’s very apparent that crafting is now accessible and embraced by all ages, and has the ability for unearthing hidden talent, passion, and enthusiasts. The celebration of crafting in popular television shows like The Great British Sewing Bee and Kirstie Allsopp’s, Keep Crafting and Carry On as well as the rise in crafting as we navigated lockdown means that crafting has become a favoured personal purchase and perfect for gifting. We’ve seen growth in the number of pure craft and bigger brands offering products at both Spring & Autumn Fair. Crafting kits have this extraordinary power to transform amateurs into enthusiasts into skilled designer-makers and unearth hidden talents. I often see young children and adults stitching and knitting on the trains and tubes, it’s fantastic to witness as crafting and kits aren’t just great for an individual’s wellbeing, they are also wonderful as a family activity and not only encourage creativity but also collaboration. We’re seeing a huge growth in exhibitors focusing on sustainability, using materials that have either been sourced ethically or are recycled and recyclable. And the range of kits now available just keeps building, from embroidery, jewellery and modelling kits, to baking, homewares, keep sakes, and new everyday products. The satisfaction which comes from making, creating or building something is really rewarding for the individual and even more if this becomes a treasured keepsake or a gift. Retailers are also diversifying, so you’ll now find crafting kits in garden centres, independent gift shops and bookshops like Waterstones, as well as your destinational craft multiples. Where we saw family games bring us together in lockdown, crafting kits are becoming more accessible and celebrated in retail and are no longer just found in a small corner of the shop. Crafting is a very exciting growth sector and we look forward to welcoming some inspirational crafting businesses to Spring Fair in February and see these trends come to life. Dan Mayhew, Event Director, Spring Fair www.springfair.com Shop your Home – Before heading out to buy new furniture, or getting click happy online shopping, have a look around your home. Could something be better loved elsewhere? Would that bedside table actually be just right by the sofa in the living room? Relocate, restyle, recycle – and save a lot of money in the process. Use Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan or one-step Annie Sloan Satin Paint to give pieces a new lease of life in a new location or smarten up a whole room by just repainting one large piece of furniture. So much quicker and easier than painting walls with an equally transformative effect. Re-loving second-hand furniture is a trend all of its own these days, with none of the stigma of yore. Show your craft chops and your slow-living, planet conscious credentials by taking the time to repaint what you have. Take extra time to apply Decoupage Paper or apply a coat of Dark Chalk Paint Wax to suggest age, and you’ll be stunned by how professional the results are with these fool proof products. Glamour is having a moment (just because we aren’t buying new doesn’t mean we aren’t having fun!) – so turn to Annie Sloan Gilding Waxes to bring some extra sparkle to your world. Annie Sloan, Annie Sloan Interiors Ltd www.anniesloan.com Craft Trends for 2023
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