Craft Focus - February/March 2023 (Issue 95)

26 New partnership with the Sarah Hurley Academy ICHF Events and Sarah Hurley have announced a multi-year partnership to bring creative business education to the CHSI Stitches programme of events through Sarah’s new ‘Sarah Hurley Academy,’ launched in 2022. The Sarah Hurley Academy draws from Sarah’s industry and business successes to help entrepreneurs and small businesses at all stages. The Academy provides education to small business, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs via a comprehensive range of courses and resources. Sarah Hurley will be at the craft trade show on stand B26, which runs from Sunday 19th to Monday 20th February 2023 at the NEC, Birmingham and will provide free advice from the academy stand alongside a host of new initiatives exclusive to the partnership. The entrepreneurial business advice is targeted at businesses at a range of stages; those starting out in the craft world, looking to start in the craft world, or those businesses looking for growth and direction. Sarah Hurley said: “The academy and the trade show are the perfect partners for new and established businesses to focus and thrive in the retail world, especially at this challenging time. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of businesses at the event, whatever stage they are at, and providing advice and guidance.” Simon Burns, Managing Director ICHF Events said: “CHSI Stitches has a long and proud history of providing advice and support to small businesses. By its nature, the craft industry has a high percentage of independent businesses run by people with a real passion for what they do. We’re delighted to partner with Sarah and to be able to offer free access to her advice to visitors to the show.” For more information on the Sarah Hurley Academy, and to join, visit: www.sarahhurleyacademy.com and visit on the day at stand B26. For more information about the show, visit: www.chsi.co.uk h+h americas expands After a strong initial launch in North America in 2022, anticipation is building towards the next h+h americas set for 21st –23rd June, 2023. The event will take place again at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Centre in Rosemont/Chicago. The June dates have been carefully selected to provide buyers with seasonal offers from the entire handicraft industry. h+h americas is a B2B trade show with a comprehensive conference programme organised in partnership with the Craft Industry Alliance and open to Influencers, Professional Crafters, Etsy Sellers, Content Creators and everyone who makes a living in crafts. As an offspring of the world’s leading textile handicraft trade fair in Cologne, Germany, the show is a response to strong US demand for a unified trade show on US soil. The US market consists of 30 million Americans that crochet, knit, sew, quilt or embroider. The inaugural 2022 event combined 2,000 attendees with 200 exhibitors who displayed a wide range of products from yarn, fabric, art, craft materials to toys and pastimes. Many attendees praised the high share of international product lines from 39 countries normally not seen before in the US. Due to strong interest among buying groups the 2023 event will now broaden its product categories to include craft, hobby and artists’ supplies. Buyers will have access to materials and tools for scrapbooking, papercraft, rubber stamping, painting, handicrafts, sewing, modelling, and decorating to high-quality papers and paints, easels, inks, pens, markers, brushes and adhesives as well as graphic accessories and cutting tools. For more information on exhibiting, speaking or attending contact: Darrin Stern, d.stern@koelnmesse.us or visit the website: www.hh-americas.com CONSUMER NEWS Already 75 per cent sell-out at country shows! Both the Weald of Kent and Henley Country Craft Shows are great face-to-face selling platforms and locations for you to promote your products and creations at. From jewellery, ceramics, leather goods, glassware, art to homeware and garden ornaments, visitors love to shop quality items with a historical total combined spend (both shows annually) at £3.7 million! In 2022, over 200 stall holders exhibited at the Henley Country Craft Show making it their largest show yet. With over 25,000 annual visitors combined, it is a good one-onone customer facing opportunity, where you can meet your clients in person and build invaluable relationships whilst sharing the story and ethos behind your business. For all stand bookings and enquiries for home, lifestyle, crafted products and food produce, please contact Steve Mitchell, Sales Director: +44 (0) 1425 460 811 or email stevem@ichf.co.uk

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