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View the latest issue of Craft Focus for FREE! |
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Just a reminder that you can view the latest issue of your favourite craft trade magazine for FREE.
Simply Follow this link
You can also read any of our previous issues by following this link
Craft Focus is the UK's leading trade title aimed at craft bricks & mortar and online retailers.
When making enquiries to our advertisers, do please mention us. Don't forget to visit our social media channels to spread the word and interact with others.
Enjoy, keep safe and well and please accept our sincere best wishes from everyone here at Craft Focus! |
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| Aug/Sept 2026 |
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As we enjoy the last days of summer, somehow our thoughts gently start to turn to back to school – and what comes with it – autumn, and dare we say it, the ‘C’ word! While it may still seem a little way off, experienced retailers know that now is the ideal time to start planning! Our festive crafting features are packed with ideas to help you get ahead of the seasonal rush, giving you plenty of time to get your window displays planned and ensure plenty of stock at a relaxed pace.
In this issue, we’re delighted to feature two well-known names from the crafting world. We get chatting to Peak Dale Products, and we’re also shining the spotlight on Search Press, whose inspiring books have helped generations of makers develop their skills and creativity. We hope you enjoy finding out more about the people and stories behind these trusted brands.
Celebrations are another key theme this issue, with our wedding crafts feature showcasing beautiful handmade ideas for every stage of the occasion. Whether you’re creating personalised decorations for your own special day, or crafting meaningful gifts for the happy couple, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to make every celebration even more memorable.
You’ll also discover creative products to stock, from stamping and embossing to knitting and crochet projects that are perfect for taking into the cooler months. Thank you, as always, for choosing to spend time with us.
Your enthusiasm for creativity and making continues to inspire every issue we produce!
Till next time, happy crafting!
Rachel x |
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| Paperworld Middle East postponed to September 2027 |
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Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organiser of Paperworld Middle East, the region's leading international trade platform for paper and stationery products, has announced the postponement of the upcoming edition. Originally scheduled for 13–15 October 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, the event will now take place from 28-30 September 2027. The decision follows extensive discussions with the industry and careful assessment of the challenges currently facing the paper and stationery industry, including constraints around production lead times and issues across freight and logistics.
Read more...... |
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| SANTORO SECURES KEY RETAIL ACCOUNTS FOR CHRISTMAS 2026 |
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SANTORO is delighted to announce that its 3D Pop Up greetings will be stocked by two of the UK's most prestigious retailers, Waterstones and Fortnum & Mason, for the 2026 Christmas season. The collection is particularly well suited to these premium retail environments, where customers are seeking gifts and greetings that feel special and distinctive. With intricate construction and attention to detail, 3D Pop Ups offer an elevated alternative to a conventional greeting card, bridging the gap between greeting and gift. SANTORO's offerings are known for going one step beyond, with additional moving elements and uniquely engineered constructions; making them a perfect fit for destination retailers with highly regarded reputations for exceptional seasonal offerings and experiences.
Read more...... |
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| AUTUMN FAIR CLOSES WITH RETAILERS ACTING ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES |
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Autumn Fair 2026 closed following four days of buying, discovery and networking at the NEC Birmingham, with feedback from retailers and exhibitors highlighting a more cross-category approach to sourcing, growing demand for distinctive and story-led products, and the continued importance of face-to-face relationships in retail.Across Gift, Home, Fashion and the newly co-located Glee, buyers from leading retailers including John Lewis, TJX Europe, Fenwick, NEXT, IKEA, Argos, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, The Range, Mamas & Papas, Dobbies, Blue Diamond, British Garden Centres, Natural History Museum, British Museum, ZSL, Royal Shakespeare Company, Hobbycraft, Scribbler, Paper Tiger, Joules, Mountain Warehouse, QVC and Amazon, alongside a broad mix of independent retailers, garden centres, visitor attractions and specialist stores, have used the show to discover new products, meet existing and potential suppliers and identify opportunities beyond their traditional buying categories, with the combined event creating new crossover between home, garden, gift, fashion and lifestyle.
Read more...... |
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| Home & Gift Association meets with Government to address sector growth and trade challenges |
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The Home & Gift Association has met with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to discuss growth, exports, regulation and support for small businesses across the UK's home and gift sector.
Representing around 400 suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and service providers, the Association highlighted the pressures facing businesses, including rising costs, export barriers and increasing regulatory requirements.
A key focus of the meeting was international growth, with DBT outlining opportunities for UK businesses through partnerships with major online marketplaces in regions including Latin America and the Middle East. The Association welcomed further collaboration to help members access new customers and export markets.
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| The Luxury Fabric Show introduces expert briefings at its October event |
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The Luxury Fabric Show, whose exhibitors are all British suppliers offering low minimums, is launching a series of expert briefings during its autumn event next month (14-15 October at The Box Office Studio in Shoreditch, London). The exhibition presents a tightly curated collection of the best suppliers of silk, wool, lace, jacquards, linings, buttons, labels, workshop essentials and more aimed at the fashion, bridalwear, lingerie, interiors and costume making sectors.
Read more...... |
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| Forthcoming Events |
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Please note: All dates are subject to changes, contact organisers for more information before making arrangements. To view more events, please visit the events page on our website...
20-23 Oct 2026 - Mega Show Hong Kong
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai 1 Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hong Kong
megashow.comasia.net.cn
10-13 Jan 2027 - Harrogate Christmas & Gift
Harrogate Convention Centre, King's Rd, Harrogate, HG1 5LA
www.harrogatefair.com/contact_us.asp
19-21 Jan 2027 - Toy Fair
Olympia, Grand, National & Upper West Halls, Kensington, W14 8UX
www.toyfair.co.uk
29-2 Feb 2027 - Christmasworld
Messe Frankfurt, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, 60327 Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com
29-2 Feb 2027 - Ambiente
Messe Frankfurt, Germany
ambiente.messefrankfurt.com
7-10 Feb 2027 - Spring Fair
The NEC, Birmingham, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1NT
www.springfair.com/welcome |
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