Here is a selection of features from Craft Focus magazine.
The purchase of a Trotec laser cutter has enabled Bristol-based designer Sabella Tilley to start her own business, Treetop Treasures. Having previously focused on creating handmade paper cut gifts, Sabella wanted to expand her capabilities and be able to engrave additional materials, including wood.
If you can't wait for halloween 2020, but dreading the messy pumpkin bit? Then fear not trick-or-treaters, this year's spooky style is all about paint! If you've checked the likes of Pinterest recently (other online influences are available), you'll have seen a new cool craze for painting pumpkins! Learn how to create pretty pumpkins in sweet and stylish pastel shades with Rust-Oleum Furniture Paint and put some style into your Halloween celebrations.
Hyve Group is pleased to announce Autumn Fair @ Home, Glee Gathering and Fashion Together (comprising Pure, Pure Origin, Moda and Scoop), three completely virtual forums happening this September. These forums will provide exhibitors and attendees with the opportunity to showcase and discover new products, engage with suppliers via "The Virtual Showroom", and hear market leading content from retailers and trend forecasters on what 2021 may hold for the industry and how they can kick-start their own sales now.
At the March Budget, the government announced key decisions on the design of the Plastic Packaging Tax ahead of its commencement in April 2022. This included extending the scope of the tax to plastic packaging which has been filled before being imported into the UK (i.e. bottles which are filled with liquid). Alongside the Budget announcement, the government launched a consultation to provide more information on the tax design and seek views from stakeholders. As a result of COVID-19, the government extended the consultation period by three months, with a new closing date of 20th August, 2020.
The first online edition of the British Craft Trade Fair ran from June 14 – 15 to support the designer-makers who were due to exhibit at BCTF 2020 before it was forced to cancel during lockdown.
Now the Government has changed its view on face masks and it will be a requirement to have a face mask in shops and on public transport. Creative Products Distribution has stock here in the UK, ready for despatch.
Serah Leke-Oyenibi, Founder of British luxury greeting card and stationery company Story of Elegance, shares her favourite card designs from her collection. Here's what she had to say:
Since the launch of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the UK Government has supported the wages of 1,736,800 jobs in the wholesale and retail sector.
Iconic papercraft brand, Mamelok, discusses supplying bunting, flags and partyware to the many to celebrate VE Day during lockdown, as well as exciting new collections and more...
Buttons and more with Stockwell Ceramics: Stockwell Ceramics is a craft company based in the beautiful Tamar Valley in south east Cornwall. A small team of Cornish designers working in a converted barn and have produced many thousands of ceramic buttons over the past 25 years supplying museum shops, galleries, craft shops and makers of all sorts throughout the world including The V&A Museum, National Museum of Scotland and York Art Gallery. The buttons are hugely popular in Europe, Japan, Australia and the USA.
Learn to make a pencil case with Vlieseline: For more than 70 years, Vlieseline has been offering a wide range of interlinings for clothing and creative needlework. Here, the company gives step by step instructions to make your own pencil case, whether you're returning to education or simply to use in the home
Anti Copying in Design (ACID) is pleased to announce that the text from the UK on design rights includes the recognition that designs shown in the UK would receive protection across the EU post Brexit.
UK tariff changes announced from 1 January 2021: From 1st January, 2021, the UK will apply a UK-specific tariff to imported goods. This UK Global Tariff (UKGT) will replace the EU's Common External Tariff, which applies until 31st December, 2020.
We talk to small business owner, Rebecca about her online e-commerce fabric shop Sew-Drops Ltd - from how and when it all began, to her goals for the future
Offset Warehouse is a social business that brings together a huge range of eco fabrics and haberdashery, ideal for all textile creations. Here we find out how it is guiding its way through the pandemic
Craft Focus goes Stateside as we chat to US company Amodex. The family company has remained strong and is still fully operating during these unfamiliar times
Craft Focus speaks to German needlecraft and fabric company Zweigart and hears about how it has stayed strong during the current pandemic.
We find out more about how the husband and wife team started StickerKitten. Here is what they had to say...
Continuing to champion craft businesses during the pandemic, we speak to Dannells and find out all about the company's fantastic lampshade making kits
Here at Craft Focus HQ we want to champion small businesses and the best way to do that is to dedicate our stories to being all about you! Here's what Craft Buddy had to say.
