Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 72)

54 people, especially other designers,” says Niccy Iseman, founder of Type & Story, a 2018 winner. “I managed to get a few great leads and am now happily stocked at Somerset House, so it was entirely worth it.” The Stationery Awards will also return, and last year attracted over 400 entries across 12 product categories. The judging panel is chaired by Henri Davis, independent retailer and deputy chairman of the Giftware Association. This year’s finalists will be announced shortly before the show, with the winners revealed on Tuesday 30 th April. There will also be five extra retailer categories and a new designer award. “We decided our judges really needed more time to review the number of entries without being under such huge time pressure, so we’re very lucky that so many buyers are giving us an extra day to come along and take a look at the entries,” adds Hazel. This year’s entrants will also feature in the New Product Showcase, sited at the venue’s entrance. NEW INITIATIVES The Trends Hub will feature key global and consumer design fashions identified by the Scarlet Opus forecasting agency, whose team has selected products from the show that embody its predictions. Exhibitors were given an opportunity to attend a briefing earlier in the year to ensure their designs were considered. “The Trends Hub is intended to help our visitors recognise not only which products will be most relevant to their customers, but those which can be used to attract new clients,” continues Hazel. “Sharing and explaining the impact of global trends and their effect on our sector is vital information for exhibitors and visitors – it means they can make key commercial decisions about product development and purchase with utmost confidence.” The hub will also be the starting point for this year’s Trend Tours. Lasting 30 minutes, each tour looks at between eight and 10 items or ranges that Scarlet Opus has identified as likely to play out in the stationery market over the coming months. The programme of education will feature a series of quick-fire presentations including The State of Stationery by independent retail and ecommerce consultant Rebecca Saunders. Michael Weedon from the Federation of Small Businesses will review What’s Really Happening on the High Street and Phil Pond from Scarlet Opus will look at some of this year’s biggest trends. Visitors will also be able to attend a series of creative stationery workshops, with an opportunity to get hands-on with some of the show’s best products. Subjects covered will include calligraphy, gift-wrapping ideas and a chance to test out the latest inks and pens. THIS YEAR’S LAUNCHPAD JUDGES Sarah Sibley , founder, Got2Jot Michael Owen , co-founder, Lime Stationery & Art Penny Green , director of retail and wholesale Europe, kikki-K Jamie Mitchell , co-founder and director, Ohh Deer Kaushal Shah , founder, Paper Plus Europe