Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 72)

8 CREATIVEWORLD REGISTRATIONS GET UNDER WAY For the first time, Creativeworld exhibitors have been able to register straight after the fair for next year’s event, with 110 companies already confirmed. The response is seen by the show’s organiser Messe Frankfurt as testament to exhibitors’ satisfaction with Creativeworld 2019, which stood at 82 per cent, according to market research. “We are more than happy with the current level of registrations,” says event director Michael Reichhold. “After an extremely successful show we’re hitting the ground running with the planning for Creativeworld 2020.” New initiatives also include the launch of the Creativeworld blog, where trade visitors and manufacturers can keep up-to-date with news and show developments. Next year’s show takes place from 25 th -28 th January. Visit creativeworld-blog.com for details. Traditional craft skil ls under threat , say experts New research by the Heritage Crafts Association has unearthed dozens of traditional skills on the verge of extinction in the UK. In all, 16 crafts have been added to the group’s Red List, which consists of critically endangered techniques at risk of dying out within a generation. The list includes handmade paper-making, scissor-making and watchmaking. Each of these crafts has been found to have very few practitioners and trainees and a lack of viable training routes. To help, the Heritage Crafts Association has secured funding from The Dulverton Trust to employ an endangered crafts officer to safeguard these traditional skills. “The Red List of Endangered Crafts is vital in drawing our attention to parts of our shared cultural heritage we are at greatest risk of losing,” says Daniel Carpenter, research leader. “What we as a society do with that knowledge is up to us, but at the Heritage Crafts Association we believe the country’s skills and practices can be just as valuable as its historic artefacts and monuments.” For more information, go to redlist. heritagecrafts.org.uk Crafter’s Companion founder Sara Davies is partnering with Riley Blake Designs for a series of fabric and pattern collaborations. The first, Sew Retro by Sara Davies will launch this summer and includes more than 30 different cottons incorporating floral, dotted, geometric and wave designs. The collection will also include black colour fabrics in shades of retro green, beige, navy and pink. Riley Blake Designs is a family-owned manufacturer based in Alpine, Utah. The firm has partnered with local and international artists to produce fabrics with a vintage feel. Its materials reflect a contemporary feel for colour, with versatile lines for quilting, crafting and home décor. “Riley Blake Designs has produced wonderful fabrics with some impressive partners throughout the years, so I am both honoured and thrilled that I am able to be part of such a fantastic collaboration,” says Sara. “The Sew Retro range offers a modern twist on my love of retro florals and geometric patterns. What we have created is a versatile collection of pretty, fun, statement prints and I’m really excited to share our first collection with everyone.” The products will be distributed in the UK by EQS. Visit eqsuk.com for information about the range. Sara Davies to launch new fabric collection