WWW.CRAFTFOCUS.COM OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER FOR CRAFT HOBBY + STITCH INTERNATIONAL AND PROUD SPONSOR OF TRENDING NOW GET INTO YOUR COMFORT ZONE! Patchwork & quilting PLUS! masterpiece Art supplies All BOXED UP Craft kits aplenty Embroidery & tapestry Sewing and stitching Glues & adhesives FABULOUSLY FESTIVE Part two of our Christmas special Make your
3 CONTENTS In this issue... REGULARS 9 Industry news What’s happening within the craft and hobby market 15 Brand spanking new Brand spanking new products 59 Tried & tested Craft Focus editor, Rachel Westall, tries her hand at Groves of Thames’ festive pom pom wreath kit! 80 Bookstand The latest book releases 60 October/ November 2022 15 50 37 FEATURES 29 Stitch by stitch Embroidery and tapestry 37 Make yourself a masterpiece Art materials 43 Stuck on you Glues and adhesives 45 Thrifty threads Sewing and stitching 50 All boxed up Craft kits 60 Robins galore This red breasted bird gets plenty of attention year on year and here’s why! 65 Jingle bells Part two of our Christmas special 75 Patchwork and quilting Making memories
4 FOCUS ON 34 Jakar International Ltd Jakar International Ltd offers is a family business specialising in high quality artist materials and a range of stationery and craft products. Paul Sacki, Managing Director, tells us more… 56 Philip Stamp & Co Ltd Arthur Bloomfield, Director of Philip Stamp & Co Ltd talks us through the company’s vast range of haberdashery products - there’s something for everyone! 72 Curious Universe John Styring, CEO of Curious Universe chats to Craft Focus about the company’s goals, values and epic success 78 Retailer interview Sisters Caroline, Julie and Sally look after cosy, community knitting shop, Christine’s of Bournville and the newer online division of the business, City Knits. Caroline talks us through both sides of the business BUSINESS 82 Festive sales Wondering how to sell more at Christmas in 2022? Catherine Erdly, founder of The Resilient Retail Club shares her inside knowledge 84 Legal rights Dids Macdonald, CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID), explains to SME designs that taking legal action against copyists doesn’t have to cost the earth 86 Capturing youth Tiendeo, a platform that collects digital offers and promotions from retailers, has identified the 10 most popular trends used by brands to persuade and drive Gen Y to buy 90 Sound advice Sara Davies discusses soft skills for business SHOWS 23 Shows, news & events Stay up-to-date with what’s happening in your industry 29 59 65 80 72
Fun at home and on the go! Let’s get creative! Cus mise your case with colour
Discus UK Made Pottery Wheels CRAFTSMAN Electric Potter's Wheel • Designed & made in UK • Lifetime support • Lightweight, portable & easy to store Pottery Products Ltd. E: sales@potterswheels.co.uk • 5 year warranty • Powerful, 16kg of clay • Ideal for beginner and professional use www.potterswheels.co.uk Tel: 01730 300762 3D Wooden Puzzles Creative kids and adults can take their first steps towards model making with the pre-coloured 3D wooden puzzles from Toyway. Collect all 12! sales@toyway.co.uk www.toyway.co.uk By Bachmann
7 EDITOR’S LETTER On the cover When it comes to fine writing or elegant drawing with chalk, the edding 4085, 4090 and 4095 chalk markers are undoubtedly the perfect choice. The markers’ nibs release highly opaque liquid chalk, allowing for reliable writing and marking, even in smaller areas. The edding chalk markers are perfect for drawing on smooth surfaces like blackboards, mirrors and glass. The colours create clean lines on surfaces, yet are easily removable with a damp cloth. With a broad selection of colours and nib sizes, the edding chalk markers offer options as versatile as the purposes it’s used for! For further information visit: www.edding.com A year of reflection It’s been quite the year! Celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and now mourning her loss. Many of our readers, I’ve learned, from our chats in exhibition halls and discussions over Jubilee collections will be very sad at the news, myself included. Many of you stock Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait and images of her beloved corgis on items such as cross stitch kits and tapestries that are sold and stocked in so many of our brick-and-mortar stores and online outlets and it will indeed be a time for adjustment. However, we look forward with optimism to times ahead and in regards to retail, the unveiling of exciting, new commemorative items of our new King. This issue feels very festive. Not only do we have part two of our Christmas feature but we have a four-page special dedicated to our red-breasted, feathered friend, the robin. Each year, this happy little bird graces cards and kits aplenty and 2022 is no exception! We also have an interesting interview with Paul Sacki, Managing Director of Jakar International, and follow this with a section dedicated to artist materials. If that’s not enough we have our usual round-up of all the latest products on the market, industry news and what to expect in the exhibition halls in the UK and overseas – Stiches 2023 is approaching fast and we can’t wait! Happy reading! Rachel Westall Editor EDITOR Rachel Westall +44 (0)1376 514 000 editor@craftfocus.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Scott Brothwell SALES MANAGER Sarah Ellis +44 (0)1376 538 490 sarahe@craftfocus.com ACCOUNT MANAGER Tracy Voice +44 (0)1376 538 555 tracyv@craftfocus.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Stephanie Hodder, Vicky O’Connor +44 (0)1376 535 616 PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Lorna Butcher shared.artwork@kdeventsandpublishing.com WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Stuart Weatherley DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR Katie Laley +44 (0)1376 514 000 KD Events & Publishing Ltd, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP craftfocus.com Craft Focus is solely owned, published and designed by KD Events & Publishing Ltd. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Craft Focus is published six times a year. ISSN 1758-0900 @craftfocus @craftfocusmag @craftfocus Craft Focus is proud to be associated with and supporters of:
www.applicraft.co.uk applicraft Used by both professionals & hobbyists Wholesale, retail & export. Own brand packaging Visit www.applicraft.co.uk for inspiration and ideas Great results from quality water based products Our decorative effects products can transform anything from dolls house furniture to feature walls. Upcycle, Repurpose, Recreate Transferglaze Crackleglaze Decoupage Craquelure Use on: • glass • wood • ceramics • mdf • clay • card • tiles • picture frames • doors & walls Suppliers of: • Textile foils • Appliglue
9 INDUSTRY NEWS Industry news Latest news from the craf industry Gleener announces European expansion with new UK office Gleener Inc., a leader in sustainable housewares, has announced the company’s expansion in the UK/Europe with the opening of a UK office. “It’s an exciting time for us at Gleener, our expansion into Europe marks a milestone moment in the growth of the company and the growth of the sustainable housewares category globally,” says Kim Cole, founder, and CEO of Gleener. “Expanding our physical presence is an investment in our existing and future European customers. We’re now positioned to support the growing number of retailers looking for sustainable solution-based products that work!” Robert Winstanley joins GLEENER UK as its Director of UK/ European Sales with ambitious plans to skyrocket the business across the region. With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Robert brings with him a strong skill-set and excellent reputation. “I’m thrilled to be joining GLEENER and to have been given the opportunity to change the game for the sustainable cleaning and fabriccare categories across Europe. Consumers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional non-sustainable products,” says Winstanley. “We look forward to supporting retailers and consumers alike to achieve their sustainability goals.” New premises! TheMagicTouch in the UK has confirmed its recent acquisition of additional warehouse and offices adjoining the current Dunstable, Bedfordshire base. The company, this year, is celebrating 30 years of trading and continues to develop and market the latest in image transfer technology with its four brands: TheMagicTouch, MagiCut, DyeSubMagic and DTFMagic. Jim Nicol, Managing Director commented, “The additional building and space will enable us to further expand our training and marketing facilities which continue to be popular with both existing and prospective customers. This has been highlighted by the increase in customers attending detailed training for White-Toner Printers, Print & Cut and more recently Direct to Film (DTF) transfer printing prior to having their equipment installed and commissioned. Our other marketing support programmes for CRM and target sampling continue to be well received”. For further details of any demonstrations, training or support contact sales@themagictouch.co.uk , telephone +44 (0)1582 671 444 or visit the website: www.themagictouch.co.uk
10 Craft Festival Cheltenham launches Christmas event After the success of Craft Festival Cheltenham in March, the event returns for a special Christmas edition over the weekend of 26th-27th November. More than 100 of the finest designer makers and artists from across the UK will exhibit at Cheltenham Town Hall for a celebration of making, creativity, and Christmas shopping. “We’re excited to launch our first Christmas event in Cheltenham” said Sarah James, Festival Director. “Visitors to Craft Festival Cheltenham value handmade craft, and we felt a Christmas event would offer a platform for the finest makers to present their work at this special time” she added. Typically, over 2,000 local people visit Craft Festival Cheltenham to experience the best in hand made original jewellery, ceramics, silver, glass, textiles, woodwork, prints, leatherwork, furniture and more. The event also hosts Festive workshops for all ages, craft demonstrations, and free children’s activities. Craft Festival Cheltenham is a curated, selling event, selected by an independent panel of experts. This ensures that only the best British designer maker businesses are chosen to sell directly to the public. Festival Highlights Some 100 designer makers are drawn from across the UK will exhibit and include some of the best local Gloucestershire creative talent. Maris Frantzi, based in Cheltenham, is an accomplished international jeweler who returns to Craft Festival for a second time, having been awarded Best in Show at the March event. Inspired by her Greek heritage, Maria brings her stunning designs and vibrant personality back to Craft Festival. Jeff Josephine Designs also returns to Craft Festival. The Gloucestershire based illustrator, print maker and studio potter uses a bold colour palette, pattern, and typography with a strong horticultural theme. Demonstrators will include The Letterpress Collective from Bristol, where the traditional craft of letter press printing is alive and bursting with creativity. Also, wood carver William Barsley from Devon will be demonstrating his stunning work in the Demo Room. Recent projects include heraldry, gilding, and antique restoration of Westminster Hall part of the Houses of Parliament. Tickets to Craft Festival Cheltenham are on sale now. Workshop places will be announced shortly, and advance booking is essential. For more, visit the website: www.craftfestival.co.uk/Cheltenham The Handi Quilter Best in Competition Award Spanish quilt maker, Inmaculada Gabaldon, has won The Handi Quilter Best in Competition Award at The Festival of Quilts 2022 for her Pictorial Quilt, Impresión. Tramonto en Venecia. The quilt captures the beauty of a Venice sunset over the Riva Del Vin in the style of an Impressionist painting. It was made on a domestic sewing machine using appliqué. The Madrid-based quilter was awarded a £3,500 prize from sponsor, Handi Quilter, at The Festival of Quilts Awards Ceremony today. The Festival of Quilts competition is designed to promote and encourage all aspects of patchwork, quilting and appliqué. It attracts more than 600 entries each year and every entry is displayed for public view. Competition categories cover a wide range of quilting styles for individual quilters, groups, schools and young people, with a £35,000 prize fund attached. Visit: www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk
Perfect Product Partnership for Haberdashery & Craft Retailers Dannells manufacture the NeedCraft® range of craft kits that you can use with your fabrics, textiles and papers to make creative products around the home, and also Stick-IT® the most popular range of self-adhesive lampshade materials. We supply for retailers, wholesalers, distributors, workshops, manufacturers and educational establishments. Kit prices start from only £2.91+vat free delivery. Lampshades - Table Lamps - Floor Lamps Lanterns - Clocks - Bins WWW. DA NN E L L S . COM i nfo@danne l l s . com 01992 70031 1 @needcraf t _
12 Carte Blanche Greetings partners with Bulldog Licensing Carte Blanche Greetings, best known for the awardwinning Me to You brand and its signature character Tatty Teddy and nursery property, Tiny Tatty Teddy, has announced a partnership with Bulldog Licensing, one of the licensing industry’s leading agencies. The timeless appeal of Tatty Teddy now extends well beyond its original incarnation as a greeting card character to make it a staple part of the UK brand landscape, propelling Me to You as a true heritage brand with timeless appeal. Since 2001, Carte Blanche has partnered with best-in-class licensees to bring to market best-selling Me to You products across many categories including apparel, print on demand, food, gifting and nursery – within these key categories, the characters regularly feature amongst retail number one performers. Alister Marchant, CEO of Carte Blanche Greetings comments: “Carte Blanche have a guiding mantra of considering category, customer and consumer in everything we do. We work hand-in-hand with our retail partners to execute elite class products in targeted categories to deliver excellence to the Me to You consumer. Rob Corney and the team at Bulldog share this approach and we’re thrilled to be partnering with them on this exciting new opportunity. Collaborating with Bulldog comes at the right time for Carte Blanche and our ambitions for Me to You and we’re looking forward to working with Bulldog to identify and deliver exciting ways to take our brand to new heights.” Rob Corney, MD of Bulldog Licensing, commented: “The positive response to Me to You and its delightful imagery made it an ideal candidate for extension into multiple categories very soon after its launch. Now it’s time to take Me to You to the next level. We’re extremely excited to be part of this new stage for this wonderful brand.” ACID celebrates British IP Day with launch of new ACID IP Charter and new website ACID, the UK’s membership and campaigning organisation for design and IP, marks this year’s British IP Day celebrations with the launch of its new ACID IP Charter. You can browse ACID’s new website at www.acid.uk.com First mooted by ACID and established in 2016 by the Alliance for Intellectual Property, British IP Day is an annual celebration of the role that intellectual property plays in the cultural standing and economic success of the United Kingdom, underpinning innovation and creative excellence. ACID (Anti Copying in Design) is a long-standing member of the Alliance, sharing the common goal of protecting the rights of UK creatives from devastating design theft. The ACID IP Charter is a Code of Conduct and statement of intent, setting out the promise of its Charter Signatories to uphold ethics, respect and compliance as a minimum to designers of original works. Enabling both individuals and businesses to take a public stance against copying in design, ACID Charter Signatories help to amplify the voice of designers across the UK and affirm their support for the continual campaign for the preservation and promotion of invaluable IP protection rights. To sign the IP Charter, Charter Signatories are asked for a nominal one-off fee, which contributes to ACID’s fighting fund against design theft, and lobbying efforts for design law reform. To sign the ACID IP Charter & find out more, visit: www.acid.uk.com/become-a- charter-signatory/ Dids Macdonald, OBE., ACID’s CEO said, “The ACID IP Charter marks an exciting new chapter aimed at broadening our community and can be signed digitally on ACID’s new website, launched on British IP Day alongside the new IP Charter initiative. Featuring enhanced IP tools, we have listened to ACID member feedback and have created a seamless and secure IP Design Databank to allow designers to create a third-party independent audit trail of their intellectual property, ACID’s new website is curated to provide a complete bank of knowledge on IP rights.”
do you want uk made quality yarns with high profit margins? (accepting new tradeR accounts) www.worldofwool .co.uk NEW REDUCED PACK SIZES With the cost of living crisis and the price of everything going up, we thought it would help if we could bring some of our prices down. We have now managed to do just that by reducing our pack sizes. Lots of our haberdashery is now available in packs of 5 making them a little more a ordable. We are still o ering in larger quantities too, to give you more choice. There will be many more pack reductions in the coming weeks, so watch this space! 0208 884 0999 www.mcourts.co.uk F 6 B R I A R S F O R D P E R R Y R O A D W I T H A M E S S E X C M 8 3 U Y
15 BRAND SPANKING NEW Brand spanking new Check out some new and exciting products in the current market PANEL SYSTEMS Calling all architects, product designers and model makers: Craftfoam is the material for you! Firm and malleable, lightweight and strong, Craftfoam is an Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) material, making it incredibly versatile. Compatible with most non-solvent based adhesives, Craftfoam can be shaped into just about anything, and with the company’s wide range of sizes, thicknesses and colours including the all-new mint green, you can be sure that you can find exactly what you need. Craftfoam can even be delivered right to your doorstep from the warehouse in Sheffield! sales@panelsystems.co.uk www.panelsystems.co.uk/products/modelling-foam HERITAGE CRAFTS On a Bicycle Made for Three (GYBT1638) is a new design from the Peter Underhill range. The design measures 21.5cm x 14cm and has an RRP: £26.60. These two designs are available on 14ct aida fabric and are whole stitch only. sales@hcrafts.com www.hcrafts.com CRAFTER’S COMPANION Keep your crafting supplies organised at home and on the go with Totally Tiffany 12in x 12in Storage and Supply Cases! Their super-size will hold so many of your favourite crafting tools and materials, from dies and stamps to inks, markers, scissors and more! And a neat carry-handle makes them perfectly portable, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Each crystal-clear case makes it so easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. Different drawer combinations mean you can keep everything neat and easy to find whether you’re storing rolls of ribbon and small embellishments, or larger die sets and tools. The 12in x 12in two-drawer storage and supply case includes two drawers, each measuring 6.1in x 13in x 2in, perfect for larger items, rulers, colouring mediums, tools and more! Totally Tiffany Storage and Supply cases can be stacked together, so why not take a look at the different drawer designs to create a personalised storage system, with every element organised, secure and ready to grab when you need it! +44 (0)1388 660 930 https://ccglobal-group.com/trade-partnerships ANCIENT WISDOM Ancient Wisdom massage soap bars help to lift pore clogging oils and toxins from the skin as well as stimulating circulation. Over time it’s known for the bars to also help reduce and fight cellulite as well as making the skin tighter/firmer. Keep this cool and dry, until you are ready to indulge in a home spa treatment, or your skin is in need of a boost of hydration. +44 (0)1142 729 165 care@ancientwisdom.biz www.ancientwisdom.biz
16 CYGNET YARNS Sprinkles Pop is a fun printed chunky yarn with two ends cleverly twisted together to create a tweedy self-striping effect. With soft colour changes throughout the stripes gives fancy colour results in your creations. Available in eight bright shades, this yarn lends itself well to bulky, quick knit projects with a pop of colour! The RRP is £3.29. Colour Rush DK is a beautiful contrasting premium acrylic yarn that’s ideal for accessories, homewares and eye-catching clothing. Creating a stunning defined stripe effect when knitted up, this yarn is versatile and fully machine washable. Colour Rush is a perfect self-striping yarn that comes in an array of bright and neutral colourways. The RRP is £3.79. sales@cygnetyarns.com www.cygnetyarns.com THE CRAFT COTTON COMPANY This 10-piece collection by Debbie Shore entitled A Country Walk is inspired by the beautiful walks around Debbie’s home in Lincolnshire. It transports you to the countryside with woodland creatures, wooden fences, and delicate flowers all handpainted by Debbie Shore. +44 (0)1618 322 213 www.visagetextiles.com GLEENER INC The Gleener battery-free fabric shaver and lint brush - from sweaters and suits to sofas and bedding, Gleener helps you get the longest life from your clothing, upholstery, and linens. The three different Fabric Safe Edges™ eliminate pilling, lint and pet hair from virtually all fabrics. Each edge is designed to gently revive a different type of fabric, from big and bulky, to medium, and delicate. The integrated lint brush picks up pet hair, dusts away dandruff and can be used to beautifully finish any de-pilling job. Extend the life of all your faves without the need for expensive and toxic batteries. info@gleener.com www.gleener.com
FABRIC SHAVER & LINT BRUSH Battery-Free gleener.com
18 JPT EUROPE LTD TTEPRA Lite (LR30GS) is a palm-sized label printer which you can easily create labels straight from your smartphone. It won IHA Global Innovation Award (gia) 2022 for Product Design and the company has been receiving very good praise for this since its launch. Free Input: You can design your very own labels by selecting from various letter style, emojis, portraits and more. Save your designs so you can print them again and again. Templates: There’s a wide range of predesigned label templates are available on the app for convenient and quick usability. Simply select the design you like, and press print. Palm-sized and battery powered: Its petite size and shape makes the device compact and easy to store. It’s even battery powered, so you can create labels on-the-go from anywhere. Compatible with all languages and alphabets: You can print in any language directly from the app when you use your preferred keyboard setting for typing words, phrases, and characters. Equipped with a special portrait function: Have some fun and combine different facial parts to create an idividual caricature image! Print it out to use as art or a keepsake. You can print photos directly from your smartphone onto different types of label paper. Simply snap a photo using the app’s camera feature, and press print. There’s a wide variety of different tape options to use, simply select from an assortment of different colours and patterns to create vibrant, creative designs1 +44 (0)20 7839 4839 info@jpbooks.co.uk www.jpteurope.co.uk www.kingjim.co.jp/sp/english/lr30gs/ PINEAPPLE FIBRE ART This kit has the yarns, beads, ribbons and patterns to make three baubles in sparkly gold, cream, and either bright or rich shades of green and red. Made in two halves and then crocheted together around a 3cm wooden bead these are cute little pops for your Christmas tree that’ll last for years and years! emma@pineapplefibreart.com +44 (0)7815 790 283 www.pineapplefibreart.com CURIOUS UNIVERSE Prepare to become a knitting master with the fun and adorable My Craft Kit: My First Knitting Case. Learn to create a range of cute and creative crafts, including rainbow bunting, a handbag and much more. It includes a make-and-do book that’s bursting with more ideas and activities to inspire a range of funky crafts! +44 (0)1225 614 310 info@curiousuniverse.co.uk https://curiousuniverse.co.uk
Early crafty Christmas gifts now in at Peak Dale Products Phone: 01298 78447 Email: Sales@peakdaleproducts.co.uk Coming soon HO L LY B E R K L E Y J EW E L L E RY W i r e Wo r k i n g K i t s & To o l s “I was very pleased with the quality of the set. My daughter has made a beautiful ring.” Karen S. Wellingborough Discover my range of fabulous wire working kits; you’ll find a kit to suit you whether you’re a novice or an experienced crafter. Each kit comes complete with an accompanying Youtube video & an illustrated PDF, so you can get on with the fun of making! Everything you need to begin your wire working journey. WWW. H O L LY B E R K L E Y J E W E L L E RY. C O . U K hollyberkleyjewellery@outlook.com 07789 971 396 — AS S E EN I N VOGUE — Work your way through the skills and techniques required to make high-quality leather belts. The 12 projects in these pages include a Yeoman's Belt, Ranger Belt, Sam Browne Belt, Bushcra Belt, and much more. Armitage guides you step by step through the tools and techniques you’ll need to create leather belts that will last for generations and be the envy of everyone who sees them. A GUIDE TO MAKING LEATHER BELTS WITH COMPLETE PROJECTS ISBN 9780764364273 Contact: sales@gazellebookservices.co.uk To see our full range please go to WWW.SCHIFFERCRAFT.COM £24.99 Cinnamon and Orange BATH BOMB 180G www.ancientwisdom.biz care@ancientwisdom.biz +44 (0)1142 729 165
20 SHEEPERS LTD Sheepers introduces to you, its newest crafting adventure especially designed for little ones. The Slipkit Kids is a crafty project which is guaranteed to keep your child occupied for hours! Children will be able to choose which sticker vinyls to place on their Sheepers slippers, enabling them to design and then colour in their chosen design which come inside the Slipkit pack. As well as colouring in and designing their own individual pair of slippers, children will be able to colour in the tissue paper and leaflet included inside! The best part is that the Slipkit box itself is jam packed with activities from word searches and mazes to dot to dots, as we endeavour to ensure as little waste as possible. They’re available from toddler size seven up to a UK child size three. www.sheepers.co.uk LETISTITCH Baby Carousel comes in baby blue and baby pink. The items measure 16.5cm x 15.5cm. They contain 24, respectively 23 Anchor colours, Aida 16ct canvas Antique White, including stitching instructions, needle and pattern. The chart comes in black symbols and an alphabet chart for customisation. +44 (0)7780 122 430 +44 (0)7469 364 150 letistitch@gmail.com www.letistitch.com SOLOCRAFTS The latest releases from Riolis includes this dramatic lighthouse scene. The swirling skies are filled with colour, while the crashing waves can almost be heard. This would be a pleasure to stitch and look at for many years to come. The kit contains 14 count Zweigart aida fabric, Anchor stranded cottons, needle, enlarged colour chart and clear instructions. The finished piece measures 30cm x 40cm and retails for £65.99. There are also new bead embroidery designs just in from VDV, producing these brilliant artworks from Ukraine during these troubled times. We love the simplicity of this horse portrait titled Lightning, the movement of the mane and fading out of the edges makes this 3D effect. The kit comes with satin fabric with printed symbols, little bags of sorted seed beads, beading needles and thread. Simply follow a row and thread each bead on a half cross stitch to build up the design. Needle guide marks are also printed to help keep stitches even. A paper chart is provided as back up to ensure even your first try produces a beautiful result. The finished piece measures 24cm x 35cm and the kit retails for £33.99. +44 (0)161 464 7313 sales@solocrafts.com www.solocrafts.com HOLLY BERKLEY JEWELLERY As a fellow crafter you know the contentment and immense satisfaction you find in creating something with your own hands. That’s why Holly has created this range of wire work crafting kits! You’ll find kits suitable for absolute beginners to experienced crafters, aged eight to 80. Each kit comes complete with a fully illustrated PDF and instructional video on YouTube. With making times from 30 to 90 minutes you’ll find these kits the ideal gift to either make solo or together with a loved one. So, head on over to hollyberkleyjewellery.co.uk to begin your wirework adventure now. +44 (0)7789 971 396 hollyberkleyjewellery@outlook.com https://hollyberkleyjewellery.co.uk
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23 SHOWS & EVENTS This season’s most unmissable events Toy Fair 2023 sells out! The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) is delighted to announce that Toy Fair 2023 has sold out four months ahead of the show opening, with all exhibition spaces including the Greenhouse, now with waiting lists. The prestigious annual show, which is back for its 69th year, is taking place from the 24th-26th January, 2023 at Olympia London. With 250 exhibiting companies in attendance, occupying the Grand and National halls on both levels, the toy industry is gearing up for one of the busiest shows to date! After another successful show earlier this year, the BTHA is delighted with the number of re-bookings for 2023 as well as a significant number of new applications. The show will be welcoming exhibitors from large renowned brands, through to mid-size and smaller innovative start-ups, many of which can be found in the popular Greenhouse in the Grand Hall. Names joining the ranks for Toy Fair 2023 include Hasbro, Moose Toys, LEGO, Basic Fun!, Dolu, Funko, Kidicraft, Rubies Masquerade, Rainbow Designs Ltd, Mood Bears, Juratoys UK Ltd, PLAYMOBIL, Magformers, movies inc, John Adams Leisure Limited, among many others. The full floorplan and exhibitor list can be found on the Toy Fair website. Any companies interested in joining the waiting list are encouraged to get in touch via email with: Rebecca@btha.co.uk Director of Fairs & Special Events, Majen Immink said; “The momentum and excitement we’ve seen for Toy Fair 2023 is just fantastic. The fact that the show has sold out already and 89 per cent of exhibition space has been booked by returnees after a successful 2022 showcase, following the hiatus in 2021, speaks volumes as to the strength of the toy industry and the importance of the fair to participants. We recognise the continued challenges the industry is facing and are thankful to all our exhibitors for the continued support. We look forward to working with exhibitors and supporting them in the run up to the event and making Toy Fair 2023 a show to remember!” Follow Toy Fair on Instagram and Twitter @toyfairuk for more updates. Shows, news & events Diary dates Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair 15th-18th January, 2023 Harrogate Convention Centre www.harrogatefair.com Toy Fair 24th-26th January, 2023 Olympia, London www.toyfair.co.uk Christmasworld 3rd-7th February, 2023 Messe Frankfurt, Germany www.christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com Creativeworld 4th-7th February, 2023 Messe Frankfurt, Germany www.creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com Spring Fair 5th-8th February, 2023 NEC, Birmingham www.springfair.com/welcome CHSI Stitches 19th-20th February, 2023 NEC, Birmingham www.chsi.co.uk h+h Cologne 31st March – 2nd April, 2023 Koelnmesse, Cologne www.hh-cologne.com New dates for h+h After concluding a very successful premiere of h+h americas last month with 2,000 attendees and 198 exhibitors, Koelnmesse Inc. has announced the show dates for their follow-up event next year are set for 21st-23rd June, 2023 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont. “After carefully listening to our audience, we’ve decided to extend our event to three full show days and to include hobby, arts and crafts supplies to the existing handicraft category. We strongly believe that retailers, crafters and makers will profit from this unified platform that inspires DIY activities and provides a starting point for the new ordering season,” said Mette Petersen, President, and Managing Director of Koelnmesse Inc. “Rosemont was actually one of the first exhibiting centers in the US that offered Crafting shows in the ’80s, so in a way, we are going full circle by bringing that segment back next year. The new categories will range from materials for painting, gluing, modeling, kneading, and decorating to high-quality papers and paints, easels, brushes, and graphics accessories. Our guiding principle is to provide a valuable and meaningful event for buyers and sellers on the show floor and in our conference rooms. We also aim to integrate the entire creative DIY community under one roof,” added Darrin Stern, Show Manager of h+h americas. h+h americas will again create various steering committees for planning the next event and is looking for creative minds from the industry to represent their views. For those interested, please contact Darrin Stern d.stern@koelnmessenafta.com
24 The Future of Retail at Autumn Fair Four days, four destinations, 12 product sectors, thousands of retailers, hundreds of exhibitors showcasing millions of new and innovative products including homeware, décor, gifts, greetings and stationery, Christmas, beauty and wellbeing, womenswear, fashion accessories, jewellery and footwear, Autumn Fair 2022 ended on a high with a focus on collaboration, community, and conscious retailing. The inspirational show, which took place from 4th to 7th September at NEC Birmingham, offered the UK and Europe’s retailers a space to meet, re-connect, network and source, as well as learn about sustainability, responsible sourcing, circularity, and advice for creating a buoyant future for retailing, all under one roof. New features on the show floor included the New Product Showcase which successfully launched at Autumn Fair 2022, giving exhibitors the perfect platform to launch their brand-new developments. From odd socks advent calendars to dog biscuit baking kits, the New Product Showcase was the place to discover a curated edit of the most individual and innovative products. This year, a whole stand was dedicated to the Power of One® campaign with curated product inspiration and a visual and interactive space for visitors to make their own Power of One pledges, a Self-Reflection mirrored wall, and live art. The Sustainability Product Showcase put the spotlight on an edit of eco-conscious exhibitors, and Autumn Fair’s headline sponsors, Products of Change collaborated on the Power of One stand offering their advice and one-on-one sessions on how to make businesses more sustainable. As one of the industry’s most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent, and inspiration in our industry each year, Autumn Fair partnered with the Giftware Association to create a beautiful new showcase of all the Gift of the Year 2022 category winners enabling visitors to see them all collectively in one handy space. Being crowned a category winner provides industry-wide recognition and previous entrants have seen a huge boost to their sales and revenue – the winners on show will become the next year’s bestsellers. Buyers from retailers including John Lewis, Fenwick, Fishpools, M&S, TJX – TKMaxx, The Dressing Room, Pamela Shiffer, Between the Lines, Wayfair, Dunelm, Next, Paperchase, Hallmark, Rymans, Blue Diamond, Dobbies, Chester Zoo, The Science Museum, Kew Gardens, The Works, The Hut Group, Homebase, and thousands more flocked to the show. Many commented on the importance of seeing products and meeting people in person, the scope created from cross-buying opportunities, and the benefits and value generated by the inspirational talks and presentations on the Inspiring Retail Stage and MODA Catwalk. Nicola Meadows, Portfolio Director at Autumn Fair commented on the final day of the show looking ahead to Spring Fair in February 2023: “There’s been so much to celebrate at Autumn Fair, and as the doors close today, I feel immensely humbled by the response from our community and the passion, drive, and enthusiasm to work together to refuel retail and work towards a better, more responsible and kinder way of doing business. I’m very excited to look ahead to Spring Fair and delivering another memorable show for the home, gift, fashion, and sourcing markets.” Spring Fair takes place from 5th–8th February 2023, at the NEC Birmingham. Please visit the website www.springfair.com for more information. Giving & Living returns As we head into the ‘Golden Quarter’ and retailers start gearing up for their Christmas merchandise displays, plans for the next edition of Giving & Living are well under way and a host of suppliers are lining up to join the premier Coastal sourcing event in the UK buying calendar. Running from 15th17th January, 2023 at Westpoint, Exeter, Giving & Living is a very important trade event for home and giftware in the southwest of Britain, covering more coastal regions – and with more dedication – than any other exhibition. The variety of products which directly target the booming British holiday trade is unrivalled, bringing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to Giving & Living and reflecting its enviable location in one of the UK’s most beautiful regions. It isn’t only about the coast, of course, with general gift and homeware also constituting mainstays of the show, which includes a strong contingent of artisan companies that are producing their work here in the UK. Official show features for 2023 include the Coastal Path, Newcomers, Naturally, and Designed and Made in Britain. The enormous variety of products on display will include ceramics and tableware, greetings cards, stationery and wall art, wellbeing and beauty, beachwear, fashion accessories and books, soft furnishings and home textiles, trinkets, jewellery, and souvenirs. Retailers will also be able to find companies able to provide them with bespoke and own-brand merchandise, as well as multitude of wonderful niche products which reflect Britain’s heritage. The early January buying date offers an important opportunity for retail buyers to get ahead of the crowd having taken stock after Christmas. With many products exclusive to Giving & Living in 2023, there is always the chance to find something that little bit different to draw in both the tourist trade and tempt local shoppers as we head into the allimportant spring season, the 2023 holiday season and beyond. For more information about the show visit the website: https://givingliving.co.uk
26 Creative Impulse Awards The Oscar of the creative sector will be starting a new round at Creativeworld 2023. Do you have a great innovation in your range? Then apply by 12th December, 2022. “At last, the creative exchange at Creativeworld is getting underway again. In order not to miss any innovation from the last two years, we are once again offering the Creative Impulse Award for the 2023 event”, says Eva Olbrich, Director Creativeworld and Christmasworld at Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. “To this end, we have a new partner at our side. Together with the publishing house Chmielorz and its trade magazine Cutes & Friends, we want to develop the award further and are planning, among other things, a new category. I’m already very excited about the creative new products from the manufacturers.” As there was no Creative Impulse Award in the last two years due to the pandemic, product innovations from the years 2021 and 2022 can be submitted for the 2023 call for entries. New products from the near future must be ready for the market by Creativeworld 2023. In addition, they should be distinguished either by a particularly innovative product performance, by a special complexity, diversity or range of applications, by ergonomics, design or special environmental compatibility. Just in time for the re-launch of the Creative Impulse Awards, there will be a new category. In addition to the familiar prizes: Creative Product, Creative Tool, Creative Complete Set, Creative Book, Artistic Product of the Year and the special prize for the most sustainable product, the Marketing Campaign of the Year will be awarded for the first time. Here, manufacturers can present well-documented examples of how they have promoted their products and how they have been able to actively support the specialist trade in selling their top products. In January, a top-class jury of experts from trade, industry and the media will review all submissions and select the winners. At Creativeworld, from 4th to 7th February 2023, the top three winners in each category will be presented in a special area in Hall 1. All manufacturers from the creative sector who exhibit at the leading international trade fair Creativeworld can apply at: https://creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com by 12th December, 2022. Conscious crafting at Sitiches 2023 Conscious Crafting is the theme for CHSI Stitches 2023, when the event takes place 19th-20th February at the NEC, Birmingham. The event brings together the creative craft industry for two days of education, networking, procurement and business opportunities. The Craft Report is an integral part of the show, providing industry with a trends update and in recent years a more focused special report into the year’s theme. Next year’s report aims to explore the ‘Conscious Crafter’ a multi-faceted audience and highlight opportunities for the trade to better engage with them, as well as providing valued updates on key trend data such as spending, hierarchy of crafts and audience growth and profile. The Conscious Crafting theme will explore four key factors that crafters take into consideration and the extent to which this affects all elements of their decision making: Wellbeing/Health Consciousness: using the restorative power of craft to consciously improve wellbeing. Environmental/Ethical Consciousness: ensuring that their personal sustainability values are translated into their crafting life. Value Consciousness: explore what buying better means when it comes to craft supplies, and the factors that encourage consumers to invest in brands and products. Social Consciousness: the extent to which sharing the craft experience, at any stage of the process or journey, is a key consideration for crafters. Attendees can expect the biggest line-up of craft products on the market from leading suppliers, renowned retail experts will be sharing essential insights in the keynote speaker theatre and a range of demonstrations will be available to showcase the latest innovation. For more information visit www.chsi.co.uk
Benefits for customers Regular creative workshops organised. Competitions with fantastic prizes and product bundles to win. Great opportunity to share their designs with a massive creative community. Benefits for resellers Shoppers are actively looking for inspiration for festive decorations. A 25% increase in edding chalk marker sales since the launch of the campaign 6 years ago. Substantial social media reach with 2 million impressions generated last year. 21st November 2022 - 31st December 2022 20+ countries around the world will get involved as we encourage everyone to decorate their windows using edding chalk markers. How it works? Participation is fun and simple for all involved. We share inspiring videos, helpful tutorials and free downloadable templates. A great chance for you and your customers to connect through having fun and experimenting with edding chalk markers. Take part! Contact Us Phone: 01727 846688 Email: info@edding.co.uk www.windowdrawingweeks.com For any additional information feel free to contact us on Dedicated website with reseller locator, product information, and guidelines In store POS materials and key visuals Social media support Starter Kits
Wellbeing Australia’s leading natural health magazine that focuses on organic living, alternative therapies, environmental issues and natural living. Textile Fibre Forum The Australian magazine for fibre arts that showcases talent and individuality through its in-depth look at artists and exhibitions. PATCHWORK & QUILTING TEXTILES & TEXTILE ART WELLBEING & MINDEFGULNESS Quilters Companion Showcasing quilts from world-renowned quilters, pictured in beautiful settings, with step-by-step guides to creating your own quilted masterpiece. Yarn An inspiring collection of ideas from emerging Australian designers to knit, crochet, felt, spin and weave. KNITTING Embellish This mixed media publication fuses fashion, fantasy and art to create gifts and homeware. EMBELLISHMENT Felt Each issue features comprehensive, unique wet and dry felting projects to suit a wide range of skill levels. FELTING VINTAGE Vintage Made Covering vintage fashion, design and patterns. INDULGE YOUR PASSION WITH OUR EXCLUSIVE RANGE OF CRAFT MAGAZINES... You will love our extensive range of craft magazines, order your magazine subscriptions now! Manor House Magazines is the sole UK and European importer and distributor of these fantastic Australian magazines MANOR HOUSE MAGAZINES 92 Plains Avenue, Maidstone, Kent ME15 7AU | 01672 514 288 | info@manorhousemagazines.co.uk | www.manorhousemagazines.co.uk CRAFT RETAILER? Increase Footfall & Sales Ask About Our Trade Discounts PATCHWORK, QUILTING & STITCH CRAFT HAND EMBROIDERY Classic Inspirations The world’s most beautiful embroidery magazine. Each issue contains unique projects for beginners to advanced stitchers, detailed instructions and full-size, tear out pattern sheets. Homespun Award-winning magazine combining classic crafting with a more modern approach to textile crafts. Projects include sewing, quilting, embroidery, patchwork, knitting, crochet and appliqué
Embroidery essentials Tapestry and embroidery products to add to your store offering! CRAFTER’S COMPANION The Violet Studio Nutcracker collection takes you away to a fantastical world of snow-frosted forests, whimsical characters and cosy charm. The rage includes a full cast of characters, from Clara and the Mouse King to the Nutcracker himself, are brought to life in folk-inspired illustrations. And a palette of velvety red, sugarplum pink and forest green combine with textural trimmings and antique gold accents create a festive and opulent look. Pictured are the Mini Embroidery Hoops decorations, with an RRP: £9.99. +44 (0)1388 660 930 https://ccglobal-group.com/trade-partnerships 29 EMBROIDERY AND TAPESTRY
LETISTITCH Letistitch has launched its first accessory: chart holder and needle minder (article no. 14330). Measuring 25mm, the needle minder and thread holder has become a very popular accessory among embroiderers. +44 (0)7780 122 430 +44 (0)7469 364 150 letistitch@gmail.com www.letistitch.com CORINNE LAPIERRE Inspired by the stunning autumn landscapes and wildlife of Yorkshire, Corinne’s gorgeous kit includes everything needed to make four charming and deliciously fragrant embroidered linen lavender bags with a woodland theme: Red Squirrel, Hedgehog, Owl and Toadstools. These pretty bags can be used in drawers and wardrobes or anywhere one wishes the soothing and evocative scent to linger. These delicate bags can be monogrammed very effectively and therefore also make very personal and thoughtful presents. All the instructions and templates for the delicate embroidery and appliqué detail are provided as is the fine linen, soft felt and fragrant dried lavender. +44 (0)1132 460 403 trade@corinnelapierre.com www.corinnelapierre.com BOTHY THREADS Bothy Threads has finally entered the world of embroidery with these three stunning designs drawn by artist Linda Hoskin and transformed into stitched artwork by Bothy Threads extraordinaire Kate Golby. Blackbird, Partridge, and Pheasant are striking preprinted designs, adorned with simple stitches (mainly satin, chain and stem stitch) along with a plethora of beads sequins and buttons to highlight the images. Watch this space for more embroidery design from Bothy Threads, as founder Kate states, “I have so enjoyed working on these first embroidery designs and I’m already working on the next collection!” info@bothythreads.com www.bothythreads.com THE CRAFTY KIT COMPANY Relax and create this majestic Winter Stag Cross Stitch Kit from The Crafty Kit Company. The kit contains everything you need to make a beautiful cross stitched Winter Stag. Ideal for beginners, or for those who have tried and enjoyed cross stitch before. The RRP is £18.95. +44 (0)1620 860 907 trade@craftykitcompany.co.uk https://trade.craftykitcompany.co.uk 30
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