8Mb - Craft Focus magazine

Transcription

CRAFTFOCUS
Issue 48 April/May 2015
www.craftfocus.com
www.craftfocus.com
Hear from
the experts
SEO for beginners, why
you should take card
payments and clever
merchandising
MAGAZINE
Here comes
summer
Round up of the season’s
hottest products
Needlecrafts
Encourage customers
to pick up a needle
whatever the craft
TREND
WATCH
We reveal the next
big thing for crafters
SHOW REVIEWS
We report back from three
major trade shows
April/May Issue 48
Managing Editor
Jo Fletcher-Cross
+44 (0)1376 535 611
Deputy Managing Editor
Rosie Orgles
Editor
Julie Bonnar
+44 (0)1376 514 000
editor@craftfocus.com
contents
50
Chief Sub Editor
Tim Nelson
Sales & Marketing Manager
Michael Richards
+44 (0)1376 535 606
michaelr@craftfocus.com
Account Manager
Tracy Voice
+44 (0)1376 535 618
tracyv@craftfocus.com
80
Production Manager
Scott Brothwell
Deputy Production Manager
Sarah Young
Senior Graphic Designer
Vicky O’Connor
Graphic Designers
Alex Bolton, Stephanie Hodder
+44 (0)1376 535 616
artwork@kdmediapublishing.com
Production Assistant
Charlotte Potter
Web Development Manager
Stuart Weatherley
Subscriptions
Kay Tilbury, Cheri Love
+44 (0)1376 514 000
KD Media Publishing Limited
Pantile House, Newlands Drive
Witham, Essex, CM8 2AP, UK
www.craftfocus.com
Front cover image:
Thanks to PlastiKote, Fast Dry Enamel
Paints (see page 82)
ISSN 1758-0900
Craft Focus is solely owned, published and
designed by KD Media Publishing Limited.
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
RIGIWWEVMP]VI¾IGXXLSWISJXLITYFPMWLIV'VEJX
Focus is published six times a year. Subscription
rates for overseas readers are £75 per annum
(incl. p+p), Cheques should be made out to
KD Media Publishing Limited and sent to Craft
Focus, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham,
Essex, CM8 2AP, United Kingdom.
regulars
ffeatures
industry news
7
What’s happening within the craft sector
all eyes on the needle
Encourage your customers to pick up a needle
whatever the craft, with the latest products
57
saving space
Sassy storage solutions, whatever the craft
67
editor’s letter
5
An overview of what to expect in this issue
brand spanking new
A look at the latest product launches
awaken the crafter
45
Introduce new crafters to niche and traditional crafting
15
bookstand
64
The newest craft-related book releases
project
84
How to create a summery tie-dye tablecloth
with Tulip and ilovetocreate
competition
92
Win a selection of the latest knitting books
from Search Press to celebrate the birth of the
Royal baby
made of memories
68
Pictures say a thousand words – here’s the latest
stamps and scrapbook products
here comes summer
75
Attract new customers now the lighter evenings allow
more crafting time
man appeal
Products for making Father’s Day special
87
shows
show news
Keep up-to-date with what’s happening in
your industry
Craft Focus magazine is proud to be
associated with and supporters of:
22
a milestone celebration
27
We report back on the 40th Craft, Hobby + Stitch
International show
fun in Frankfurt
We’ve all the latest gossip from Creativeworld
62
35
crafter’s californian dream
41
Julie Bonnar reports on the CHA Mega Show as it
½RMWLIWERSXLIVWYGGIWWJYPIZIRX
craftfocus 3
e - crafts.co.uk
Suppliers of Card Making, Scrapbooking, Craft and Bridal Supplies
98
focus on
glue dots is the way to glue
52
We talk to Glue Dots as the company celebrates its 20th anniversary
a brand of creativity
72
We chat with Rico Design about the company’s brand offerings
trend watch
Julie Bonnar looks at what’s the next big thing for crafters
93
tried & tested
We put DMC’s Hoop It embroidery kit through its paces
95
up & coming
Why Redhounds for Dogs has a passion for pooches
98
70
business advice
taking card payments
54
ActSmart explains why retailers can’t afford to ignore card payments
cover your back
70
4VSXIGXMXSVJSVKIXMXWE]W(MHW1EGHSREPH'LMIJ)\IGYXMZI3J½GIV
of Anti Copying in Design
clever merchandising
Sara Davies explains how to make money in retail
91
word on the web
97
Where to start with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO for beginners)
4 craftfocus
Suppliers of
Craft and Bridal Supplies
Card Making
Scrapbooking
Card Embellishments
Floral Products
sales@e-crafts.co.uk | 01384 230000
a wealth of craft
75$'(:,5(6&28.
As I look out the window today, the sun is shining
and the temperature is certainly rising, so I think
we can safely say that spring is on its way.
For most of us in the craft industry, it’s been a
hectic couple of months either as an exhibitor or
visitor at the major trade shows. In this issue, we
report back on three that took place recently –
Craft & Hobby Association Mega Show (CHA) in
Anaheim, California; Creativeworld in Frankfurt
and Craft, Hobby + Stitch International (CHSI) in
Birmingham. These shows are always full of exciting
new products, great business advice and hands-on workshops, and we
were lucky enough to attend them all this year.
It’s estimated by the government (Department for Culture, Media
& Sport) that the craft industry will contribute £3.4 billion to the
UK economy. There’s certainly positive feedback from manufacturers,
distributors and wholesalers of expectations for the balance of the year.
This issue is full of the newest products and we’ve put them together in
some great features including how to get adults interested in new hobby
GVEJXWE½ZITEKINEQTEGOIHJIEXYVISJGVIEXMZIMHIEWJSVWYQQIVTPYW
projects for Father’s Day, a host of the latest needlecraft products and our
regular array of business advice from industry experts.
Enjoy what’s inside!
Julie
Julie Bonnar
Editor
92
NEXT ISSUE
June/July 2015 (issue 49)
Editorial deadline: 7th May, 2015
Advertising deadline: 14th May, 2015
Published: 29th May, 2015
8QLW=RQH$
&KHOPVIRUG5RDG,QGXVWULDO(VWDWH
*UHDW'XQPRZ(VVH[&0+'
Visit us on:
Twitter: @craftfocus
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/craftfocus
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CraftFocus
craftfocus 5
NEW!
With over 30 DESIGNS to choose from! Check out www.creative-distribution.co.uk
Telephone: 020 8953 2143
sales@creative-distribution.co.uk
Unit 4, Lockwood Industrial Park,
Mill Mead Road, London N17 9QP
news round up
industry news
We round up news from the crafting industry
SCOTTISH MILLINER’S
HAIR FLOWERS ARE
CRIMINALLY GOOD
Scottish milliner, Lisa Jones from
Off With Her Head Millinery, has
seen her business take off after her
hand-made hair designs appeared
on the hit television show Criminal
Minds. Taking the initiative, Lisa sent
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Vangsness – who plays Technical
Analyst Penelope Garcia – last year
and soon received an email saying
how much the actress loved the
¾S[IVW/MVWXIRXSPH0MWEWLITPERRIHXS[IEVSRISJXLIQSRXLI
show’s 200th episode.
Lisa said, “I was so excited to receive the email. I’m a huge fan of
the show and seeing one of my creations was simply amazing. I still
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something that I designed and created in my little home studio.”
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WQEPPWGVIIR[MXL/MVWXIRNSMRMRK0MWE´WTSTYPEV³,EMV*PS[IVSJXLI
Month Club’ where members receive an exclusively designed hair
¾S[IVMRXLITSWXIEGLQSRXL;MXLQIQFIVWEWJEVE[E]EW8I\EW
Lisa’s business is certainly blooming.
Off With Her Head Millinery
E: lisaj@offwithherheadmillinery.co.uk
W: www.offwithherheadmillinery.co.uk
CENTRE STAGE
Two craft industry
newcomers have
shown it’s never
too late to change
career after being
selected by retail
giant Selfridges
Birmingham to
showcase their
skills. A teaching
assistant-turnedtextile artist and
a former actress
who now makes chairs beat
off hundreds of entries to be part of the store’s Bright Old
Things campaign.
The campaign – a spin-off from a similar intiative for young
people – put the creativity of Den Woods, 60, and Sally Peplow,
53, in front of thousands of shoppers. Their handiwork took pride
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approaching through the Bullring shopping centre.
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for National Statistics identifying a self-employment revolution
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IRXVITVIRIYVWWIXXMRKYTMRXLITEWX½ZI]IEVW
Sally and Den worked with Selfridges’ creative team to design
and execute their dream displays and show their previously little
known talents to the public.
Ruth Harris, General Manager at Selfridges Birmingham, said:
±4VIZMSYWP][I´ZIWLSRIEWTSXPMKLXSR]SYRKXEPIRXMRXLI9/FYX
this year we’re doing things a little differently – and proving that
even those with considerable life and career experience can be
the next big thing.”
craftfocus 7
industry news
A CRAFTY RE-USE
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Staffordshire –came about when a local school realised there was a niche
in providing work-based learning opportunities for its students.
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providing community members with low-cost craft resources. The
company works closely with local businesses and traders who donate
clean business waste that’s turned into craft materials. Quality scrap sits
alongside new lines of arts and craft materials that give home-made
items that little extra something.
(SRSVWXSXLI0MGL½IPH7GVET&EVREVIRSXSRP]MRGVIEWMRKXLIMV
carbon footprint by contributing to a regular recycling programme, they
also help disabled people into the world of work. The centre is always
looking for opportunities to promote the cause and would be happy to
talk to potential donors.
The Scrap Barn
T: +44 (0)1543 371 200
)EHQMR$PMGL½IPHWGVETFEVRGSYO
;PMGL½IPHWGVETFEVRGSYO
MAKE THE MOST OF NATIONAL
STATIONERY DAY
Organised by the
London Stationery
Show, National
Stationery Week
and Get Britain
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opportunity
for retailers to
get involved.
Supported by a
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relations and social
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about stationery and the importance of writing by hand. As a result,
there’s also World Stationery Day on Wednesday, 29th April. The
aim of World Stationery Day is the same as for National Stationery
Week – to spread the message that writing matters.
Sponsors will be promoting the day to international customers
and consumers. You too can spread the word on social media with
#WorldStationeryDay, #writingmatters and #writingisforever.
For more information visit the World Stationery Day
[IFWMXI[[[[SVPHWXEXMSRIV]HE]GSQ
8 craftfocus
REAL-TIME WEBSITE
Hunkydory Crafts’ new trade website is now live and can be
accessed at trade.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk. Not only does the site
stock more products than ever before, but trade customers can
manage their accounts online, view their latest orders and place
repeat orders from real-time stock.
New trade customers can apply for an account online. The
company is also in the process of developing a download area so
customers can access the latest product point of sale materials.
Hunkydory Crafts
T: +44 (0)1772 272 575
E: trade@hunkdorycrafts.co.uk
W: trade.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk
industry news
COLOURED FINDINGS
Burhouse Beads has a fantastic range of coloured chain maille supplies
for the 2015. This centuries old technique can create stylish chain
NI[IPPIV]ERHEPWSMRGSVTSVEXIH[MXLSXLIVNI[IPPIV]QEOMRKXIGLRMUYIW
such as wire wrapping gemstones and beads. The selection has been
put together and brings the best colours, gauges and ring sizes for the
GVEJXNI[IPPIV1EHIJVSQL]TSEPPIVKIRMGERRSHMWIHEPYQMRMYQ;MXL
mixed mixed colour selections
available along with colourful
rubber O-rings, there’s a great
selection.
Burhouse Beads
T: +44 (0)1484 485100
)WEPIW$FYVLSYWIFIEHWGSQ
;[[[FYVLSYWIFIEHWGSQ
UK MANUFACTURED
SEQUINS AND PUNCHINELLA
The Art and
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who for many
years has
supplied a range
of craft products
into nurseries,
schools and
colleges, is now
offering its
products to
the craft and
hobby trade.
&IMRKE9/
manufacturer
of many of the
products, such
as pipe-cleaners,
pom poms,
paper shapes,
sequins and punchinella, means that prices are highly competitive,
PIEHXMQIWEVIWLSVXERHXLIVI´WEKVIEXHIEPSJ¾I\MFMPMX]MRXIVQW
of packaging. Products can be bought in bulk, packaged in tubs
ready to sell, or even in small retail sachets with eurohooks ready
for display and resale. They can be bought as solid colours or in
WTIGM½GGSPSYVQM\IW7IUYMRWERHTYRGLMRIPPEEVIX]TMGEPP]YWIHMR
card making and collage as embellishments, stencils or decorations,
ERHEVIEPWSYWIHJSVHERGI[IEVERHSXLIVWI[MRKTVSNIGXW
Art and Craft Factory
T: +44 (0)1484 435 055
E: sales@artandcraftfactory.co.uk
W: www.artandcraftfactory.co.uk (under re-construction)
10 craftfocus
FISKARS CHOOSES BIRMINGHAM
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]IEVPIKEG]VIGIRXP]LEWGLSWIR&MVQMRKLEQEWXLIMXWRI[9/SJ½GI
location after deciding to relocate from Nottingham. The Masshouse
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MRGPYHIWTIGM½GEPP]HIWMKRIHHIQSRWXVEXMSREVIEWERHMRXIVEGXMZITVSHYGX
displays. Distribution will continue to be managed from the company’s
local partner warehouse in Derbyshire.
Fiskars UK
T: +44 (0)115 927 7335
)YOMRJS$½WOEVWGSQ
;[[[½WOEVWGSYO
industry news
IZETTLE UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST FREE
CHIP AND PIN READER
iZettle’s new Card Reader Lite plans to reduce the hurdles and
costs small merchants face when setting up their businesses with
XLI[SVPH´W½VWXJVIISJGLEVKI'LMTERH4-2VIEHIV8LIRI[
GEVHVIEHIVMWEZEMPEFPIXSFYWMRIWWIWMRXLI9/7[IHIR2SV[E]
(IRQEVO*MRPERH7TEMR+IVQER]ERHXLI2IXLIVPERHW
The Lite connects to tablets and smart phones via the cable.
It removes all startup costs for business seeking to accept card
payments for their products and services, and the business model
continues to offer full cost transparency and no hidden fees.
“This is one of the boldest moves we’ve ever made,” says Jacob
HI+IIVM>IXXPI´WGSJSYRHIVERH'LMIJ)\IGYXMZI3J½GIV±*SYV
]IEVWEKS[IYTIRHIHXLIQEVOIX[MXLXLI[SVPH´W½VWXQMRM
chip card reader. We’re now embarking on another groundbreaking
offer to bring to retailers.”
The value of payments made with cards in Europe was 40 per
cent higher in 2013 than 2009, while Visa Europe has predicted that
MRXLI9/TIVGIRXSJTE]QIRXW[MPPFIQEHI[MXLGEVHW[MXLMR
10 years. However, 20 million European small businesses still don’t
take card payments.
iZettle
T: +44 (0)7792 352 164
E: hello@izettle.com
W: www.izettle.com
UK AMBASSADOR FOR SHINHAN ART
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EQFEWWEHSVJSV/SVIEREVXFVERH7LMR,ER
“ShinHan is the leading manufacturer and distributor of art materials in
/SVIEERHMRGPYHIWWSQIXVYP]JEFYPSYWQEVOIVW8LMWGSQTER]TVSHYGIW
affordable yet uncompromising products that get professional results,”
said Sarah.
Creative Product Distribution will be distributing ShinHan – which has
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*SVJYVXLIVMRJSVQEXMSR¯GSRXEGX7EVEL,YVPI][[[WEVELLYVPI]GSQ
trade or Creative Product Distribution, www.creative-distribution.co.uk
ACTSMART AND TICTAIL APPS
“Every retailer should be exploring their options for getting an
e-retail site up and running this year.” That’s the view of retail
business support organisation ActSmart, whose new partnership
with Tictail allows users to build an e-commerce website with a
range of add-ons.
Set up a shopping cart, keep track of your orders, analyse
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free of charge.
Tictail describes itself as an e-commerce platform for people
that don’t like e-commerce. Launched in 2012, more than
55,000 entrepreneurs have used it to set up or grow their retail
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ActSmart
T: +44 (0)845 618 7256
)MRJS$EGXWQEVXFM^
;[[[EGXWQEVXFM^GVIEXMZI
12 craftfocus
r/o 31 Commercial Road
Edmonton, London N18 1TP
Tel: 0208 884 0999
Fax: 0208 884 4666
Email: mcourtsltd@btconnect.com
Website: www.mcourts.co.uk
Wholesale Haberdashery Suppliers
To shops, stalls, schools, colleges, carnival
bands, dress & curtain makers, theatres,
designers etc.
See our huge range including
Beads, Trimmings, Lace, Buttons, Ribbon,
Sequins, Diamantes, Motifs, Zips, Cords,
Thread, Masks, Feathers, Flowers, Bridal,
Lingerie Accessories, Craft, Haberdashery,
and much, much more.
An exclusive round-up of the newest product offerings
Paper Piecing books from Cheryl L See
Not Just Hexies is a 58-page book that’s full of English paper piecing
projects. These are ideal for people wanting a weekend project or
something to work on in between quilts. Projects include boxes
with lids, bowls, ornaments, drawstring bags, chatelaines, zip pouches,
necklaces and an eyeglass case. They use ½ inch to 2 inch paper
pieces and are fusible – many of the projects come in multiple sizes
to make up 29 different items that can be made.
Star Struck And Starlette is a colourful book with amazing graphics
and photography. The book includes detailed instructions on how to
make Star Struck and her little sister Starlette using the paper piecing
technique. In 2012, Star Struck won the Best Hand Workmanship
Award for a large quilt and is now part of the permanent collection
of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. The story
behind both of these quilts is included in the book, as well as detailed
instructions on watercolour techniques, appliqué using this technique,
Trapunto and embellishment.
Hantex
T: +44 (0)1754 820 800
E: sales@hantex.co.uk
W: www.hantex.co.uk
Add sparkle to
your baking
Culpitt has
introduced a new
metallic-effect
modelling paste
that now comes in
beautiful gold and
silver lustres. The metallic
colour is spread evenly
through the paste, so crafters
get even colouring throughout their decoration. Surface detail is
not compromised like you sometimes see when applying lustre
dusts or sprays.
-X´WVIEPP]IEW]XSYWIWMQTP]ORIEHMXKIRXP][MXL]SYV½RKIVWERH
you’re ready to start making your decoration. This paste is versatile
and perfect for shaping, moulding, texturing, using with cutters
ERHQEOMRKMRXSHIPMGEXI¾S[IVW'YPTMXX´WKSPHERHWMPZIVGSPSYVIH
pastes are edible, and come in 100g packs which retail for £2.95.
Craft comforts
Lapdog is a new
concept tray from
Main Street Crafts.
First introduced
to trade at Craft,
Hobby & Stitch
International in
February and
hot-on-the-heels
from exhibiting at
the CHA mega show in the USA, where it was hailed as one of the
best new products. Designed by a crafter for crafters, it solves the
problem of trying to work and balance everything on a tray.
It’s lightweight and portable and has 72 compartments to hold
tools and materials, plus a double-sided work board, which can
accommodate A4, A5 cards and paper. It’s suitable for both right
and left handed users, and is proving very popular with crafters who
have restricted mobility.
Culpitt
T: +44 (0)1670 814 545
E: info@culpitt.com
W: www.culpitt.com
Main Street Crafts
T: +44 (0)1524 337 83
E: ann@lapdogtray.co.uk
W: www.lapdogtray.co.uk
craftfocus 15
brand spanking new
brand spanking new
brand spanking new
Deco delights
Art Deco themed
products are always
E½VQJEZSYVMXI
with customers and
Hunkydory Crafts
has captured the
glitz and glamour of
the '20s and '30s
with its new Deco
Delights luxury
card collection. This
collection uses a
mixture of pastel
hues accented
with stylish black and bold geometric shapes, and encapsulates the
romance of the era to make luxurious handmade cards. Team up
with the Deco Glitter Glaze, Mirri Textures and Deco feathers to
really glam up cards and projects.
Mini me
John Clayton has
created in miniature
another one of his
popular Elegance
Ladies without losing
any of the character.
Dominique is the
latest addition to
Heritage Crafts
most popular
range. Available as a
complete cross-stitch
kit with 27-count
evenweave or 14
count Aida fabric. The
kit contains Zweigart fabric, DMC stranded cottons sorted on to
RYQFIVIHGEVHWERIIHPIERHGPIEVGLEVXWERHMRWXVYGXMSRW8LI½REP
design measures 10.5cm x 13cm and it retails at £16.
Hunkydory Crafts
T: +44 (0)1772 272 575
E: trade@hunkydorycrafts.co.uk
Heritage Crafts
T: +44 (0)1889 572 850
E: sales@hcrafts.com
W: www.hcrafts.com
Fabulous faux
Ambassador Textiles has a super selection of quality fabrics in faux
suede. This soft-handle fabric has 40 shades to choose from and
is perfect for soft furnishings, dressmaking and other projects too.
Made from 100 per cent polyester, it’s durable, versatile and available
offered in three weights: 150g, 225g and 300g.
&IRIßXJVSQEFMXSJWTEVOPI
M Courts has introduced an exciting
range of braids that are colourful and
come in red, turquoise, cerise, silver and gold. These value braids are
bright, eye-catching and versatile and can be used to embellish and
customise almost anything. The braids will give a glamorous feel to
all projects or garments, from carnival and theatrical costumes to
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Ambassador Textiles
T: +44 (0)161 624 4167
E: info@ambassador-textiles.co.uk
W: www.ambassador-textiles.co.uk
M Courts
T: +44 (0)208 884 0999
E: mcourtsltd@btconnect.com
W: www.mcourts-haberdashery.co.uk
16 craftfocus
The Kunin Group
JUST LAUNCHED
Premium 3mm Thicker Felt
We have the felt colours and
designs to suit all your craft
projects. Available in cut
rectangles and bolts.
For further information about Kunin Craft Felt please contact
Fashion Futures Ltd, Units 1 and 2 Mace Lace
industrial Estate, Ashford, Kent TN24 8EP.
fashion.futures@btconnect.com
Tel +44 (0) 1233 625227
Fax +44 (0) 1233 612352
brand spanking new
Cut and
emboss
The fully automatic
one-step Cut ‘n’
Boss die cutting and
embossing machine
works with most
dies and embossing
folders. It can cut
multiple layers and
will cut and emboss A4 size and letter material easily up to 8½in
wide and 12in in length so less time is spend cutting and more time
crafting. Simply turn the machine on and insert the folder or cutting
die with the platform system. Designed with safety in mind, the Cut
‘n’ Boss is perfect for home, school and professional use.
Each machine comes with power adaptor and plug, instruction
manual, embossing/cutting platforms plus a magnetic and plastic
shim, rubber embossing mat, six dies and one embossing folder. It
retails at £230.
Jewellery jig
Creating bangle bracelets,
cuff bracelets, and curved
components is so simple
with Beadalon’s artistic wire
3D Bracelet Jig. Cleverly
designed as a perfect
continuous round to make
all-in-one bracelets in three
dimension (3D) using wire,
stones and beads, it’s also
possible to make curved design components for bracelets and
earrings. The kit includes the round jig base with evenly spaced rows
and columns of holes, 20 removable pegs and 20 peg fasteners.
Use the easy-to-set up pegs to plan designs by inserting the peg
into the outside of the jig and securing it in place with the fastener.
Wrap wires around the pegs to create your designs, pull out the
pegs to remove your design, and bend the ends of your wire around
to secure.
Crafter’s Companion
T: +44 (0)1388 660 930
E: trade@crafterscompanion.co.uk
W: www.crafterscompaniontrade.co.uk
Beadalon
T: +00 1 866 423 2325
E: sales@beadalon.com
W: www.beadalon.com
Buttons for the style-conscious
Zimame has a new collection of stylish
ceramic buttons in contemporary designs to
complement its already extensive range of
fashion and novelty buttons. All buttons are
hand-painted and glazed to give a pleasing
textured look. Durable and fully machine
washable, these buttons are the perfect
½RMWLMRKXSYGLJSVER]LERHGVEJXIHMXIQ
Supplied on corrugated card, they’re easy to
display on the wall or countertops.
Many retailers sell them singly, but they’re
ideal to offer customers at workshops,
sewing bees and knit and natter groups. The
company also stocks artisan-made ceramic
beads, which like all its products, are made in
South Africa and fairly-traded. Button cards
retail between £5 and £5.50 and come in a
variety of shapes and sizes.
Faux Fur Fun
New from the handy-sized Twenty to
Make series, this sewing title is sure
to be a success. Written by talented
author Alistair MacDonald from House
of Alistair (www.houseofalistair.com),
he showcases how to embellish with
faux fur and add a touch of luxury to
existing items or how to make projects
from scratch with this luxurious fabric.
With faux fur becoming more popular
now than its ever been, these beautifully
soft and tactile fabrics have become widely available and very
affordable. Alistair provides helpful hints for cutting, sewing and lining,
and explains how to make these sumptuous items for a fraction of
the price they are in the shops. With 20 projects to choose from,
including a glamorous fake-fur scarf, a fun furry pink cushion and a
QYWXLEZI¾YJJ]TYVWIXLIWITVSNIGXWQEOIKSVKISYWKMJXW8LIFSSO
retails at £4.99 and is available to order from Search Press.
Zimame Trading Co (Injabulo Wholesale)
T: +44 (0)1822 810 844
E: info@zimame.com
W: www.zimame.com
Search Press
T: +44 (0)1892 510 850
E: searchpress@searchpress.com
W: www.searchpress.com
18 craftfocus
Upholstery, Furnishing and Faux
Fur Fabric Wholesaler
• Competitive trade prices
• 4XLFNHIÀFLHQWVHUYLFH
www.ambassador-textiles.co.uk
info@ambassador-textiles.co.uk
T: 0161 624 4167
Now Open
'EWLERH'EVV]SRPMRI[IFWLST
Carriage FREE on all orders over £150 excluding VAT.
*SGYW'VEJX9RMX,IRV]'PSWI&EXXPI½IPH
Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury SY1 3TJ
T: 01743 465788
F: 01743 465799
www.focuscraft.co.uk
brand spanking new
Get your weave on
Creative Product
Distribution has its
½RKIVSRXLITYPWI
when it comes to
distributing the latest
and most exciting
products to the
market. Tutki is no
exception, with the
re-invention of a
simple paper weaving
that brings this craft
right up-to-date, allowing crafters to create their own woven items.
Tutki comes in packs of rolled sticks that are made from recycled
newspapers in Poland. Returning to traditional crafting, anyone can
get started with simple weaving techniques to make baskets, bowls,
and jewellery pieces like earrings and bracelets.
Steampunk genre
Steampunk continues to be
a popular trend and now is
also hot in card making.
Debbie Moore Designs
has just released a stylish
collection of Steampunk
themed products including
a Steampunk Bookazine.
This booklet contains 22
beautifully themed papers
and inspirational projects,
and comes with a dual
play DVD so that crafters
can watch it either on the
TV or the PC. It retails
at £12.99. As part of this
collection, there’s also a series of sheets, stamps and masks, with a
fabulous mix of steampunk and shabby chic imagery.
Tutki products are distributed in the UK by
Creative Products Distribution
T: +44 (0)208 953 2117
E: sales@creative-distribution.co.uk
W: www.creative-distribution.co.uk
Debbi Moore Designs
T: +44 (0)1325 465 049
E: info@debbimoore.co.uk
W: www.debbimoore.co.uk
US quilting supplies
Bosal Foam & Fiber produce
the largest comprehensive
line of quality, American-made
interfacings, battings and waddings,
and these can now be purchased
from The Craft Cotton Company.
All lines are pre-shrunk and
most supplied as rolled-on tubes, on boards or in a range of industryrecognised pre-cut sizes to give quilters the very best in batting.
For crafters, Bosal’s fabulous ranges of In-R Form and Craf-tex
allow customers’ projects to come alive. Craf-tex has ideal weight
and body, is washable, durable, and fusible on one or both sides and
it’s perfect for beginners. Coming in many useful pre-cut shapes, you
can simply fuse fabric to the In-R Form or Craf-tex and stitch. The
large range of shapes includes placemats and other tableware with
larger pieces to help you make bags and hats – the list of projects to
do is endless.
Instant injection of colour
Help your customers
give their craft
projects an instant
shot of beautiful,
washable permanent
colour with Tulip
Color Shot Instant
Fabric Colour. It’s a
great way for adding
a dash of colour to
home décor and
clothing projects and
works wonderfully
with stencils and monograms. Just shake the bottle and aim to apply
EGSRXVSPPIHEQSYRXWSJTEMRXXSXLIJEFVMG-XGSQIWMRE¾S^WTVE]
bottle in classic, neon and metallic shades. It’s surprisingly soft to the
touch when dry and suitable for natural and synthetic fabrics.
Bosal products are now distributed in the UK by
The Craft Cotton Company
T: +44 (0)161 832 9431
E: enquiries@craftcotton.com
W: www.craftcotton.com
Tulip products are distributed by That’s Original
T: +44 (0)23 8115 9093
E: enquiries@thats-original.co.uk
W: www.ilovetocreate.com
20 craftfocus
shows, news and events
We update you on what’s happening in the next couple of months
with a round up of the shows
STOP PRESS
With a few days to go, there’s still time to organise a visit to the British
Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate or The Stationery Show in London
British Craft Trade Fair
12th - 14th April
Great Yorkshire Showground,Yorkshire
T: +44 (0)144 246 446
E: info@bctf.co.uk
W: www.bctf.co.uk
The British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) is a three-day event that takes place
every April each year. This show is strictly trade only and showcases
LERHQEHI½RMWLIHGVEJXWJVSQI\GPYWMZIP]&VMXMWLERH-VMWLQEOIVW&'8*
HMJJIVWJVSQSXLIVXVEHIJEMVWMRXLEXRSQEWWQERYJEGXYVIHTVSHYGXWSV
TVSHYGXWQEHISZIVWIEWEVIEPPS[IH
8LIJEMVLEWFIIRVYRRMRKJSVQSVIXLER]IEVWERHMWVYRF]471
0XH1EVKEVIX&YRRJVSQXLIGSQTER]MW[IPPORS[RMRXLIEVIRESJ
&VMXMWL'VEJXWERHLEWLIPTIHQER]LYRHVIHWSJ]SYRKQEOIVWXEOIXLIMV
½VWXWXITWMRHIEPMRK[MXLXLIXVEHI[MXLQSVIXLERXEPIRXIHQEOIVW
I\TIGXIHXSI\LMFMX
39th Japan Hobby Show 2015
23rd - 25th April,
Tokyo Big Sight, East Hall 1, 2 and 3
T: +81 3 3512 5670
E: hobby@smj.co.jp
W: www.hobby.or.jp/hobbyshow/2015
Organisers: Hobby Association of Japan
This show welcomes
both trade and
KIRIVEPTYFPMGERHMW
VYRMRGSRNYRGXMSR
with Hobby Cooking
Fair and Sweet &
Deco Creation
WLS[W-XGSZIVWE
wide range of crafts
MRGPYHMRKWI[MRKIQFVSMHIV]PEGIUYMPXMRKORMXXMRKFIEHMRKERHNI[IPPIV]
QEOMRKTPYWWGVETFSSOMRKGEVHQEOMRKPIEXLIVERHTETIVGVEJXWVMFFSRW
GERHPIW¾S[IVW[VETTMRKWSETQEOMRKHVE[MRKERHTEMRXMRKPIXXIVMRK
calligraphy, doll-making, dyeing, ceramic arts, cake and candy. Last year saw
I\LMFMXSVWJVSQEVSYRHXLI[SVPH[MXLFSSXLW
22 craftfocus
London Stationery Show
28th - 29th April
Business Design Centre, London
T: +44 (0)20 8462 0721
)PSRHSRWXEXMSRIV]WLS[$½VWXIZIRXWGSQ
W: www.stationeryshow.co.uk
The London
Stationery Show is
the largest stationary
I\TSMRXLI9/ERH
TVSHYGXWHMWTPE]IH
are handpicked from
renowned artists and
KMJXQERYJEGXYVIVW
EVSYRHXLI[SVPH
Organisers are
I\TIGXMRKQSVI
XLERZMWMXSVW
XSXLIWLS[8LSWIEXXIRHMRK[MPPFIEFPIXSQIIXXLII\TIVXW
ERHQEOIVWJEGIXSJEGIMRGPYHMRK½RMWLMRKERHTEGOEKMRKFS\
WTIGMEPMWXWGSRZIVXIVWTETIVERHIRZIPSTIQERYJEGXYVIVWWTIGMEPX]
TVMRXMRKERHXLIVQSKVETL]TVSJIWWMSREPWERHTVSHYGXMSRQEGLMRIV]
WYTTPMIVWWSMJ]SYWIPPSVEVIXLMROMRKSJWIPPMRKER]XLMRKXSHS[MXL
WXEXMSRIV]XLIREZMWMXXSXLMWI\LMFMXMSRMWEQYWX
7XEXMSRIV]TVSHYGXW[MPPFISRHMWTPE]JVSQQSVIXLER
GSQTERMIWMRGPYHMRKIZIV]XLMRKJVSQKVIIXMRKGEVHWMRZMXEXMSRW
printables, gift-wrapping papers and ribbons, as well as stationery,
WTIGMEPMX]TEVX]WYTTPMIWERHTETIVXEFPI[EVIGYWXSQMWIHMXIQW
HIGSVEXMZILSQISJ½GITVSHYGXWPY\YV]PIEXLIVKSSHW[VMXMRK
MRWXVYQIRXWTETIVGVEJXMRKWYTTPMIWJVEQIWNSYVREPWGEPIRHEVW
specialty giftware and scrapbooking.
National Stationery Week coincides with the show and is
WTSRWSVIHF]7LIEJJIV0IXXW*MPSJE\*EFIV'EWXIPPERH1MXWYFMWLM
9RMFEPP'VEJXVIXEMPIVWEVIFIMRKIRGSYVEKIHXSTMGOYTTIRERH
paper and get involved with National Stationery Week (27th - 3rd
1E]ERHXEOIEHZERXEKISJKVS[MRKGSRWYQIVERHQIHMEMRXIVIWX
MRXLMWKVSYRHFVIEOMRKMRMXMEXMZI8LIEMQMWXSKIXTISTPIXEPOMRK
EFSYXXLIMVJEZSYVMXITVSHYGXWFVERHWERHJEZSYVMXIVIXEMPIVWERH
SJGSYVWIEXXLIWEQIXMQIIRGSYVEKIQSVITISTPIXSKIX[VMXMRK
National Stationery Week has linked recently with the National
0MXIVEG]8VYWX¯EREXMSREPGLEVMX]HIHMGEXIHXSVEMWMRKPMXIVEG]PIZIPW
MRXLI9/¯XSTVSQSXIXLIMQTSVXERGISJ[VMXMRKF]LERHXS
XIEGLIVWERHGLMPHVIRMRTEVXMGYPEVEWTEVXSJMXW+IX&VMXEMR
Writing campaign.
shows and events
POST SHOW NEWS
Spring has spring once more
&Y]IVWJVSQ9/
ERH-RXIVREXMSREP
WXSVIWXYVRIH
SYXMRJSVGIXS
visit the Spring
Fair this year to
FVMRKEFY]MRK
power that ran
into billions, to
QSVIXLER
I\LMFMXSVWEGVSWW
HMJJIVIRX
market sectors.
8LIWLS[WE[WIZIVEPGLERKIWMRGPYHMRKXLIQSZISJXLI,SQI
WIGXSVXSXLIJVSRXSJXLII\LMFMXMSRERHXLIMRGPYWMSRSJPIEHMRK&VMXMWL
ERHJSV[EVHXLMROMRKMRXIVREXMSREPFVERHW8LMW[EWMR¾YIRXMEPMRLIPTMRK
XSEXXVEGXELMKLIVUYEPMX]SJFY]IVXSXLMWI\TERHMRKKVS[MRKWIGXSVSJ
the Spring Fair.
8LIQEMR+MJX,EPP[EWEPWSFYW]ERHQSVIGPSWIP]EPMKRIH[MXLKMJXW
XLERMXLEHIZIVFIJSVI[MXLXLIVIFVERHIH8EFPI
/MXGLIRWIGXSV,EPP
¾EROIHF]8LI7YQQIVLSYWIMR,EPP+MJXWMR,EPPERHZSPYQILSYWI
[EVIWMR,EPPWERH
%RSXLIVRI[HIZIPSTQIRXJSVXLMW]IEV´WIZIRX[EWXLIPEYRGL
SJXLI6IXEMP7LSTFVERHMR,EPP[LIVII\LMFMXSVW[IVIEFPIXS
WLS[GEWIE[MHIVWIPIGXMSRSJTVSHYGXWERHWIVZMGIWXLEX[IVIGVYGMEP
XSQYPXMGLERRIPVIXEMPMRK-XMRGPYHIHMRWXSVISRPMRIWSPYXMSRWPSKMWXMGW
ERHJYP½PPQIRXI\TIVXWQEVOIXMRKTPEXJSVQWTE]QIRXTVSZMHIVWERH
specialists in packaging. Central to Retail Shop was the e-commerce
WIQMREVXLIEXVI[LMGLVERXLVSYKLSYXXLIWLS[[MXLELMKLUYEPMX]
GSRXIRXWGLIHYPI
8LI&Y]IVW4S[IV0MWX%[EVH[MRRIVW[IVIVIZIEPIHXSETEGOIH
EYHMIRGI8LIWIE[EVHW[IVIHIWMKRIHXSVIGSKRMWIMR¾YIRXMEPFY]MRK
XIEQWERHMRHMZMHYEPWEGVSWWEPPSJXLIWIGXSVWVITVIWIRXIHEXXLIJEMV
The winners across the three categories were:
&IWX-RHITIRHIRX6IXEMP&Y]IVSV8IEQTemptation Gifts
&IWX1YPXMTPI6IXEMPIVSV(ITEVXQIRX7XSVIJohn Lewis
4S[IV[MRRIVGillian Leahy, Buying Manager, Ocado
%PWSLIPHHYVMRKXLIJEMV[EW8LI+MJXSJXLI=IEV%[EVHWTVIWIRXIH
F]+%EQFEWWEHSVERHMRXIVREXMSREPTVSHYGXHIWMKRIV7IFEWXMER'SRVER
[LSHIWGVMFIHXLIGSQTIXMXMSREW±%FEVSQIXIVSJXVIRHWMRXLIKMJXERH
LSQIQEVOIXXLEXVI¾IGXXLIIZIVGLERKMRKPERHWGETISJXLIIGSRSQ]²
*SVHEXIWJSVRI\X]IEVZMWMXXLI[IFWMXI[[[WTVMRKJEMVGSQ
CONSUMER SHOW
The Great British
Craft Festival returns
Craft tools at the
VIEH]EW8LI+VIEX
British Craft Festival
MWFEGOJSVEJSYVXL
year. One of the
9/´WJEZSYVMXITETIV
GVEJXQERYJEGXYVIV
,YRO]HSV]'VEJXWLEW
NYWXERRSYRGIHXLI
HEXIWJSVMXWQYPXM
award winning shows
JSV
The halls at
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[MXLI\LMFMXSVW8LMW]IEVXLIVI´PPFIERIRXMVILEPPHIHMGEXIHXS
MRWTMVEXMSREPQEOIWERHXEOIWEGVSWWFSXLJIWXMZEPW[LMGL[MPPMRGPYHI
QSVIXLERJVIIWIWWMSRW(YIXSMXWTSTYPEVMX]PEWX]IEV
SVKERMWIVW[MPPSRGIEKEMRFILSPHMRK:-4[SVOWLSTWXLIHE]FIJSVI
IEGLWLS[JSVXLSWIOIIRGVEJXIVW[LS[ERXXSWTIRHEJYPPHE]
GVEJXMRK[MXLGIPIFVMX]I\TIVXW
)EGLJIWXMZEP[MPPEPWSSJJIVMXWZMWMXSVWEJVII,YRO]HSV]TETIV
GVEJXOMXJSVIZIV][SVXL¯GSYVXIW]SJ'PYF,YRO]HSV]¯
EPSRK[MXL[SVXLSJKMZIE[E]W
*SVHEXIWSJFSXLWLS[WGLIGOSRSYVGSRWYQIVGEPIRHEVSR
TEKI8STYVGLEWIXMGOIXWZMWMX8LI+VIEX&VMXMWL'VEJX*IWXMZEP
[IFWMXI[[[KVIEXFVMXMWLGVEJXGSYO
craftfocus 23
shows and events
CONSUMER CALENDAR
Want to get your products to more customers?
We list the best UK-based consumer craft shows in
the forthcoming months:
ICHF shows
(www.ichfevents.co.uk)
28th - 31st Aug: Chilterns Craft & Design Show, Stonor Park,
Henley-on-Thames
Trident Exhibitions Creative Crafts shows
(www.sccshows.co.uk)
16th - 18th Apr: The King’s Hall Complex, Belfast
23rd- 26th Apr: The Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet
3rd - 5th Sept: Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Sandown
ICHF Events spring programme
-',*)ZIRXWFIKERMXWTVSKVEQQISJWTVMRKGSRWYQIVGVEJXWLS[WEX
)ZIRX'MX]MR1ERGLIWXIVSRth*IFVYEV]XLMW]IEV*SVXLI½VWXXMQI
-',*VER'EOI-RXIVREXMSREPERH7XMXGLMRK7I[MRK
,SFF]GVEJXW
XSKIXLIVEXXLIWEQIZIRYITVIWIRXMRKZMWMXSVW[MXLXLISTTSVXYRMX]XS
I\TIVMIRGIEPPSJXLIMVJEZSYVMXIGVEJXWYRHIVSRIVSSJ1SVIXLER
ZMWMXSVWEXXIRHIHXLIWLS[WERHJIIHFEGOJVSQERYQFIVSJI\LMFMXSVW
[EWI\XVIQIP]TSWMXMZI[MXLLMKLGSRWYQIVWTIRH
8LI7XMXGLMRK7I[MRK
5YMPXMRKWLS[[LMGLXSSOTPEGIEXXLI7)''
+PEWKS[JVSQthth1EVGLTVSZMHIHZMWMXSVW[MXLEFVERHRI[IPIQIRX
XSXLI¯UYMPXMRK8LMWGVEJXLEWWIIRVIWYVKIRGIVIGIRXP]ERH-',*
)ZIRXWLEWVIWTSRHIHXSGYWXSQIVHIQERHF]SJJIVMRKRI[I\LMFMXSVW
ERHJIEXYVIWXSMXWWLS[W8LIWTVMRKWLS[WTVSZMHII\LMFMXSVW[MXLXLI
MHIEPSTTSVXYRMX]XSTVIWIRXRI[TVSHYGXWXIGLRMUYIWERHMHIEWXS
GYWXSQIVW[MXLWLS[WMR1ERGLIWXIV+PEWKS[&MVQMRKLEQERH0SRHSR
*SVQSVIMRJSVQEXMSRZMWMX[[[MGLJIZIRXWGSYO
Upper Street Events
(www.upperstreetevents.net)
6th - 9th Aug: Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham
Sincerely Yours, Papercraft shows
(www.sincerely-yours-shows.info)
26th Apr: Maidstone
9th May: Glasgow
10th May: Edinburgh
27th- 28th Jun: Newark
23rd May: Wrexham
Grosvenor Shows, Patchwork & quilting
(www.grosvenorshows.co.uk)
14th - 17th May: Quilts UK, Malvern
5th - 6th.YR7TVMRK½IPH5YMPX7LS[7TEPHMRK
19th- 21st Jun: National Quilt Championships, Sandown
The Great British Craft Festival organised by
Hunkydory Crafts (www.greatbritishcraft.co.uk)
30th - 31st May: Bolton
8th -9th Aug: Stoneleigh Park, Midlands
Craft in Focus
(www.craftinfocus.com)
30th Apr - 4th May: RHS Wisley Gardens
28th - 31st Aug: Garden Hyde Hall
4th-6th Sept: Wellington College, Crowthorne
Art in Action
(www.artinaction.org.uk)
16th - 19th July, Waterperry House, Near Wheatley
The Contemporary Crafts Festival
(craftsatboveytracey.co.uk)
5th-7th June: Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey, Devon
24 craftfocus
Showcasing our latest addition to our signature range
Seriously Chunky Mixes
T: 01274 743374 E: sales@cygnetyarns.com
www.cygnetyarns.com
COLOURCRAFT
show review
We report back on Craft, Hobby + Stitch International’s
birthday celebrations and chat from the show
More than 7,000 craft industry professionals
gathered at the NEC in Birmingham during
Craft Hobby + Stitch International’s threeday event back in February. Hall 12 was a
colourful creative centre, where more than
230 exhibitors from around the world came
together to meet with thousands of retailers,
from large multiples to small independents.
ICHF Events look back on 40 years
This year was a special show for the organiser
ICHF Events, as the show celebrated its 40th
The ICHF Events team –
Adam Elkins, Simon Burns,
Troy Bennett, Lucy Judd,
Louise Love and Vicki
Vinton (left to right).
year and welcomed both long-standing and
new exhibitors and visitors across the three
days. The ICHF Events team are pictured here
being presented with a birthday cake from the
NEC, Birmingham to celebrate the show.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly
positive. This milestone show has been a
welcome opportunity to take stock of how
far the show has come in the last 40 years to
celebrate both its longevity, but also the new
features introduced in recent years, which
VI¾IGXLS[XLIMRHYWXV]LEWQSZIHJSV[EVH²
said Troy Bennett, Joint Managing Director from
ICHF Events.
Things have changed a lot since the show
started, with social media playing an important
part both for networking and business
development. The industry has moved with the
times, but the positive and friendly culture of
the creative crafting world remains the same.
As a family business, ICHF Events values the
strong relationships it has with those involved
with the show and is respectful of the part
they’ve played in the industry’s development
over the last 40 years.
Highlights from the show
Catwalk sensation
The catwalk show introduced in more recent
years to the show was one of the best we’ve
seen to date.
The runway showcased creations from
Lion Brand, Gutermann GmbH, Simplicity, ITS,
Creative World of Craft, Dazzle-it and
Metal Complex by John Bead, Makower
Fashion Fabrics, Butterick, McCall, Vogue,
and Kwik Sew Patterns. Models brought to
life a diverse range of fashionable crafting
JVSQXEMPSVIHGSPSYVFPSGOERHZMRXEKI¾SVEP
dressmaking to customised urban-street wear
and a display of bold and colourful jewellery
and stylish knitwear.
To add a modern twist, Marabu and Vilene
NSMRIHGSQTERMIWSRXLIGEX[EPOJSVXLI½VWX
time this year and featured a range of upcycling and embellishment projects.
Bright Sparks
This Pavilion area is especially for new
businesses to the show and is always a popular
TPEGIJSVZMWMXSVWXSLIEHXS½RHSYXEFSYX
the latest product innovations. Textile artist,
craftfocus 27
Sue Walton from Multipom, exhibited as part
of the Bright Sparks Pavilion and experienced
LIV½VWXWLS[[MXLERI\GMXMRKRI[TVSHYGX
She said “We’ve been amazed by the interest
ERHF]EQSRXLI½VWXHE][ILEH
already taken three orders. We’ve been wellsupported with publicity which really helps to
HVMZIGYWXSQIVWXSXLIWXERH²
%RMRXIVREXMSREPàEZSYV
The show’s international element remained
very strong, with both exhibitors and visitors
travelling from all over the world to network
ERHHSFYWMRIWWEXXLMWMR¾YIRXMEPWLS[
“I think there was a lot of excitement at
this year’s show and I’ve really enjoyed talking
to the many international buyers. We were
running lots of fun demos to enable visitors to
try out new products. I’m from California and
it’s been great to see a real revival in younger
TISTPIWI[MRKLIVI-X´WZIV]I\GMXMRKXSWII²
said Fran Seiford from Stampendous on the
Woodware stand.
The free workshops were also extremely
popular, with hundreds of visitors getting
hands-on with new products from exhibitors.
Louisa Mclean, Marketing Manager for Crafters
Companion, said, “Our on-stand workshops
were packed from early morning to the end of
the show with extra people waiting for spare
seats. We received some positive feedback,
especially on our new Downton Abbey paper
crafting range which we launched at the show
VIEH]JSVXLIRI[8:WIVMIWMR7ITXIQFIV²
New logo
The show launched its new logo to visitors,
which although is still called Craft Hobby
+ Stitch, it will now incorporate the show’s
original name of Stitches.
any textile item into an individual designer
piece that is truly one-of-a-kind.
Marabu were new to the Catwalk show and
showcased the stunning effects that can be
achieved with these products, causing many
enquiries afterwards. Marabu’s Fashion
Spray was elected as Creative Product of the
Year at the recent Creativeworld in Frankfurt
in January.
2I[4VSHYGX7LS[GEWI
The entrance had an inviting contemporary
display of the latest products from exhibitors
(sponsored by Craft Focus), which introduced
and drew visitors attention to key product
lines for the season.
%PIEVRMRKGYVZI
The free seminar programme proved very
popular among visitors with Warren Knight’s
insights on social media on day one of the
show attracting crowds of retailers.
Visitors also packed the seminar theatre to
see May Martin from the Great British Sewing
Bee, who was sharing her experiences on
driving sewing demand via the media. Days
two and three of the show delivered seminars
on the importance of demonstration days,
intellectual property law, importing, and utilising
the Cloud for business.
28 craftfocus
What some of the exhibitors had to
WE]EFSYXXLIWLS[
Marabu is looking back on an exceedingly good
show and welcomed both current customers
and customers-to-be to its UK distribution
partnership with West Design.
The company also highlighted its extremely
successful trending theme – Marabu Fashion
Design, which is a range of products for
freehand spraying and stencilling on textiles.
Fashion dreams come true is the motto for this
collection of fashion sprays, fashion liners and
silhouette stencils. Together they can transform
Marabu products are distributed in the UK by
West Design Products
T: +44 (0)1303 297 888
E: sales@westdesignproducts.co.uk
W: www.westdesignproducts.co.uk
W: www.marabu.com/creative
This year was Tina Francis’ second year
exhibiting at the show and last year as part
of Bright Sparks Pavilion. She had really
enjoyed being part of Bright Sparks as it was
an excellent way to test the market for her
particular products and, more importantly, for
a new business start up. Tina Francis Tapestry
was one of the smallest stands at the show
at only two metres long but was perfect
for displaying her tapestries at eye level. “I’d
HI½RMXIP]VIGSQQIRHXLIWLS[XSRI[XVEHI
businesses ,as it’s a great show for networking
ERHQIIXMRKRI[TISTPI²GSQQIRXIH8MRE
Tina Francis Tapestry
T: +44 (0)7979 854 649
E: tina@tinafrancis.co.uk
W: www.tinafrancis.co.uk
Having already established Yorkshire Textile
Consultancy amongst the traditional gentleman
tailors, the company wanted to expand its
customer base and this show seemed the
perfect platform to do so.
“Using the Bright Sparks Pavilion allowed
us to deliver our product alongside the big
players in the crafting world. In addition to our
worsted wool fabrics, we stock a huge range
SJ½RIWX-XEPMERPMRMRKWERHMRXIVPMRMRKWERH[I
focused on this range at the show. The show
experience was very positive, and we met
a number of wonderful and knowledgeable
people who could see a wide range of uses
for our products in ways that we hadn’t even
considered, from Christmas decorations and
designers creating historical garments to
traditional fabric shops and sewing schools. All
in all the show was a good experience, wellorganised and the exhibitors around us are
now friends and, hopefully, soon a number of
XLIZMWMXSVW[MPPFIGSQISYVGYWXSQIVWXSS²
said business partner, Steve Dorrington.
Yorkshire Textile Consultancy
T: +44 (0)207 481 9882
E: info@yorkshiretextile.co.uk
W: www.yorkshiretextile.co.uk
30 craftfocus
Cygnet Yarns celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The company’s colourful Warhol-inspired stand
was an impressive platform to catch up with
their customers and they took great delight in
presenting the Cygnet brand, newest innovative
yarns and latest colour additions for current
ranges to new buyers as well existing ones.
A show-stopper for the company was its
super-chunky yarn, Seriously Chunky, available
in solids, prints and mixes. This product really
caught buyers’ imagination when it came to
creativity in crafting. Cottony DK also pulled in
the spring/summer consumers with its wide
choice of colours in bright, natural and pastel
shades, supported by modelled knitwear designs
by Val Pierce and Cygnet’s in-house team.
Cygnet yarns
T: +44 (0)1274 743 374
E: sales@cygnetyarns.com
W: www.cygnetyarns.co.uk
Needcraft returned to the Bright Sparks
Pavilion for the second year too, and were
amazed at the numbers of visitors attending
the show, the positive responses and the level
of business that was conducted over the threeday show.
Already renowned in the craft sector
for its lampshade, lantern and wastepaper
basket making kits in various formats, such
as workshop and manufacturing packs.
2IIHGVEJXEPWSHIFYXIHYR½RMWLIHPEQTFEWIW
for workshops and ornate resin frames for
decorating and decoupage. This created great
interest and generated wholesale orders.
Director, James Dannell, commented: “We’re
extremely happy with our reception at the
show and the positive response to new and
existing product lines. It was lovely to meet our
customers, both old and new. At times during
the show, we had customers queuing off the
stand and blocking the aisle. Next year, we’re
KSMRKXSRIIHEFMKKIVWXERH²
Needcraft
T: +44 (0)1992 700 311
E: sales@needcraft.co.uk
W: www.needcraft.co.uk
Creative Products Distribution always has its
½RKIVSRXLITYPWI[MXLXLIPEXIWXMRRSZEXMZI
products and this year was no exception with
the introduction of two up-to-date papercrafting products.
8LI½VWX[EWEXLVIIHMQIRWMSREPQSHYPEV
origami product that really pulled the crowds
at the show with a16-year-old Origami-wiz,
Vesko Donov from Bulgaria, demonstrating
how to put these origami building blocks
together. This amazing paper folding kit includes
the required pieces of paper to make the
component pieces, as well as the instructions
to create a stunning design. With more than 30
designs to choose from, customers will keep
coming back for more.
32 craftfocus
The second new product launched at the
show was ready-to-roll straws from Tukti. This
new range reintroduces crafters to traditional
wicker weaving skills. Kasia from Poland
demonstrated at the show how easy this
product is to use, and the creative possibilities
are endless. These straws come in packs and
are made from recycled newspaper and can
be used to make jewellery, baskets and other
creative woven projects.
Creative Products Distribution
T: +44 (0)20 8953 2143
E: sales@creative-distribution.co.uk
W: www.creative-distribution.co.uk
“It
“I was great to see our existing
i i customers
and to meet some new ones. Our Liberty
haberdashery went down a storm and in
particular our covered buttons and bias
FMRHMRKVSPPW²GSQQIRXIH%PMWXEMV1EGHSREPH
The company launched six new bias prints
and a brand new eggcup pincushion kit. The
kits seemed to be the most popular with
many buyers requesting them. In all the show
was a great success and 2015 looks to be
another crafty year ahead. The company will
be launching three more product groups next
year so watch this space.
House of Alistair
T: +44 (0)20 3417 5572
E: alistair@houseofalistair.com
W: www.houseofalistair.com C
DIARY DATES FOR NEXT YEAR
Craft Hobby + Stitch 2016
21st - 23rd February
NEC, Birmingham
E: info@ichf.co.uk
W: www.chsi.co.uk
NEW
Six new fabulous
Pearlescent colours
& 5 mediums
NEW
Stampboard,
full range now available
+44 (0)1926 492213
www.premiumartbrands.com
info@premiumartbrands.com
EST.1878
Importers and distributors of
Exclusive and VogueStar buttons,
craft components, haberdashery
lines, wedding accessories,
Christmas trimmings and
embellishments.
Sehlbach & Whiting Ltd
www.sehlbach.co.uk
+44 (0) 1628 591600
sales@sehlbach.co.uk
show review
fun in frankfurt
We’ve the latest news from Creativeworld
SHOW FACTS AND FIGURES
O290 exhibitors, of which 215 were from
outside Germany
O8,353 visitors, of which 4,205 were from
outside Germany
O83 per cent of visitors were from Europe,
with 40 per cent from retail trade
O56 per cent of visitor’s main objective was
to seek out new products
During the four days of the fair, visitors had the
STTSVXYRMX]XS½RHSYXEFSYXXLIPEXIWXXVIRHW
products and innovations, and discover what
seemed like an endless wealth of inspirational
products and ideas.
;MXLERMRGVIEWIMRZMWMXSVRYQFIVWSRXLI
TVIZMSYW]IEVXLIWLS[[EWGSRWXERXP]FYW]
ERHXLIVI[IVIPSXWSJSVHIVWFIMRKTPEGIHERH
a positive outlook for the forthcoming year
[EWQSVIXLERSFZMSYW
This year’s theme was always a surprise
and it really did have something new to offer
visitors. The main reason for the positive
mood was that sales in the craft sector had
risen at the end of last year, and this show had
IWXEFPMWLIHMXWIPJEWERMQTSVXERXIZIRXMRXLI
craft calendar. With a wide-ranging event and
conference programme and lots of highlights
ERHXLIQIWTIGM½GPIGXYVIWEMQIHEXOIITMRK
sales up and retaining customers, there were
plenty of reasons to attend.
What’s current
-X´WI\GMXMRKXMQIWJSVGVEJXIVW[LSPMOIEFMX
SJ³HSMX]SYVWIPJ´0EWX]IEV[IWE[XEFPI
decorations as the main theme at the
I\LMFMXMSRWXERHWERHXLMW]IEVXLIWYFNIGX
EVIELEWFVSEHIRIHXSIQFVEGIXLILSQI
decoration trend. Furniture and accessories
LEZIFIIRWTVYGIHYT[MXLTEMRXERHWXVYGXYVEP
IPIQIRXWERHJEFVMGWHIGSVEXIHYWMRKWXIRGMPW
stamps and templates.
,SQIEGGIWWSVMIWEVIRSPSRKIVNYWX
IQFIPPMWLIHMX´WRS[FIGSQIGSQQSRXS
create these from scratch. Inspiration came
from lamps made from folding paper, dishes
and candleholders cast in concrete, and
WGYPTXYVIWGEVZIHJVSQWGYPTXMRKFPSGOWSV
made using material hardeners.
The Trend Show offered some practical
MRWMKLXWMRXSLS[XVEHMXMSREPGVEJXWEVIFIMRK
rediscovered and interpreted in a modern way.
A workstation provided an opportunity to try
new trends out for yourself.
“Creativeworld represented
a successful launch for the
new business season with a
creative mood of optimism.”
craftfocus 35
fun in frankfurt
The three inspirational
design areas were:
Artistic
With the use of striking colours used creatively
SRIZIV]HE]SFNIGXWPMOITPEXIWERHQEGVEQq
plant hangers.
Optimistic
,IVIXLIVI[EWEZMFVERXYWISJGSPSYVYWIH
in a light-hearted way with sentiment, and also
lots of weaving techniques.
Artist revival
8LIVI[EWEHI½RMXIVIZMZEPSJHVE[MRKERH
painting crafts, with some truly talented artists
showcasing how it’s done. I stopped to watch
Wilfried Ploderer, a photorealist artist in action.
Other workshops and stands encourage you
XSLEZIEKSERH[MXLEJI[FVYWLWXVSOIW
create a masterpiece.
Romantic
We saw the use of doilly-like paper designs
and lace to create vintage and simple looks.
Creative Impulse award
The Creative Impulse innovation prize is a
XVIRHMRHMGEXSVEW[IPPEWEQENSVXVMFYXIXS
this sector of industry. The prize is given for the
creative spirit of imagination, innovation and
GSQQMXQIRX8LIWYFQMXXIHTVSHYGXW[IVI
presented in a special area in the hall during
XLII\LMFMXMSR
36 craftfocus
fun in frankfurt
Creative Talks
In the Creative Talks area, there was a series
SJTVIWIRXEXMSRWSRRI[GVIEXMZITVSHYGXWF]
manufacturers and suppliers, captivating talks
on current industry themes and a series of
award ceremonies.
;IWEXMRSRERMRXIVIWXMRKHIFEXISR
whether companies should invest in new
products or adapt and refresh existing
ones. The issue up for discussion was, how
important it is for products to go hand in
hand with instruction? The consumer/crafter
RIIHWXSFIIHYGEXIHSRLS[XSYWITVSHYGXW
IJJIGXMZIP]ERH½RHRI[[E]WXSYWIXLIQERH
keep the products on the shelf for longer.
The winners were:
Creative Product of the Year:
1st place: 1EVEFY[MXLXLI*EWLMSR7TVE]
2nd place: Q]'SWXYQIW[MXL;SVFPE´W
Finest Art
3rd place:6E]LIV,SFF][MXL
Creative Concrete
Creative Book of the Year:
1st place: Edition Michael Fischer with
1 x täglich Zentangle
2nd place:Q]'SWXYQIW[MXLXLIFSSOHow to
make my Costumes
3rd place: )HMXMSR1MGLEIP*MWGLIV[MXLXLIFSSO
Sooooo viele Tiere
Creative Tool of the Year:
1st place:6E]LIV,SFF][MXLMXWGSSOMI
stamp set
2nd place: Gelli Arts with the gel printing plate
3rd place:>ELR4MRWIP[MXLXLIEVXM½GMEPLEMV
VERKISJFVYWLIW1IMWXIVOPEWWI/SPMRI\
Creative Kit of the Year:
1st place: Staedtler with FIMO kids Create &
Play Birthday Boxes
2nd place::MZE(IGSVJSVXLI;MRXIV^EYFIV
decoration set
3rd place: Max Bringmann with the Lustige
Tierschachteln
38 craftfocus
Creative Hands Award
The Creative Hands award put the spotlight on
textile design, asking crafters to design under
the motto Pillow Fight. The award concentrates
on classic handicrafts techniques such as
WI[MRKGVSGLIXMRKJIPXMRKERHIQFVSMHIV]EW
well as textile design using printing techniques
SVFEXMO;MXLXLIMVWTIGMEPWLETIWGSPSYVW
and structures, the cushions entered for the
E[EVHVI¾IGXXLITIVWSREPPMJIWX]PIERHXEWXIW
of their designers.
The winners were as follows:
1st place: Corinna Wurmer from Pegnitz for
LIV6IXVS8SEWXIV'SVVMRELEWNYWXWXEVXIHLIV
S[RFYWMRIWWERHGEQIXSXLII\LMFMXMSRXS
KIXMHIEW+IRIVEPP]WLIQEOIWFEKWERHGEWIW
WSXLMWGYWLMSR[EWE½VWX
2nd place:9VWYPE4VSHMRKIVJVSQ+YRHIP½RKIR
JSVLIV0Y\YV]7GEPI%RIYXVEPP]GSPSYVIH½WL
shaped pillow designed to support the neck
and made of wool, wool felt and velour. Ursula
VYRWEWQEPPJEFVMGWLSTMRLIVLSQIXS[R
3rd place:+EFVMIPI;EPPJVSQ)WGL[IMPIV
[MXL1]*PS[IV+EVHIR+EFVMIPPIMWEXI\XMPI
design teacher and cushions were the focus of
her work.
8LI'VIEXMZI%QFEWWEHSVSJ'VIEXMZI[SVPH
7MPOI&SWFEGLTVEMWIHXLIGYWLMSRHIWMKRIVW
for their outstanding design and handicrafts:
±8LMW]IEVXLINYV]JSYRHMXTEVXMGYPEVP]HMJ½GYPX
XSWIPIGXXLIFIWXJVSQXLIEPQSWX
entries received. The winners are genuine
eye-catchers and I’m delighted that so many
TISTPIWYFQMXXIHWSQER]KVIEXMHIEW² C
DIARY DATES
Paperworld, Creativeworld and
Christmasworld
th.ERYEV]nd*IFVYEV]
Venue: Frankfurt am Main
8
E: info@uk.messefrankfurt.com
W: www.creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com
W: www.paperworld.messefrankfurt.com
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%URQWH*OHQ/WG(OLWH%XLOGLQJV6WDUNLH6WUHHW.HLJKOH\%'3+
TM
daylight products
for crafting & stitching
Design and innovation from daylightTM
MAGnificent Floor/Table
LED Magnifying Lamp
D25050, White
Wafer 1 Light Box
D35040
Wafer 2 Light Box
D35030
www.daylightcompany.com | 020 8964 1200
The Daylight Company, 89-91 Scrubs Lane, London, NW10 6QU
show review
.YPMI&SRREVVITSVXWSRXLI',%1IKE7LS[EWMX½RMWLIWERSXLIVWYGGIWWJYPIZIRX
SHOW FACTS AND FIGURES
• 3,972 visitors attended the show
• 383 exhibitors
• 56 countries represented
• Covering 120,000 sq ft
Show overview
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,SFF]%WWSGMEXMSR',%LIPHMR%RELIMQ
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SJFY]IVWJVSQGSYRXVMIWXSSFWIVZI
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7TSRWSVWXLMW]IEV[IVI%ZIV]4VSHYGXW
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(I¾IGXS,IEVXJIPX'VIEXMSRW-QTVIWW%VX
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%QIVMGE7M^^M\7TIPPFMRHIVW8LIVQ3;IF
ERH;IWXGSXX
COFFEE AND CHAT WITH
EJJ SUSKAVCEVIC
ANDRE
Julie Bonnar caught up with Andrej
Suskavcevic, President and Chief
)\IGYXMZI3J½GIVSJXLI',%XSEWO
him why retailers from the UK should
consider attending the show.
What the show had to offer
Tomorrow’s crafts today
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T
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craftfocus 41
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Exhibitor Feedback
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Hot to trot
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42 craftfocus
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The winners this year were:
Bead & Jewellery¯%VXMWXMG;MVI(&VEGIPIX
Jig by Beadalon
Cake & Food decorating¯%QE^MRK6IQIPX
F]%PYQMPMXI
Fabric & Needle Crafts¯*EFVMG)PIQIRXWF]
*EFVMG)HMXMSRW
Floral Crafts¯0MXXPI&4IXEP4EGOWF]0MXXPI&
Geberal Crafts¯(-=(qGSV8ETIF],EÎP
6YF]
Kids & Crafts¯8VIRH&SSOWJSV/MHWF]*S\
'LETIP4YFPMWLMRK
Paint & Art¯0YQM4LSXS4VMRXMRK/MXF]0YQM
Paper Crafts¯7M^^M\-ROWLIIXWF]
7M^^M\)PPMWSR
FIHMWXVMFYXMRKXLIWEQITVSHYGXWXLEX
[IVIHMWTPE]IHSRSYVWXERH²
%HEQGSRXMRYIW±;IGSPPIGXIHGYWXSQIV
HEXEXLEXEPPS[WYWXSYTHEXIQSVIGYWXSQIVW
EFSYXPEXIWXTVSHYGXPEYRGLIWZME2SXMSRWERH
[IEPWSLERHIHSYXEGST]SJSYVFIWXWIPPMRK
TVSNIGXQEKE^MRIXSLYRHVIHWSJVIXEMPIVW
ERHFPSKKIVWXSKMZIMRWTMVEXMSRERHGVIEXIER
MRXIVIWX3ZIVEPPXLIWLS[[EWKSSH[MXLPSXW
SJTSWMXMZIJIIHFEGOJVSQVIXEMPIVW;MXLXLI
TLVEWISJXLIWLS[FIMRK³]SYVTVSHYGXWEVI
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FS[PIHSZIV[MXLXLIUYEPMX]SJSYVTVSHYGXW²
,YRO]HSV]'VEJXW
T: +44 (0)1772 272 575
W: www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk
show review
Riolis comes back for a second year
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Australia who showed a great interest in
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Riolis is distributed in the UK by SoloCrafts
T: +44 (0)161 464 7313
E: sales@solocrafts.com
W: www.solocrafts.com
Creative innovation gets noticed
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display options as well as greater strength
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put these storage solutions to use in their own
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Jewellery know-how
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Nunn Design
T: +1 800 761 3557
E: cheryl@nunndesign.com
W: www.nunndesign.com
DIARY DATEs FOR NEXT YEAR
CHA Mega Show
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For further information on how
to exhibit:
Andrew Morton
T: +44 (0)1425 271 964
E: amorton@craftandhobby.org
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craftfocus 43
Past Times Quilling
Presents a One-Stop Shop for all your Quilling needs
Fantastic Ribbons specialise in retail rolls of
ribbon and buttons to the hobby market
A one-stop shop for all your Quilling products
Quilling Handbooks (Beginners, Advanced and Children)
A Comprehensive range of Quilling kits for all ages and abilities,
to create pictures, cards, gift boxes and mobiles.
A wide range of Quilling papers
Quilling tools
The Quilling Workboard
Quilling Class Packs
A range of accessories including card and gift box
blanks and handmade papers
Visit our brand new website
www.pasttimesquilling.com
113a Broadway, Duffield, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 4BW
Tel No. +44(0)1332 840582 email: info@pasttimesquilling.com
What’s New?
1000s of product photos
Detailed at-a-glance information on suppliers.
Save your favourite suppliers for future visits
What’s Not New?
The directory is still free to use - no registration.
All listings are thoroughly vetted.
We only list UK-based wholesalers
adult crafting
awaken the crafter
Introduce new crafters to niche and traditional crafting
RAG RUG MAKING
Rag rug making dates back to our grandparents’ times and earlier, and is
a relevant craft for today’s recycling times.
It’s such a simple craft to do and all the family can join in. All that’s
required are some old clothes to cut into strips, hessian backing
cloth and a rug tool. The hessian and tool are part of the latest rag
rug kit from Peak Dake Products and come with a cutting gauge and
instructions. The rug tool, hessian and cutting gauges are also sold
separately for more experienced crafters.
Peak Dale Products
T: +44 (0)129 878 447
E: craft@dircon.co.uk
W: www.peakdaleproducts.co.uk
START TO SEW
Seek It Out offers a cute
assortment of simple
sewing project kits designed
WTIGM½GEPP]JSVEHYPXWERH
younger adults. Perfect for
those inspired novices who
bought a sewing machines
after watching the Great
British Sewing Bee, these kits
are easily achievable, teach new
skills and yield great results.
Each kit contains a detailed
instruction book, easy-to-work
on-trend fabrics and can be
sewn by hand too. Beautiful and
distinctively packaged, each kit
comes in a reusable, value-added,
HMXW]¾SVEPTVMRXGPSXLFEK8LI]
look eye-catching on shop displays and make thoughtful gifts or metime treats.
UK sourced and manufactured, the range includes 12 different
kits with six projects to make in two fabric ranges, and there’s only a
small minimum order requirement.
SPECIAL OFFER
Seek It Out is offering a
Seek It Out
10 per cent discount on
T: +44 (0)1743 885 292
wholesale kits orders until
E: trade@seekitout.co.uk
30th April, 2015.
W: www.seekitout.co.uk/trade
LEARN A NEW SKILL
Manor House Hotel offers a selection of 17 tutored crafts including
fabric painting, embroidery, pottery, glass engraving and painting, candle
and card-making, enamelling, jewellery making, sketching, hot press
printing, picture framing, silk painting and woodwork at its two craft
centres in Ashbury and Okehampton. All of these crafts feature expert
tuition with minimal additional outlay.
Away from the arts and crafts you’ll be spoilt for choice, with an
abundance of activities waiting to be explored, including tennis, bowls,
badminton, swimming pools, 10-pin bowling, snooker, archery, air pistols,
EMVVM¾IWERHX[SL]HVSWTEW*EGMPMXMIWEVIEZEMPEFPIJVIISJGLEVKIXS
all residents. With all breaks offering full board and generous group
discounts and child rates, crafters are guaranteed great value.
Manor House Hotel
T: +44 (0)800 234 3081
E: enquiries@manorhousehotel.co.uk
W: www.activityhotelbreaks.co.uk
craftfocus 45
awaken the crafter
INFLUENCED BY WELSH WEAVE
Memory and experience are the usual starting
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needlepoint kit. This cushion is inspired by her Nan
who used to keep her jewellery in a Welsh weave
purse and has collected Welsh weave ever since.
The counted needlepoint kit is Tina’s own design
that uses elements from Welsh, South American
and Norwegian weaving patterns. It comes in a
variety of colourways and can also be ordered as
a bespoke item to complement any home décor.
7XMXGLIHSRGSYRXXLI½RMWLIHHIWMKRQIEWYVIW
35cm square.
Tina Francis Tapestry
T: +44 (0)7979 854 649
E: tina@tinafrancis.co.uk
W: www.tina-francis-tapestry.co.uk
JEWELLERY MAKING
Creative Beadcraft
is the leading UK
distributor for
Preciosa Ornela,
and is delighted
to offer the new
Preciosa Ripple,
which is already
proving very
popular.
These circular
12mm ripple
pressed glass
beads have a 0.8mm central hole that offers a host of new design
opportunities for both stringing and embroidery. The beads’
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California colours, each of which has a shiny and matt version, with a
gold reverse. The beads partner particularly well with seed beads, to
create some beautiful and unusual designs.
Creative Beadcraft is able to offer extremely competitive prices
on the ripples and on a wide range of Czech Rocailles, twin seed
beads, pips and pellets. These are available loose or in retail-ready
hang sell packs and as a starter selection too.
SOCIAL MAKING
Craft workshops have become a real social phenomenon in the
last few years that allows crafters to create together, with the odd
cup of tea and cake thrown in for good measure.
Perhaps one of the most popular of these is the growing trend
in lampshade making workshops, which allow creative people to
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to their own chosen design. Needcrafts’ lampshade making kit
has been purpose-made for group making. Its workshop pack
enables tutors to put on a workshop with the minimum of hassle
and investment, with many crafters who attend going on to start
successful full-time lampshade manufacturing businesses.
Needcraft
T: +44 (0)1992 700 311
Creative Beadcraft
T: +44 (0)1494 778 818
E: beads@creativebeadcraft.co.uk
W: www.creativebeadcraft.co.uk
HOME CROSS-STITCHING
Chalkboards is the latest range from Design Works. All designs come in a counted cross-stitch kit,
and are stitched on 14-count black Aida using white thread with some colour for highlights. There
are two large notice board size designs, four 8in x 10in designs, and four mini 4in x 6in designs.
The mini designs come with a mount to frame. All of these make an eye-catching feature for any
room of the home.
Solocrafts
T: +44 (0)161 464 7313
46 craftfocus
Sock Yarn Specialist
Traynors Trimmings are one of the leading Haberdashery &
Trimmings wholesalers in the heart of East London.
We have over 40 Years of experience in the industry. Check
out our website for exciting special offers throughout the
year and save 5% on all first orders over £100.
Some of our products include Ribbons, Lace, Wool,
Knitting Patterns & Accessories, General Haberdashery,
Zips, Glue, Motifs, Buttons...
and much
much more !!
Knitting Boards
and Looms
020 7791 0505
info@traynorstrimmings.co.uk
www.traynorstrimmings.co.uk
Traynors Trimmings
16 - 18 Philpot Street
London E12DW
www.viridianyarn.com | viridianltd@gmail.com
tel: 0117 300 5244
Bothy Threads...
Bothy Threads Ltd. Unit 2b, Lakeland
Business Park, Cockermouth, CA13 0QT
Tel: 01900 828844
Email: info@bothythreads.com
Web: www.bothythreads.com
Lots of lovely new
designs available in
the new 2015 range!
... the home of happy stitching!
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
awaken the crafter
KNIT ONE, PURL ONE
In knitting, there are two basic stitches – Knit and Purl. Cygnet Yarns has
produced a pattern to incorporate a fresh, contemporary approach on
a traditional craft. The company is focused on making knitting much
more appealing to young adults by combining fun designs with easy
knitting techniques.
This pattern is very easy to do, super quick, looks great and is ideal for
beginners. All patterns, whether plain or fancy, lacy or textured are made
from these two stitches only; once you have mastered these, the knitting
world is your oyster.
Cygnet Yarns Ltd
T: +44 (0)1274 743 374
E: sales@cygnetyarns.com
W: www.cygnetyarns.com
DOTTY ABOUT ACCESSORIES
Quilt Dots is an exciting new range of pins, magnets and
interchangeable jewellery. Designed for quilters, but we think they’ll be
loved by all sewers and other crafters too. Quilt Dots are magnetic
embellishments that can be interchanged with different bases such as
bracelets, necklaces and key chains, or they can be used on their own
as an embellishment for the fridge or tins and just about any other
magnet-attracting surface.
The quilt dots come in tins of six and feature fabrics that quilters
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name a few. To create a pendant or bangle and stretchy bracelet,
simply attach your chosen design to the jewellery base magnetically.
With lots of quilt dots to choose from, you’ll never be short of an
original piece of jewellery. Or if you prefer, add to a key chain to
attach to your latest project.
Not magnetic, but still a great product in this collection, is the
Vintage Sewing Bookmark which is handy for any crafter to mark the
page of a favourite book.
48 craftfocus
CARD MAKING FOR BIRTHDAYS
The fabulous new collection from Hunkydory Crafts will capture
the heart of both the young and old, with new original artwork
produced by our award-winning design team. It features images for
boys and gents, girls and ladies, and each collection has everything
you need to create special birthday cards for all ages from
childhood to mature years.
Birthdays for Him and Her give crafters the opportunity to send a
truly one-of-a-kind, personalised and totally handcrafted card. There’s
also lots of coordinating items to extend crafting possibilities with
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Acetate. The collection retails at £29.99.
Hunkydory Crafts
T: +44 (0)1772 272 577
Hantex
T: +44 (0)1754 820 800
W: www.hantex.co.uk
awaken the crafter
COLOURING AS A HOBBY
Clairefontaine has released new Home
Design and Colouring Books to meet
the needs of the increasingly popular
adult colouring-in trend.
The Home Design Books are suitable
for all home décor enthusiasts, and
suit beginners and more experienced
crafters. The books contain six designs
with suggested colour schemes, and
can be used with paints, pencils and felt
tips. They’re now available in four new
themes including an art deco Parisian
theme, abstract, geometric designs and
two contrasting modern and traditional
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The new colouring books contain
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birds, towns and nature designs. These will appeal to the increasing number
of people enjoying this simple and relaxing crafting pastime.
PAPER FOLDING MADE EASY
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folding tool, which prevents friction burns
and paper cuts, and creates a better
crease line when hand folding paper and
card. This product was nominated for a
Hot Product Award recently at the Craft
and Hobby Association Mega show in
Anaheim, California.
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SRXLI½RKIVSVXLYQFERHIZIREGGSQQSHEXIW½RKIVREMPW-X´W
really versatile and perfect for paper crafters, origami lovers and
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It comes as a multi-size twin pack that retails at £3.99.
Manwise Products
T: +44 (0)1603 611 923
E: rupert@fold-ease.co.uk
W: www.fold-ease.com
ExaClair
T: +44 (0)1553 696 600
E: enquiries@exaclair.co.uk
W: www.exaclair.co.uk
BY INVITATION ONLY
With Imagine DIY, crafting just grew up and became sophisticated,
on-trend and elegant. Say goodbye to corrugated card and
mulberry paper. The company offers the most beautiful range of
crystal and pearl embellishments, decorative papers, laser cut card
blanks, lace and lots of other beautiful decorative items. With so
many fantastic products available for the crafting market, it’s hard
not to be inspired by the ranges offered by Imagine DIY. Whether
you’re making wedding stationery, hats, dresses, shoes, bags, or
scrapbooking this summer, there’s sure to be something to turn
your customers crafting projects into breathtaking works of art.
WAITING IN
THE WINGS
Past Time Quilling’s quilling
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½ZI&VMXMWLFYXXIV¾MIW4IEGSGO
Brimstone, Orange Tip,
Swallowtail and Red Admiral.
The kit contains complete
quilling instructions, patterns
sheets, quilling papers, quilling
tool, adhesive and mount card
to complete the lovely designs.
It retails at £5.99 and is
one of 10 Quilling Design kits,
which are available along with an extensive range of quilling papers,
tools, books and other accessories.
Imagine Doing It Yourself
T: +44 (0)1437 929 317
E: enquiries@imaginediy.co.uk
W: www.imaginediy.co.uk
Past Time Quilling
T: +44 (0)1332 840 582
E: info@pasttimequiling.co.uk
W: www.pasttimesquilling.co.uk
50 craftfocus
glue dots is the
way to glue
As Glue Dots celebrates its 20th anniversary, We talk to Dave
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How did it all start?
John Downs started the company back in 1995
in the US. John was an expert in industrial
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bulb moment came when a customer wanted
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hot melt adhesive formula on a release paper.
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customer ordered 10,000 dots.
John quickly realised that he’d developed
a product that had potential and focused on
the industrial marketplace. It was John’s wife,
Tammy, who introduced the product to the
retail world. As a keen scrap-booker, she could
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concept and sales took off.
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Asia with a distribution network supported by
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What plans are there for the UK?
Our technically advanced adhesive products
and applications systems are well respected
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Europe. We want to build on that reputation
and focus to establish our consumer brand in
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52 craftfocus
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distributor for the craft, stationery, art and
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family-owned business and like Glue Dots,
has developed its business over the years
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supplier to both home and export markets.
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and a new purpose built 80,000sqft warehouse
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Tell us what’s a glue dot?
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simple and easy. The double-sided adhesive
bonds instantly to virtually any surface, which
makes them ideal for use in mixed media
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projects and countless jobs around the home
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easier to use, and come in a choice of adhesive
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by the entire family. They’re the perfect choice
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Tell us about the craft range?
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Glue Dots hand-held dispensers:
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Glue Dots rolls:
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Perforated sheets:
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Ultra-thin, and XL Glue Dots sheets
Desk Top dispenser:
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Dots rolls
What is your best-selling product?
The hand-held dispensers are currently the
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The ultimate in convenience, they come
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mini and ultra-thin. Last year, we saw a massive
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and is exclusive to Glue Dots. Just press the
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for the job. You can quickly apply a line of dots
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side for pinpoint placement. It now comes
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What support do you offer resellers?
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experienced and friendly sales team with a
wealth of experience who like to work with
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top display units.
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directory of crafty projects and ideas for the
whole family.
We also produce Glue Dots’ in-store project
cards to support sales and promote craft
projects around busy times of the year such
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What’s new this year?
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XLI[MHIVERKISJEHLIWMZIWXVIRKXLWERHWMÎW
Tell us a bit more about why resellers should
stock the product?
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PEWX]IEVERH[I´VIWYTTSVXMRKXLIPEYRGL[MXL
some fantastic introductory offers. We offer
the best of both worlds as Glue Dots is a bestWIPPMRKFVERH[MXLETVSZIRXVEGOVIGSVHKPSFEP
WEPIWERHWYTTSVXRIX[SVO]IXXSQSWX9/
consumers, it’s new.
We know that fresh product innovation is
key to success for independent craft reseller
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new opportunity. We’re unrivalled in the
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our markets and have created products for
specialist uses – no other manufacturer does
this. Once your customers have tried Glue
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What accomplishments are you most
proud of?
The company has revolutionised the adhesives
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products. New product innovation has always
been a powerful driver in the craft industry
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Over the years, we’ve won numerous
awards for innovation and quality such
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every major retailer in the US.
What plans are ahead for Glue Dots?
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new products. Our main focus is to transform
ideas into technically advanced adhesives and
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to market. C
Glue Dots are distributed in the UK by
8
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craftfocus 53
taking card payments
ActSmart explains why retailers can’t afford to ignore card payments and offers some advice
on how to get started
Taking card payments isn’t just for big
businesses, but many smaller retailers still see
card terminals as a costly investment that may
not be worth the hassle. A third of businesses
– and almost the same number of consumers
– believe that soon Britain will become a
cashless society, which is good news when
you look at the issues that taking cash only
can cause.
The Payments Landscape Report, compiled
by payments provider Sage Pay, found that the
average cost of handling cash per retailer has
reached £3,638 with businesses shouldering
security costs and losing money on counterfeit
notes and theft.
For customers too, cash is not as important
as it used to be, with 36 per cent of
consumers saying that they’re more likely
to shop with retailers that offer a range
of payment methods. More than a third
of customers will put items back if their
preferred method of payment is not accepted.
The cost of handling cash
per retailer has reached
£3,638 with businesses
shouldering security costs
At least 120 million transactions are lost each
year in the UK through people leaving shops
because they can’t pay by card, according to
research earlier this year. A further 92.8 million
opportunities to sell are lost through people
avoiding shops because they don’t accept card
payments. Consider this:
• 70 per cent of UK consumers prefer to pay
for everyday purchases with a card rather
than cash.
• 61 per cent would spend more with a
business if it took cards.
54 craftfocus
• 21 per cent of customers have left a shop
without buying anything because they couldn’t
pay by card.
• 19 per cent of customers have avoided a
shop altogether because it didn’t take
certain cards.
If you don’t already accept credit cards at your
business, you could be missing out. There are
many advantages to accepting payments via
credit or debit card, which will have a positive
effect on your business:
1. Increased sales
The simple act of accepting credit card
TE]QIRXWGERKMZIEWMKRM½GERXFSSWXXS]SYV
business. Statistically people spend 30 per cent
more on a card then with cash.
Research shows that sales can double or
even triple versus current sales. One survey,
sponsored by Intuit, found that 83 per cent
of small businesses that accepted cards saw
increased sales.
2. People spend more with cards
There is endless research that shows it’s
easier to spend money with a credit card than
with cash. The feeling of being parted with
hard earned cash is greatly diminished when
handing over plastic. Credit cards also increase
impulse purchases because consumers are not
tied to what’s in their wallets at that moment.
3. Customer service
It’s a fact that cash payments are decreasing.
The British Retail Consortium Cost of
business advice
It's a fact by 2012 cash
payments had decreased by
9.7 per cent and providing
the option to pay by card is
the customer's expectation
Payment Collection survey found that the
amount of money spent in cash was down 9.7
per cent in 2012. Providing the option to pay
with a credit card is becoming an expectation.
4. More professional
In the eyes of the customer, if you accept
cards it means your business is established and
trustworthy. Businesses that display card decals
in windows and have a modern terminal at
the cashier’s desk look more reputable than
ones who don’t. It looks as though you’ve
invested in your business and will also stand
the test of time.
5. Save time
The payment process with cards is automated,
with automatic approvals and deposits into
your businesses bank account. That means
fewer trips to the bank, no invoices to print
and mail plus no more dealing with bounced
checks. With the time you save, you can focus
on other important aspects of your business,
like making more sales.
6. Customer engagement
Card payment terminals offer a variety of
add-on features, which can help you execute
innovative campaigns to recruit and retain
customers by turning transactions into
conversations that build lasting and
TVS½XEFPIVIPEXMSRWLMTW
With the technology built into card
terminals, you can create your own bespoke
digital card scheme encompassing gift cards,
loyalty cards, savings cards and much more. If
you’ve got a paper voucher or manual rewards
scheme in place currently, replacing this with a
digital version could make the whole process
QSVIIJ½GMIRXTVSJIWWMSREPERHTVS½XEFPI
A product like The Experts Cards
(www.theexpertscards.co.uk) has been
specially designed with the independent
retailer in mind, with no set up costs and
minimum order quantities of just 100 cards –
making it a low cost sales and marketing tool
for your business.
So what are you waiting for?
Find out more about taking card payments or
see how much you could save by switching
providers – you could be paying as low at
1.065 per cent per transaction. For more
information contact ActSmart for advice on
taking mobile payments and creating your own
digital card programmes. C
ActSmart is a business support
organisation for specialist retailers, their
supply partners and trade associations.
With more than 3,000 subscribers,
ActSmart is one of the fastest growing
organisations of its kind in the UK.
ActSmart works in partnership
with Tictail to help independent craft
businesses set up their own online store
quickly and easily and take advantage of
a selection of Tictail’s premium apps – all
free of charge.
Whether you’re a small start-up seeking
the help and advice needed to get ahead,
or an established independent small or
medium-sized enterprise looking for
a little support, ActSmart’s a valuable
resource giving you 24/7 access to a
wealth of relevant, trusted information.
ActSmart
T: 0845 618 7256
E: info@actsmart.biz
W: www.actsmart.biz/creative
craftfocus 55
HeeBee Trade
Needlecraft Specialists
HeeBee Trade is a
leading UK wholesale
supplier of quality
needlecraft products and
accessories including
canvas, fabric and
threads.
We are official UK
distributors of;
ZWEIGART
ANCHOR
DMC
KREINIK
RAINBOW
GALLERY
APPLETONS
We supply half boxes of
most threads and have a
minimum order value of
just £75, therefore we are
ideal for small businesses
and designers
01565 872214 sales@heebee-trade.co.uk
w:www.heebee-trade.co.uk
95 Town Lane, Mobberley, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 7HH
needlecraft
craft
all eyes on
the needle
Encourage your customers to pick up a needlee
whatever the craft, with the latest products
STITCHING FOR THE HOME
Stitching, Embroidery-Me and My Home
Rico Design has launched a new stitching range of accessories and items
for the home. Included in the range is an assortment of quick small-tolarger pieces that have been created to appeal to all skill levels. Design
and colour are at the forefront of this new contemporary collection
with retro style cushions, mobile phone covers, key fobs, tablecloths and
purses just a few examples of the projects that are available.
Rico Design
T: +44 (0)20 3024 9009
)GYWXSQIVWIVZMGI$VMGSHIWMKRYO
;[[[VMGSHIWMKRGSYO
PATCHWORK AND QUILTING
Superior threading
Finca 60/3 is a revolutionary
three-ply and 100 per
cent cotton patchwork
and quilting thread. This is
probably the highest quality
thread available for piecing
and machine quilting, as
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making it ideal for precision
piecing where you need the
most accurate seam allowance. It can be
used for all construction seams in 100 per
cent cotton quilting fabrics, with the bobbin
when quilting with nylon, and top and
bobbin when quilting with cotton.
Finca 60/3 comes in 24 colours in 600m
reels and 125gm cones, and by request. It
can also be obtained on 250gm cones direct from the manufacturer in Spain.
There are plans to add further colours to the range during the year.
Two sides to
every story
Perfect for on-the-go quilters
– the June Tailor quilter’s
cut ‘n’ press is available in
a convenient size with a
handle for easy portability.
This superior-quality cutting
mat is weather-resistant and
won’t warp, crack or peel.
One side is a durable
rotary cutting mat with a
solid surface that will help extend the life of the rotary blade
and includes permanent angles and bias lines for quick and
easy mitering, while the other side is made of 100 per cent
pre-shrunk cotton and covered with a padded pressing mat.
It also comes with a cushioned one-inch grid with diagonal
lines to help you square as you press, eliminating seam-edge
TVIWWMRKERHTVSXIGXMRKXLIVEMWIHHIXEMPWSJ½RIETTPMUYqW
Both sides of this mat also have ruler markings that let you
complete the project quickly and easily.
Presencia
T: +44 (0)1634 711 228
E: waltonvs@aol.com
;[[[½RGEXLVIEHWGSYO
EQS
T: +44 (0)116 271 0033
)WEPIW$IUWYOGSQ
;[[[IUWYOGSQ
craftfocus 57
CROSS-STITCH
The bear’s back!
Paddington Bear is back in town. Michael
Bond’s books have delighted children
for 50 years and last year, he hit the big
screen too. Bothy Threads celebrates
this with two new cross-stitch kits that are great fun to stitch
stitch. They
measure 23cm x 26cm on 14 hpi white Aida and come with clear
WXMXGLHMEKVEQWERHMRWXVYGXMSRWERHQEOIEKVIEXXVMFYXIXSXLMWHYJ¾I
coated, marmalade-sandwich-loving bear.
Both designs – Please Look After This Bear and It’s Nice Being A Bear
come with pre-sorted stranded cottons and use full cross-stitch and
occasional fractional cross-stitches, back stitch and French knots. Both
retail at £22.49.
Bothy Threads
T: +44 (0)1900 828 844
E: info@bothythreads.com
W: www.bothythreads.com
Handsome horses
Best-selling kits from Riolis include these lifelike horses that look
as though they’ve been hand-painted, but, in fact, these wonderful
masterpieces are cross-stitched designs. There are two stunning designs
to choose from; Andalusian and Breeze through the Mane.
These embroidery designs are done with two- and three-strand
cross-stitches and one-strand stitches. There are 23 colours of Anchor
cotton stranded threads that make up this almost monochrome but
intense spectrum of pure white to coal-black colours. They’re particularly
stunning on the 14 count Aida black canvas background and will be
appreciated by horse lovers and cross-stitchers alike.
Riolis is distributed in the UK by SoloCrafts
T: +44 0161 464 7313
58 craftfocus
Lovely lady
Roxy is the latest lovely lady in the John Clayton’s Elegance range.
This is one of those designs that really needs to be viewed from
a distance and would grace any wall. Available as a complete
cross-stitch kit with 27-count even weave or 14-count Aida
fabric, the kit contains Zweigart fabric, DMC stranded cottons
sorted on to numbered cards, a needle, and clear charts and
instructions. When completed, it measures 22.5cm x 16cm and
retails at £25.
Heritage Crafts
T: +44 (0)1889 572 850
W: www.hcrafts.com
100% mercerized
Egyptian 3 ply crochet
cotton. Available in:
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80
and 100 in white and cream
ecru, weights 30 and 50 as
well available in 6 bleach
solid dyed colours.
100% Metallic Thread in 1, 2 and 6 ply, in 12 solid dyed colours.
A WHOLE RANGE OF BEAUTIFUL THREADS
We can supply you with the best
quality: Lace, Embroidery, Sewing,
Quilting, Crochet, Tatting, Metallic,
Rayon, and Perlé threads (even Perlé
Finca 16 which can go on as sewing
machine) as well as 6 ply Mouliné
embroidery floss.
100% mercerized Egyptian 2 ply cotton, in 5 g. balls,
weights: 12 and 16, and 10 g. balls in weights: 3, 5, 8, 12
and 16, in solid dyed and bleach fast colours.
)RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQSOHDVHJRWRRXUZHEVLWH
ZZZILQFDWKUHDGVFRXN
100% mercerized
Egyptian 3 ply crochet cotton
thread for all use in 40, 50
and 60 weight, for quilting.
100% mercerized Egyptian 6 ply
cotton, in 8 meter skeins in solid
dyed and bleach fast colours.
Luxe kits
StitchKits’ range of contemporary cross-stitch kits continues to grow
with exciting new designs. English designer Ruth Caig creates fresh,
modern kits, which are inspired by life in the UK. These luxury kits are
hand-packaged in pretty gift-style bags and tied with a polka-dot ribbon
bow, this thoughtful packaging makes them distinct and appealing for gift
givers and are lovely to receive.
Kits contain the highest quality Zweigart cotton Aida and pre-sorted
(1'XLVIEHWEWWYVMRKEPSRKPEWXMRK½RMWL/MXWEVIWYMXEFPIJSVFIKMRRIVW
and are perfect for the new generation of crafters. The smaller kits
are now available with wooden embroidery hoops, perfect for both
[SVOMRKMRERHHMWTPE]MRKXLI½RMWLIH[SVO4VMGIWVIXEMPEXFIX[IIR
and £27.50.
StitchKits London
T: +44 (0)7941 305 781
)WXMXGLOMXW$LSXQEMPGSYO
;[[[WXMXGLOMXWPSRHSRGSYO
Découpage-inspired embroidery
Heather Anne from Classic Embroidery
has produced two of the Fabulous Girls
HIWMKRWJVSQHqGSYTEKIHIWMKRWJVSQ
House of Zandra.
8LI*VSK4VMRGIWWERH&YXXIV¾]
Catcher are both available as crossWXMXGLOMXWERHXSVI¾IGXXLIWXVSRK
colour, glitz and glitter of the original
decoupage designs, the kits have been
stitched with metallic threads and
embellished with beads. These popular
eye-catching kits add a touch of humour
to contemporary cross-stitch and are
attractively priced below £20 retail.
A newly updated Classic Embroidery
catalogue is available on request.
Classic Embroidery
T: + 44 (0)1529 461 056
)MRJS$GPEWWMGIQFGSYO
;[[[GPEWWMGIQFGSYO
60 craftfocus
Wear your
cross-stitch on
your arm
What a great idea
to turn a beautiful
cross-stitch into a
tote bag. There are
two plastic canvas
handbag kits from
Design Works to
choose from: Paisley
Handbag and Night
and Day Bag. The
black and white
design also contains rhinestones so that stitchers can add sparkle.
These kits contain 7-count plastic canvas sheets, acrylic yarn, needle,
stitch chart and full instructions for assembly.
KNITTING & CROCHET
Wax lyrical
Brittany has produced
a new innovative
product for knitters
and crocheters needle wax. Simply rub
a small amount onto
your knitting needles,
leave them for a few
hours and then wipe
off. This wax helps to
QEMRXEMRXLI½RMWL
of the needles and
enhances the quality
of the wood. It can be
used on any wooden or bamboo needles and has a lovely vanilla
WQIPPXSS7SPHMRTEGOWSJ½ZI[MXLLERH]HMWTPE]FS\JSV]SYV
counter or shelf, it retails at £9.
Artesano
T: +44 (0)118 950 3350
)MRJS$EVXWERS]EVRWGSYO
;EVXIWERS]EVRWGSYO
SEWING
Design Works also make four tote bag designs in plastic canvaswork
including a summery Aran design and Flowers, Cats and Dogs
versions. Each kit consists of 7-count plastic canvas, ample wool
threads, needle, lining fabric, handles, chart and full instructions.
Design includes simple, repeat stitch techniques for stitchers at
all levels.
Make your mark
From erasable fabric pens and ceramic tracers to glue pens and stain
removers, Sewline offers
a wide variety of products
to suit all sewing projects.
The glue pen is just one
of the versatile, quick, and
convenient-to-use products
in the range. There’s no
QSVI½HHPMRK[MXLTMRWERH
attempting to sew around
them or over them, and
its blue colour has been
WTIGM½GEPP]HIWMKRIHXS
make it easy to see when
using, but to dry clear after
a few minutes. The pen is
also water-soluble and safe
for most fabrics.
Solocrafts
T: +44 (0)161 464 7313
EQS
T: +44 (0)116 271 0033
)WEPIW$IUWYOGSQ
;[[[IUWYOGSQ
62 craftfocus
bookstand
Stocking craft books alongside your other
product lines is a great way to make
additional sales. We review the latest editions
to hit the stands
KNITTING
MONSTER KNITS FOR
LITTLE MONSTERS
By Nuriya Khegay
Price: £12.99
ISBN: 978-1-84543-559-2
Publisher: Apple Press
This is an adorable book with 20 animalthemed pullover hats and paw mittens
sets to knit for babies and toddlers. These
projects are great for dressing up including
tiny tiger, mischievous monkey, busy bee
and cosy cat. Featuring patterns for all
level of knitters, there’s something
for everyone.
We say: “This book is something a bit
different to offer customers who like to
knit and have fun. The back of the book
includes all the necessary knitting basics to
have a go at the projects inside.”
ART AND DRAWING
JUST ADD WATERCOLOUR
By Helen Birch
Price: £9.99
ISBN: 978-0-7112-3664-6
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Another handy-sized book, but for budding artists this time –
Just Add Watercolour is an innovative and accessible guide packed
with bite-sized creative painting tips and advice. Artists will be
able to dip in and out of this informative book that highlights a
range of styles, approaches, techniques, qualities and effects. The
book is organised into chapters according to the medium from
gouache and digital to mixed media.
We say: “The book includes practical tips on a spectrum of
topics such as tone, perspective and colour, and there’s a useful
visual index at the front of the book to enable the reader to
easily identify painting styles.”
64 craftfocus
book reviews
CALMING
COLOURING
PATTERNS AND
NATURE PATTERNS
By Graham Leslie
McCallum
Price: £6.99 each
ISBN: 978-1-84884-269-0
and 978-1-84994-268-3
Publisher: Batsford
Colouring has become a popular pastime for adults and is the perfect
escape from a busy lifestyle. Calming Colouring Patterns and Nature
Patterns feature more than 80 hand-drawn illustrations including leaves,
petals and landscapes just waiting for an injection of colour. So whether
you have 10 minutes to spare before going to work or a whole Sunday
afternoon, this book is a simple way to enjoy some downtime.
We say: “These are great books for feeding your creativity and can be
taken with you anywhere for a few moments relaxation.”
MACHINE EMBROIDERY
Felt Brooches with FreeMachine Stitching
By Myra Hutton
Price: £4.99
ISBN: 978-1-78221-196-9
Publisher: Search Press
Felt Brooches is one
of the latest in the
successful Twenty to
Make series and features
that number of quick,
easy and stylish felt
brooches. Myra Hutton
has put together designs
using popular motifs such
as owls, chickens, dogs,
GYTGEOIWERH¾S[IVW
A technique section
explains all you need to know to make them.
We say: “Felt is an extremely popular, colourful and inexpensive
material that all crafters love to use. This book gives them another
creative avenue to use it.”
Book contacts
Apple Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group UK,
www.quarto.com
Batsfords, available from www.pavilionbooks.com
SEWING
The Great British Sewing Bee: Fashion with Fabric
By Claire-Louise Hardie
Price: £25
ISBN: 9781849495455
Publisher: Quadrille
BBC2 TV’s The Great
British Sewing Bee
returned for its third
series earlier this year
bringing sewing to the
forefront once again.
Customers inspired by
the programme will
be excited to know
that there’s a new
book to accompany
the series. The Great
British Sewing Bee:
Fashion With Fabric
will get them started
with dressmaking, and has lots of fashion related projects. The book
shows that with the few basic skills needed, everyone can make their
S[RSRISJEOMRHSYX½XERHGSRGIRXVEXIWSRJEFVMGERHXLIMQTSVXERGI
of choosing the right fabric. Each chapter’s devoted to a different fabric
type from beginner-friendly cottons to more challenging laces, plus an
EVVE]SJHVIWWQEOMRKXIGLRMUYIWJVSQWXEVXXS½RMWL;MXLIEW]XS
JSPPS[MRWXVYGXMSRWJSVYWMRKTEXXIVRWTMRRMRKERHGYXXMRKLS[XS½RMWL
seams and add trims, sewers will be able to tackle the many garments
contained in the book including a ’50s summer dress, tartan kilt, child’s
JERG]HVIWWSYX½XERH'ETVMXVSYWIVW
We say:±8LI½VWXX[SFSSOWJVSQWIVMIWLEZIEPVIEH]WSPHMRI\GIWW
of 90,000 copies each. Written by Claire-Louise Hardie, the sewing
TVSHYGIVJSV8LI+VIEX&VMXMWL7I[MRK&IIERHGSRXEMRMRKE½ZIWLIIX
pattern pack, it’s a handy addition to your bookstand.”
Frances Lincoln, part of Quarto Publishing Group UK, www.quarto.com
Quadrille, www.quadrille.co.uk
Search Press, www.searchpress.co.uk
craftfocus 65
The UK’s leading magazine
for the craft industry
C
To advertise here
telephone Tracy Voice
on +44 (0)1376 535 618
www.craftfocus.com
storage
saving space
Sassy storage solutions whatever the craft
All round storage
Cleartec Packaging
manufactures 28 different
diameters of tubes
with either round or
sealed bottoms. If your
requirement is for larger
quantities, the company
can manufacture to a
WTIGM½GPIRKXLFYXVIEPMWMRK
that smaller quantities are sometimes required, it’s introduced minipaks to its off-the-shelf products in the more popular sizes, which
can now be purchased online. These mini-paks are available with
standard and hanging polypropylene plugs, with both styles available
in black, red or natural. To give retailers as much choice as possible,
mini-paks can be bought as just tubes or with any combination
of plugs. Cleartec Packaging can send samples prior to purchasing
if you need to check the sizing. Visit their website and click on the
sample request button, or call to discuss your needs further.
Cleartec Packaging
T: +44 (0)800 856 246
E: sales@cleartecpackaging.co.uk
W: www.cleartecpackaging.co.uk
Quote code CF15 to receive a 10 per cent discount on orders
placed before 31st May, 2015
File with style
(I¾IGXSLEWERI[TVSHYGXPMRIXLEX´W
aimed at the arts and crafts sector.
The company has a great selection of
storage solutions to keep workspaces
clutter-free. The collection includes
the stackable cube container with its
transparent compartments to hold
embellishments, buttons and tapes, and
the rotating-carousel organiser that has
½ZIGERMWXIVW[MXLWRETXMKLXPMHWERHE
VSXEXMRKFEWI%RH½REPP]XLIGVEJXXMPXFMRW
of mix and match interlocking units to
customise your storage.
(I¾IGXS
T: +1 800 428 4328
)GYWXSQIVWIVZMGI$HI¾IGXSGSQ
;[[[HI¾IGXSGSQGVEJX
Bags full of knitting
Mili products are produced exclusively
for Hantex, and provide knitters and
crocheters with handy storage options.
All Chloe ranges carry the Chloe yarn
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an attractive matching binding. The outer
fabric is 100 per cent hardwearing silk and
the inner lining is polyester.
The Chloe knitting bag is a large
knitting bag that combines attractive styling with great storage. The bag
has 10 discreet external pockets together with three internal pockets
and one large internal zip pocket, and is priced at £39.95 RRP.
Also available in the Chloe range is the single point knitting case,
crochet and knitting case and interchangeable knitting case, all
contemporary, with simple styling that’s practical for today’s busy knitters
and crocheters.
Hantex
T: +44 (0)1754 820 800
W: www.hantex.co.uk
Sewing caddy
Simplicity has a new deluxe
storage caddy on wheels. It
has removable containers
with snap lock closures and
hinged lids to make storing
all sewing equipment
a breeze. Some of the
containers are removable
and can be custom
divided into two or three
compartments, and there’s
also a special compartment
with 20 spool holders.
With a recessed telescopic
handle, it’s easy to manoeuvre. It retails at £99.
Simplicity
T: +44 (0)161 480 8734
E: uk.sales@simplicity.com
W: www.simplicitynewlook.com
craftfocus 67
made of memories
Pictures say a thousand words – we’ve put together the
cutest and latest stamps and scrapbook products
Perfect partners
Perfect Partners dies and A6 stamps have been hand-drawn by Sheen
Douglas. Designed to work faultlessly together, these stamps allow paper
crafters to stamp precisely proportioned images onto the matching die cuts.
Stamp and Die designs include the following: an Apple A Day, Little Bird
Die, Birds of a Feather, Autumn Branches, Out on a Limb, Brambles, Wild
Rose, Rose-Briar, Acorn and Leaves.
These are suitable for use with many different colouring mediums to
create amazing effects and can be coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and
TIRGMPW%UYEXMRXW4IFIS4EMRXW0YQMREVXIERHXSEHH½RMWLMRKXSYGLIW
using Tim Holtz Distress Inks.
T: +44 (0)1388 660 930
E: trade@crafterscompanion.co.uk
Stylish stamping
Rico Designs has a range of its own-brand decorative silicone stamps,
stamp sets and stamps with handles with stylish, of-the-moment designs like
woodland animals.
These are great for scrapbooking and embossing, as well as making greeting
cards and invitations, menus and thank you cards. Use in conjunction with the
Paper Poetry neon inkpads.
Rico Design
T: +44 (0)20 3024 9009
E: customer.service@rico-design.co.uk
W: www.rico-design.de/en
68 craftfocus
scrapbook & stamping
In the clear!
+VE½\SJJIVE[MHIVERKISJHIGSVEXMZI½PQWYTTPMIWJSVEPPGEVHERH
paper crafting requirements that produce amazing results, including Rub3R^XSGVIEXI]SYVS[RXVERWJIVW'SQTYXIV+VE½\XSTVMRX]SYVS[R
transparencies, Shrink Film to make your own embellishments, Chipboard
to create the perfect background, Vellum to add a sophisticated side and
Craft Plastic for a sturdy yet see-through surface.
+VE½\EVXW
T: +1 800 447 2349
)WEPIW$KVE½ÊVXWGSQ
;[[[KVE½\EVXWGSQ
Designer stamps
Lavinia Stamps offers a range of distinctive and inspirational
products that thrives on bringing innovations to the marketplace.
Tracey Dutton took the plunge into designing her own collection
of stamps nearly nine years ago, and her passion for fairies and
fantasy and background in Art and Design are the reasons why
these designs are so successful. These beautiful clear polymer
stamps are produced to a high quality, delivering a sharp, beautiful
image every time.
Lavinia Stamps
T: +44 (0)1824 710 691
E: enquiries@laviniastamps.co.uk
W: www.laviniastamps.com
Scrapbooking made easy
When it comes to scrapbooking, Glue Dots’ Ultra-Thin adhesive
formula is ideal for paper layering, bonding photos to cards or
scrapbook pages. They provide a strong permanent bond with no
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Glue Dots Adhesives are ideal for all sorts of scrapbooking
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formats: hand-held dispensers, rolls and sheets as well as a wide
range of adhesive strengths and sizes.
Perfect for all ages and abilities, Glue Dots offer a new way to
KPYI[LMGLMWJEWXWMQTPIERHWEJIEWXLI]´VIRSRXS\MG0MKRMRERH
acid-free. Glue Dots’ high quality, double-sided adhesive bonds
instantly and there’s no mess, no fuss and no drying time.
Glue Dots
T: +44 (0) 1303 297888
W: www.gluedotseurope.com
craftfocus 69
business advice
cover your back
Protect it or forget it says Dids Macdonald, Chief Executive
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Inventor Trevor Baylis is known for the
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father Ian has an engineering degree and
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70 craftfocus
Visit us at
www.houseofcardandpaper.co.uk
we cover all your needs
a brand of creativity
We chat with Michael Armstrong, Rico Design’s Managing Director in the UK and Ireland, about
the company and brand’s offerings
specialists for each product area. Rico Design
has never forgotten its roots in retail and
maintains a close understanding of the market
so it can best serve its customers with the
right products. Over time, the company has
developed a breadth of range that allows it to
be seen as a one-stop shop for arts and craft
materials, and is recognised as one of the trend
drivers in the market.
of success and to make sure it’s giving its
customers the right products for their
customers. A good example of this successful
formula is what the brand has achieved with
its knitting ranges where, in a relatively short
period of time, the company is seen as one of
the UK market leaders and actively participates
in the UK Hand Knitting Association (UKHKA).
Q. What can the company offer the
UK market?
Rico Design makes all of its ranges available
to the UK and Irish market comprising some
28,000 SKUs. The product is shipped directly
JVSQ+IVQER][MXLEX]TMGEPPIEHXMQISJ½ZI
working days.
Q. How and where did the business start?
Rico Design is a third generation family
business that started as a small haberdashery
store in Paderborn, Germany. As a small
retailer in the early ’80s, Franz Jacoby became
frustrated with the supply of products and lack
of innovation in the craft industry and seized
on an opportunity to acquire Rico Design. He
and the family invested all of their heart and
creativity into the company to transform it
into the highly successful and widely respected
business it is today. It now employs more than
1,000 people across Europe.
The family approached me in 2007 to
expand the business into the UK and Ireland
and at the same time assist in creating a
knitting collection that met the needs of the
German and French markets. Rico Design is
a highly successful growing part of the group,
supported by one of Europe’s foremost
craft companies.
Q. What makes the company different from
its competitors?
Rico Design develops and markets its own
products exclusively under its own brand.
8LIGSQTER]WMKRM½GERXP]MRZIWXWMRTVSHYGX
development with dedicated category
72 craftfocus
Q. What is the company’s main
product ranges?
The company operates in all of the main
European markets, and as crafts have different
selling cycles dependent on countries and
consumer trends, all product areas are
important to us. Unlike many European or
QEVOIXWTIGM½GGVEJXGSQTERMIW6MGS(IWMKR
draws its knowledge and expertise from
the local market to maximise the chance
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We don’t wholesale for anyone else and
all products carry the Rico Design brand.
This means we’ve control over creativity and
there are not multiple margins involved in the
products, so we’re able to offer great value for
money to the consumer and at the same
XMQIKMZISYVGYWXSQIVWEHIGIRXTVS½XSR
their sales.
The UK and Ireland are covered by a
dedicated sales team who are equipped and
able to discuss any aspect of the company’s
products and services.
Q. Keeping up with the trends is an
important measure within the craft industry.
What do you consider the hottest trends at
the moment?
Both Vintage styling and Making for the Home
are set to be top trends for the forthcoming
year. Rico Design is perfectly placed to take
advantage of this opportunity. The company
has an extensive collection of embroidery kits
to make tablecloths, runners, tea towels and
aprons, cushions and and home accessories.
In addition we’ve collections from the hand
knitting range, paper-craft, home baking and
XLIPEXIWXGVEJXGSPPIGXMSRTETIV¾S[IVQEOMRK
Q. What are the best-selling products?
Knitting products continue to be a very strong
product group for the company in common
with the market trend. Our products continue
to offer excellent value to the consumer,
backed up with inspirational design and
stunning colour palettes.
In addition, our success is driven in part by
the relationships we have with a broad range
of media titles and the generous support
they give the business. In the last year we’ve
seen a national rollout of a wider range of
our craft materials and these have proved
hugely successful. With the new product offer
presented at CHSI in Birmingham, there’s
never been a better time to become a stockist
of our products.
Q. What advice can you offer small
independent retailers when stocking
their shops?
The advice I give to customers is once you’ve
made your selection, make sure you give the
product the air to breath so that it maximizes
its success on your shelf.
il can’t’ sellll every product
d ffrom every
Retailers
manufacturer nor should they try.
&IGSR½HIRXMR]SYVEFMPMX]XSORS[[LEX
your customers want and stock the brands
and products that give you a decent working
margin. Rico Design always promotes its
products at the higher end of the RRP scale.
This represents great value for money for the
consumer and gives retailers the opportunity
to choose where they want to present their
pricing points.
Q. What’s in the pipeline for the UK market?
Handarbeit and Hobby Cologne is just around
the corner. We’ll launch our new textile and
knitting collections there for the world market.
I always look forward to this event. It’s such a
large show and is a great reminder of what a
wonderful and vibrant industry we work in. It’s
the place where our creative team can really
present the advantages of our products on our
stand, which is always inspirational. C
Rico Design
T: +44 (0)20 3024 9009
E: customer.service@rico-design.co.uk
W: www.rico-design.de/en
craftfocus 73
Lighter evenings means more crafting time, so summer is an excellent time to attract new
customers. We have a round up of the season’s hottest products
Debbie Shore collaboration
Crafter’s Companion has gone into
partnership with Debbie Shore to
put together a twin CD-Rom for
sewing enthusiasts. Bags Galore is
an inspirational CD containing 10
beautiful projects with step-by-step
instructions and templates to make
stylish bags designed by Debbie.
Once sewers have mastered these
designs, they’ll be able to go on
and adapt and create their own
styles. It retails at £22.49.
T: +44 (0)1388 660 930
E: trade@crafterscompanion.
co.uk
A pocket full
of posies
Building on its success
with its Paper Poetry
brand, Rico Design has
launched a comprehensive
GSPPIGXMSRJSVTETIV¾S[IV
making products. The concept
includes an extensive colour bank of
specialist crepe paper, stamens, wires,
XSSPWERHGYXXMRKHMIW9WIXLIWIXSGVIEXIEFIEYXMJYPHMWTPE]MR]SYV
shop window to entice customers.
This new craft allows your customers to use their existing paper craft
skills in a completely different way, and will lend itself to commercial
opportunities for the crafter.
Rico Design
T: +49 5272 602 855
E: customer.service@rico-design.uk
W: www.rico-design.co.uk
Buttons in abundance
Hantex has new designs to add to its popular Dress It Up collection
of buttons. These novelty designs are great for adding a themed
embellishment to sewing projects. The choice of buttons available is
wide ranging, from cute animals like foxes and chickens, to brightly
coloured blossoms and harvest blooms. These retail at £2.95 per pack.
Hantex
T: +44 (0)1754 820 800
W: www.hantex.co.uk
Making memories
8LMWWIEWSRMWHI½RMXIP]XLIXMQIXSKIXSYXHSSVWERH[LEXFIXXIV[E]
XSFVMRKQIQSVMIWLSQIXLERMRXLIJSVQSJ¾S[IVW#8LIWIGERXLIR
be pressed to make beautiful pictures, or used in a scrapbook to remind
you of those sunny days.
4IEO(EPI4VSHYGXWWIPPWX[S¾S[IVTVIWWIWETPEMRSRIXLEXGERFI
decorated, or a deluxe version that already has a pretty design on. Both
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¾S[IVWRIIHXSFITVIWWIH8LIWIEVIQEHIMRXLI9/ERHEVIMHIEPJSV
WEZMRK[IHHMRKFSYUYIXWTEVX]¾S[IVWSVGLVMWXIRMRK¾S[IVW
Peak Dale Products
T: +44 (0)129 878 447
E: craft@dircon.co.uk
W: www.peakdaleproducts.co.uk
craftfocus 75
summer crafts
=
here comes summer
here comes summer
Lazy summer days
For those foodie crafters,
Club Green has a
gorgeous range of china
cup and saucers and
coordinating cake tiers
in pastel blue and pink
designs that are perfect
for those customers who
want to show off their
latest baking and cake
decorating skills. The company also stocks pretty jam toppers in old
rose fabric designs for jam makers, plus packaging and gift boxes
for confectionery.
Club Green
T: +44 (0)1483 281 313
E: sales@clubgreen.com
W: www.clubgreen.com
Light and heirloom
The new candlewick embroidery kits from Design Works currently
has two cushions – Heart Pillow and Garden Expressions. These
come as printed cushion cover with candlewick threads and
instructions, and all measure 18in x 14in when completed.
Candlewick threads have a softer look with less shine than
stranded cottons, and give a different effect when stitched with.
These cushions would make great heirloom pieces.
Solocrafts
T: +44 (0)161 464 7313
Embellish with relish
Weddings and Flowercraft carries an array of craft, bridal, paper,
QMPPMRIV]ERHMRXIVMSVHMWTPE]¾S[IVGSQTSRIRXW8LIWI¾SVEP
embellishments are perfect for decorating cakes, making wedding
favours, table decorating and for wedding bouquets. The wide
WIPIGXMSRSJGVEJX¾S[IVWGEREPWSFIYWIHJSVWGVETFSSOMRKGEVH
and invitation making and for place and name settings. The company’s
collection of favour pouches comes in various sizes to complement
the bomboniére market, as well as the famous basticha drawstring
pouches, which can be used for wrapping cookies, cakes and other
souvenir keepsakes.
8LIGSQTER]EPWSWXSGOWEKSSHGLSMGISJ¾S[IVWQEHIJVSQ
foam with an extensive choice of designs and colours to choose
JVSQ3XLIVIQFIPPMWLQIRXWMRGPYHIJEFVMGERHJIEXLIVFYXXIV¾MIW
and a range of feathers including ostrich feather spadones, which are
popular for creating fascinators.
Weddings and Flowercraft
T: +44 (0)1394 458 977
E: wfcltd@wsl-procurus.com
;[[[[IHHMRKWERH¾S[IVGVEJXPXHGSQ
76 craftfocus
Groovy geometrics
Aubade is the newest seasonal fabric range for spring/summer from
Cloud9 Fabrics and is extremely on-trend with its geometric prints.
Designed by Michelle Engel Bencsko, the fabrics come in lovely sunny
GSPSYVW%PP'PSYH*EFVMGWYWITIVGIRXGIVXM½IHSVKERMGGSXXSRMR
the manufacturing of their base cloths and eco-responsible low impact
dyes for printing and dying. These fabrics are beautiful and very easy to
work with, and retail at £15 per metre.
Hantex
T: +44 (0)1754 820 800
W: www.hantex.co.uk
here comes summer
Shed a little light
With thoughts of barbecues,
picnics and the odd jug of Pimms
or sangria, Needcraft has now
launched beautiful lantern making
kits. They allow crafters to produce
beautiful lanterns from their own
fabrics or papers. Lit with batterypowered tealights, these products
will enhance any table at all types of
social gathering, but look particularly
attractive gracing garden tables on a lovely summer’s evening.
Equally desirable as retail and workshop products, Needcraft’s lantern
trade packs enable easy stocking for a minimal investment. A trade pack
of 28 units (three kits per unit which equates to 84 lanterns) is only
£99.84 + VAT, or if you just fancy having a go, they’re available in packs of
three from £4.16 + VAT.
Needcraft
T: +44 (0)1992 700 311
Stuck on you
Sehlbach & Whiting has introduced an exciting new range of iron-on
craft motifs, with beautifully detailed designs ranging from robots
to rabbits, foxes to fruit and pugs to pirates. Capture the feeling of
WYQQIV[MXLWXVE[FIVVMIWERHGSGOXEMPWSV½VIEGLMPH´WMQEKMREXMSR
with the circus or magical fairies. Colourful foods, cute animals,
XVERWTSVX¾S[IVW4EVMWQSXMJWERHFYXXIV¾MIWEPPETTIEVMRXLIRI[
range, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
All the craft motifs are iron-on and application is very easy. They
come in attractive packaging, making for a positive selling point.
These make fantastic adornments and embellishments for all types
of clothing or fabric craft, and are the ideal add-on sale in store.
The variety of designs can take you through the whole year, and
EVIWYTTPMIHMRMRHMZMHYEPTEGOWSVEWVIEH]½PPIHWXERHW7ILPFEGL
;LMXMRKSJJIVFSXL¾SSVERHEGSYRXIVXSTWXERHW
Sehlbach & Whiting
T: +44 (0)1628 591 600
E: sales@sehlbach.co.uk
W: www.sehlbach.co.uk
78 craftfocus
Fashion fun
Marabu has two
new Fashion Design
trend sets - Cool
Denim and Tropical
Island for spring and
summer this year.
Each set contains
three textile spray
paints that are
quick and easy to
use. They’re perfect for jazzing up clothing, accessories and soft
furnishings, and can be used by themselves or in conjunction with
stencils and other mixed media techniques. They’re water-based,
odourless and also fade resistant. They’re particularly popular with
teenagers and young hobby designers.
Marabu products are distributed in the UK by
T: + 44 (0)1303 297 888
W: www.westdesignproducts.co.uk
W: www.marabu.com/creative
Pressed to perfection
Best Press Spray is a clear, crisp spray with three
gorgeous scents, which makes ironing easier. It’s in
a non-aerosol spray bottle, so it’s environmentally
friendly and you can see how much is left too.
;MXLXLMWWTVE]XLIVI´WRS¾EOMRKGPSKKMRK
or white residue on dark fabrics. A special stain
shield protects fabrics, and the product helps
resist wrinkles. Best of all, it’s more effective than
starch sprays. It’s available in Linen Fresh, Lavender
Field and Scent Free and comes in bottle of 6oz
(177ml) or 16oz (475ml).
EQS
T: +44 (0)116 271 0033
E: sales@eqsuk.com
W: www.eqsuk.com
here comes summer
Pretty
àSVEPW
Nothing says
summer quite
like a gorgeouss
fabric. House
of Alistair is
fairly new
to the trade side of business and has a close
EJ½RMX][MXL0MFIVX]TVMRXJEFVMGW%QSRKWXXLI
company’s product offerings is a collection of kits that use these striking
fabrics. Products include the pretty peg bag and egg pincushion. These
retail at £19.99 and £8.95 respectively and come with all the materials
that are required to make each project.
House of Alistair
T: +44 (0)20 3417 5572
E: alistair@houseofalistair.com
W: www.houseofalistair.com
Paper power
)\E'PEMVMWXLI9/WYTTPMIVSJ(IGSTEXGL
and they’ve just released new papers and
mâché products designed to brighten up any
British summer’s day.
Decopatch can be used to decorate any
surface including wood, glass, plastic, metal
and ceramics, so crafters can up-cycle or
refresh tea-light and candleholders, ceramic
pots, garden furniture and ornaments to
great effect. New garden-themed mâché
products include little birds, birdhouses, picnic baskets and
toadstools, which, when decorated, look fantastic in the garden or
conservatory. There’s also a new range of waterproof vases, which
are functional, as well as just the right decoration for the season.
New summery papers include the bright and exotic Travel
and Bird Cage collections where designs showcase a mixture of
Baroque and art deco styling, or if looking for a more colourful
theme, the new pink decopatch papers could create a feminine
summertime mood.
ExaClair
T: +44 (0)1553 696 600
E: enquiries@exaclair.co.uk
W: www.exaclair.co.uk
Catch the colouring bug
EQS has just announced the new collection Color Me by Hayley
Crouse, which have been designed in Michael Miller Cotton
Couture fabrics. This fabric is incredibly soft and has a wonderful
drape and silkiness to it. It’s perfect for clothing, as well as soft
furnishings such as cushions and accessories like pencil cases and
tote bags.
This fabric will look great without colouring but it was created
with colouring in mind, encouraging children (and adults) to be
creative. Crafters can choose to colour it before making something,
colour it afterwards or just not colour it at all. The collection has
X[SQEMRHIWMKRWXSWXEVX¯6S]EP0MJIERH7TEGI%HZIRXYVIW9WI
by themselves or with your favourite cotton couture colours.
EQS
T: +44 (0)116 271 0033
E: sales@eqsuk.com
W: www.eqsuk.com
80 craftfocus
Clover templates
'PSZIV¾S[IVQEOMRKXIQTPEXIWEVIFVMPPMERXJSVGVIEXMRKEHSVRQIRXW
for accessories, jewellery, ready-to-wear clothing, scrap-booking and
home décor.
/ERÊWLMMWXLIXVEHMXMSREP.ETERIWIEVXJSVQSJJSPHMRKERHWXMXGLMRK
JEFVMGTIXEPW'PSZIV´WOERÊWLM¾S[IVXIQTPEXIWGSQIMRWM\WX]PIWVSYRH
gathered, orchid, daisy, pointed and petal maker. Simply set, cut and sew to
GVIEXIEFIEYXMJYP¾S[IV7IXWEVIEZEMPEFPIMRI\XVEWQEPPWQEPPERHPEVKI
Viridian
T: +44 (0)117 3005 244
E: vidirianltd@googlemail.com
W: www.viridianyarn.com
here comes summer
Party time
Staedtler has extended and enhanced its Fimo family to the crafting
GSQQYRMX][MXLXLIRI[*MQS/MHWWSJXIVJSVQYPEXMSRSJQSHIPPMRK
GPE]8LMWGPE]HSIWR´XVIUYMVIER]GSRHMXMSRMRKEWMXLEWFIIRWTIGM½GEPP]
designed for children, and comes in 24 vibrant colours. Pirates and
princesses are two new birthday-themed creative packs for birthday
parties, joining the Create & Play collection.
Staedtler UK
T: +44 (0)845 600 5930
E: sales@uk.staedtler.com
W: www.staedtler.co.uk
Summer romance
Imagine DIY offer a beautiful
range of craft materials that
will inspire you to create and
design even on those hot
sunny days. Ranges includes
pretty printed papers,
gorgeous embellishment,
fabulous laser cut card blanks and a
host of other decorative items. Its
beautiful ranges make use of vintage and
romantic style prints, fabulous colours,
and even a bit of bling are perfect for
adding a touch of charm to summer.
Imagine Doing It Yourself
8
)IRUYMVMIW$MQEKMRIHM]GSYO
;[[[MQEKMRIHM]GSYO
Seal with a bow
Fantastic Ribbons Trade Co has
recently launched a pretty range of
polka dot double-faced satins on a
roll. These come in eight gorgeous
summer colours, and are perfect for
cake decorating, paper crafting and
other crafts. The ribbons come in
packs of three with 5m on each roll
and priced at 72p each.
Fantastic Ribbons has a new lower minimum order value of
NYWX[MXLGEVVMEKISVJVIIGEVVMEKI9/QEMRPERH
only), so there’s no better time to stock up. Simply register for a
password and account on the website below.
Fantastic Ribbons
T: +44 (0)1392 366 762
E: sales@fantasticribbonstrade.com
W: www.fantasticribbonstrade.com
82 craftfocus
SUMMER PROJECT IDEAS
4PEWXM/SXIWTVE]TEMRXGSQIWMRXSMXWS[RHYVMRKXLIWYQQIV
months, and is perfect for anyone with an artistic or creative
outlook. Let your imagination run riot with the fabulous range
SJGSPSYVWEZEMPEFPIMRFSXL4PEWXM/SXI´W*EWX(V])REQIPERH
Twist & Spray.
Here’s three ideas to inspire
summer creativity:
1. Take some plain wicker
baskets and add a splash of
colour. Wicker baskets come in
many styles and sizes and are
perfect for storage anywhere
in the house. What’s more,
spray paint is perfect for
wicker – it gets into all the
HMJ½GYPXTPEGIWXLEXEFVYWL
can’t, doesn’t clump and leaves
E¾E[PIWW½RMWL
We’ve used Twist & Spray Colour in Everglade on these
gorgeous and useful vegetable baskets.
2. 9TG]GPIERHXVERWJSVQ
some old cake or chocolate
tins and use some stick on
letters to label.
We’ve used Twist & Spray
in Satin Cameo Pink and Matt
Antique White to make these
vintage-look storage tins.
3. Summer is the perfect time
to make your own jams and
chutneys, but why not be extra
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Spraying the lids makes for a
stylish and individual look.
We used Fast Dry Enamel
in Hot Pink, Lavender, Garden
Green and Aubergine.
PlastiKote
T: +44 (0)844 736 2235
E: plastikotehelp@valspar.com
W: www.plastikote.com
summer tablecloth
'VIEXIETVIXX]WYQQIVXEFPIGPSXLXLEX[MPPKIXPSXWSJSSLWERHEELW
This is a great project to introduce customers
to Tulip’s One-Step Tie-Dye - it’s easy to get
WSQIKVIEXIJJIGXW
MATERIALS NEEDED
• Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye – purple and violet
;LMXITIVGIRXREXYVEP½FVIJEFVMGSV
VIEH]QEHIXEFPIVYRRIV
• Large pastry cooling rack
4PEWXMGXEFPIGPSXL
• Paper towels
)\XVEFSXXPIWJSVH]IQM\MRK
Step 3
1M\H]IWEGGSVHMRKXSMRWXVYGXMSRW-X´WIEWMIVXS
YWII\XVEFSXXPIWXSQM\YTHMJJIVIRXWXVIRKXL
HMPYXMSRWSJIEGLGSPSYV8IWXSRWGVETJEFVMG
and add more dye or water as needed to
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Step 1
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WYVJEGI[MXLETPEWXMGXEFPIGPSXLPE]SYX¾EXERH
WQSSXLSYXER][VMROPIW
Step 5
Step 2
Step 6
Loosely pleat runner horizontally and
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FERHW4PEGITPIEXIHVYRRIVSRTEWXV]VEGO
Step 4
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SJTPIEXIHVYRRIVERHXLIRETTP]HMPYXIH
ZMSPIXXSFPIRH
84 craftfocus
Add diluted purple over
violet and add small accents
SJJYPPWXVIRKXLTYVTPISRXST
SJXLEX
Cover runner and allow it to dry overnight
JSVFIWXVIWYPXW6MRWIXLIVYRRIVYRHIV
running water to remove any excess
dye and then wash and dry runner as
VIGSQQIRHIHJSVXLIJEFVMG
Thanks to designer Lauri Eaton and
M0SZI8S'VIEXIJSVXLMWTVSNIGX-J]SY[SYPH
PMOIXSWXSGO8YPMTTVSHYGXWGSRXEGXMXW9/
HMWXVMFYXSV8LEX´W3VMKMREPSR8
*SVQSVITVSNIGXMHIEWZMWMX
[[[MPSZIXSGVIEXIGSQ
Now available in the UK , Tulip® unleashes colourful creativity with
fashion-forward products for creating wearable works of art. All Tulip®
products are all air-drying and performance tested to wash and wash
at 40oC so creations last and last. Tulip® will awaken your consumers
creativity with vivid colours, innovative projects and enliven your sales.
L`YlkGja_afYdDl\=p[dmkan]\akljaZmlgjk
af=mjgh]^gjLmdah® & Aleenes® brands.
Contact the sales team to see how you
can improve your sales. Promo Code for
2.5% discount on your opening order.
a8000315FC.
Call the Sales Team on Tel: 02381 159095 or enquiries@thats-original.co.uk
Visit ilovetocreate.com for these projects and more!
Visit Club Green
and enter a world
of innovation and
creation. These
beautiful new cup
& saucer gift sets
and two tiered
cake stands are
an ideal gift for
Mother’s day or a
wedding favour.
01483 281313
sales@clubgreen.com
www.clubgreen.com
GRAPHIC 45, PIONEER, JONES BUTTONS,
KAISERCRAFT, LITTLE B, WEBSTERS PAGES,
PETALOO, MARION SMITH DESIGNS,
PEPPERELL, CANDY BOX CRAFTS.
Tel: (0115) 978 1263
craftsales@jonesnottm.co.uk
buttonsales@jonesnottm.co.uk
www.jonesnottm.co.uk
special occasions
man appeal
Products for making Father’s Day special
1EKRMßGIRXQIR
8LI1EKRM½GIRX1IRPY\YV]GEVHGSPPIGXMSRWLS[GEWIWE[SRHIVJYP
variety of sports and hobbies that includes both traditional and
contemporary images. This kit contains everything you need for making
cards for men.
;LIXLIVXLI]´VIEXIGLRMGEP[LM^ÊJSSHJERSVXLI]IRNS][EPOMRK
SVEUYMIXKEQISJKSPJXLMWVERKIMWWYMXEFPIJSVEPPSGGEWMSRWERHEPP
EKIKVSYTW-XGSQIW[MXLJVII,YRO]HSV]'VEJXWWTIGMEP(VIWWIHJSV
XLI3GGEWMSRWLETIHGEVHW8LIWIGSRGITXGEVHWFVMRK[SVOERHTPE]
XSPMJI[MXLWYTIVWX]PMWLSYX½XWVIEH]JSVIQFIPPMWLQIRXERHJIEXYVIE
ZEVMIX]SJJEFYPSYWXLIQIWTVITEVIEGLIJ´WETVSRJSVGSSOMRKHIGSVEXI
ELERH]QER´WSZIVEPPWKIXXLISJ½GI[SVOIV´WWYMXVIEH]JSVEHE]EXXLI
desk and more. RRP is £19.99.
1ERGEZI
8LMWGVSWWWXMXGLHIWMKR[SYPHQEOIE[SRHIVJYPKMJXXSFIHMWTPE]IH
TVSQMRIRXP]MRERSJ½GISVER]QER´WTIVWSREPWTEGI8LMWMWXLI
PEXIWXHIWMKRJVSQ4IXIV9RHIVLMPPLYQSVSYWP]XMXPIH1ER'EZI-X
TSVXVE]WEOIIRKEVHIRIVXEOMRKE[IPPIEVRIHFVIEOMRLMWTVMZEXI
WLIHEXXLIFSXXSQSJXLIKEVHIRWYVVSYRHIHF]EQ]VMEHSJJYVV]
companions. The design measures 20cm and retails at £32.
-X´WEZEMPEFPIEWEGSQTPIXIGVSWWWXMXGLOMX[MXLGSYRX
IZIR[IEZISVGSYRX%MHEJEFVMGERHGSRXEMRW>[IMKEVXJEFVMG
(1'WXVERHIHGSXXSRWWSVXIHSRXSRYQFIVIHGEVHWERIIHPIERH
clear charts and instructions.
,YRO]HSV]ORS[WNYWXLS[QYGLGVEJXIVWPSZIXLI0MXXPI&SSOW3J
WIVMIWERHLEZIGVIEXIHSRINYWXJSVQIR8LI0MXXPI&SSOSJ1ERP]
1SQIRXWGSRXEMRWTEKIWSJQERP]MQEKIWERHLYQSYVSYWUYSXIW
printed onto 150gsm paper that is perfect for hand cutting out your
S[RHIGSYTEKIIPIQIRXW%PWSTIVJIGXJSVQSYRXMRKSRXS1MVVMGEVH
ERHGVIEXMRK]SYVS[RXSTTIVWXLMWQMRMFSSOMWVITPIXI[MXLIZIRQSVI
MQEKIWXSGSSVHMREXI[MXLXLI1EKRM½GIRX1IRPY\YV]GEVHGSPPIGXMSR
There are four each of the 36 different designs to choose from.
Heritage Crafts
T: +44 (0)1889 572 850
W: www.hcrafts.com
Hunkydory Crafts
T: +44 (0)1772 272 575
W: http://trade.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk
craftfocus 87
man appeal
%KSSHVIEH
7XSGOMRKFSSOWMWEP[E]WERI\GIPPIRX[E]SJEXXVEGXMRKQEPI
GYWXSQIVW,IVIEVINYWXX[SSJXLIPEXIWXFSSOWTYFPMWLIHF]
Search Press.
The Complete Guide
to Calligraphy by Vivien
0YRRMWMWEGSQTVILIRWMZI
introductory guide to this
popular pasttime. Vivien
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master all the principal
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JVSQYRGMEPWERH%RKPS
7E\SRWGVMTXWXS6SQER
GETMXEPWFPEGOPIXXIVERH
KSXLMGERHIZIRSRXS
QSHIVRJVIIJSVQHVE[R
lettering.
6IEHIVW[MPPPIEVRLS[XLILERHWSVMKMREXIH[LIVIERH[LIR
XLI][IVIYWIHERHLS[XS[VMXIERHTVEGXMGIXLIQ;MXLHIXEMPIH
WXITF]WXITMRWXVYGXMSRWJSVIEGLPIXXIVTYRGXYEXMSRERHRYQFIV
WIXWERHEPWSWYTTSVXIHF]EWIVMIWSJQSZMIGPMTWWLS[MRKLS[
IEGLPIXXIVMWGVIEXIHXLMWFSSOMWWYMXEFPIJSVFIKMRRIVWYT[EVHW
ISBN is 9781782211822 and retails at £14.99.
Little Ways to Learn Acrylics
F]1EVO2IPWSR[SVOWEWE
complete course in acrylic
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XIGLRMUYIW%WXLIVIEHIV
progresses through the
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technique is demonstrated
[MXLXLIGVIEXMSRSJEQMRM
TEMRXMRKQIEWYVMRKMR\MR
square. So by the time the
VIEHIVLEW[SVOIHVMKLX
XLVSYKLXSXLIIRHXLI]´PP
LEZIEREQE^MRKGSPPIGXMSRSJ
QMRMTEMRXMRKWSRFSEVHTETIVERHGERZEW
ISBN is 9781782212508 and retails at £12.99.
Search Press is a leading art and craft publisher in the UK
WTIGMEPMWMRKMR½RIEVXXI\XMPIWKIRIVEPGVEJXWERHGLMPHVIR´WGVEJXW8S
SVHIVXLIWIFSSOWSVJSVMRJSVQEXMSRSRSXLIVRI[P]VIPIEWIHXMXPIW
WIIXLIGSRXEGXHIXEMPWFIPS[
4YX]SYVQEVOSRMX
'LEQIPISR4IRWEMQWXSGLEPPIRKIXLI[E]GVEJXIVWXLMROEFSYXQEVOIV
TIRWERHLEWGVIEXIHETIRXLEXQE\MQMWIWGVIEXMZMX]-XWGSPSYVXSRI
TIRWFVMRKGSPSYVYRHIVGSRXVSPERHEPPS[W]SYXSGVIEXI[SRHIVJYP
XLVIIHMQIRWMSREPIJJIGXWWQSSXLLMKLPMKLXMRKERHWLEHMRKKVEHYEXMSREW
[IPPEWFPIRHMRK¯EPPMRSRITIR'LEQIPISRTIRWEVIHSYFPIIRHIHERH
EPPLEZIGSPSYVMRHMGEXSVGETWEQM\MRKRMFEVI½PPEFPIQM\MRKGLEQFIV
XLEX´W½PPIH[MXLXSRMRKQIHMYQERHELMKLUYEPMX]EPGSLSPFEWIHMRO
replaceable Japanese bullet nib.
8LIWITIRWEVIEZEMPEFPIMRZMFVERXGSPSYVWXLEX[MPPTVSHYGIQSVI
than 100 tones and are permanent on most surfaces. Packs come in
WMRKPIWWIXSJ½ZIERHHIPY\IWIXSJTPYWXLIVI´WEVERKISJEGGIWWSVMIW
WYGLEWRMFWMROVI½PPWERHX[IIÎVW8LI4IRHIPY\IWIXJIEXYVIWXLI
JYPPVERKISJQEVOIVWTPYWEHIXEMPERHXSRMRKTIR[MXLIEW]XSJSPPS[
MRWXVYGXMSRWEW[IPPEWYWIJYPLMRXWERHXMTWXSKIX]SYWXEVXIH8LMWWIX
VIXEMPWEXERHMWMHIEPJSVEPPTETIVGVEJXMRK1ERKE+VETLMG
ERH*MRI%VX8LIGSQTER][MPPWXEVXXSWIPPHMVIGXXSVIXEMPIVWJVSQ
.YRISR[EVHW
Search Press
T: +44 (0)1892 510 850
Chameleon Pens
T: +44 (0)1444 236 172
E: tom@chameleonpens.com
W: www.chameleonpens.com
88craftfocus
NEXT WORKING DAY
DELIVERY AS STANDARD
WE ARE SELLING THE COMPLETE
RANGE OF BEACON ADHESIVES
Visit us at
STAND Q15
at CHSI
A comprehensive range to meet your needs!
In sto
ck n
call to ow,
d
for de ay
livery
tomo
rrow
T: 020 8953 2143 sales@creative-distribution.co.uk www.creative-distribution.co.uk
Unit 4, Lockwood Industrial Park, Mill Mead Road, London N17 9QP
business tips
clever merchandising
How to make money in retail
The aim of any retail outlet is to generate
revenue that both covers cost and delivers
TVS½X%RHLS[HS]SYQEOIQSRI]MRVIXEMP#
You give your customers a great experience so
they’ll spend more of their hard-earned cash
[MXL]SYVEXLIVXLEREGSQTIXMXSV;LIXLIVMR
store or on an e-commerce website, the key is
to always make it easy for your customers
XSWLST
;MXLXLMWMRQMRHXLIVIEVIEJI[GPIZIV
merchandising tricks you can implement
to make it easier for your customers when
purchasing, from planning how your store
is laid out and where products sit on your
website to designing inspiring visuals and points
SJWEPI
Displaying products
In craft retail, customers want to see what
they’ll be able to achieve if they buy your
products, so it’s important to show them off
MREWQER]HMJJIVIRX[E]WEWTSWWMFPI8LEX´W
[LIVIHMWTPE]WERHTSMRXWSJWEPIGSQIMR
%PXLSYKL]SYQMKLXRSXLEZIQYGLGSRXVSP
over the design of the merchandise a supplier
might send to you, try to make displays as
I]IGEXGLMRKERHMRWTMVEXMSREPEWTSWWMFPI
&IWXVEXIKMGEWXS[LIVI]SYTPEGIXLIQ-X´W
also important to ensure your displays are
VIJVIWLIHSJXIR8LMROWIEWSREPTVSQSXMSRWSV
RI[EVVMZEPW
Shouting about your products
If you’ve got a loyal following on social media
or your blog, you can go one step further than
NYWXLEZMRKTVSHYGXWSRHMWTPE]MR]SYVWXSVI
;L]RSXXEPOEFSYXXLIQSRWSGMEPQIHMESV
write a blog about the creative ways you can
use them so your customers are more inclined
XSFY]#
Grouping
It’s important to group coordinated products
together, so they’re easy for customers to
½RH8LMROWXMGO]XETIRI\XXS[VETTMRK
TETIV;LEXTVSHYGXWKS[IPPXSKIXLIV#-JE
customer bought one item, is there anything
else they might need or products that
QMKLXGSQTPIQIRXIEGLSXLIV#%VIXLIVI
STTSVXYRMXMIWXSYTWIPP#(SR´XFIEJVEMH
of spelling it out, either by putting up clear
signage such as ‘works great with…’ in store
or ‘recommended items’ on your e-commerce
WMXI=SY´PPWSSRWIIWEPIWKSYT
Impulse buying
%RSXLIVGPIZIVQIVGLERHMWMRKSTTSVXYRMX]
MWXSIRXMGIGYWXSQIVWMRXSMQTYPWIFY]W
Placing impulse buys at the till so customers
can browse while they’re queuing might seem
SFZMSYWFYX[LEXEFSYXXLIVIWXSJ]SYVWXSVI#
Ever noticed that in supermarkets you have to
walk past desirable items to get to the basics
]SYGEQIMRJSV#=SYGERVITPMGEXIXLMWF]
putting essential items on the outsides of the
aisles and the desirables in the centre, meaning
GYWXSQIVW[MPPFIXIQTXIHEWXLI][EPOTEWX
Store shake up
It’s also a good idea to give your store layout
a bit of a shake up every now and then to
OIITXLMRKWJVIWL)ZIVLIEHIHWXVEMKLXXSER
aisle in a store where the product you need
YWYEPP]PMZIWSRP]XS½RHIZIV]XLMRKLEWQSZIH
EVSYRH#=IWXLEX´WGPIZIVQIVGLERHMWMRKEWMX
means customers will suddenly surrounded by
products they’d not normally take a second
PSSOEX7SQ]EHZMGISRGPIZIVQIVGLERHMWMRK
would be fourfold: inspire through beautiful
displays, go back to basics, anticipate your
customers’ needs and don’t be afraid to shake
XLMRKWYT+SSHPYGO C
7EVE(EZMIWMWE(YVLEQFSVRGVEJX
entrepreneur and the founder of Crafter’s
'SQTERMSR*SVJYVXLIVMRJSVQEXMSRZMWMX
[[[GVEJXIVWGSQTERMSRGSYO
craftfocus 91
competition
:
WIN!
To celebrate the imminent birth of the Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge’s second child, we’ve
teamed up with Search Press to offer lucky
retailers the latest baby knit books
THE PRIZE
-RXLMWMWWYI[I´VISJJIVMRKXLVIIVIXEMPIVWXLIGLERGIXS[MR½ZISJIEGLSJ
the following knitting titles:
Very British Baby Knits
By Susan Campbell
ISBN: 9781782212218
Priced at: £12.99
Search Press has a wonderful list of knitting books, and Very British Baby Knits by Susan Campbell is a
delightful addition. For many years, Susan Campbell has designed and produced special one-off pieces for
EZEVMIX]SJLMKLTVS½PIGPMIRXW7YWER´WIWXEXIEFYXWXLI6S]EP7ERHVMRKLEQ)WXEXILSQISJ,615YIIR
)PMÊFIXLERH%RQIV,EPPXLIGSYRXV]LSQISJXLI(YOIERH(YGLIWWSJ'EQFVMHKI
7YWERLEWHIWMKRIHXLIGSPPIGXMSRWMRXLMWFSSO[MXLXLI]SYRK6S]EPWZIV]QYGLMRQMRH8LMWFSSO
features 30 beautiful, hand-knitted designs ranging from baby clothes to toys and accessories that will make
KSVKISYWKMJXWJSVER]FEF]8LITVSNIGXWVI¾IGXXLIGPEWWMGIPIKERGISJ&VMXMWLHIWMKR[MXLIEW]XSJSPPS[
instructions and beautiful photographs. Knitters of all abilities will relish making these gorgeous designs,
[LMGL[MXL7YWER'EQTFIPP´WVS]EPGSRRIGXMSRWEVI½XJSV]SYVS[RPMXXPITVMRGISVTVMRGIWW
Baby Bootees and Socks
By Marie Claire Idées
ISBN: 9781844489954
Priced at: £12.99
The book features a selection of 50
adorable baby bootee projects to
knit, and is compiled and designed
by the Marie Claire Idées group,
which is a renowned and respected
international hobby craft brand.
Knitted bootees make lovely gifts
and the projects in this book are easy to follow,
with beautiful accompanying photography.
Plus two books from the Twenty to Make series:
Knitted Bears (ISBN: 9781844484829)
Knitted Baby Bootees (ISBN: 9781844486410)
By Val Pierce
Priced at: £4.99
Both books are from the successful Twenty
to Make series from Search Press which has
sold more than 100,000 copies. These A5 size
books are perfect to introduce your customers
to a variety of crafts. Knitted Bears and Knitted
92 craftfocus
TO ENTER
To enter the
competition visit
www.craftfocus.com,
½PPMR]SYVHIXEMPWERH
answer the following
question:
5How many projects feature in Very British
Baby Knits?
Closing date is 31st May, 2015.
Baby Bootees are both written by Val Pierce
and feature 20 little 8in little bears and 20
irresistible pairs of bootees for babies. Both
books are suitable for adults and children and
include easy-to-understand instructions and
beautiful photography. C
For Further Information
Search Press is a leading art and craft
TYFPMWLIVMRXLI9/WTIGMEPMWMRKMR½RIEVX
textiles, general crafts and children’s crafts.
T: +44 (0)1892 510 850
Terms and Conditions
1. Competitions are not open to employees
of KD Media Publishing Ltd
or immediate family.
2. Entrants must be a member of the trade
and over 18 years old.
3. The competition closing date is subject to
change without prior notice.
8LI[MRRIV[MPPFIRSXM½IHMR[VMXMRK
8LIIHMXSV´WHIGMWMSRMW½REP2S
correspondence will be entered in to.
6. The prize is not transferable and has no
monetary value.
2STYVGLEWIRIGIWWEV]ERHRSGLEVKIXS
enter via the website: www.craftfocus.com.
trends
trend watch
Julie Bonnar looks at what’s the next big thing for crafters
We’ve spent the last couple of months walking
the trade exhibitions, and talking to the
manufacturers and distributors. These are the
crafts and ideas that seem to be coming out
on top:
1. FOCUS ON SEWING
Where have you been, if you haven’t heard
of the Great British Sewing Bee? Thanks to the
success of this programme, sewing is well and
truly back on the map. Fabric, haberdashery
and sewing machine sales have rocketed, going
up by 30 per cent on average.
but this year it’s being used in a simple but
contemporary way. The use of paint to freshen
up the home is back and bringing into play chalky
pastel paints to create the shabby chic furniture,
or paint splattering ceramics and frames.
Painting and customising blanks will be
popular too, with folk-art designs and canalstyle painting adding a splash of colour to
objects around the home. Think indoor
gardening with everything from teacup herbs
to weaved planters. This theme will carry
on outdoors too with colourfully decorated
birdhouses and planters.
At Craft, Hobby + Stitch, there was most
HI½RMXIP]ERMRGVIEWIMRJEFVMGI\LMFMXSVW
selling fabrics from inexpensive cottons to
higher-end satins, with printed stretch jerseys
½VQP]SRXLIWI[MRKQIRYJSVXLIGSQMRK
season. We also saw the likes of Marabu and
Vilene participating on the catwalk, making
customisable stylish again with stencilling, spraypainting and heat transferring foils to decorate
T-shirts, accessories and other garments.
2. HOME CRAFTS
Crafting for the home has become überpopular. Up-cycling, restyling and recycling
– whatever you prefer to call it, it isn’t new,
3. OLD CRAFTS IN A NEW WAY
Weaving is all the rage and whether made with
rope, yarn or paper, home looming and woven
crafts have made a resurgence with macramé
planters and paper weaving like Tutki.
Don’t be putting down those needles and
hooks quite yet. Knitting and crochet remains
popular, I’ve recently picked up a crochet
hook myself! Crafters will be wanting to
make chunky throws for the home – knitted,
crocheted and quilted – along with handmade
cushions to create a personalised living space.
This continues to grow, with exciting new yarns
and colours to tempt crafters.
Personalisation is big business with
handwritten notes and cards, along with other
forms of lettering and calligraphy from stamps
to metal work.
Colouring for adults is extremely on trend –
doodling is actively encouraged and companies
are bringing out ranges of colouring books
for adults.
4. PAPERCRAFT
Pop-ups and three-dimensional designs are
a key trend for card makers. We’ve also seen
the revival of origami, other paper folding
GVEJXWERHTETIV¾S[IVQEOMRKERHTSQTSQW
New scrapbooking ideas are to embellish
planners and to document daily life, and pocket
scrapbooking remains very popular. C
STYLES, COLOURS AND PATTERNS
Patterns are simple, like hearts, chevrons,
scallops and geometric shapes. Gingham
GLIGOW¾SVEPJEFVMGWERHPEVKITSPOEHSXW
are popular too.
Vibrant sugary colours like strawberry,
tangerine and custard, and calming
neutrals and earthy tones, like toasted
almond, glacier grey and lavender herb are
key, plus anything with a hint of iridescence
or metallic.
New themes to look out for are folk
EVXJIEXLIVWERH¾S[IVW¾EQMRKSW
pineapples, the Roaring Twenties and the
the silver screen.
craftfocus 93
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2AP or fax it to us at +44 (0)1376 514 555.
I sue 48
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94 craftfocus
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om
dd 1
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13/11/2014 16:40
tried & tested
create your own fun
wall embroidery
We put Hoop It! from DMC Creative through its paces
THE PRODUCT
Hoop It! is DMC’s latest innovative range
of craft kits targeting adults and children. It’s
designed to offer crafters an introduction to
stitching and appliqué.
The collection consists of six embroidered
hoop kits including four Hoop It! Junior kits
WTIGM½GEPP]JSVGLMPHVIREKIHIMKLX]IEVWERH
over – Cupcakes, Hooting Owls, Camper Van
and Flower, plus two larger ones – Strawberries
ERH&YXXIV¾]8LIVIXEMPTVMGIMWJSVXLI
WQEPPIVSRIWERHJSVXLIPEVKIV
Hoop art is a popular trend with crafters at
XLIQSQIRXIWTIGMEPP]EW[EPPEVX-X´WJYRERH
WMQTPIXSHSERHIEW]XSLERK³
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Each kit contains everything that’s needed
to create these mini works of art:
• ;LMXI¾I\MFPIIQFVSMHIV]LSSTIMXLIV
13cm or 18cm
• 'SPSYVJYPQSHIVRTVMRXIHJEFVMGW
• Matching felt
• DMC threads
• *IPXXMTTIR
• Needle
• Gingham ribbon
• -RWXVYGXMSRWLMRXWERHXMTW
• 8IQTPEXIW
[LIRLSSTIH-XWXSTWMXQSZMRK[LIR]SY´VI
embroidering then. The instructions contain
some great ideas for customising and splitting
XLIWXVERHIHXLVIEHJSV½RIIQFVSMHIV]
BENEFITS
The collection is a fresh idea for presenting
RIIHPI[SVOTVSNIGXWMREGSRXIQTSVEV][E]
HOW TO USE IT
8LIMRWXVYGXMSRWEVIWIPJI\TPEREXSV];LEX[I The hanging packaging consists of a hard
TPEWXMGXSTVSXIGXXLIOMXWWSXLI][SR´XKIX
liked about the kit was that the instructions
damaged while on the shelf.
MRGPYHIHEVIEPP]YWIJYPKYMHIXSLERHWXMXGLMRK
8LII]IGEXGLMRKEVX[SVOMWFVMKLXERH
techniques, so crafters can make the most of
[MPPEXXVEGXGYWXSQIVW[LSGERWIII\EGXP]
the kits.
8LISRP]GVMXMGMWQ[SYPHFIXLIJEFVMGTMIGIW [LEXXLI]´VIKIXXMRK8LMWTVSHYGXMWEKVIEX
KMJXMHIEJSVFMVXLHE]WERH'LVMWXQEWFYXXLI]
included could have been a few centimeters
would work just as well as a project for social
FMKKIVIWTIGMEPP]XLIJEFVMGTMIGIWJSVXLI
workshops and other craft events.
templates. The pink felt piece was enough to
The kits can also be personalised with
GYXSYXXLI¾S[IVHIWMKRFYXRSXXLIFYXXIV¾]
REQIWERHEPWSEW]SY´VITVIWIRXIH[MXLXLI
as shown on the front of the packaging.
QEXIVMEPWMJ]SYHSR´XJERG]HSMRKXLIGSZIV
A helpful tip for beginners, use fabric glue
HIWMKR]SYGERGVIEXI]SYVS[R C
XSEJ½\]SYVJEFVMGHIWMKRWXSXLIQEMRJEFVMG
DMC Creative World
T: +44 (0)116 275 4000
E: sales@dmccreative.co.uk
W: www.dmccreative.co.uk
In a recent poll, 86 per cent of our readers
XSPHYWXLI][SYPH½RHMXFIRI½GMEPXSORS[
EFSYXRI[TVSHYGXWEWXLI]GSQIXSXLI
market. Tried & Tested will put the latest
products through their paces. Contact Julie
&SRREVF]IQEMPIHMXSV$GVEJXJSGYWGSQMJ
]SYLEZIETVSHYGXXSJIEXYVI
craftfocus 95
Enjoyed reading this copy of Craft Focus?
Then log on to the Craft Focus website at
www.craftfocus.comXS½RHSYXLS[[I
can help you with your craft business.
1MWWIHERMWWYI#
Make sure you subscribe to qualify as a registered
reader and receive the latest issue free of charge.
If you’ve missed a back issue then we can help –
all back issues are archived so you can download
when it’s convenient to you.
;ERXXSEHZIVXMWI#
Download a copy of our comprehensive online
media pack for everything you need to know about
advertising with us or if you prefer, give Tracy Voice
a call on T: +44 (0)1376 535 618 who will be happy
to talk to you.
2IIHEWYTTPMIV#
Check out the Craft Focus suppliers' directory
– a comprehensive listing of crafting wholesale
companies that can help you to stock the right
products for your business.
The Craft Focus website contains
up-to-the minute news, events
and special offers that happen in
between each of our bi-monthly
issues plus current interesting
articles to read.
8LIWYTTPMIVW
HMVIGXSV]MW
WMQTPIXSYWI
ERHEZEMPEFPI
[SVPH[MHI
LSYVWEHE]XS
WYMX]SY
The Craft Focus website
is updated regularly with
information to help you
advance your craft business
0SKSRXS[[[GVEJXJSGYWGSQXSßRHSYXQSVI
96 craftfocus
word on the web
seo for beginners
)GSQQIVGII\TIVX7MQSR,SVXSRSJ7LST-RXIKVEXSVWLEVIWLMWXMTWSR[LIVIXSWXEVX
with Search Engine Optimisation
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is essential
XSIRWYVI]SYV[IFWMXIVIGIMZIWEVIKYPEV¾S[
of visitors from potential customers. It’s often
presented as a magical art by those wishing
to sell you their services, but with a basic
understanding you can cover the essentials to
make your website SEO friendly.
,S[IZIVXLIVI´WRSUYMGO½\¯MX´WEPSRK
term strategy aiming to improve your site’s
visibility with search engines and to generate
increasing, ongoing and unpaid natural or
organic growth in your visitor numbers.
'SQTEVIXLMWXSEWLSVXIVXIVQETTVSEGL
SJTE]MRKJSVEHW[LIVI]SYVXVEJ½GFSSWX
disappears when the ad stops.
First, you need to understand how your site
performs at present. This acts as a benchmark.
%HHXLIJVII+SSKPI%REP]XMGWXVEJ½GQSRMXSV
into your website. Only then will you know
if your SEO work is having a positive effect
over time.
In the AdWords dashboard go to the Tools tab
ERHTMGO³/I][SVH4PERRIV´WIITMGLIVI
The three most important SEO
principles are:
Click the ‘Get search volume for a list of
keywords or group them into ad groups’
section (see image) and type all your keywords
TLVEWIWMRXSXLIXI\XFS\SRITIVPMRI
Then click the ‘Get search volume’ button.
You’ll see the numbers of people searching for
your phrases each month so you can weigh up
which of your keywords have most appeal.
1. Keyphrase analysis
Pick 15 to 20 words or short phrases that
you want search engines to associate with
your website so customers searching on
those terms will be matched with your site.
8LIQSVISRISJEOMRHXLITLVEWIXLIJI[IV
competitors there’ll be, but at the same
time, fewer people are likely to search for
those terms.
Once you’ve thought up some good
OI][SVHWMX´WXMQIXS½RHSYXLS[QER]
potential customers are actually searching with
those terms. There’s no point making your site
stand out for something no one’s looking for.
Again it’s time for Google to help with the
research. Sign up for a free Google Adwords
account. Not to run an advertising campaign,
FYXMRWXIEHXSYWIMXWMRFYMPX/I][SVH4PERRIV
XSSPXS½RHXLIRYQFIVSJTISTPIWIEVGLMRK
for each keyword phrase.
2. On-page optimisation
8LIOI][SVHTLVEWIW]SY´ZIMHIRXM½IHEW
having greatest interest are the words to
include in your web pages. Search engines
have clever ways of interpreting page content
¯XLEXMW[LEX´W[VMXXIRSRIEGLTEKI¯WSMX´W
no good just listing your keywords over and
over, as this will work against you. You’ll also be
penalised for duplicating very similar content
across multiple pages.
Instead you’ll need to write genuinely
readable content that contains your keywords.
Think ‘Create for people, not for search
IRKMRIW´WS[LIRZMWMXSVW½RH]SYVTEKI
XLI]´PPFILETT][MXL[LEXXLI]½RHFIGEYWI
it’s informative and rich in relevant details,
rather than moving straight on to another site
wondering why your page was a match. Aim
to write at least 300 to 400 words of relevant
content per page.
If you want to get a bit more techy:
Add HTML meta tags into your web page
code to add description, keywords and title
tags to each page which are important to
search engines. There’s more info on meta
tags here: http://www.w3schools.com/tags/
tag_meta.asp
Add alt attributes to every image tag to
HIWGVMFIXLITMGXYVIMRXI\XWSWIEVGLIRKMRIW
know what the image is about and thus
improve your rating. More information on
image alt tags is here: http://www.w3schools.
com/tags/tag_img.asp.
3. Link building
You also want to ensure that you’re well
connected. If relevant craft sites, blogs, forums
and social media pages contain a link to your
website, it helps search engines determine the
importance of your site in the craft world.
Creating interesting, useful articles on your
website increases the likelihood of others
wanting to link to your pages. To attract people
interested in your creations, start writing a blog
about what you make and tips on how you
make it. WordPress is a quick way to get set up
with a hosted online blog and it’s free.
Place links to your blog from your
website and vice versa. And you also need
to publish links to those posts on your social
media accounts.
There’s no magic in improving your visitor
numbers. It takes time for SEO to work, but it’s
IWWIRXMEPJSV]SYVPSRKXIVQWYGGIWW
so persevere. C
Simon Horton
is the founder of
7LST-RXIKVEXSVELSWXIHIGSQQIVGITPYKMR
that makes it easy for anybody to add an
SRPMRIWLSTSRXSXLIMVI\MWXMRK[IFWMXIFPSK
and/or Facebook page without any coding
skills, www.shopintegrator.com. Follow @
ShopIntegrator for all sorts of ecommerce
tips and information.
craftfocus 97
up & coming
passion for pooches
1EOMRKGSEXWJSVTSSGLIWLEWFIGSQIEQEWWMZIXVIRH;IXEPOXS(IFFMI,YQTLVI]WJVSQ
Redhound for Dogs who caters for these pampered pets
Where did the idea to start your business
come from and what inspired you?
Oh that’s easy – my whippet Bruno. At the
tender age of six months he was diagnosed
with alopecia, and he really felt the cold in
LMW½VWX[MRXIV-FSYKLXRYQIVSYWGSEXWERH
jumpers for him of various qualities, none of
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YTXLIRIIHPIW¯LEZMRKLEHE]IEVFVIEO
JVSQORMXXMRK¯ERHORMXLMQENYQTIVXLEX
HMH½X
Tell us about your product range and who it
will appeal to?
1]FEGOKVSYRHMWMRPEHMIWÍZIRMRKERHFVMHEP
[IEVWSSRIXLMRK-HSYRHIVWXERHMWLS[
XS½XEKEVQIRX3YVQEMRPMRIMWHSKFVIIH
WTIGM½G[EXIVTVSSJGSEXWERHNYQTIVW
;IPEYRGLIHSYV(SK.YQTIV/RMXXMRKOMXWMR
7ITXIQFIVERHXLI]´ZIVIEPP]XEOIRSJJ
-XWIIQWXLEXPSXWSJHSKS[RIVW[ERXXSORMX
their constant companions a jumper. We do a
premium range in Rowan yarn, which is great
for special occasions, and our standard range
in Donegal Aran Tweed. This is a much more
VSFYWX]EVRWYMXEFPIJSVPSRKGSPH[EPOWMR
the countryside.
Redhounds for Dogs has recently expanded
its range of kits. Tell us about what you can
I\TIGXXS½RHMRXLIOMXW#
)ZIV]XLMRKXLIORMXXIVRIIHWXSQEOIXLI
NYQTIVJVSQXLITEXXIVR]EVRORMXXMRKERH
WI[MRKRIIHPIWMWGSRXEMRIHMRXLIOMX;IEPWS
include tips on techniques and offer help in
QIEWYVMRK]SYVHSK8LI]´VIEPPTEGOEKIHYTMR
SYVI\GPYWMZI/IRXQEHIFS\IWGSQTPIXI[MXL
98 craftfocus
paw print cut out. Perfect for the dog-loving
ORMXXIVSVEWEKMJXJSVSRI
We’ve also tailored our jumper patterns to
accommodate various shapes too.
Why do you think that making coats for dogs
has become such a strong trend in crafting?
-XLMROMX´WHS[RXSEJI[XLMRKW¯XLITPIEWYVI
MXKMZIWXLIS[RIVXLI½XXLI]GEREGLMIZIERH
access via the internet now for the materials
SV]EVRRIIHIH%RH-KYIWWMXGER´XFI
ignored that it provides owners with a more
economical route to getting their dog a coat
or jumper.
Tell us about the new sewing range?
;IPEYRGLIHSYV½VWXVERKISJ7I[
=SYV3[R(SK'SEXTEXXIVRWEX'VEJX,SFF]
7XMXGL-RXIVREXMSREPMR*IFVYEV]8LIWI
are offered in nine sizes, and customers
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Redhound too.
(SIWSRIWMÎ½XEPPHSKW[LIRMXGSQIWXS
making coats?
1SWXHI½RMXIP]RSX8LMWMW[L][I´ZITIVJIGXIH
XLIWLETIW[I´VIORS[RJSVSYVLSYRH
coats, and these dogs give a good example
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XLIWMKLXLSYRHWLEZIHIITGLIWXWPMXXPIRIGOW
ERHZEVMSYWPIRKXLWSJFSH][LMPIHEGLWLYRHW
are long and round and short in the shoulder.
Do you have any other news to share?
;I´VII\XVIQIP]I\GMXIHXSFITYFPMWLMRKE
FSSO[MXL4EZMPMSRXLEX[MPPGSRXEMRFIEYXMJYP
LERHORMXXIHNYQTIVWJSVHSKW-X[MPPFI
TYFPMWLIHMR7ITXIQFIVWSHSPSSOSYXJSVMX
Where can retailers get to see your
product offerings?
We attend quite a few of shows and have
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Alexander Palace and Harrogate later on in
the year, so there are plenty of opportunities
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Redhound for Dogs
8
)HIFFMI$VIHLSYRHJSVHSKWGSQ
W: www.redhoundfordogs.com
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