Cosplay Fashion Show Competition winners at h+h
The first-time winners in five categories were selected on the second show day of h+h americas 2024...
Craft Focus magazine is a bi-monthly trade publication for the craft industry, distributed to Art & Craft shops, Toy shops, Model shops, Haberdashers and Needlecraft retailers.
Each issue contains detailed information on upcoming trade shows and reviews many new and innovative products, enabling retailers to make informed and profitable buying decisions for their business. Find out more about the magazine here.
Subscribe now and we shall tell you the moment a new issue of Craft Focus magazine is out! You will also receive our free monthly newsletter too.
Cosplay Fashion Show Competition winners at h+h
The first-time winners in five categories were selected on the second show day of h+h americas 2024...
NY NOW Celebrates 100 Years this August
NY NOW, the premier wholesale trade show in New York City serving the gift, home, and accessories...
Stationery Awards 2024: The Winners
The winners of the Stationery Awards 2024 were announced Tuesday 14th May at the close of the first day of London...
Craft Industry Alliance is proud to announce the winners of the first-ever Golden Scissors Awards recognising excellence in...
What a show season it has been. The team reported back positively from Spring Fair, a buzzy show with a bustling stationery and craft presence. I enjoyed my time at CHSI Stitches - it was great to chat to so many of you and be able to touch the products on offer – pictures just don’t do them justice! If you couldn’t make the events, please do catch up in our show news.
This issue, we have a preview of the London Stationery Show. As a stationery addict, it’s always highlighted on my calendar, plus I just love the Business Design Centre and its prime location in Islington. Do check out who will be attending and make a note of the stand numbers ahead of the day to make sure you don’t miss out! And please do pick up a copy of the magazine!
I have enjoyed liaising with numerous candle making companies this issue and have put together a three-page feature dedicated to the craft on page 73. There’s complete kits, wax options and stunning vessels whether you’re thinking of stocking the individual candle making components or the box sets! As well as this we have our summer product showcase, a focus on needlecrafts and of course, plenty of crafting and gifting inspo for dad this Father’s Day.
Rachel Westall, Editor
PS. If you have any news you would like to submit to this site or Craft Focus magazine, please email editor@craftfocus.com
Rachel x
These new felt craft pennant kits will look fabulous in the home. The Wildflower and Celestial designs are £19.95 RRP and come with everything you need including the wool felt, DMC threads, wooden dowel and cotton, pins, needle and of course our highly detailed step-by-step instructions designed for total beginners. For further information, email: info@hawthornhandmade.co.uk or visit the website: www.hawthornhandmade.com
If you like this, check out more inspirational ideas.
Marking 25 years of ACID, CEO Dids Macdonald, shares how the group has become a driving force in empowering designers against intellectual property theft. In the late 1990s, many within the giftware sector and in the design industry, generally, faced a crisis as the rampant culture of copying threatened creative innovation. For designers and designer-makers, the frustration of witnessing their innovative designs stolen, often, by well-known UK retailers and manufacturers prompted action. Collaborating with an intellectual property (IP) lawyer and fellow designers, I formed a group to tackle this challenge, resulting in the creation of Anti Copying in Design (ACID). Over the past 25 years ACID has become a driving force in empowering designers against intellectual property theft. IP isn't rocket-science and our consistent focus has been on education and awareness, to help designers become "IP savvy" and to use IP as a positive force for growth.
Local gift cards are driving spend in high streets and downtowns around the world, says fintech Miconex as it shares key insights from its local gift card programmes in the UK, Ireland, Canada and the USA. The range of independent businesses which accept Miconex's local gift cards – usually alongside a range of national brands – makes the cards unique in the sector. A typical 50 percent, and up to 100 percent, of its local gift cards are redeemed with independent shops, restaurants and venues. Retail was top for redemptions of local gift cards in 2023 in the UK. Primark, M&S, Boots, Argos, TK Maxx, Next, Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Dunnes Stores and Aldi were within the top national retailers. New national retailers including Co-op, Smyths Toys and Lidl joined the economy boosting local gift card programmes in 2023.
