£3.50 ISSUE 126 SEPTEMBER 2017
CraftBusiness
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The leading trade title for the craft industry
PAINT
JEWELLERY
SEWING
Give thanks to a fish tank
Learning from the low moments
Queen Bee on the TV
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P25
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NEWS
Welcome • Mark Hayhurst • @craftbiz • mark.hayhurst@aceville.co.uk z I think my feet may have stopped aching by now. But it was worth the odd twinge to stroll around the Festival of Quilts at the NEC. I say stroll because you couldn’t get much speed up in the aisles with the amount of people that descended on Birmingham over the four days in August. And you wouldn’t want to have been going fast because of all the wonderful quilts on display. There was a lot of skill on show and very innovative work. The competition quilts certainly gave examples of that. And you can see who won what in this issue. And it’s not just quilts on show in September’s Craft Business Magazine. We have a great interview with Annie Sloan who brought Chalk Paint into the world. The Great British Sewing Bee winner, Charlotte Newland, also gives us an insight into her world and what it meant to her to be the top stitcher on the television programme. I know it still feels warm and the sun is shining in the sky (sometimes) but our thoughts are turning towards Christmas. Maybe not what Santa is brining us – but what stores should be stocking before the festive season begins. We have a few tips and pointers for you if you haven’t already planned your Christmas. I hope you enjoy reading this issue.
ON THE RECORD “If you haven’t finalised your Christmas plan, it’s time to get started” LOUISA JEAN-CHARLES, GROVES 1.3_ADSHEAD 31/05/2017 16:46 Page OF MARKETING AT1 DOTCOMGIFTSHOP
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EQS signs exclusive deal with Liberty to distribute new range of quilting fabrics z In a ground-breaking deal, EQS, the country’s leading supplier of products for patchwork and quilting, has agreed with Liberty of London to distribute the new range of fabrics targeted specifically at this market. Liberty, famed in particular for their stunning range of lawn cottons, is now extending its offering to classic craft/quilting weight cotton. Katie Jones, marketing manager at EQS, is looking forward to working with such an iconic brand. She said: “Who doesn’t love Liberty? We are incredibly fortunate to be able to include this new concept in our range and have already developed a detailed launch programme. First, we will be introducing the line to our trade customers and then, when the fabric arrives in the country,
we will be getting the message out to consumers. The intention will be to drive traffic to stockists’ shops.” The launch will consist of just one carefully constructed collection of 23 pieces under the heading of The English Garden. In addition, there will be a series of accessories, all made using fabric from the collection. Further ranges are planned with the second offering called The English Cottage. While all the designs are new, Liberty is drawing from its library of 47,000 past fabrics, dating back over 160 years. The English Garden is unmistakably Liberty but with a scale that makes it suitable for all sorts of projects, especially quilting. It comes in three colourways, always following
the design theme that you expect from the brand. The EQS sales team will be visiting customers with samples on fabric to demonstrate not only the quality of the designs and colours but also the engraving. First deliveries will arrive during the second half of September. For now, the company plans not to show the collection on line, believing that the fabric has to be seen for real to appreciate the quality of the product.
Madeira appoint new head of consumer division z Madeira UK have appointed Duncan Yarnall, as the head of the Consumer Division. Yarnall will be covering all aspects of retail sales for the brand. He has over 20 years experience within the thread sales community and brings a depth of knowledge to the already greatly experienced organisation. Yarnall said: “Madeira has a global brand name that is hard to beat within the trade. The product range is extensive and has a history of being at the forefront of innovation for the thread market. I am delighted to head up this
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division and continue the Madeira success story.” Madeira are looking to expand their customer portfolio and feel the timing and personality involved are perfect.
Karen Burrows, Madeira UK managing director , said “Duncan has the ability to bring Madeira to the next level in terms of profile and sales and we all look forward to working with customers representing the brand and new accounts starting their association with Madeira products.” Duncan will be working closely with customers and distributors to maintain a high level of service and support new and existing products in the market.
NEWS
In this issue
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New Gelli kits are set to hit the UK 13 Best day ever! Discover how one craft shop owner had its best ever Yarn Shop Day
24 Modern metallics and traditional tartans Hobbycraft’s take on this year’s Christmas trends
31 Are you protected? Get the lowdown on Intellectual Property, and make sure your business is protected
35 The driving force of CHSI Stitches Dominic Fleming reveals his plans for this year’s show
Bothy Threads to takeover Derwentwater Designs z Bothy Threads are set to takeover the business interests of Derwentwater Designs. They have an reached an agreement in principle and the deal is expected to be completed at the start of September. After completion, all Derwentwater Designs’ products will be available through Bothy Threads. Kate Golby (pictured), managing director of Bothy Threads, said: “Rose and Sid Swalwell have built Derwentwater Designs into one of the UK's leading sewing kit businesses and I’m proud to be able to take it forward as they take a well earned retirement.” The deal was first talked about at CHSI Stitches back in February this year. John Golby, Bothy Threads company secretary, said: “It was a good fit for us. They have got a complimentary product range, very nice designs we have always liked them.
z Personal Impressions, UK distributor for Gelli Arts, have announced several new-launch items that are due to arrive in the UK in the next few weeks. Along with other products there will be six new Gelli Arts Printing Kits in a handy, reusable storage tub. The contents include: Gelli plate, roller, new Gelli paint, texture tools, paper and or fabric and a few other goodies too. The different kit options available are: Card Printing Kit, Paper Quilt Kit, Quilt Squares Printing Kit, Patch Printing Kit, Stamping & Printing Kit and Feather Printing Kit. What is Gelli Art? The Gel Printing Plate looks and feels like gelatin but is durable, reusable and stores at room temperature. It's easy to clean and always ready for printing. Monoprinting (essentially a printed painting) on a Gelli plate is simple, fun and unique. These new kits are bound to be a hit for Christmas and anyone looking for an arty/crafty gift. To buy Gelli Arts products please visit the Gelli Arts section at www.personalimpressions.com, call 01787 375241 or email: pisales@personalimpressions.com.
CB REPORTED... 1 YEAR AGO
Barclays surveyed British retailers and found that 56% thought that Brexit would have no real impact on their supply chain.
5 YEARS AGO
Research revealed that one in four small businesses had been the victims of business crimes in the past two years.
10 YEARS AGO
Smoothie brand innocent drinks thanked the nation for their contribution to its fourth Big Knit appeal, and predicted to raise £200,000 to protect the vulnerable elderly against cold that winter.
New Americana Premium acrylics are on their way z DecoArt have launched over 50 colours in their new Americana Premium Acrylics range. These medium-bodied formula are ideal for the hobbyist, crafter or artist at an affordable price point. The satin-sheen formula has been created to work well on canvas. Its simplicity of design and use takes the intimidation factor out of fine art painting. It is ideal for many surfaces, including wood, canvas, metal, leather, ceramic bisque, and paper.
What’s more, the product provides excellent coverage, is intermixable, light-fast, non-toxic and can be cleanedup using soap and water. Create your original pieces of art at a budget-friendly price. For more information about the product or for downloadable inspiring projects (including step-bystep instructions, templates, products, tools and equipment lists), please visit: www.decoart.com
Cricut and Simplicity aim to take the next step in sewing evolution “It will almost double the number of designs that we can offer – we have about 300-350 designs each. “We got to know Sid and Rose well over the years going to the same trade shows. We were at CHSI Stitches and after the last one I half jokingly said to Sid “aren't you thinking about retiring yet” and he said “yes”. So it followed on from that conversation and it is a very amicable arrangement that suits us all. “We will be having our Christmas collection coming out in November. There will be a range of different designers and certainly some more Hannah Dale designs which have been very popular.”
z Cricut and Simplicity Creative Group have entered a partnership to evolve the sewing experience. They will be making hundreds of Simplicity sewing patterns available to cut instantly on Cricut machines. The partnership aims to bring in a new wave of sewers by simplifying the sewing process. Cricut Maker is the first consumer cutting machine capable of infinitely-customizable, precision fabric cutting for sewing projects. It features a unique rotary blade for cutting virtually any fabric, and a digital sewing pattern store, known as Design Space, for purchasing patterns that can be sent directly to the machine to cut. Currently, people who sew with the help of patterns must
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physically select them, or print them out individually, and then cut the pieces apart by hand, pin those shapes to fabric and finally, cut the fabric around the intricate shapes. Now, they can search for a collection of Simplicity patterns on their PC or mobile device, select one, and direct Cricut Maker to cut and mark all the shapes automatically in minutes. Ashish Arora, CEO of Cricut, said: “There are 19 million active sewing crafters in the US, and we’d like to see that number
climb exponentially. We believe this new experience will make the art of sewing attractive to new consumers. It’s like what Netflix did for movies, but we’re digitizing the sewing and quilting market to create more access and opportunity.” Abbie Small, EVP/GM of Simplicity Creative Group, said: “Having Simplicity patterns available to sewers through Cricut’s innovative Design Space software gives us access to some of the most engaged, creative, and inspired individuals in the world.” The all-new Cricut Maker enables creators to make a large range of DIY projects out of nearly 300 different materials, including mat-board, balsa wood, delicate to heavy fabrics, leather, and more.
NEWS
Make sure you know the law on knives z Craft Retailers must make sure they know the law, especially concerning knives. Nearly one in four shops is breaking the law on underage knife sales in some areas, with blades sold to children as young as 13, council trading standards teams have revealed. It is illegal to sell knives to anyone aged under 18 in England and Under 16 in Scotland. The Local Government Association said the worrying findings come as latest official figures show a 20 per cent annual rise in knife crime in England and Wales. Following the recent government proposal to ban home delivery of knives to prevent underage sales, the LGA is calling for the retail industry to fund underage test purchasing operations and work more closely with councils to help improve compliance levels. The LGA says greater fines and tougher sentences are also needed for irresponsible retailers breaking knife sale laws. Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Despite most retailers passing test purchases of knives, trading standards
teams at councils across the country are uncovering some shocking abuses of the law. “Knives are lethal weapons in the wrong hands and it’s vital that shops do all they can to prevent them falling into the hands of young people because just one illegal knife sale could have tragic consequences. “Tougher sentences, including larger fines, are also needed to reflect the seriousness of selling knives to children.” Four retailers, including a major supermarket chain, sold either razor blades or craft knives to a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, in separate test purchases undertaken by Royal Greenwich Trading Standards and the police. A trader who sold a fourpiece craft knife set to two underage teenagers has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 in fines and costs following a prosecution by Croydon Council. The Office for National Statistics show there were 34,703 recorded knife crimes in 2016/17, a 20 per cent increase on the previous year. Graeme Wright, AFCI. UK board member, said: “For small businesses in particular, keeping on top of all the relevant
TRIED & TESTED
legislation really can be a fulltime job on its own. Consumer rights, environmental health, employment and, of course, the dreaded Health & Safety. Although it may appear to the contrary, government doesn’t exist simply to make life difficult for business and commerce, many of the laws are vital to all of us. “Not complying can at best be a nuisance and at worst, horribly expensive, without even considering our civic duty to operate within the law. With knife crime being such a major problem, it is not surprising that they are cracking down. Every business is open to prosecution if they operate without due consideration for what is allowed. “Our advice would be: first, do your best to stay within the law; second, if you have any questions or doubts, contact your local Trading Standards Office. They are also very good at answering questions on labelling, packaging and so on. “At AFCI.UK (www.afci. uk) we do our best to advise our members on current legislation on a variety of topics. We are not lawyers but we can generally track down the relevant documents that will help you in a difficult situation.”
EVERYTHING YOU WANT FOR YOUR GARDEN JOURNALING NEEDS EVERYBODY IS JOURNALING these days and this new Pewter Journal Garden Notes Kit from Peak Dale Products is right on trend. The prettily packaged kit contains everything needed to make this stunning journal to keep all your gardening information in, including stickers so that the pages can be marked. Keep plant and pots information, plant care records, design grids and lots more. It is simple to emboss using the tools and patterns provided and would make a superb gift for all gardeners. Other journal kits are following soon, a needlework journal, a hiking journal and a dreams journal just for starters. Make sure that you stock these kits for customers to make now or give as unusual gifts for Christmas. 01298 78447 SALES@PEAKDALEPRODUCTS.CO.UK WWW.PEAKDALEPRODUCTS.CO.UK PAPERCRAFT DESIGNER CORINNE BRADD: The garden journal kit is a perfect project for a lazy evening. The pewter piece fits neatly inside the grid sheet making it easy to plan your cover using the ‘boxed’ images and borders on the design sheet. Mark out your layout on the grid, trace over the patterns and transfer the illustrations to the pewter sheet with the ball-ended tool. Full instructions for defining and antiquing the cover are included in the kit along with absolutely everything you need to complete the journal professionally.
Glue Dots International appoints new distributor
NEED CRAFT 1.4 5 col_ADS 17/08/2016 12:08 Page 1
z Glue Dots International has appointed Personal Impressions as its new distributor for the craft, stationery, art and education trade sectors. Dave Angus, Glue Dots European key account manager, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Personal Impressions who are very well known in the industry for their brand-focused range of craft products including: Fiskars, Mod Podge, Me & My Big Ideas, Ranger, Simple Stories, Spellbinders, TSUKINEKO and We R Memory Keepers. “Personal Impressions will distribute Glue Dot’s complete
adhesive range and was considered a perfect fit due to the way they support their portfolio of brands. We also liked their personal family-friendly approach, backed by impressive warehousing and logistical support, high-quality service and fast delivery, which we believe makes them an ideal distributor for Glue Dots.” Jenny Hawkins, group sales and marketing director, said: “We work very closely with our resellers and manage our brands
in a way that benefits both resellers and consumers. Glue Dots is also very complementary to our existing business and our customer base and we look forward to working with the team over the coming years.” The appointment is part of Glue Dots plans to increase its distributor network in the UK and Europe and the company has also recently appointed Wilsons, in Colchester, to distribute the company’s growing range of DIY products.
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NEWS
Stylecraft reveals three new blogstars
z Stylecraft’s Blogstars have been a huge hit with knitters and crocheters all over the world. Not ones to rest on their laurels the team has been actively scouring the internet to find the most exciting bloggers to bring in to the fold, and is now delighted to reveal the latest recruits – Michelle Westlund and Anne Scheuler from Crochet Between Worlds and Polly Plum from Every Trick On The hook. Michelle and Anne met in 2002, when Michelle was on a Rotary Youth Exchange in Anne’s hometown of Weyhe, Germany. They became firm friends almost immediately. Anne spent a year living with Michelle’s family in Australia in 2008-2009 while studying at university, L_ADS 17/08/2017 12:02 Pagelove 1 of crochet and their shared was kindled during a long, hot Sydney summer. They had to keep this passion going, and so started the Crochet Between Worlds blog. As well as patterns, tutorials, projects, chatting and occasional recipes, you can also find The Adventures of Captain Poprocks at Crochet Between Worlds. The Captain is a tiny rainbow happypotamus who travels the world, seeking adventure and cake. At about 12 years of age Polly Plum was taught to crochet and read crochet patterns by her mother. Polly made a few things but didn’t pick up her hook too much
APPEALING TO THE YOUNGER MARKET Claire Hamer, trade sales manager at Hunkydory Crafts Limited, explains the importance of connecting with children z Ask any parent or grandparent and they’ll all tell you how special their children/grandchildren are to them. As retailers we need to understand how important the younger demographic are to us and engage and nurture this potential for new customers. It is well known that children have great imaginations and craft and art are fabulous ways of letting them express themselves. Why not encourage more youngsters into your shop.
over her teenage years. Over a decade later, she found herself living in a new place and quite bored, so she purchased a couple of hooks, some yarn, and a book of patterns. At about the same time a social media revolution was in full swing and Polly joined some online crochet groups. The inspiration and support she found there motivated her to finally complete the projects she loved to start, but would usually abandon. It wasn’t long until she discovered afghan blocks and their unending variations.
Polly has perfected her craft and now spends most of her time crocheting and making her art into patterns to share with the world. She thrives off the challenge of finding new ways to combine and place stitches and, even more challenging, how to write them into a usable pattern. She established her blog, Every Trick on the Hook, to complement her patterns with tutorials, tips, and tricks. You may remember her highly successful Lotus Moon Tiles CAL last year which seemed to be on everyone’s hooks.
z PRODUCTS Stocking products that appeal to children is a good place to start. If you’re worried about stocking products especially manufactured for children such as pipe cleaners and feathers, try starting with cross-over products, such as card-making kits that have elements that appeal to younger people, such as fairies, animals and cartoon style images. Stamps are also a great way to get your target audience crafting. Stamp a full sheet of images for them to colour in. Use cool images such as emoji, sneakers and mobile phones to get them interested. z CRAFT PARTIES Use your workshop space to run kids crafting workshops. These are especially great for children’s birthday parties. Get them decorating birthday hats or crowns, include games or challenges with prizes and certificates and get them to write their memories of the day to make a scrapbook for the birthday boy or girl. It’s important to decide what you’re offering and what’s included in the price. Areas to consider include but are not exhaustive are; how long the workshops are, whether adult supervision is needed, who is providing the cake, what themes do you offer.
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www.creativebeadcraft.co.uk 01494 786924 beads@creativebeadcraft.co.uk
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z CLASSES Arrange parent and child craft classes with the focus being in school holidays. Many parents are constantly looking for ways to entertain their little ones over the school breaks, so make your shop a fun and friendly place to be, and a reasonable-priced alternative to the other attractions on offer. If parents and their children have an enjoyable time, with something handmade to show off at the end, they’re sure to show off their makes and spread the word. They could perhaps ‘check in’ on social media when they
arrive, and are likely to tag your store on social media with proud pictures of their makes! Don’t forget to offer child friendly drinks and cushions on chairs so that they can reach the table. z SCHOOLS Work with local schools to let them know your store is a child friendly environment. Go into the schools to do a fabulous make and take that makes the kids want to drag their parents to the craft shop at the first opportunity! Also discuss with the school what themes they’ve got coming up and stock appropriate products to aid families in making projects for homework e.g. Easter bonnets and decorations, Romans, Christmas decorations, The Hungry Caterpillar etc. z GROUPS Introduce craft into local children’s groups, such as Brownies and Cubs, by having them hold one of their evenings in your shop. Work with the group leaders to offer a suitable hands-on project and get the parents to pick the children up from the store, so they know where it is for future reference. The Brownies and Cubs might achieve an arts and crafts badge at your store, and then you may become a preferred supplier for any art and craft materials they may need for other future badges – heaps of badges require a poster, scrapbook or presentation of some sort! z ACROSS THE GENERATIONS Crafting is a wonderful way to find a pursuit that both adults and children can take part and excel in. Many people who are passionate about crafting today have childhood memories of crafting with their parents or grandparents. It’s important that we find time to share these skills with the new generations. The youth of today are the crafters of tomorrow. We have a responsibility to hook them in early to get a lifelong commitment from them. z HOW TO GAUGE SUCCESS Crafting won’t necessarily be a passion for every child that you get through your shop doors, but there will be successes. Also, like many things even if the child doesn't continue with craft immediately, children often come back to things they did as a child later in life. So instill the joy of crafting now.
ADVERTORIAL
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Stick with Glue Dots this Christmas and get a festive bargain Hurry to make sure you make the most of this special discount offer z Stock up on a festive bargain while you can. Glue Dots is always a popular line item for resellers during the busy Christmas sales period and there’s also a tempting ten per cent off until October 31. It’s their versatility that makes them a Christmas essential, whether it’s card or gift making, hanging decorations, wrapping presents, attaching bows and gift tags, Glue Dots has an adhesive solution for a multitude of festive jobs. They also make an ideal stocking filler. Glue Dots collection of displays, products and industry leading dispensers offers outstanding value for money and with a choice of 21 different craft products, in a variety of formats, adhesive strengths and sizes, there’s bound to be a selection to suit your business. Fast, simple, safe and easy to use, these double-sided adhesives bond instantly to virtually any surface including: paper, glass, textiles, metal, plastic and wood, which makes them ideal for a wide variety of Christmas projects. Glue Dots can be safely used by the entire family and provide a ‘ready to go’ high quality adhesive solution that offers a clean, versatile alternative to tapes, liquid and hot glues as there’s no mess, no fuss and no drying time, so they’re ideal for mixed media Christmas crafting. Glue Dots range is now available from Personal Impressions. For orders and new account opportunities please contact Personal Impressions: z 01787 375241 z pisales@personalimpressions.com z www.personalimpressions.com z www.gluedotseurope.com
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NEWS
Creativation Keynote to Feature CEO of The Marketing Zen Group
The Festival of Quilts 2017 competition winners announced Judges heap praise on award-winning quilters
z Faversham-based quilt artist Margaret Ramsay is the 2017 winner of the Registration for the z The Association For Fine Art Quilts Masters Keynote and the entire Creative Industries competition (sponsored by Conference program opens Creativation Keynote Vlieseline) at Europe’s largest on Tuesday, September 12 at Speaker is Shama Hyder. patchwork and quilting event, 11am EDT. The Preview Guide She is the Chief Executive The Festival of Quilts. of hands-on workshops, Officer of the award-winning Margaret’s work, Birchington content-driven seminars, agency, The Marketing Zen Breakwaters, was inspired by and fun events is available Group, and best-selling the fragility of disintegrating at CreativationShow.org. author of two books: sea defences and wins her The Zen of Social Media £5,000 in prize money. The Marketing and Momentum. z THE QUEST FOR THE quilt will be displayed in the As a speaker and NEXT BIG CREATIVE Textile Galleries at The Knitting strategist, she’s worked INNOVATION & Stitching Show in London with leading brands, has The Association For (Alexandra Palace) this October been featured across Creative Industries opened and Harrogate in November. major media channels, and applications for the Scooping Best in Show has received numerous Innovations Centre – a (sponsored by Mettler) and a recognitions, including the program seeking to enable £2,000 prize was Philippa Naylor Technology Titan Emerging entrepreneurs who are from Beverley, for her quilt Company CEO award and developing never-beforeMeasure for Measure. Philippa one of the “Top 30 Under seen products and ideas that received high praise from 30 Entrepreneurs” by both could potentially change the competition judges who said her Inc. Magazine and Forbes. creative industry as we know Miniature Quilt category-winning Shama will give an it. The deadline to submit entry was: “An exquisite piece insightful presentation on an entry is October 31. PAVILLION 1.8 3 col_ADS 15/08/2017 15:56 Page 1 with a delicate feel and subtle what businesses need to The Innovations Centre colouring. Everything is perfectly thrive in the digital age, and debuted at Creativation scaled, especially in the attention how to consistently market 2017 showcasing 25 to detail of the intricate stitchery and grow an organization groundbreaking ideas, and rouleau looped edging.” in the face of unrelenting techniques and products. change. Independent retailers, Five entrepreneurs in the z WINNERS OF THE designers, manufacturers Innovations Centre were COMPETITION’S OTHER and large brands in the selected to pitch their product CATEGORIES WERE: craft industry will learn: for a chance to win $10,000. The Quilters’ Guild Challenge Armando and Alfredo Ulloa, z Five principles to stand (sponsored by Bernina): Birgit brothers duo from Dallas, out and compete in Schuller from Germany, The Texas, won the grand prize today’s noisy marketplace Sprinter. The judges said: “Birgit’s for Let’s Hang, a tool that z Generate more ROI quilt is evocative of freedom. helps you hang frames and from marketing and Her fabulous quilting suggests pictures level and precise. integrate Shama’s five both texture and movement.” To qualify, innovations principles into an overall My First Quilt: Anita O’Brien, cannot have been released in marketing strategy from Muswell Hill, London, Peter bricks-and-mortar or online z Understand how and Amina’s Quilt. The Judges stores prior to the event to leverage digital said: “This is a thoughtful and in January 2018. Also, the trends to attract more beautifully constructed tribute product or concept must customers and reach which reveals more detail be able to be presented a wider audience the more you look at it.” through an experimental z Learn ways to measure, Art Quilts (sponsored by display for the duration test and achieve more ROI Madeira): Lesley Brankin from of the trade show. from a social strategy Malvern, Big Brother. The Judges For submission z Learn how to successfully said: “This is a well considered guidelines and to apply, reach, manage, and design with strong focus which visit CreativationShow.org. sell to Millennials interprets the theme as well as the concerns of society in a well constructed manner.” Traditional Quilts (sponsored by Clover): Annelize Littlefair from Henley on
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Margaret Ramsay's Birchington Breakwaters won the Fine Art Quilts Masters award.
Thames, The Trouble with Magenta, Hot or Not. The judges said: “There is exquisite workmanship in this well balanced but varied design. The subtle thread shading creates a feeling of depth. There is beautiful texture throughout created by stitch and the addition of decorative braid plus piping.” Contemporary Quilt (sponsored by Janome): Linzi Upton from Banchory, Beezlebub. The judges said: “The exquisite quilting that works so beautifully on the wholecloth side serves to enhance the chaos of the pieced side. The meticulous hand colouring on the wholecloth side emphasizes the designs created by the wonderful quilting.” Modern Quilt (sponsored by Husqvarna Viking): Judith Lynch, Sticks and Stones 1. The judges said: “This is a stunning
and visually exciting quilt, with good use of fabric that captures the essence of modern.” Group Quilts: Friday Frolics, The Four Seasons: The judges said: “An excellent design with thorough consideration given to detail. It is visually exciting with striking execution of stitch and embellishment.” Two Person Quilt (sponsored by Aurifil): Mary Palmer and Anne Kiely from Cork, Tidings. The judges said: “This worthy winner has a unique, intriguing and original design.” Pictorial Quilt (sponsored by Juki): Janneke de Vries-Bodzinga from The Netherlands, African Village: The judges said: “This quilt took us right to the African village. With immaculate piecing and quilting, the skilfully executed piece of work has excellent visual impact.”
NEWS
CRAFT COTTON COMPANY mini_ADS 17/08/2017 11:16 Page 1 Schools & Groups of Young Quilters – Secondary was won by Burgess Hill School for Girls in Burgess Hill for their Free range Chickens.
Quilt Creations (sponsored by Vivebooks): Jacqueline Harvey from Holt, Silvery Threads. The judges said: “The soft sparkle and meticulous hand stitching add to the 08/2017 14:43 Page 1 jewel-like quality of this quietly magnificent piece. The subtlety of colour and attention to detail are superb.” Young Quilter/Young Embroiderer 5-8 Category (sponsored by Brother): Fiona Pilcher from Romney Marsh, Gold at the End of the Rainbow Wave. The judges said: “This quilt is beautifully constructed, bright and cheerful. It made us happy.” Young Quilter/Young Embroiderer 9-11 Category (sponsored by Brother): Leif Sinclair from Leominster, I Don’t Know: The judges said:
The Quilters Guild Challenge prize went to Birgit Schuller.
“This is a very creative, original piece of work.” Young Quilter/Young Embroiderer 12-16 Category (sponsored by Brother): Hannah Goldsmith from Lichfield, Freedom Bound. The judges said: “This is a stunning tryptic, well executed with a good feeling of 3D.” Schools & Groups of Young Quilters – Primary (sponsored by Brother): Belmont Grosvenor School in Harrogate, Free as a Bird. The judges said: “The quilt has beautiful birds and a wonderful sense of movement. The handprinted background supports the theme perfectly.” Schools & Groups of Young Quilters – Secondary (sponsored by Brother): Burgess Hill School for Girls
Hannah Goldsmith's Freedom Bound took the award for Young Quilter/Young Embroiderer 12-16 Category
in Burgess Hill, Free range Chickens. The judges said: “This is an amazing piece, full of fun and character. It demonstrates a range of skills, executed to perfection.” Winner of the City & Guilds Award: Annie Henderson-Begg. The judges said of Annie's work: “sophisticated and
Winning the Pictoral Quilts prize was Janneke de Vries-Bodzinga's African Village.
TRADE SALES MANAGER – Permanent, full-time position available An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious, driven individual with an interest in Arts & Craft products and business development, to advance their career with a rapidly growing company. Craft Buddy Established in 2011, Craft Buddy Ltd design and produce arts and craft supplies and kits. We have a fast-growing trade (B2B) business, supplying retail chains, TV shopping channels and independent stores across the UK & Europe. We are a small, friendly team operating in a fast-paced environment with ambitious growth targets. We are located in Chesham, Bucks, easily accessible from London by car or tube. Responsibilities Reporting to the two directors of the company, you will be responsible for: • Developing new and existing National Accounts across UK/EU • Managing the trade website • Trade marketing • Invoicing and account management What We Are Looking For The successful individual will possess the following skills and experience: • A driven, energetic person and a natural brand builder • An interest, or prior experience working in, the Arts & Crafts sector • Sales-oriented personality, with experience at managing and building customer accounts • High attention to detail and accuracy For the right person this can be an exciting opportunity with great potential for growth and learning. To apply for the position, please send your CV and covering letter to sales@craftbuddyltd.co.uk
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well-thought out body of work showing evidence of artistic development. We particularly enjoyed the sketchbooks which are wide-ranging in their approaches and held our interest. The finished piece shows confidence in composition with exciting use of texture and stitch.”
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BA Bursary: Sumandip Dhesi, from Arts University, Bournemouth. The judges said: “A well documented journey from primary design sources to well-constructed resolved pieces. The work shows excellent potential for future developments.” The Visitors’ Choice Award (sponsored by The Quilters’ Guild): Free to Roam by Donna Goymer from Castle Camps, Cambridgeshire. The Festival of Quilts takes place at the NEC Birmingham each August. Highlights include professionally curated quilt galleries, hundreds of workshops, a programme of talks and discussions, social events and over 300 exhibitors selling essential supplies. The Festival’s nationally-acclaimed competition celebrates quilts that transcend craft and demand equal billing with gallery quality art works. The competition attracts entries from all over the world, which are judged by a panel of leading figures from the art and quilting worlds.
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NEWS
INDUSTRY NEWS REVOLUTIONARY PRODUCTS SPARKLE AND SHINE Sue Baker, Imagination Crafts sales director, gives an insight into the company and what’s coming next
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z TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY We are the craft brand within our parent company Harvey Baker Design Ltd, which has been going for 27 years. We did all the MDF items for the television programmes Changing Rooms and Home Front, so we started doing paints and stencils 27 years ago. We are one of the oldest craft companies to produce paints and stencils. We focus very much on stencils, we have a very unique stamp range, which is an art stamp range. We are also trend setters, we were the first people to introduce water-based waxes into the craft industry in Europe. We also introduced a paint that is based on gilding flakes, Starlights, which is a gilding paint. We produce very revolutionary products. z WHAT’S ON TREND AT THE MOMENT? On the build up to Christmas, of course, it is anything sparkly. We were the first people to introduce glitter mediums for spreading through stencils – it is called sparkle medium Starlights . And stencils are very much in vogue for Christmas. z AND NEW PRODUCTS COMING OUT? We have also introduced a creative textile range and we were the first craft company to do that on Hochanda TV. Within that we have developed a shimmer textile paint. It’s washable and all our textile mediums, of course, will work on all craft products so there is great crossover. We have just introduced a new fabric hardener which is a good base. If you take fabrics, die cut fabrics or you cut fabrics and you want to turn them into a piece for your craft project, then you can apply the fabric hardener, then apply paints, waxes and any medium over the top of it and that, again, is quite revolutionary.
Outstanding number of registrations for h+h cologne 2018 z Around eight months before h+h cologne 2018 (March 23-25) opens its gates, all the signs indicate that the international trade fair for creative handicraft and hobby supplies is going to add a further chapter to its success story. Shortly before the end of the early bird period, nearly all of the industry’s top companies have confirmed their participation in 2018. More than 320 companies have booked over 90 per cent of the planned exhibition space. This is eight per cent more than at the same point last year. Catja Caspary, vice president at Koelnmesse, said: “h+h cologne offers the international trade visitors a market overview that is unique in this form. The trade can establish new customer contacts, strengthen existing business relations and exchange ideas on the marketing concepts of tomorrow with professionals from all over the world more efficiently here than at any other fair.”
In addition to the comprehensive industry offerings, the target-group specific supporting programme is considered to be one of the key factors of the fair’s success. High-quality speakers will pick up on the trend themes of the industry again next year and acknowledged experts will present information and strategies that are tailored to meet the needs of the trade. It will once again offer a trend fashion show put on by the members of Initiative Handarbeit (Handicraft Initiative), a target group-oriented workshop
programme, as well as numerous special activities with artists and various institutions. At h+h cologne 2017, 423 exhibitors from 42 countries presented their latest products, trends and collections in the areas of knitting, embroidery, crocheting, sewing and other handicrafts, as well as the corresponding accessories, to an international audience. Around 16,000 visitors from 75 countries marked yet another chapter in the success story of h+h cologne, which has shown continuous growth in Cologne for over seven years now.
New Manchester Stationery Show line-up takes shape The new Manchester Stationery Show, which will run at the end of October, is already developing its own ‘industrial chic’ style with exhibitors,
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speakers and show features coming together nicely. Confirmed exhibitors to date include Go Stationery, Manuscript Pen, Leuchtturm1917, Silk Hat Greetings, Dear Prudence, Tallon International, Pomegranate Europe, Castelli, Stabilo, Allsorted, Charfleet Book Bindery, Portico Designs, Postsafe, Premier Stationery, Durable UK, ExaClair and Toscana Carte. Organisers Ocean Media Group are aiming to attract more than 50 exhibitors showcasing around 150 brands to the event in October. The new trade show is sister to the already established and successful London Stationery Show, organised by the same team at OMG, every April. Like London, the Manchester show will run for two days - on Tuesday, October 31, and Wednesday, November 1 – and it is also a specialist writing and paper products show, focused on design-led and fashion-forward product. It will include a New Product Display Showcase, a hands-on Creative Hub area, a LaunchPad area for new stationery suppliers and designers and a full speaker programme. The show will take place in the heart of Manchester at the Cotton Sheds, part of the Victoria Warehouse venue in Old Trafford. The Manchester show’s timing and venue, however, mean that it is already developing its own ‘industrial
chic’ style. The backdrop of exposed brickwork and beams with plenty of twinkling lights and colourful product will create a welcoming environment for visitors. Hazel Fieldwick, of Ocean Media Group, said: “The Manchester show is designed to complement London. It offers the stationery industry a second touch point in the year to come together – not only is it the perfect time to see the latest products on offer for spring/summer 2018, and pick up some great last-minute Christmas deals – but also to catch up on design trends and developments in retail generally.” The show’s speakers will include Phil Pond of trend forecasters, Scarlet Opus, High Street commentator Michael Weedon of exp2 and industry expert, Giftware Association chairman Henri Davis and Tracey Bearton, editor of leading trade press title Greetings Today, among others. Fieldwick added: “Stationery is on trend and in fashion. Research by GlobalData has shown that the UK Stationery market will add £49.1 million to its value by 2021. Growth will come from the trend of purchasing stationery as a gift, partly driven by increased personalisation, increased product ranges and designled products and innovation.
ADVERTORIAL
Harnessing the best the creative world has to offer
Michael Armstrong, managing director of Rico Design Ltd, reveals the trends to watch this Christmas
• www.rico-design.co.uk • email info@rico-design.co.uk • Customer Service 02030 249009 z This time of year is always exciting in the Craft Industry. New products start to arrive providing interest in colour and texture, changing the look and feel of the shops, and of course suppliers ramp up their own activities to excite and drive ‘the great crafting public’ towards their new lines and ideas.
Craft is a dynamic and changing industry and I count myself fortunate to be working with one of the most progressive and forward thinking businesses in Europe. Whilst on paper Rico Design may appear to be a wholesaler, with many lines covering most areas of craft, it is fundamentally different to the rest. Each product forms part of a considered balanced collection with a focus on beauty and presentation with supporting market data prior to launch to help our customers maximise the sales opportunity from the space they have. Our design teams, based in Germany and the UK, harness the best the creative world has to offer! New for 2017, Rico Design has added excitement and innovation to the core areas of Craft. Since its inception in 2007 Knitting and Crochet remain key pillars for the UK company with no less than 12 new yarns for 2017, with accompanying design and further colour additions to our already established ranges. A key element of the yarn story this year concentrates on light weight lofty structures. The new assortment includes many noble fibre rich combinations using Cashmere, Superfine Alpaca, Mohair, Wool and Cotton. Who can forget Rico Designs impact on the novelty knitting market in the last ten years? Never content to follow the rest, summer 2017 saw the launch of Creative Bubble, a small project
“Craft is a dynamic and changing industry and I count myself fortunate to be working with one of the most progressive and forward thinking businesses in Europe” yarn ideal for funny sponges for the kitchen or bathroom. This unique abrasive yarn, which is ideal for knitting and crochet receives a Christmas makeover with six new colours and accompanying festive design. In keeping with its textile heritage, Rico Design has continued to invest in the development of fabric collections taking inspiration from colleagues in London and Germany. Included are new cotton prints with both standard and PU coated finishes that are, in particular, ideal for projects where a moisture resistance is desired. For Christmas 2017, two collections with very different aesthetics
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have been created to harness the spirit of the coming festive season. ‘Magical Christmas’ embraces trend shapes including festive unicorns and party and ‘Traditional Christmas’ evokes contemporary silhouettes combined with fresh contemporary colours. Rico Design was founded over 40 years ago as a stitching and needlecraft business. Since inception we have continued to invest into our core competences producing stitching books, projects and been at the forefront of new developments. We have seen the stitch mediums evolve to not only include traditional fabrics but also towelling, felt, wood and even paper. All of this at a time when stitching faced transitional changes with many of the competitors shrinking or even disappearing. With the advent of new media and the high profile TV shows extolling the virtues and skill involved, stitching and needlecraft is strong in the market and showing good levels of growth for our customers. With more than 26,000 different products and a rapid growth business there has never been a better time to work in partnership with Rico Design. With dedicated and specialised sales consultants nationally-based throughout the UK and Ireland, there is nothing more we love than to have conversations with customers about what the brand can do for their businesses.
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SHOW NEWS
From little acorns big shows grow Carole Rennison talks to Mark Hayhurst about how four friends launched one of the year’s biggest knitting and crochet events
During the two-day festival, Yarndale is now in its z Thousands of visitors are Skipton’s Auction Mart is fifth year. The first year took expected to descend on transformed into an exciting approximately 18 months Yorkshire for Yarndale 2018. and inspirational market place to organise and they hoped Yarndale Ltd was formally for yarn lovers and expects to to get approximately 65 established in July 2012, attract over 7,000 visitors. applications from stallholders with the first festival taking This year they have over 190 – this soon grew to about place in September 2013. exhibitors – knitting, crochet, 150. Yarndale now has grown It is a for-profit organisation dyeing, weaving, spinning, buttons, to just over 195 exhibitors. run by a small, dedicated accessories etc. Full details of all group of local people. Carole said: “Lucy always their exhibitors can be found on They are Carole Rennison, organises a joint worldwide their website www.yarndale.co.uk Paul Rennison, Lucy O’Regan creative project which raises Carole said: “It all started and Emma Sandoe. money for a charity of our choice. with a seed of an idea in Wild Held over two days in Skipton, The first year was knitted and we Oats Cafe, in Skipton. A few of North Yorkshire, Yarndale brings received an Incredible 582 parcels the members used to gather at together over 180 talented containing more than 6,000 KING COLE 1.8 3 aCOL_CRAFTS 15/08/2017triangles 14:36 Page 1 had been mailed knit and natterBUSINESS group, started exhibitors keen to share their which by me, on a Thursday morning. passion for all things woolly. from all over the world, and those We talked and talked about The historic market town of thousands of triangles had to 15/08/2017 14:36 Page 1 the possibility of creating a Skipton is famed for its 900-yearbe somehow joined together creative show in Skipton and old medieval castle and ancient (1.5km !).This is now joined then one day we dared ourselves cobbled streets and the town together and creates a wonderful to start on the process.” has a strong textile heritage. display in the exhibition hall. “The next year we had the mandala project – 48 different countries will be represented in the display, with more than a thousand contributors (1,182 to be precise). It was a stunning visual display of creativity and colour, symbolising a world wide love of crochet. This is also displayed each year at Yarndale. “The next year we were delighted to be working with local artist Sheila Metcalfe (affectionately known as The Crochet Queen), who approached us for help with her ongoing fund raising on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society. We had an amazing response from all over the world - people sending in knitted and crochet flowers which made a fantastic visual display. These are now in the hands of Sheila and she is still raising money for Alzheimer’s with the display. “Last year was the Wooly Sheep project – by the time the
Cygnet Glittery DK
Yarndale weekend came, we had received just over 700 sheep (some joined the flock right at the very last minute, so we didn’t manage to get an exact count). They travelled from 32 different countries around the world. “Our chosen charity was Martin House Children’s Hospice, a local Yorkshire based charity who provide family-led care and support to children and young people with life-limiting illnesses. This is a much loved organisation who rely heavily on fund raising and donations to keep going. The Yarndale Woolly Sheep project raised a heart warming £3,103.01 for Martin House. “This year Lucy is creating a crochet heart project which will be displayed at Yarndale and our chosen charity for this is Mind. Details of this will be launched shortly.” And after organising the show for a while now they have picked up on some of the necessities to make things go smoothly. Carole said: “We have learned over the years that you can never have too many toilets or food and drink points and we
have tried really hard to make the show better every year oh and somewhere to sit!” Throughout the weekend, visitors can try their hand at all sorts of textile-based skills in the workshop theatre. Led by a group of talented and experienced local artists, there will be an exciting programme of creative workshops again this year. Carole added: “We have a variety of workshops - lasting from one and a quarter hours to three hours- with different tutors offering different skills. “If you come to Yarndale we hope you will be inspired and excited by all the things on offer and go away with ideas and goodies to start your own creative journey.”
Carousel Chunky
W NE 70% Premium Acrylic, 30% Wool, 1 FREE pattern with every ball of wool.
ORDER ONLINE: www.cygnetyarns.com 01274 743374 sales@cygnetyarns.com Cygnet Yarns Ltd, 12‐14 Adelaide Street, Bradford, BD5 0EA
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YARN SHOP DAY
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“Our best Yarn Shop Day ever” Lois Mickleburgh, owner of Jenny Wren’s Yarns, gives her take on Yarn shop Day 2017 Jenny Wren’s Yarns took part in this year’s national Yarn Shop Day campaign. Held for its fourth successive year, almost 200 shops took part throughout the country on May 6. The campaign to support chatting to other people and bricks-and-mortar knitting shops having a cup of tea and cake. was launched in 2014 by leading “We also had giant knitting publications Let’s Knit and Let’s going on and we held a charity Get Crafting. raffle, which is something we Lois is a big fan of the always do. It was well supported campaign, taking part every year. and this year we raised funds for She said: “It was a really good the Suffolk Autism Services and occasion this year. It was the best collected almost £100.” Yarn Shop Day so far. We’ve been Jenny Wren’s Yarns’ day was in it since it started because after also boosted by the visit of we opened they started the designer Annie Howard. following year. It was the best one by far. Lois said: “Annie launched her “We had a lot of people in the new design collection called Ebb shop, probably not as many as and Flow in our store on the day. STYLECRAFT 1.4 However, 3 col_ADSthey 04/07/2017 Page 1 last year. seemed 10:20She teaches classes for us so we to be buying more than in have known Annie for quite a while previous years. and she’s quite local and lives in “Their spend was up from Colchester. That was quite nice to previous years, I think we had get someone local and someone more dedicated knitters in.” we have known for a long time. For Yarn shop Day 2017, “It feels like we have a Lois changed the format from community here, we do a few knit previous years. groups a week and they always She added: “We did things support everything and the events slightly differently this year. We we put on. They all came and didn’t hold specific miniworkshops. We had a knit and natter session going on all day long, which people could just drift in and out of. There were also activities they could do if they wanted to and things for kids going on, but not many people took us up on that. It was all about the sitting around and
z Lois Mickleburgh knows a thing or two about running a store. She’d have to for her store, Jenny Wren’s Yarns, to be awarded the Best Independent Yarn Store in the South East, in the 2016 British Knitting Awards. The store sits proudly in the The Saints, Ipswich’s independent shopping district. And Lois is in the running again this year as they have been nominated in the same category for the 2017 awards.
Sock Yarn Specialists UK Distrubutor for:
• Opal • Eucalan
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TRADE ENQUIRIES:
E: viridianltd@gmail.com
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people who have taken part in our classes throughout the years. It was a good turnout.” Lois liked it so much this year she is already planning for Yarn Shop Day 2018. She said: “I am really looking forward to next year’s Yarn shop Day. I am already starting to think what we can do because you want to do something a little different, come up with something fun. There’s still a long time to go yet though but it will be here before we know it.” And Jenny Wren’s Yarns don’t just wait for national campaigns to promote their craft. This year they are organising their own Suffolk Yarn Crawl on Sunday, October 15, a day of exploring yarn outlets and producers in Suffolk. Lois said: “We did something a few years ago. We hire a mini-bus and we take people
around different yarn shops and this year we are also going to see an indie dyer as well, she has been dying her own yarn. We are going to another couple of shops locally and at Jenny Wren’s Yarn. “We are doing it on a Sunday this year so that they get private shopping time for those coming along. It’s good fun. It was really good the last time we went but we haven’t done it for about four years “We haven’t organised another one for so long because it is hard to find different places to go, you don’t want to go to the same places every year. “With the exception of my shop we are going to all different places this year, which is good really because people wouldn’t want to come just to go to the same old Yarn shops they had been to year after year. And I think leaving it for a long time in between probably helps with that.”
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CHRISTMAS
Put your stamp on it this
holiday season ImpressArt's Laura Avitabile explains how hand stamping can boost Christmas sales of crafts you have in store, z There’s something magical hand stamping can help about living in a place that to add that extra touch of allows you to experience all customisation to any gift item. four seasons. From the shift As with any professional in energy and enthusiasm that maker, avid hand stampers comes with the warmth of the most likely have a slew of sun in July, to the excitement special orders and go-to of fall foliage (and pumpkin designs that are already in spice everything) when that the works for the holidays. first fall breeze comes trailing However, for those crafters that through in September. aren’t already hand stamping, Can you feel it in the air? perhaps it is something Just as fast as we shifted they would consider taking from spring to summer, we up as fun and easy add-on are already on the cusp of to their holiday sales. fall, patiently waiting for The driving force behind the most wonderful time the product development of the year…Christmas! at ImpressArt is to make If your sales17/08/2017 haven’t THERMOWEB 1.2_ADS 12:20 Page 1 metal stamping easier, started picking up with holiday more successful and orders yet, they certainly will to shorten the learning soon. No matter what type
curve – with ImpressArt products, hand stamping is something that a crafter can easily pick up in no time. With the ability to mark up hand stamped décor and jewellery well over 50 per cent, hand stamped Christmas ornaments make for incredible customized gifts that have multiple uses. Personalized ornaments can be used as hang tags to help spruce up gift wrapping, or wine charms to help keep tabs on that (much needed) glass of wine. Once the gift is unwrapped, or the cup has run dry, the ornament can be transferred right to the Christmas tree– the perfect personalized decoration to add to that evergrowing ornament collection.
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In this competitive realm, customisation is the key to standing out. Adding this festive element as an offering can help to boost sales and profit, setting you ahead of the game. For those looking to start stamping, ImpressArt has recently launched a Metal Stamping Kit that contains everything needed to get started including the Ergo-Angle Metal Stamping Hammer, Sans Serif letter stamps, a small steel block, and aluminum blanks to practice on. Visit ImpressArt.com for more information on this kit, along with an assortment of metal stamping tools and accessories to help make beautiful handstamped designs this Christmas season and beyond.
CHRISTMAS
15
Festive fun with knitwear is all the rage
Knitted Christmas jumpers, socks and scarves are always popular but so are baubles z There is nothing like the joy of getting up on Christmas morn, ripping open the wrapping on your present to be confronted by a festive jumper. It’s fun for all the family, especially if you all get matching ones! But joking aside, Christmas jumpers have always been popular and it appears they are only gaining in strength. Last Christmas, online searches for Christmas jumpers on johnlewis.com were up by over 1,400 per cent and it would seem that could be on the rise. But Christmas has always been connected with wool and warmth, I am sure the shepherds may have sneaked a couple of balls of yarn into the stable. Alexie Shackleton, pattern designer at Cygnet yarns, said: “There’s something special about Christmas knitting. Whether it’s gifts, decorations or an epic Christmas jumper, knitting in the run up to the festive season is all about fun.
as, Last Christm es for online search mpers Christmas ju m o on johnlewis.c ver were up by o nt 1,400 per ce
“Our Cygnet Glittery DK and Cygnet Chunky Gems ranges are hugely popular for Christmas jumpers and our Seriously Chunky Prints Christmas editions are perfect for festive hats, scarves and accessories. We have also seen more and more Christmas decorations knit in neon and bright shades, like crocheted baubles made using Cygnet DK.” But what made the Christmas jumper so popular? Dr Benjamin Wild, a cultural historian who writes and lectures about the history of dress, tells the history of the Christmas jumper on his website (http://benjaminwild.co). It can be traced back to the hand-knitted jumpers worn by fishermen in Scandanavia and Iceland before the 20th century and then given a boost by skiing. Dr Wild writes: “As affluent travellers returned from
the ski slopes of Europe with their colourful knits, the humble jumper was elevated to a symbol of luxury and glamour. Hollywood stars, including Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, popularised the look and lifestyle of skiing for a majority of people who lived the dream by knitting jumpers for themselves.” And since then thrift, modern movies and pop culture have boosted the Christmas jumper to where it is today. But these days it isn’t just about jumpers at Christmas. Caroline Symonds, King Cole marketing manager, said: “Over the years we have noticed a particular trend in knitters choosing to create toys and novelties over the typical Christmas jumper. We believe this choice is down to the yarns and patterns made available to the consumer. Something fun and sparkling always seems to go down very well. “Tinsel Chunky has definitely been the go-to yarn for toys and our Christmas novelty patterns suit all ability’s too, making it more appealing to all age ranges. “Retailers can definitely direct their customers to these new projects by displaying the finished creation in their shops and windows. We find having samples of finished items in store always helps increase sales.” Also at Christmas it’s always good to put your best foot forward.
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“Scarves are a good present as well, I went through a few years when everyone got a scarf” SARAH HATTON – DESIGNER
Independent designer, Sarah Hatton said: “I think some of the yarns that West Yorkshire Spinners are doing this year are particularly suited to socks – they have a nice stripe that looks good in socks. “There is also Tinsel yarn and I think a bit of shine is always good. I am not a fan of shine myself but I think it looks good woven in to cuffs and collars, it’s not so in your face so it becomes very subtle. “Last year I knitted some baubles using West Yorkshire Spinners’ Holly Berry. It knits well into the round and the patterning is really easy to do. “They’re just like a circle and they are really simple, you don’t have to follow a complicated pattern for a week and you can use what ever colours you want to go with the themes of your tree. “My grandma puts yarn around the tree, not the tinselly stuff. She wraps it around and swags it and that always looks good. “She’s got a lot of reds and greens that are mixed together. That always reminds me of Christmas when I see it. You can also do crochet bunting
and over the years you can add some more in so you have a Christmas timeline “But knitting presents is always really personal as well. Christmas socks are always a good present. You can’t really go wrong with socks and you can get prepared early. “Scarves are a good present as well, I went through a few years when everyone got a scarf. You don’t have to think about it when you are doing it, just sit and watch TV and knit Christmas scarves simple and effective, everyone can knit a scarf.”
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CHRISTMAS
Deck the halls
with sheaves of paper Papercraft designer Corinne Bradd hands out some tips on how to make the most of the demand for Christmas decorations z Face it, shoppers have been asking for Christmas papers since June with a view to getting 3 col_ADS 14/08/2017 16:16 Pagedecorations 1 on with their festive early. Most manufacturers still don’t release their new season’s designs before October so it can be difficult to satisfy your customers and their desire for something different. Decorations have taken a geometric slant in recent years. Crisp folds and clean lines are similar to the simple Scandi trend that’s proved eternally
popular but combine them with tree ornament, or filled with warm metallics and sparkling chocolates and piled up in a pearlescents and they’ll fit bonbon dish as an alternative into any style of home. to that mouldering bowl of nuts. Modern homes don’t seem Stars are popular and can be as to have the shelf and sideboard simple as a single creased shape space that I remember from or constructed from several 3D WOW EMBOSSING BUSINESS the seventies so hanging 1.16_CRAFTSmodules glued17/08/2017 together. If 12:25 they’rePage 1 decorations might be a better made on a shop window display option if you’re thinking of new scale they look fantastic hung ideas to inspire your regulars. around a porch or entrance hall. Fold and cut paper snowflakes Paper gems are simple to are also really effective when create with the aid of a template suspended en masse along a and scoring tool and these can corridor, just above head height. be hung as a garland or individual You won’t sell much in the way of supplies but a free tutorial for kids is a great way to build loyalty and goodwill for the following months. Family and the sense of coming together is an important part of Christmas. This sentiment can be reflected in the décor by using personalised pieces in the form of advent calendars, paper baubles and model houses. Designing ideas that can incorporate battery powered lights will give the piece an extra cosiness and will fascinate younger children. While some parents rely on school staff to help make Christmas projects there is a growing force of mums, waiting for their kids to come home and craft with them. Informal, drop-in workshops for crafters and their children can
lead to extra business all year round if you have the space. A technique can be practiced with last year’s stock and projects can be worked on in pairs so the adult can help with the tricky bits. If you’re keen to teach then start simple this Christmas and don’t assume everyone has the skill and speed that you do. Allow twice as long as you think a project should take and provide above average biscuits - this alone has been known to encourage return visits! No one expects a tutorial to be free but keeping the cost sensibly low will fill your waiting list quicker. Utilise as much dead stock as you can to start with but show better examples of the same project made with your favourite cardstock to encourage sales.
Top ten kids’ workshop projects z Mini envelope advent calendar z Cardboard tube crackers z 3D paper snowflakes z Danish woven hearts z Concertina paper angels z Teabag folded fir trees z Doily fairy light shades z Paper holly leaf wreath z Dala horse to cut out and colour z Paper tealight houses
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CHRISTMAS
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Santa and reindeer?
Why not try sparkles and flamingos Kelly Clark looks at what should be on retailers’ wish lists this festive season to entice Christmas card makers bundle also in demand z When you think of Christmas ENVELOPES 1.4are 3 col_ADS 14/08/2017 16:16 Page 1 this year, as is humour.” craft, the traditional reds, Hedge & Hog Prints are greens and wintry scenes big fans of the stamping kit for spring to mind, but today’s the whole family to work on crafters are looking to bling card-making projects together. up their creations by adding Pragya says: “Craft / art kits glitter and images not generally which get the family together associated with the time of year. and help children and adults “When it comes to Christmas, to make handmade cards traditional vintage themes Scandinavian trend featuring and decorations should be always play a key role within colour palettes of festive reds, something retailers look at; design and aesthetics for a snow whites and alpine green, especially as stamping kits are papercraft collection,” says Nigel with an accent of natural really on trend and little fingers Lennon, creative director of Craft fabrics like wood and twine.” can comfortably use them. Consortium in Derbyshire. “There Sparkle and shimmer is Also, kits have everything in one is something about old fashioned also the theme of choice by place rather than people having family values and traditions Claire Brudenell, marketing and to buy them all separately so which hold a strong place in licensing manager at papercraft are also very convenient.” most people’s hearts. But, there distributors Trimcraft. The party season is all has also been a large growth “We are seeing a few trends about shimmery foils this in areas such as cute, almost for Christmas 2017,” she says. year, according to Sara Davies cartoon-styled illustrations “One of my favourites is luxurious MBE, founder of Crafter’s coming through. This can be seen Companion, a manufacturer and most recently in the flamingos supplier of crafting products, and pineapple themes through to based in the north-east of cartoon cactuses and alpacas, England and California. but these trends do not have the “Foils are a relative same longevity as traditional.” newcomer to the craft market,” Designer Pragya Agarwal, Sara says. “But, we believe for creative director at Hedge & Hog festive sparkle, it’s all about Prints, agrees that retailers will foiled effects this year. Foiled do well to jump on board the accents have been popping more quirky, arty trend this year’s up everywhere in stationery, card-makers are following. so we’re expecting more of “People are looking for this for Christmas. Our new something different, with less foil transfers are perfect for cliched motifs and more arty translating this onto Christmas cards,” she says. “Different cards, with backgrounds, colours are offering something sentiments and elements besides the usual green and all included in each pack.” red, with tropical, monochrome Sara says: “We’ve been and pastel shades popular. taking inspiration from traditional Watercolours, DIY kits and colours and styles such as the gift combos that come as a
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and indulgent. Glitter and foil will play a big part in this trend, with colour palettes that are rich and striking this festive season. On the other side of the spectrum, there is also a trend for bright colours and cute quirky designs, full of fun and cheer. We also see a touch of nature coming through in some collections, with delicate designs and muted soft colours. Retailers should cover all of these trends in some form, but
also remember basics like cards and envelopes, MDF shapes and useful embellishments like mini pegs, ribbons and stickers.” Claire added: “Christmas is one of the most popular dates in the crafter’s calendar and we are seeing a move away from crafters just making cards to them making a whole range of festive projects, from tree decorations to home décor pieces and even handmade gifts.”
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CHRISTMAS
Give your online sales a festive boost Louisa Jean-Charles, Head of Marketing at online retailer dotcomgiftshop, shares her essential advice to gain more web sales at Christmas
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z With Christmas only four months away, the festive season is quickly approaching. There’s no better time than now to start thinking of your marketing strategy to maximise your sales at Christmas. October, November and December are the busiest and biggest months for most companies, especially
for online retailers with over a third of British people doing their Christmas shopping online.
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PLAN AHEAD Fail to plan and plan to fail. Christmas will be around the corner before you know it. Selfridges has already opened its Christmas Shop on
Oxford Street, 147 days early. At dotcomgiftshop we work on our Christmas marketing plan three to four months prior to the start of the festive season. Straight after our “Christmas in July” press event and Summer Sale, our minds are all over the festive season. We make sure to deploy all the technical adjustments needed on the website by September so we can deliver a flawless user experience during the Christmas season.
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GET YOUR WEBSITE READY Review your website navigation, add a separate menu for Christmas products, and categorise them into relevant groups to help your visitors with the decision-making process. Christmas gift guides will inspire your customers and are a great way to showcase your stock.
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BE CONSISTENT WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS THEME If your marketing channels are focused on Christmas, your website should be to. Just as high-street retailers create their Christmas shop window, decorate your website with a Christmas theme. It doesn’t need to be a big change; from sparkling colours to festive lifestyle imagery or a custom logo for the holiday season, a festive theme helps to get your customers in the mood for Christmas. For a unified festive look and feel, make sure to apply the same theme to your social media profiles, marketing newsletters and other communication channels.
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START YOUR CAMPAIGN EARLY As an online gift shop, starting your campaign early is essential. The competition is
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“Just as high-street retailers create their Christmas shop window, decorate your website with a Christmas theme” fierce at this time of the year, so you need to be visible. A dedicated email strategy for Christmas is essential to drive traffic to your website. Costeffective and flexible, email marketing is the most effective way to reach out to existing customers. Social media is also a great way to communicate, inspiring gift ideas and key information such as delivery dates will spread the excitement of Christmas. Make sure to invest, if you can afford it, in paid channels like search marketing and paid social advertising to reach out to a new audience.
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DON’T IGNORE DIRECT MAIL Being an online retailer doesn’t necessarily mean focus solely on digital activities. Don’t forget direct mail, a fun catalogue will make sure you stand out from the crowd. You can also look at broadcast and print media if you have a bigger marketing budget.
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A WISH LIST IS YOUR SECRET WEAPON You may offer services such as wish lists, gift cards and gift wrapping all year long, but they are more popular in the run up to Christmas, so make them more prominent. With a wish list
users can save and share their basket with friends and family, spreading the word about your shop and encouraging others to buy. Gift cards are ideal for consumers who prefer not take risks when buying Christmas gifts; and a gift wrap service will be appreciated by any customers pressed for time.
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TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS In the run-up to Christmas, treat loyal customers to exclusive special offers. Be sure to run promotions with care, otherwise you may build a base of ‘bargain hunters’, waiting for deals before they buy. Keep your offers relevant and use limited-time deals to create a sense of urgency. Exclusive offers are appreciated by early birds who like to start their Xmas shopping in September, and lastminute promotions encourage late-shoppers to take action. The end of the Christmas season is the ideal time to run bundles or buy one get one free deals. It will allow you to crosssell complementary products and clear out Christmas stock.
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BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT DELIVERY TIMES Be clear about delivery times and hire more staff to ensure you stay on schedule. As an online shop competing with bricks-and-mortar shops, offering free delivery will draw people in and an extra fast delivery service addresses a common concern about buying online. And with millions of gifts returned each year, consumers appreciate an extended returns and refund policy. After the festive season, how do you know if all your hard work has paid off? Measure the performance of your campaigns and identify what worked best. This way, you can improve year on year.
The Christmas List Stock your shop perfectly for the rush using our guide to the best products for the 2017 festive season
Craft Business’ Most Desired... One thing certain to light up our fairy lights this Christmas is The Croft pattern book (£12.95, for stockist information go to www.wyspinners.com) from West Yorkshire Spinners. Featuring a stunning collection of 14 designs for both men and women, it’s the perfect gift for the knitter in your customer’s life. Craft Business’ tip? Create Christmas hampers of pattern books and the yarn and needles required to make one of the projects inside. Place them centre stage in your window display for a sure-fire way of inviting new custom into your shop.
INTERVIEW
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If you love chalk paint then you have a fish tank to thank
Annie Sloan, one of the world’s most respected paint and colour experts, talks to Mark Hayhurst about her life and career z An early love of art set Annie Sloan on a path to become an author known throughout the world and to create the innovative Chalk Paint. Where would upcyclers be today without Chalk Paint? There would be a lot less workshops and a few more cabinets and wardrobes dumped at the tip. Annie, who lives in Oxford with her husband, trained as a fine artist and, after leaving university, took up decorative work in the mid 1970s. She is the author of The Complete Book of Decorative Paint Techniques, which has sold over two million copies across the world, and developed Chalk Paint in 1990. In 2000, she set up shop in Oxford to run courses and offer interior design services. But how did this love affair with art and colour begin? Annie said: “I always thought I was an artist from a very young age. When I was about six years old I just assumed I was an artist. My father had a lot of
prints and paintings on the wall and friends who were painters. “We used to go and see these people. I remember going to see a man who was painting. He was a painter but he also had a fish tank. And, for some unknown reason, fish tanks in the 1950s were extremely fashionable and it was a very cool thing to have. “Somehow I connected this very cool thing with this man painting so that was what I wanted to do. I also liked drawing at school but if anyone else won the art prize I was like ‘that’s absurd I am the artist’.” The love of colour and paint is understandable but to then write a best-selling book that was sold in large numbers around the world is another thing. Is there nothing that she couldn’t turn her hand to? Annie said: “Well at that time, in the late eighties, there were no books on this subject, the decorative part of painting, and in academic circles it still isn’t taken at all seriously. But I was interested in what paint
had been, the past and what people painted. I was interested in what normal people did, 18th century farmhouses what did they do? And that’s what got me interested and I found out there were lots of things they did, so I just had this idea. And I think I had always wanted to write a book as well. “And the The Complete Book of Decorative Paint Techniques was born. It sold over two million copies and was really successful all over the world and that got me really going.” Well if wasn’t enough to scribe a best-selling book in 1987 then Annie took another leap when she developed Chalk Paint three years later. And it’s fair to say you can’t think upcycling these days without Chalk Paint popping into your head. Annie recalled: “There was nothing else like it on the market at the time, there were milk paints but there was no paint like chalk paint. “Milk paint, which was made of milk product, could be quite hard and very strong and I wanted to make them softer than that, I wanted something that was very easy to work with and so one thing led to another really. “I was very lucky, I was in Holland at the time and I was talking to someone who was on one of my workshops. And I said I’d really like to make my own paints because there were other things around but not what I wanted and he said he knew a factory which was run as a small family business. “That was very good for me as I like working with small businesses, you don’t get lost in the corporate machine, and they were very keen to work with me. I like dealing with the owner, which is always fantastic because they want their business to be successful as well. They have interests of their own and it’s a very different feel. So I went to see them, we tried out a few different things, and Chalk Paint was developed.” Annie believes, however, there has been a massive shift in the retail market and people will have to change the way they sell their wares to keep going. Shop owners are going to have to be a lot more proactive to get customers through their doors. She added: “The retail market has changed hugely from say ten-20 years ago certainly.
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“I am very keen to stay selling my paint and products only in small independent shops, that’s what I have always championed” “Workshops have always been important but nowadays people want an experience when they go out. It’s not a matter just doing it, they want to experience the whole thing. “If you have the right shop people will come, they want to be entertained. People want destination shops, a day out. People haven’t stopped spending but they are spending their money in different ways. They are more careful on what they spend their money on. “It’s a very different market – it has changed hugely.” Annie also likes to get out and about to pass on her knowledge and that is why she is involved with Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fairs. And you can catch Annie at the latest Handmade Fair at The Green at Hampton Court on September 15-17. She will be appearing in the Super Theatre each day to pass on her tips. She will be chatting to Cressida Bell on the Friday, discussing colour in the home with Kirstie on Saturday before,
on the closing Sunday, being in conversation with stylist and interiors bloggers, Tamsyn Morgans and Dee Campling. Annie said: “The handmade fairs are an experience. People can go and learn things, there are lots of workshop people can go and take part in. As for the Super Theatre, to be frank, it’s not something I have done that much of, although I have done a lot of teaching and presenting but mainly to my stockists. But I do enjoy it. It’s just about having ideas and thoughts and if you have got something to give then it’s great. I suppose communicating is what I like.” So what’s next for Annie Sloane? “I’ve run my business not just on paint but on fabrics and paints. I have always seen it as a whole, so I am growing that and trying to make it tighter and working out how to stay in the retail market as well. I am very keen to stay selling my paint and products only in small independent shops, that’s what I have always championed.”
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CHRISTMAS
Hobbycraft’s secrets to a successful Christmas Heather Robbins, buying manager at Hobbycraft, gives an insight into their countdown to the festive season
z HOW SOON AFTER CHRISTMAS DO HOBBYCRAFT START PLANNING THE FOLLOWING YEAR’S CHRISTMAS? We generally start planning Christmas about a year in advance. We’re currently starting to build both new and existing ranges for Christmas 2018. Within the next few weeks we will be 17 12:36 Pagepulling 1 together our design brief which will be signed off by the end of August. Myself and the rest of the Christmas buying team will then travel during September and October, working with our vendors across the world to cover as many aspects of the brief as possible. We take all of our findings back to Hobbycraft HQ for a bit of a show and tell, where we display a full range layout which is attended by all different areas of the business.
Following any feedback people may have, we then aim to sign off our entire Christmas assortment by the end of January. z WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS IN THAT PROCESS? The first steps is to analyse the trends that are released by agencies such as WGSN and Trend Stop, to identify which are applicable and well-suited to our customers. We also look at sales history from previous years to give us an idea of what our customers do and don’t want. We link up with colleagues across different areas of the business, such as marketing and PR, to ensure that we are all aligned and reporting back the same trends.
relevant in a UK market. We also look at a variety of influential bloggers, vloggers and Instagramers to see what is getting them excited. Myself and the rest of the buying team also attend various trade shows, as they often give further insight.
proving popular. Metallic and sparkle is another trend that’s set to be popular this year.
z DO HOBBYCRAFT EVER TAKE A PUNT ON A FAD? We like to take risks with what z WHO INFLUENCES WHAT we offer our customers so HOBBYCRAFT ARE BUYING that we can inspire them. We – BLOGGERS, TELEVISION, all the1 current trends ATTENDING SHOWS ETC? z IN TERMS OF CRAFT CREATIONS 1.8 2 col_ADS 14/08/2017analyse 16:15 Page and look to satisfy all of our CHRISTMAS TRENDS, There is a range of factors when it customers. This year we HAVE HOBBYCRAFT comes to who and what influences have papercraft, Christmas NOTICED ANY PATTERNS our buying. We look at other crafting and decor ranges that For Christmas 2017, we have markets around the world, feature llamas and flamingos seen a real return to traditional particularly the US, to see which in a neon colour palette. looks with warm reds and trends are emerging and how we greens, along with tartan, all can make them available and z WHICH TRENDS HAVE HOBBYCRAFT FOCUSED ON THIS YEAR? This year, Hobbycraft has noted its biggest trend to be fillable decorations as we have vastly extended our offering for 2017 with the introduction of new shapes and sizes, along with a large range of fillables and embellishments to decorate
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them with. Looking to readymade decorations, as a business we have had a focus on traditional, metallic and geometric in line with the trends we have found. Also, as previously mentioned, this year will see the introduction of our Pa Rom Pa Pompom range which features a brighter colour palette along with ontrend llamas and flamingos. z FINALLY, WHEN DOES SELLING CHRISTMAS CRAFTS PEAK FOR HOBBYCRAFT? This year saw Hobbycraft launch Christmas earlier than ever, with Christmas papercraft launching in store and online in June. The rest of our Christmas range launches in September. We see different trends peak at different times and advent is a great example of this, as November sees our customers making and creating their own advent calendars in anticipation of the Christmas countdown
INTERVIEW
25
“In business, you learn a lot from the low moments” Multimillionaire entrepreneur, parliamentarian and reality TV star-turned-designer, The Baroness of Mayfair, Lady Michelle Mone OBE talks to Angela Sara West about her glamorous and booming business empire. z Multi-talented and multiaward-winning Michelle Mone is one of the UK’s most successful self-made women. She founded the country’s leading designer lingerie line, Ultimo Brands International, and created a highly-successful jewellery collection for QVC. Now, the Celebrity Apprentice star is set to conquer the world of interiors with her immaculate interior designs. Baroness Mone of Mayfair is among the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs. Despite growing up in an impoverished part of Glasgow and leaving school at 15 with no qualifications after her father became ill, she enjoys an ever-expanding, multimillion-pound business empire spanning multiple industries. Her rise to fame and fortune began with Ultimo, the ultrasuccessful lingerie brand she launched in London’s Selfridges in 1999. She’s since created the award-winning fake tanning range, UTan, and a best-selling jewellery range for QVC. She now has a new string to her business bow, her latest venture, Michelle Mone Interiors, is a truly international one, offering high-end, bespoke interior design services around the world.
z A GOVT BIZ CZAR! ACCOLADES FROM THE QUEEN & PARLIAMENT Perseverance paid off and Michelle carved out a glittering career. In 2010, she was voted one of the UK’s top three female entrepreneurs and the Queen awarded her an OBE for her outstanding contribution to business. “I felt very honoured, and to be recognised on this level, considering my humble Glaswegian background, is such
a special achievement, meaning a lot to me and my family. It was an incredible moment for us. For me, though, this is for all of the young children and young adults who don’t have hope. Dream, work hard, never give up and you will get there in the end.” In 2015, she was awarded a Life Peerage to the House of Lords. “Receiving my OBE was one of my proudest moments and becoming Lady Michelle Mone of Mayfair and a member of the House of Lords were also huge honours for me.” She subsequently set up The Mone Review, focusing on helping start-up businesses. Her top tips for entrepreneurs? “To succeed in business, you need determination like no other. It may sound cliché, but never give up. Always deliver for your customers and team, no matter what. Be unique and passionate and never stop! Business isn’t easy, and success is even harder. It can be a long journey, so you need to be hard-working, different and determined… that really is the secret.” z SELL-OUT SUCCESS FOR DIAMONIQUE Michelle frequently swaps the benches of the House of Lords
Picture Credit - Dan Kennedy.
z A BUSINESS BARONESS Michelle’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in at a very early age. “I’ve always had the drive, from just ten years old. Failure drives me and I always keep going as I never will go there!” What’s her ethos and what’s at the heart of all her businesses? “Hard work, innovative design, originality and personality. Those attributes run through all of my businesses. “Everything I do has my own personal and professional stamp on it… no-one can rival that as no-
one else is me! We are constantly pushing to be bigger and better than our competitors. Business is a really exciting thing and my passion to launch new ventures motivates me. Personally, my parents inspire me while professionally, my business icon is my partner, Doug Barrowman.” But business hasn’t always been booming for the Baroness. “In the beginning, finance was my biggest challenge… having a great idea and vision but not having the finance to take it to the next level is often the case with businesses. A distributor ran off with £1.4m of my money! However, that was also my biggest lesson. In business, you learn a lot from the low moments.”
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Michelle Mone Interiors (www.michellemoneinterior)
for the sofas of QVC, where her phenomenally-successful jewellery collection, Michelle Mone for Diamonique, has proved so popular that one of her necklace ranges sold out in just 92 seconds! “My range for Diamonique is incredible and I’m so thrilled with its sell-out success on QVC! I was so proud.” Comprising timeless pieces, perfect for both formal and casual occasions, her collection offers an affordable range of stylish jewellery, ranging from beautiful rings and earrings, to bracelets and necklaces. “I’ve always loved jewellery, so this was a natural collaboration for me with my interest in the subject, my business mind and my design-led attitude.” How did the collaboration with QVC come about? “It really is the perfect brand match for both of us, plus I have years of experience when it comes to presenting a product and dealing with media, so it’s the
dream link-up. There are always challenges in a design-led fashion business but, overall, it’s such a wonderful collaboration.” The chic jewellery designer has just launched a new collection, featuring perfect pink diamonds. “It’s going very well. We’re consistently extending the range, launching new designs and acquiring new customers. It’s an amazing feeling.” z GRAND INTERNATIONAL DESIGNS Michelle’s new move into the interiors sector already sees success on the horizon. “My latest venture for 2017, and a huge passion of mine, is Michelle Mone Interiors, for which I collaborate with the fantastic leading designer, Julie Chapman. This partnership allows me to combine my business attributes and unique design flair with Julie’s unrivalled experience and expertise as Head Designer for my company.” With offices in London’s Chelsea, Monaco, Dubai and the Isle of Man, Michelle’s new global business delivers a high-end, very personal and bespoke interiors service that balances luxurious elegance with intelligent design and creative infusion, promising to turn clients’ homes and businesses into places of inspiration. The company’s signature is British-inspired elegance with a contemporary design twist and functionality, created from the highest-quality materials and outstanding craftsmanship, resulting in beautifully-crafted bespoke interiors of distinction and creating exceptional homes.
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INFLUENCERS
Stars
THE PIONEER DAWN BIBBY, TV CRAFT PERSONALITY AND DESIGNER
of the
small screen
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Craft has ridden the airwaves for more than a quarter of a century; we explore the personalities both on screen and off
THE BORN DEMONSTRATOR STEPHANIE WEIGHTMAN, VETERAN PRESENTER AND PRODUCT CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT THE CRAFT CHANNEL z TV is the next best thing to a one-to-one live demo. That opportunity to touch so many people at any one time has helped the marketplace grow. My first fleeting appearance was for DMC but my lucky break was working for Plaid and being mentored by Carol Smith. She taught me everything I needed to know about demonstrating. You need to position yourself in the viewer’s home, talk to them as though they are the only person watching, and have empathy for their passion and make it fun so
z It was in the early 90s that Dawn, a craft retailer and demonstrator with an eye for an opportunity, spotted a gap in the market. “I was the first person who took papercrafting on television here in the UK. I used to do the consumer exhibitions, and after a demo with fabric paint someone came up to me and said “Have you though about doing this on telly? You’d be great.” So I went back to the brand I was working for and said “Should we do this?” I had to do an audition but I got onto QVC demoing fabric paint. “I saw that TV shopping is all about demonstration, inspiration, education and that you could give that captive audience at home more information to make an informed choice. Way back in the beginning Donna Dewberry and Carol Smith were the only people that had influence. Later it was people like Suze Weinberg working with the Melting Pot. That’s 25 or 26 years ago now.” Despite the big personalities involved, ‘selly telly’ is a team endeavour. “With TV shopping it’s very much teamwork: so there’s me; sometimes a presenter too, sometimes not; the producer; the director, and the floor manager. If the show’s flowing well and you have everything smooth and ready to go they feed you info about what’s selling, where the interest is.” To date Dawn has worked with all the shopping channels. “At QVC we had the complete confidence of the customer and things grew. I was there for 18 years. For the last eight years I was there Create+Craft had set up a rival channel; that opened up a lot of doors for more crafters to discover products and more companies to sell their products.” In 2011 Dawn left QVC to join Create+Craft. “Until crafts went on TV the UK was known for knitting and sewing, but not papercrafting. With the advent of TV the doors were thrown wide open.”
that they can laugh alongside you. Over the years TV shopping has definitely changed, if only for the volume of hours now available, the variety of products and the extraordinarily wide range of skills that can be shared by crafting experts. The same principles still apply but the audience is larger, with new crafters joining us everyday.
THE ENTREPRENEUR SARA DAVIES, FOUNDER OF CRAFTER’S COMPANION AND SHOPPING TV REGULAR z Craft TV has been tremendously important to my business. I pitched my first product – the Enveloper – to TV executives at Ideal World and sold 8,000 on my first day. That’s what kickstarted Crafter’s Companion. TV shopping is unique because it provides the only opportunity to get in front of thousands of crafters across the country to demonstrate your products. I was physically sick half an hour before I went on air the first time. It can be tricky listening to the producer in your ear and concentrating on demoing to the cameras, but you develop a knack for it after a while. Having fun presenters to work with also always helps – if the audience can see you’re having fun they’ll want to continue watching. I get really excited about all my new releases and start talking faster and faster. I have to remember to slow down for TV shows abroad! I can’t see any slowdown in craft TV; if anything social media has been complementary rather than detrimental. We use social media to create a buzz about our latest product releases, and to promote the times and dates of each TV show. Our customers chat to one another during the shows about which items they like, and of course they can send in messages to the show while we’re filming too!
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INFLUENCERS
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THE WEB WARRIOR LIA GRIFFITH, DIY DESIGNER AND MAKER, FOUNDER OF CRAFTING WEBSITE LIAGRIFFITH.COM
THE ORIGINAL QVC UK, LIVE SHOPPING CHANNEL 1.4 3 col_ADSyear 15/08/2017 12:52 1 the previous year. were 24 per centPage up on z It was 1993 that the ‘quality,HUNKYDORY value, convenience’ Broadcasting live 16 hours a day, QVC holds a available to US viewers was transplanted to the UK dominant position in the marketplace. by Sky. The channel turned its first net profit in 1998; most recent figures show a six per cent “As seen across all retail in general, customers’ increase in year-on-year turnover and saw the shopping habits are changing and it is important to channel generate £470.2m in 2015. Profits for that grow with them,” says senior homes buyer Kate Kilkenny. “We are always looking at new ways to present products, whether on air, the website, or on social media, and we strive to stay ahead of the trends. “The traditional QVC customer still shops using the UK Call Centre, however our online offer is increasingly important as more and more people are shopping via our website and the apps,” says Kate. “We’re constantly challenging ourselves to make sure our offering is just as strong, if not stronger, as a newer generation tunes in. It’s so encouraging to see a new generation of people crafting and learning new skills. Long may it continue!”
THE INNOVATORS PAUL WRIGHT AND VAL KAYE, FOUNDERS OF CREATE + CRAFT AND HOCHANDA z Business partners Paul Wright and Val Kaye have played a defining role in craft television as we know it today. The pair founded Ideal World in April 2000, and found early success with craft thanks in part to the colourful presenting style of Alan Gear and Barry Freestone. Three years later Ideal World launched a dedicated channel – Create + Craft – along with spin-off consumer shows. In a media interview Paul admitted to mimicking America’s QVC channel, and acknowledged the power of the small screen to shift stock. “Television creates a passion that people didn’t know they had,” Paul told the Daily Express last year. “It’s the ultimate social networking opportunity for a brand. I want to send people on a creative journey and share their unique ideas with the world. It gives me enormous satisfaction.” In 2011 Paul and Val joined other directors in selling their Ideal World shares in a transaction worth a total of £78.3m. Four years later Paul and Val launched Hochanda, a 24-hour-a-day channel showcasing a wide spectrum of crafts. “The ultimate goal is to make it a worldwide, number one destination for hobbies, crafts and arts,” he told the newspaper. “If you make mistakes, which I have, put your arms around them and make a change. This business is a challenge but I don’t care. There is no such thing as an insurmountable object.”
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z Lia Griffth’s website, which she started in 2013, has everything anyone might need to begin their crafting journey. Hints, tips and videos to show you how things are done. But how does Lia make a real connection through the camera lens with the viewer at home looking for inspiration? Lia said: “I am always aware of my role as a teacher. My aim is to help others reconnect with their creativity. For me, it is so important that we find the time to nurture our creative selves. I design patterns and sell craft materials to make crafting easier for everybody. And this continues through to my video series. I’m here to teach, inspire, encourage and support those who want to make, create, learn and grow.” And for that support to the crafter what are the most important factors to getting a tutorial video right? Lia added: “We have a dedicated video studio so our set is easy to manage and alter with the seasons. Then we think about which projects we want to produce a video for. Sometimes this is determined by looking at our analytics and making videos for our top posts. Other times we might see the need for a tips and tricks video. “ I make everything in real time and then my editor chops out any irrelevant pieces to create a smoother finish that’s easy to follow. I always give details about the materials and tools I use and then I like to share as many of my tips and tricks along the way as I can.” “In post production we like to add info cards which link to our shop or our membership page. We also add end cards to help viewers find related videos.” And Lia’s videos attract a very varied audience. She aded: “What I love about the business I have created is that my audience is so broad. A large part of our audience is women aged 25-65 but we have teenagers, kids and even a few men crafters as part of our membership program!”
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INTERVIEW
Queen Bee
for Create and Craft TV Charlotte Newman chats with Angela Sara West about her sewing secrets, her role as an ambassador for Create and Craft and how becoming Britain’s Best Amateur Sewer changed her life.
z After eight weeks and hundreds of tough sewing challenges, Charlotte Newland emerged triumphant and was crowned as the winner 14/08/2017 16:16 Page 1 The Great of BBC Two’s British Sewing Bee 2016. The super-talented seamstress impressed judges, Patrick Grant and Esme Young, with her high-quality sewing and creative, meticulous style, while viewers fell in love with her sense of humour and trademark bunny sewing slippers.
Charlotte is an “all-round crafter” who loves quilting, dressmaking, knitting and crochet. “Sewing and crafting mean everything to me. I can’t imagine a life in which I didn’t make things.” She’s keen to show off a recently-acquired skill. “I went to a brush-lettering class and I’m hooked! Everyone I know is going to get hand-lettered birthday cards from now on!” There’s also a retro technique Charlotte’s itching to try... “I’d love to have a go at macramé. It’s come a long way since the 1970s!” I’m also really enjoying the resurgence in embroidery. There are so many beautiful modern designs out there now, and it’s lovely to see the craft becoming popular again.” z A BUZZING TV STAR SEW & SEW A bunny-slippered Charlotte made it through eight weeks of tough TV sewing challenges to become the worthy winner of
the coveted title of “Britain’s Best Amateur Sewer”.The Sewing Bee judges were impressed with how she tried out her fabrics ahead of time and were bowled over by her transformation of a classic tuxedo into a little black dress. Seeing her crowned Queen Bee brought a fitting end to the riveting series. How did it feel to win the coveted title and to have inspired the nation to sew? “It was the most incredible feeling! I was convinced I had imagined it! My daughters made me apply to be on the show. They’d always told me I should go on the programme and, when the application form came out, they sat next to me on the sofa and made me fill it in! “Winning completely changed my life! I’ve given up the day job as a scientific editor and now make my living by doing what I love. I get recognised occasionally, which is pretty funny. I really love how the
programme included such a wide variety of people.” She celebrated her success with a permanent tribute to the feel-good show that made her famous; a bumblebee tattoo, complementing her needle and thread tattoo. z FROM TV QUEEN BEE TO CREATE AND CRAFT AMBASSADOR Charlotte is now part of the Create and Craft family, where she enjoys passing on her craft knowledge to others. She not only demonstrates as a guest on the TV channel, but also has a strong presence on their social media pages and blog. “I love being a craft ambassador! I get to share my love of crafting with the viewers and, hopefully, inspire them to try something new. I really enjoy designing projects and writing tutorials for the blog… I think it’s the scientist in me! I’m working on a skill builder series of embroidery projects for the blog, starting with simple stitches and working up to more complicated designs.” z A DIY WARDROBE FOR A MATERIAL GIRL When it comes to clothes, Charlotte dresses with a distinctive vintage style. “I love
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to wear 1950s-style dresses in fun prints like bold florals or novelty motifs. In the winter, I really love cosy knit dresses. Sewing with knits is so quick and easy! I often make dresses with quilting cottons because I love the designs and prints. If I wasn’t a quilter, I don’t think I would have known to use quilting fabric.” Charlotte says sewing has given her body confidence. “Clothes in shops are designed to fit a certain body type, and many of us don’t conform to that. That’s why clothes shopping can be such a miserable experience. Making my own clothes means that things fit me properly, and I feel great!” z SEW MUCH FABRIC… SEW LITTLE TIME! Charlotte applies her scientific mind to her projects, striving for precision and perfection. “I’m really lucky to have a dedicated sewing space in a repurposed garage at the bottom of my garden. It means that I can leave as much mess as I need to without it bothering anyone else. Charlotte’s children are following in her crafty footsteps. “My middle one absolutely adores making things. She has a sewing machine in her bedroom and we often hear her using it late at night when she should be asleep.”
SEW SATURDAY
Plan ahead to make this year’s Sew Saturday a success Increase your footfall and boost your sales with Sew Saturday z Stores reported taking massive revenue from the event and were put on the map as a sewing hotspot by the Sew Saturday map, which has a new interactive element this year. The campaign, to promote bricks-and-mortar stores, was launched three years ago by Sew magazine and its sister titles, Crafts Beautiful, Make It Today Dressmaker, Let’s Knit, Let’s Get Crafting and Craft Business. The event, which will be held on October 21, has grown over the last two years, with more than 220 shops taking part in 2016. It is so easy to sign up as well, head along to the Sew magazine website (www. sewmag.co.uk) and click on the Sew Saturday button. It will take you to the Sew Saturday home page where you can find all the details about getting involved. Alternatively contact Hannah Suttling on 01206 505495 or email hannah.suttling@ aceville.co.uk; alternatively call Anna Spilsbury on 01206 505932 or email anna. spilsbury@aceville.co.uk. z SEW SATURDAY COUNTDOWN Follow our step-by-step guide to plan your promotional activity for Sew Saturday and make your event as successful as possible
event and what you have planned. Local newspapers and radio stations will be really interested to hear about the campaign, particularly if you’re doing something unusual, and this will help you reach an even wider audience. Don’t forget to make use of social media to let your customers know what you’ll be doing for Sew Saturday. Tweet using the hashtag #SewSaturday, update your Facebook page, post photos to Instagram and blog regularly to keep everyone updated right up to October 21. z Week 2 Begin Your Action Plan You now need to determine what you’ll be hosting and how you intend to attract people into your store. There are all kinds of things you could organise, from free workshops and demos, to instore discounts, free goodie bags, prize draws, and tea and cake. Don’t forget to check out the list of dedicated Sew Saturday ambassadors and endorsers to see if any are local to you, and think of ways you could team up with them on the day. You could even offer classes on the day. This year’s mascot, Daisy the dachshund,
“Prep your staff on the plans for Sew Saturday; if you’re planning to offer goodie bags, it’s best to get them assembled in plenty of time” z Week 1: Spread the Word Talk to your most loyal customers to discover exactly how they’d like to see you celebrate Sew Saturday. Word of mouth is one of the most effective advertising techniques – and best of all, it’s free! Next, take a look at all the literature available to you and make use of the flyers and posters provided in your introductory starter pack when you signed up. Make sure to put the posters up where they are certain to be noticed around your shop. It’s also worth asking other local shops if they’d be prepared to put flyers on their till points to help spread the word. Now is also the time to send out press releases to your local media, informing them about the
has exclusive designs in toy, pincushion, embroidery, quilting and cross-stitch form. You could even host a Best in Show competition. You will need to work out the costings beforehand and whether you need to order in more stock in advance for the day. It may also be a good idea to try to predict visitor numbers as well, and work out some clear objectives you would like to achieve. One idea is to have people pre-book activities with a £5 charge that they get back in the form of a voucher to spend in store on the day, to gauge potential numbers.
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WAYS TO GET MORE FROM SEW SATURDAY
Are you considering signing up, but stuck for ideas on what to do to bring in the customers? Try our suggestions to boost your footfall...
z CELEBRITY GUEST VISIT Are there any sewing celebrities living in your area, or do you know a Sewing Bee star? Advertising a visit from a big name is sure to draw in the crowds, whether it’s an author signing their latest book, or a renowned designer teaching a class. z FREE GIVEAWAYS AND DISCOUNTS Everyone loves a freebie, so why not put together some goodie bags to hand out on the day? Fabric companies and publishers participating in the campaign may be prepared to provide products if you ask; if you’re worried about running out, limit the bags to the first 50 or 100 people through the door. Discounts or special offer bundles are also guaranteed to draw in the crowds.
promotion really steps up. The teams at Aceville Publications, including Sew, Crafts Beautiful, Homemaker, and Make It Today, will be dedicating editorial space in their magazines to promoting what you have planned, allowing you to reach thousands of consumers across the UK. In addition, staff will be constantly blogging and tweeting about Sew Saturday activities, so make sure to contact Anna at saturday@sewmag.co.uk so that everyone knows what you’ll be doing. Make sure to visit the Sew and Craft Business websites regularly as well, to keep updated on the latest developments. z Week 4 The Final Push This is when you’ll be finalising your plans and getting ready for the big day. It could also be a good opportunity to visit local community groups and let them know what will be happening. Prep your staff on the plans for Sew Saturday; if you’re planning to offer goodie bags, it’s best to get them assembled in plenty of time. You could also create a ‘bargain bin’ with last season’s lines to give customers the chance to stock up on quality fabrics at discount prices. Also think about your window display; create something that will reflect the day’s activities and be eye-catching and enticing to draw in customers. Good luck!
z Week 3 Get In Touch It’s now time to contact Sew Saturday HQ and inform them of all your plans, as this is when the
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z TEA AND CAKE Still on the subject of something free, the prospect of sitting with a nice cuppa and a slice of cake is always welcome to shoppers who’ve been on their feet for a while. And if you’re planning a late opening, a cheeky cocktail or glass of bubbly is sure to go down well. z WORKSHOPS AND SEWING CLINICS The prospect of learning a new skill will give customers even more of a reason to pay you a visit. Consider setting up a free workshop or demo, using one of the downloadable patterns on your welcome pack, and have knowledgable staff or experts on hand to offer advice on sewing projects that aren’t quite working out. z FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES Many customers are likely to have their children with them, so make it a fun day for all the family with events such as face painting, colouring competitions, and simple sewing projects for older children. z GET OTHER STORES INVOLVED Campaigns like Sew Saturday can also be beneficial to other shops in your street, so consider getting them involved to help promote it beforehand and have them join in on the day to make it an even bigger occasion. z LATE OPENINGS Think about opening later in the run-up to October 21 to attract more attention to Sew Saturday – again, this could be something that other retailers on your street could get involved with as well. z CHARITY EVENTS Raising money for a good cause is a great way to show support for local appeals. Events like these can also attract attention from the national press, so the more unusual the better.
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STITCHING AND HABERSASHERY
From the catwalks, to the high street, to the home -
embellishment is bang on trend
Susie Johns, author and experienced crafter, speaks to Mark Hayhurst on the rise of embellishment Susie said: fashionable and you can just z You can’t have failed “I do some teaching see that it is in at the moment. to notice a new thread to at a local college in the borough A couple of the big designers today’s fashion lines. of Bexley and Bexley. The on the catwalks had it and it Embellishment is big council’s refuse department run has filtered down to the high business and it is something courses through the college on street. There are a lot of high that craft retailers can join in on. upcycling furniture and clothes. street and online retailers doing Whether a crafter wants They are very popular and they embroidered jeans now. to make a piece of clothing are free. Rather than put stuff “They also cost a lot of from scratch, add a bit of in landfill they want people to money, so doing it yourself shine to a tired top or jazz up a take a second look at what they is quite a good thing. My bag or belt then embellishing are throwing away and maybe daughter is 24 and she used is the way forward. choose to upcycle it instead. to work for WGSN, which is Author, designer and “The embellishment of a fashion forecaster. She is emroidery specialist, Susie clothing is trendy – I encourage always up with the latest trends Johns is no stranger to the people to do it wherever possible. and just recently she was art of embellishment. I run a customise your clothes attaching studs to a handbag She said: “For my own course for mothers and teenage to upcycle it. If she’s doing it part I like to wear embellished daughters to come along and that means its fashionable.” clothing myself. There are far do it. They just lapped it up. With the present more items in the shops now Obviously some people are unpredictable economic to buy that are embroidered. willing to1spend some time times and fluctuations in “I recently did AND something COUNTRY LOVE CRAFTS PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS 1.2_ADS 05/06/2017 14:41 Page doing embroidery but even if sterling following the Brexit for Sew Magazine that was you are not very skilled there vote, upcycling of clothes is an embroidered jeans and I are very instant ways of doing coming back into fashion. took a look to see what was
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it like iron on patches and stick on jewels and things like that. When people discover it and how easy it us to do they take to it like a duck to water. “Even getting a cheap jacket from a charity shop – if you put posh buttons on it that can cost very little and anyone can sew on a button.” But it isn’t just thrift that has people hooked on embellishing, Susie also brings her skills to hen nights and office parties. Susie added: “I freelance for a company called the Crafty
Hen that do hen parties. A lot of the hen party workshops, for example, can hire somebody like me and we will go along and embellish a pair of knickers. “It is mostly hen parties but they do other parties as well. I did an office party and they were similarly enthusiastic. Most of the embellishment involves either iron on fabric or applying Swarovski crystals with a special wand – that’s very popular – or just sewing on buttons or jewels that sort of thing.
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INTERVIEW
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Are your designs under threat? Dids Macdonald, OBE, CEO of Anti Copying In Design, explains a few easy steps on how to protect yourself z As a product designer and interior designer I found out the hard way about being copied so I started a round table action group nearly twenty years ago – now ACID represents 1,000s of designers. We campaign, we shout loudly about the value of design and we have a formidable track record of thousands of settlements and mediations. Are you Intellectual property Savvy? Do you have a proactive IP strategy? Remember, imitation isn’t flattery if it costs you your business so it’s good to think about your IP. Intellectual capital is the DNA running through most businesses whether macro or micro so it is about your knowledge, know-how and how to protect it to achieve growth. Intellectual property is a property right – so in the same way that you can lease, sell, sub-let, rent or share your home… you don’t want squatting! So it is about permission to use your property and asserting your ownership. And intellectual property in legal terms is about trade marks, your brand, copyright, the written, audio or spoken word or 2D designs, designs whether registered or unregistered and patents for inventions. The crafts sector is part of a bigger design story success story, worth £71.4 billion to the
UK economy and growing at ten per cent per year, but most designers and designer makers are micro or small businesses and so taking legal action, if you are copied, is the luxury of the few. Design matters, from iconic to everyday design is all around us, enriching our lives as consumers, solving problems. Design is also a communicator; think about all the messages on greetings cards, for example. If they are original you automatically create your own copyright. As the inventor Louis Pasteur said “Chance favours a prepared mind” and this is so true, so creating a proactive IP strategy to protect your work is essential. Most of the elements of an effective IP strategy really are common sense and low cost. So, if you don’t have an IP strategy… z STEP ONE Create one! If you don’t know what to do to protect your work you will be ill-equipped if things go wrong! z STEP TWO IP isn’t rocket-science, download a little plain old common sense. Become IP savvy, by attending IP events, attending IP workshops seminars and webinars, for example.
z STEP THREE Know your design right from your copyright, your trade marks from your patents and understand some of the myths surrounding IP. For example, it is wrong to think that someone can change a design by a certain percentage and it becomes a new design. Be specific, look at what you are designing and think about what rights you need to know about. Developing and maintaining and growing your brand is critical – so make sure you have registered your trade mark! The Intellectual Property Office is a great resource for webinars and IP tutoring sessions. www.ipo.gov.uk z STEP FOUR Look at the territories in which you trade – ensure you have the right protection and support. For example, if you are trading in China have you registered your design rights? Chinese registrations (design patents) differ from UK in that there is a threshold of global novelty. The UKIPO have appointed IP Attachés in China, South East Asia, Brazil and India and they are a great hands-on resource for useful help and support. z STEP FIVE Think about what makes your company unique and guard
“Know your design right from your copyright, your trade marks from your patents and understand some of the myths surrounding IP”
your trade secrets as if they were Crown jewels so create confidentiality agreements for sensitive information. Clarity of IP ownership is critical, particularly if there is an issue. It costs a lot more to disentangle things if there is a dispute if ownership is clear. Not reading the small print makes lawyers rich! z STEP SIX Lock up your IP and unlock growth using ACID’s own, new Copyright & Design Databank which holds copies of over 300,000 designs, so if you have an idea keep it safe, for example a UK or EU registered design is a monopoly right and lasts for 25 years (EU stays the same at the moment and won’t realistically change for at least two years). ACID has consolidated the deterrent effect of the ACID Copyright & Design Databank in partnership with PIPCU, the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit. We now have a downloadable certificate to prove your IP lodgement, which adds to protection and deterrence. z STEP SEVEN Corporate Social Responsibility: Think about encouraging an ethos of compliance and respect – if we as designers don’t do it no-one else will! z STEP EIGHT Manage Your Risks! Obvious, but keep looking at the competition,
identify who the copyists are and keep an eye out offline and online on major platforms. Having a brand protection and enforcement policy for knock-offs discovered online is essential. z STEP NINE Proof of IP ownership is essential and when you have this don’t forget to always get the right sort of advice – IP lawyers (many of them are ACID legal affiliates) with specialist sector experience, The IPO, ACID. But choose battles carefully – never sue on principle. Ask yourself ‘is there a quantifiable loss’ consider the evidence of your design corpus, what is the size of the opponent, can you afford to keep going? Don’t forget, to publicise any settlements as this will add to the deterrent factor of your brand. No-one likes their name associated with being a copycat so a good naming and shaming exercise can work wonders! z STEP TEN If you don’t want to be copied – shout loudly. Include an IP statement on your website, marketing material, product labelling etc., and it helps, if you are a member of ACID, to use the logo on your website. Look at what Innermost do, they have a whole page and their message is translated into 15 different languages.
SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE A HANDY TOOL
z Social media can also be a very useful tool in trying to redress the balance. A lot of designers are now turning to social media in the battle against copying. Back in 2012, Tatty Devine felt that its designs had been copied by high street chain Claire’s Accessories. In their blog they put their original design up online pictured next to the Claire’s Accessories’ product and asked people to compare and contrast. They then tweeted the blog out to all their followers and created quite a stir. That was a quick and effective way to get results and it didn’t cost them much money. Within 24 hours, Claire’s Accessories took the alleged infringing product off the market. The only watchpoint is that designers have to be very careful about is defamation on social media. As an association we can offer help with the wording so designers don’t get themselves into a mess.
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ANALYSIS
Where would you turn for legal advice?
Natasha Murray, from Act Smart, examines how 17 15:44 Page 1 to deal with legal issues z From customer complaints to employee disputes, small businesses can come up against a number of legal issues, at any time. Hopefully you’ll never need legal guidance, but if you do, wouldn’t it be nice to know where to turn? ActSmart have the solution. Many business owners might think that they would never need to seek legal help.
After all, you’ve planned for every eventuality, you’ve hired reliable staff and you have suppliers you can trust – so what could possibly go wrong? Laws and legislations are constantly changing and with so many areas of business you may not have even considered there is always scope for problems to arise – whether it’s your fault or not.
According to a survey commissioned by LawBite, SMEs will experience on average eight legal issues a year – and failing to address an issue when it arises can be costly. The Legal Services Board found that when leaving a legal issue unaddressed, 23 per cent of SME businesses reported significant loss of income, 12 per cent reported
an increased cost, nine per cent reported damage to their reputation, and six per cent reported that the number of employees had to be reduced and/or the business closed down. Overall, almost half of SMEs said that unaddressed legal issues had had an adverse impact on their business, with the average financial cost per issue being £13,812! That’s why it’s important for every business to have somewhere to turn for advice and guidance if they are ever faced with such an issue. But the steep costs of seeking professional advice is off-putting to a lot of SMEs. With experienced commercial solicitors charging between £250 and £600 an hour, it’s no surprise that an overwhelming majority of small businesses often try DIY methods rather than seeking out expert advice. According to Aviva, two in five small companies rely solely on advice from family or friends, while just 13 per cent consult financial advisers, and nine per cent use legal advisers. However, when you look at the long-term costs of an ongoing legal issue, or even worse the costs of a failing business, it becomes clear that seeking out legal advice and addressing any legal issues straight away is the more sensible option. Having access to legal helplines and documents can provide small businesses with peace of mind that there is always somewhere to turn. By asking for help early, a legal issue can often be avoided saving you time and
ABOUT ACTSMART
z ActSmart is one of the fastest growing specialist business support organisations in the UK, delivering business support services to thousands of retailers. Subscriptions available for just £60 per annum for access to tax investigation protection, inFund business finance, Paya Card services, 24/7 legal helplines, consumer promotion, employment manual and general business support all year round. www.actsmart.biz info@actsmart.biz 01273 427 700
money. So if you have a legal problem, don’t wait until it’s too late. With ActSmart you have unlimited access to legal advice helplines 24/7 as standard with any paid for subscription. Whether you are a small start-up seeking the help and advice needed to get ahead, or an established independent SME looking for a little support, ActSmart’s legal advice partner can be a valuable resource giving you 24/7 access to wealth of relevant, and trusted information.
Forum of Private Business welcomes tax simplification z The Forum of Private Business has welcomed the Government’s launch of the Small Business Online Forum enabling small and micro businesses to get quick and easy advice on their tax issues. Ian Cass, chief executive of The Forum of Private Business, said: “We have been consistently asking the Government and HMRC, on our members’ behalf, for a simplification of all things tax related for Small Businesses. “The full launch of HMRC’s Online Forum is an excellent step in the right direction in giving our member businesses access to an easy user-friendly source of advice. We look forward to working positively with HMRC as the Forum develops.”
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READER SURVEY
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8. WOULD YOU BUY/STOCK PRODUCT RECOMMENDED BY CRAFT BUSINESS? Yes No 9. HOW MANY ADVERTS DO YOU RESPOND TO EACH ISSUE? 0 1 2 3 4 5+ 10. HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE CUSTOMERS TO YOUR SHOP? Advertising Demonstrations Giveaways Offers Social media Workshops Other (please state) 11. HOW DO YOU THINK BREXIT WILL IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS? Positively Negatively Don't know
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Engaging with your
local community
Are you making the most of your community? If not, you could be losing out on sales, says DS 17/08/2017 11:20 Page 1 Crafter’s Companion founder, Sara Davies MBE z Engaging with your local community is not only beneficial for your business but it can also be very rewarding in terms of giving back to your biggest supporters – your customers. For a craft business, becoming part of the local community is a key to success. We develop communities of suppliers, communities of customers and communities of our peers, so that we can grow our enterprises and develop our offerings. In this digital age,
it’s so simple to connect with the craft community across the country - and even across the planet - making it all-too easy to forget the community we have on our doorsteps. So why should we look closer to home and engage with, and give back to, our local community? z SHOP LOCAL Despite the rise of online shopping, many people still like to shop local - they want to be able to see and touch things before they buy them, and interact with a human being at the point of purchase. By embedding yourself with the locals, you’ll get insider knowledge on what the local community wants to buy, so you can really target your offerings with promotions, workshops and displays.
products, or collaborate with them to run a special workshop or demonstration for local people. If there’s a local cafe, restaurant, or delicatessen, perhaps you could work together to put on a fundraising event for a local charity or youth group. z ONLINE If you don’t have a physical store, use your online presence to tailor offers to people in your region. You could create a special, themed offer to tie in with a local carnival or festival, or in honour of a recent local award or celebration. If a local charitable group is celebrating an anniversary, you could put together colourthemed packages to match their brand, with a percentage from sales going to their cause. If you have a local sports team, you could sponsor
“Being an active member of your local community will raise your craft company’s profile” z ACTIVE Being an active member of your local community will raise your craft company’s profile, bringing increased footfall and helping to boost sales. After all, the people living in your local area are the ones who are going to come through the door, so it’s definitely worth spending some resources closer to home. But how can you get more involved with the people and organisations in your area? If you’re lucky enough to have a physical store with a bit of extra space, think about offering your venue to local groups for their meetings, or run a series of events for adults or children who want to get involved in crafting. z SCHOOL HOLIDAYS The school holidays are a great time to bring in new customers by putting on daytime workshops for kids and their parents to learn a new skill and be a bit creative. You might want to charge for attendance, to cover the cost of materials, or offer the sessions for free as a promotional activity, to raise awareness of your brand. z DEMONSTRATIONS You could also host other local crafters, artisans and artists give them a space to sell their
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them, or run a fundraising craft event, making cards or other wares in the colours of their strip to be displayed in your community hub or hall. z PROMOTE Whatever you plan for your local community, make sure you promote it well. Get in touch with your local paper with all the details, get a page in your community’s newsletter, and promote through the local social media groups. Be sure to put some posters up in your community centre, local churches, and think about doing leaflet drop or direct mail promotion to your closest postcodes. Track the effectiveness of each promotion type by asking how people heard about you when you collect their feedback at the end of your event or workshop, that way you can make your future promotions even more effective. It may seem like a lot of effort to engage with your local community, but remember how important those personal relationships are, and enjoy getting to know the locals, as they get to know you and your brand!
CLASSIFIED FILLER_ADS 18/08/2017 14:52 Page 1
INTERVIEW
5
Minutes With... Dominic Fleming
The man behind CHSI Stitches – 2018’s event takes place from February 18-20 at NEC, Birmingham – chats to us about the future of the show, the UK craft scene and the benefit of listening to your elders z You re-joined ICHF last year after a break away, what enticed you back to the craft world? The crafting industry is, unsurprisingly, a very vibrant and friendly place to be a part of. I always loved my role at ICHF and had never ruled out returning one day. I have been able to use my time away to learn new skills, experience how other industry trade shows work and get fresh insights which I am looking forward to putting into practice in my role running CHSI Stitches. It’s a privilege to be heading up such a long running and prestigious trade show.
z Why do trade shows continue to be important in our ever-more connected world? Now that is something I have a very definite opinion about. Exhibitions work! They are a powerful, cost-effective marketing medium. The national exhibition is the only marketing medium that brings your most active prospects and customers to you, allows you to demonstrate products, answer questions, overcome objections and meet your market face-to-face. Given how valuable their time is, visitors that attend a trade show are motivated. It says they have a
“I have always had a tenacious personality but would have saved myself a lot of time if I had listened more”
reason to be there. It says they’re serious buyers in active buying mood. They are searching for new products, information and new trends. This is the power of trade exhibitions: no other medium concentrates your business efforts on the most active buyers in your market at any given time. z How do you intend to continue to evolve CHSI Stitches? The show continues to grow in importance for the industry and we are well prepared to respond to that. Workshops and seminars remain a key feature to enable retailers to develop new skills, we continue to provide these free of charge. We give our exhibitors the chance to get their products noticed in a variety of innovative ways, from the catwalk show to dedicated show areas and our press room. Our media presence at the show now includes many bloggers on the lookout for the next hot product to talk about. We are also well aware that sometimes it’s the small things that make the difference and have once again secured free car parking at the NEC for show visitors. z Last year fabric was celebrated with a dedicated area. What are your plans for 2018? This went down a storm and we plan to capitalise on this by running and even bigger and better fabric area for 2018.
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We also have a few more innovative ideas in the pipeline that encompass different sectors of the show for 2018. z What makes the craft industry stand out from other industries? For me it’s the friendly and creative vibe you get. The vast majority of those involved in the industry seem truly passionate about what they do. z What would you say to a new craft business thinking of using a trade show to launch a product? Perhaps unsurprisingly, I would say do it! But seriously, there are few better ways in my opinion to launch crafting product than at a trade show. We have a dedicated area in the show for just that reason and the UK is a country full of highly innovative crafters. z What key piece of advice would you give to visitors to CHSI Stitches? Plan your visit. Jump onto our website beforehand and make a note of the exhibitors you want to visit in order of priority. Make a beeline for those when you arrive and then use the rest of your time at the show to fill in the gaps. z If you could offer your younger self some advice what would it be? Trust your instincts and listen to older wiser people. I have always had a tenacious personality but would have saved myself a lot of time if I had listened more. But life is always about learning and adapting. z What do you do to relax? I like to balance both physical and mental hobbies. The gym, hiking and kayaking ensure I burn off tension. The current trend in mindfulness is fascinating and I find some interesting comparisons to it with something I have always done when challenging myself to learn something new, I currently have my sights set on leather craft.
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