CIT Spring 2013

T H E C R A F T & H O B B Y A S S O C I AT I O N M AG A Z I N E

SPRING 2013

Crafting Better Communities Mari Eriksson from Fusion Beads discusses why giving back is so important

contents

Spring 2013

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In Every Issue 5

20 10

Your Facebook Business Page

by Joe Rotella

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Industry News

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Trend Report

Fusion Beads’ Good Deeds

Ombre is Soothing and Pleasant

Owner Mari Eriksson uses her passion for beading to benefit others.

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Let’s Give a Hand to Craft Charities

These organizations have done exemplary work by using their time and the art of craft to give to those in need.

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The Buzz

Industry Retailers Give Back

Shop owners’ efforts help their communities and make the world a better place.

Chit Chat Preserving Dreams and Memories for Struggling Families

20 Do-It-Yourself Baby Knit Cap

by Lindsay Obermeyer

22 New Products 28 Creativity Is Our Business Designer Directory

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30 Index of Advertisers

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Craft

Spring 2013, Volume 2, No. 2

Industry THE CRAFT & HOBBY ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

Editorial

2013 Closing Dates

Keri Cunningham kcunningham@craftandhobby.org

May 10 Summer Show Issue

Jason Baum jbaum@craftandhobby.org

August 16 Fall/Holiday Issue

Catherine Martell cmartell@craftandhobby.org Omosede (Mo) Ayinde mayinde@craftandhobby.org

Advertising Tim Braden tbraden@fwpi.com

The Craft & Hobby Association 319 East 54th St. Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 201-835-1200 Fax: 201-797-0657 craftandhobby.org CRE8TIME.org

We want your feed b ack!

We welcom e you to su bmit letters comments and on any top ic covered in Industry To Craft day! Please include you name, com r full pany name, phone num and address ber .

E-mail us at CIT@craftan dhobby.org; or write to: Craft Indust ry Today, 3 19 E. 54th Elmwood Pa St., rk, NJ 0740 7; or fax to 20 1-835-1268 . (We reserv right to edit e the letters for p ublication.)

Darlene Roberts darlene@fwpi.com Craft Industry Today is published quarterly for members of the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA). CHA is an international not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution, and retail sales of craft products worldwide. For more about CHA, the value of membership, or its awardwinning Conferences & Trade Shows, please visit craftandhobby.org.

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Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

Publisher Fahy-Williams Publishing PO Box 1080, 171 Reed St. Geneva, NY 14456 800-344-0559 Fax: 315-789-4263 fwpi.com Craft Industry Today is distributed to CHA members on a complimentary basis. Subscription fee for non-CHA members is $25 a year. Additional

copies are available upon request pending availability. To order, contact CHA at 201-835-1207.

Copyright Š 2013 The Craft & Hobby Association. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

The Buzz Your Facebook Business Page Valuable Property or Abandoned Lot?

by Joe Rotella

I

I spend a fair amount of time on Facebook. I see many Facebook business pages across many industries.

Some could use more work than others, but many page owners are not using Facebook to grow their business. Many don’t understand it’s more than having a page or counting the number of likes.

Yup, I said it. Here’s what I’m talking about.

Marketing professionals refer to a business’ web presence as a collection of “properties” – website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter and Pinterest accounts are all properties. On the Internet, these properties start as vacant lots. How you develop them determines if they become valuable investments or abandoned patches.

As I surf Facebook, I see many underdeveloped properties in the craft and hobby industry. Some businesses don’t even have a business page yet! That shocks me. Recently Facebook announced it has 1.06 billion monthly active users and 680 million mobile users. Your business needs to be where your customers and prospects are. Right now, they’re on Facebook. ’Nough said?

And those underdeveloped properties? I see pages without content, with a cryptic web address, missing basic information about the “property owner,” and violations of Facebook’s terms of service (TOS).

Here are four steps to get your Facebook property up to standards.

1.

Be sure you’re zoned for business. It’s a violation of Facebook’s TOS to run a business on a personal page. If people send you a friend request, it’s a personal page. If the page refers to “Members” or lets you “Add People to Group” then it’s a Group page, not what you want for a business. It limits what you can do and offer. Fans “Like” a business page. You can convert a personal page to a business page, but if you’re using a group, you must start from scratch.

2.

Get an “upmarket” address.

The default web address of your business page includes a string of numbers. When you get 50 likes, you can claim a vanity URL that looks like facebook.com/businessname. This address is easier to share and easier to remember than a string of numbers.

3. Promote your primary property.

Put your website URL in the “About” section of your page. Folks can easily click to it from your business page. You’ve got 155 characters to use in the About section.

Use them all. It’s a violation of TOS to put URLs on your cover photo.

4.

Use apps to generate likes and engagement. There are many apps – ones to gate content (only those that like your page can see content), offer coupons, sell products and run contests.

Use them. It’s a violation of TOS to have any sort of contest or giveaway on Facebook NOT administered through a third-party app. If you’re running contests and randomly select a winner without using an app, you run the risk of Facebook shutting down your account.

Now that you’ve developed your property, you must maintain it. Make a commitment to keep it up to standards. Do it yourself. Assign it to a staff member. Hire a professional.

You’re on Facebook to grow your business. That takes work.

It doesn’t happen just because you’re there. So get to work!

Joe Rotella is the Chief Technical Officer, Usability Practice Director at Delphia Consulting.

Joe joined Delphia Consulting as Chief Technology Officer in 2002. As CTO, Joe is responsible for using technology to provide better products and services to clients, infrastructure and IT operations, developing and maintaining software applications, determining how technology will be used to implement the business strategy, and developing the company's future technology direction.

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Industry News CHA 2013 Winter Conference & Trade Show Recap While the temperature was down, the energy was up during the CHA 2013 Winter Conference & Trade Show.

Despite the unusual California weather causing temperatures as low as some 30 degrees, exhibitors and attendees were all in good spirits yielding positive results. For some, this Show was the most successful it’s been in years.

The Show kicked off with the State of the Industry panel moderated by Nora Abousteit, CEO of Kollabora. The panel discussed the benefits of social media, how to join forces with your competition and work as a community, and the advantages of learning in person, rather than learning online. Copies of this panel discussion and other seminars that took place during the Show are available at craftandhobby.org.

Another key contributing factor to the positive momentum was the launch of the CRE8TIME industry consumer awareness campaign and the new CRE8TIME.org website. CRE8TIME is a movement funded by the CHA Foundation, and is designed to encourage creativity by getting participants to pledge 8 hours per month to doing something creative. CRE8TIME.org serves as the hub of the CRE8TIME social movement. It is a community

where “CRE8ERS” share their crafts, pledge their hours, get inspired, stay informed and learn how to reclaim 8 hours a month. To learn more and to get involved, visit CRE8TIME.org or call 201-835-1207.

Hundreds of people took 8 minutes to participate in the CRE8TIME charity makeand-leaves for Crops of Luv and Build-ABuddy. Three hundred bears were stuffed for the Family Justice Center of Anaheim. Thanks for your support!

CHA also welcomed to the Show floor the team from Create and Craft, the UK’s only dedicated craft TV channel. From a makeshift studio they filmed a total of 15 hours of live footage that aired during UK prime time television. It gave exhibitors the opportunity to gain international exposure for their products, and Show attendees the chance to be part of a live television broadcast.

This is the highest award recognition CHA can bestow upon an individual past or present member, and is given for significant contributions made to the Association.

Mike’s long track record of service to the industry includes serving on the Hobby Industry of America (HIA), ACCI and the CHA Board of Directors. Mike was one of the six members of the original Task Force charged with investigating the merger of ACCI and HIA. As publisher of Creative

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Innovative Product Award: Katy Sue Designs/Flower Soft – Silicone Molds (p.26)

Attendee Choice Award: Spellbinders Paper Arts – Imperial Gold (p.26)

Honorable Mention Innovative Product Award: June Tailor – T-shirt Transformation Ruler Center (p.25)

Honorable Mention Innovative Product Award: We R Memory Keepers – Envelope Punch Board (p.23) _______________________

The 2013 Industry Award Winners Mike Hartnett of Creative Leisure News received the Meritorious Award of Honor.

Exhibitors were recognized for their outstanding work in product innovation; here are the winners.

Leisure News, he serves as an important source of information for the industry.

Fusion Beads received the Special Recognition Award.

This award is presented to a person, group and/or company for their extraordinary contribution in an activity showcasing the craft and hobby industry in a positive way. Fusion Beads believes strongly in charitable giving. They provide a portion of their proceeds to a variety of causes, and have been a consistent supporter of the Forgotten Children’s Fund.

Booth awards were also distributed to manufacturers that excelled in exhibit design, product merchandising/demonstrations and exhibit staff interaction.

New Exhibitor Award: Little Darlings Rubber Stamps

Linear Booth Award: stkr.it

Island/Peninsula Award: Fiskars

CHA Call for 2014 Board of Director Nominations The CHA 2013 Nominating Committee is now accepting candidate nominations for the 2014 CHA Board of Directors. Nominations are being received through May 1, 2013. CHA members can obtain the Board Director Nomination Form on the Association website www.craftandhobby.org or by requesting a copy by contacting the CHA Member Services Department at (201) 835-1215 or ldiaz@craftandhobby.org.

Any CHA member may nominate an Association member or submit themselves as a candidate to sit on the CHA Board of Directors for terms beginning January 2014.

Save the Dates for These CHA Events 2013 Creative Conference NYC May 18-20, New York, NY 2013 Create-N-Connect Conference & Trade Show July 22-25, Las Vegas

2014

Michaels Names Chuck Rubin Chief Executive Officer Michaels Stores Inc. has named Chuck Rubin Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. Rubin is the former president and Chief Executive Officer of Ulta Beauty.

Lion Brand Donates $1 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Send us your

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E-mail CIT @cr Craft Indu aftandhobby.org or stry Today, w 319 E. 54th rite to: NJ 07407; St., Elmwo or fax to 2 od Park, 01-835-12 your full n 68 ame, com pany nam . Please include address. T e , phon he e articles an ditors reserve the ri e number and ght to edit d letters fo r publicati news on.

Lion Brand Yarn’s President and CEO, David Blumenthal and celebrity spokesperson, Vanna White recently toured St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where they presented $1 million to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude. The Vanna White line of Lion Brand Yarn has been donating to St. Jude over the last six years.

Hampton Art Promotes Mike Behar Mike Behar has been named General Manager of Hampton Art. Most recently, he was the company’s Director of Sales. Behar succeeds Ed Bolen who has served Hampton Art and Caron for 39 years, and is retiring in 2013.

Riddi Kline Heads Merchandising Responsibilities at Jo-Ann Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has named Riddi Kline SVP Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer.

In addition to retaining her current responsibilities overseeing both marketing and advertising, Kline will assume responsibility for the merchandising, product development and inventory management groups.

CHA 2014 Conference & Trade Show Friday, January 10-Tuesday, January 14, Anaheim Create-n-Connect Conference & Trade Show Monday, August 4-Thursday, August 7, St. Louis

2015 2015 Create-n-Connect Conference & Trade Show Monday, July 27-Thursday, July 30, Charlotte

Craft Industry today • Spring 2013

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Trend Report

by The CHA Designer Trends Committee (Melony Bradley, Vicki O’Dell, Suzann Sladick Wilson, Beth Watson, Terry Riciolli, Carmen Floris Tanis and Eileen Hull)

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Ombre is Soothing and Pleasant

Graduating colors (that go from light to dark, traditionally) are showing up in the crafting world. Making an appearance in many crafting mediums, Ombre is a nice opposite to the color blocking trend.

Using Rit Liquid Dyes, this simple dyeing technique lends itself to all types of garments and fashion accessories. This draped jersey one-strap shoulder dress was purchased white and then dip-dyed in Violet to make an elegant fashion-forward statement.

This beautiful paper-crafting project made with the Sizzix Gift Card Folder die is a wonderful example of transitional color shading, an evolution of ombre.

Turn an ordinary lampshade into a fabulous one.

This example was made in less than two hours using Krylon’s Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paints in Global Blue, Catalina Mist, Purple, Pewter Gray.

To highlight this trend in your paper-crafting retail store, arrange cardstocks from light to dark in graduating shades on cards and tags, and display them in prominent places around the store. If your customers are more focused on sewing and quilting, sew buttons in an ombre pattern on a garment or home decorating piece, such as a pillow.

A Crafty Couture dress displayed at the 2012 CHA Summer Show is a fashionable example of the Ombre trend. It was designed by Eileen Hull and made with matboard and tinfoil, and colored with alcohol inks.

Serve your meals in style with ombre place settings!

Brush dye onto fabric in coordinating colors for a vibrant way to prep your palette.

Designed by Suzie Shinseki, Created by Lauri Eaton for iLovetoCreate CIT

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Chit Chat Preserving Dreams and Memories

for Struggling Families

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Four-year-old Déjà was critically ill when her special wish was granted in 2007 – a trip to Walt Disney World with her family. As a gift, Jody McNelis – an instructional designer for an insurance company in Phoenix – and others in her department created a scrapbook to document the fun. Inspired

by Déjà, Jody found a way to create scrapbooks for more children in similar circumstances. In May of 2009, Jody and her aunt, Roberta Baker, created the nonprofit organization Crops of Luv. “A life documented is a life remembered” is its slogan, and preserving dreams and memories is its mission. Crops of Luv has completed hundreds of scrapbooks since its inception.

We had a chance to speak with Jody recently.

She explained how her organization works, and why others in the craft industry should support charities. Here’s what she told us.

Why do you do this?

We want to help preserve a positive memory and give families a tool for continued healing. There is rarely much to celebrate during a critically ill child’s long stints of treatment, so when they have a wish that’s granted, we want them to experience the fun over and over again. They can do that by looking at the scrapbook we prepare. We have seen that the albums provide much joy by preserving every vivid detail of a magical event.

How does it work?

Crops of Luv gets most of its referrals from an organization in Florida called Give Kids the World. It’s where the “wish organizations” send families to stay when they go to Disney. The families collect pictures and memorabilia of their trip and send them to Crops of Luv. We organize them, and create a layout kit complete with paper and embellishments. The kit is given to volunteers to complete. There are usually ten to fourteen layouts and it takes anywhere from fifteen to thirty people during an eight to tenweek process to complete. It’s all placed in a leather, threering, 12- by 12-inch binder, and shipped to the families.

It’s free?

Yes. The materials are mostly donated, but when we

need to, we raise the money to purchase the items. Right now, we do not have any large, regular, financial support.

We recruit donors primarily via the CHA Trade Shows. It’s where we see the companies that have the items we need to complete the albums. We look for manufacturers that have Roberta Baker and Jody McNelis older or discontinued merchandise storage. When the retailers do that we can use. It is a their taxes, they can deduct win/win for the manufacturer the full retail price of the and for our organization. items they donated.

Why do crafters get involved in working with charities?

Most look for opportunities to “craft for a purpose.” It also gives them a chance to use their supplies and buy new things without guilt! They can use their stash of items for a good cause.

Is it hard to get involved with Crops of Luv or other charities?

No. Just remember – nonprofits can use just about anything. If retailers want to support us, for instance, there are two ways: They can donate new items that we can auction off to raise money, and/or they can donate to us any items they haven’t sold that are taking up room in

In addition to the financial benefits, supporting a charity creates good will for your business, and gives you the knowledge that you’re having a positive impact on people who really need your support.

I recommend starting out with a fund-raising effort, and then creating some in-store activities that support the mission of the organization(s) you’ve selected.

If you don’t know which effort to support, know this – there isn’t really a “wrong” charity. Choose something that everyone in your business can get behind and be passionate about. Children’s charities appeal to just about everyone.

For more information about Crops of Luv, visit cropsofluv.com.

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FUSION BEADS’ GOOD DEEDS

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by Peggy O’Dell

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Mari Eriksson can’t remember a time when beads weren’t a part of her life.

As a child, she made colorful bead necklaces. As a college student, she taught herself how to make earrings, and then sold them to family and friends.

There were no real bead stores in the area, so she bought old jewelry at thrift shops and re-used the beads for her own creations. By the time she was working full-time as a graphic designer, she was beading at night and selling her pieces at markets on the weekend. Her childhood hobby had grown into her passion, and ultimately, her livelihood: Mari opened her bead store, Fusion Beads, in Seattle in 1997.

“I always knew I wanted to have my own bead store someday,” she recalls, “but beads weren’t really that popular back then, so when I opened the store I put a sign on the road that said ‘Beads’ and then I waited.”

Out of curiosity, people came in to check out the store.

Mari taught classes, and built a customer base as the news spread by word-ofmouth about the new bead store in town.

“When I opened I was the only employee and the only instructor.

Within a year I hired two employees,” she said.

In 2004, with Internet shopping gaining in popularity every day, Mari took Fusion Beads online. “We started with 10,000 items on the website. That first day, all we were hoping for was just one order, and we got it,” she said. “It just took off from there.”

Today, Fusion Beads processes thousands of Web orders each week.

“I think we learned how to be great on the Web from our seven years of brick-and-mortar store experience. We

watched how our customers shopped, the things they bought, and the colors they put together. We knew what types of items to put on the web,” said Mari.

In addition to the more than 45,000 items available for purchase, the website is also chockfull of technique tutorials, color ideas, inspirational projects and a vast Q and A section – it covers everything from information on birthstones to metal stamping.

Eriksson’s love for beads and beading has provided her with a life she is grateful for every day, and she is always looking for ways to use her passion to benefit others. “Beads have made a nice life for me and given me a voice. When you reach as many people as we do, how can you not use that platform to help others?” she asked.

Fusion Beads holds several charity events throughout the year, beginning with its “Hearts for Heifer” program every February. A dollar from every heart-shaped bead sold during the month is donated to Heifer International, an organization that works to stop hunger and poverty around the world by giving needy families a cow or other livestock animal.

The families are then trained on how to use the cow for nutrition and income

through the consumption and sale of milk and cheese.

“This year we were able to donate enough money to buy two cows and a llama,” Mari said. The recipient of the llama will be taught how to make a living selling the wool.

In the fall, the store hosts its annual “Sparkle for a Cause” event. Silent auctions are held to sell the more than 350 pieces of jewelry that have been made during the year for display in the store or on the Web. It’s a night of wine and appetizers as shoppers come together to bid for their favorite pieces. The proceeds from last October’s auction benefitted Treehouse.org, an organization that supports creative and sports programs for the state of Washington’s foster children.

In December, the store holds an online fundraiser.

Proceeds are used to buy Christmas gifts for the foster kids through Treehouse. Mari also donates 300 bead kits to the Forgotten Children’s Fund, a group that works to provide Christmas gifts to Washington’s needy families.

She was recognized for her charitable work by the Craft & Hobby Association in January, when she received the Special Recognition Award at the 2013 Winter Conference & Trade Show in Anaheim.

The award honors an individual or group for their extraordinary contribution showcasing the craft and hobby industry.

“When I found out we won, we were surprised and excited,” Mari noted.

“It’s so nice to be acknowledged by our peers in the industry. We do it because it’s the right thing to do, and we want that to be a part of Fusion Beads.”

CIT

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Let’s Give a Hand to

Craft Charities

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Crafting for a Cure

We all know the personal benefits of “giving back” as individuals, but what many don’t know are the professional benefits for businesses that give back. For those who might be interested in charity sponsorship, but don’t know where to look, we are highlighting a few charities that have done exemplary work by using their time and the art of craft to give to those in need.

Operation Write Home

Warm Up America

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Kids in Need

Peach’s Neet Feet

CRAFTING FOR A CURE crafting foracure.ca Who they are Crafting For a Cure (CFAC) is a nonprofit charity created to ensure that children have a positive experience during required hospital stays.

The organization offers four programs that each provide a different service. The purpose of all of them is to put a smile on the face of a child.

CFAC was created by wife and mother Pamela Bielak as a result of her own children’s struggle with illness, and her ambition to do all she could to keep them happy and get them well.

KIDS IN NEED kinf.org Who they are Kids In Need (KIN) is a foundation founded in 1995 to provide free school supplies nationally to kids who lack them. The program serves low-income children and teachers from underfunded schools. In addition to school supplies, the organization provides funding for teachers to conduct innovative classroom projects without having to pay for the supplies out of their own pockets.

What sets them apart CFAC is not a charity with only one set function donating one thing. Rather, it accepts donations in all forms: toys, concert tickets, craft supplies and much more. Through a generous group of benefactors CFAC’s volunteers are able to spread joy to ill children with the hope of helping them to forget – even if just for a little while – what they’re going through, and help them to make more happy moments.

Recent success Around Christmas, CFAC visited Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, to spread some holiday cheer. While they were there, they heard that the person who was

Through a network of free stores for teachers, 2.4 million children are provided with school supplies every year. There is no charge to the network resource center, the teachers or the students for these supplies.

Recent success KIN is able to procure $32 worth of school supplies for every $1 that is donated. Ninety-eight percent of KIN’s revenue goes directly back into programs. Since 1995, KIN has distributed $450 million in school supplies to children most in need, and $1.4 million in grants to teachers.

What sets them apart KIN was the first national charity to recognize how critical it is that kids have the supplies they need to succeed in school.

What’s next KIN wants to increase the number of students it serves annually to 4.8 million by the end of 2014.

supposed to be Santa never showed up. With honor and pride, Pamela dressed herself in the Santa suit and long white beard, and proceeded to bring smiles to everyone in the hospital.

What’s next The past year was a great one for CFAC, and this year it is planning to do it all again and more. In March, CFAC volunteers hope to be crafting in schools and hospitals in the areas hit by Hurricane Sandy. In the meantime, Pamela is always on the lookout for more sponsors and volunteers, and hopes to acquire a warehouse and office space so programs and services can be expanded in both Canada and the U.S.

The organization also wants to build its Second Responder initiative so that they have at least 5,000 fully stocked backpacks ready to ship to students who have been affected by disasters.

KIN believes the Second Responder initiative is critical to help schools and students recover from natural disasters. Students affected by these types of devastating events most often have nothing but the clothes they were wearing when the disaster struck. It is important to reestablish routines to help them recover; and since school is a major part of a child’s life, getting them equipped again with school supplies helps to normalize their world.

OPERATION WRITE HOME operationwrite home.org Who they are Operation Write Home (OWH) sends blank handmade greeting cards to deployed service members so that they can write home to their families. The charity serves all branches of the military deployed outside of the United States. Since 2007, the organization has sent more than 2 million cards to heroes serving in harm’s way.

What sets them apart OWH’s crafters are part of a “family” of thousands of creative and generous people worldwide who love to create, learn and give.

OWH provides ongoing weekly instructions on a blog and webcast to increase the skills of its card makers, and introduce them to quality products and techniques.

OWH’s corporate partners, in both manufacturing and retail, appreciate that the OWH goals dovetail with theirs: great opportunities to give back while engaging with their community and increasing customer loyalty.

Recent success The most recent large event OWH took on was participating in the CHA 2013 Winter Conference & Trade Show – not only at its own booth, but also at its partners’ booths across the show floor, where retailers and designers joined in to do make-n-leaves.

Over 500 cards were made at the Show.

What’s next OWH is developing more enterprise marketing partnerships this year – launching more fundraising products than ever before. The organization will also be hosting more social media events with its partners, creating special webcasts, and working with retailers nationwide on a “National Cardmaking Party” later this year.

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Craft Charities PEACH’S NEET FEET peachsneetfeet.com

for-profit companies such as Converse, Vans and craft-paint manufacturer DecoArt Inc. PNF was also very honored to make shoes for physician, author and holistic health guru Deepak Chopra. He wears them frequently, making sure to post on Facebook pictures of himself wearing the awesome shoes.

What they are In July 2011, Madison “Peach” Steiner decided to celebrate children with life-threatening illnesses and lifelong disabilities by publicly recognizing their courage and specialness. She began hand-painting canvas shoes to illustrate their stories. Since 2011, hundreds of people from all walks of life have become a part of Peach’s Neet Feet (PNF), by donating shoes, time and money in an effort to provide a personalized pair of shoes and a smile to children who are struggling.

What sets them apart

more people on a daily basis. To date, about a dozen hospitals and numerous clinics across the country refer children to PNF. In addition, references come through word of mouth from other “fighter families,” child-life specialists, support groups and social marketing media. PNF also has numerous “Shoe Fairies” across the country, delivering shoes and smiles on behalf of PNF.

Recent success One of PNF’s greatest accomplishments has been to gain support from

PNF ultimately strives to reach more children and families with shoes; which will mean more smiles and heart filled soles. The group will continue to spread awareness and continue to support research for the illnesses and life-long disabilities of those they support, and obtain long term, sustainable funding that will further their mission. However, they realize that success is not always measured in the amount of money raised, but by the amount of genuine support they rally.

PNF always asks “How much hope, how much awareness and how much ‘happy’ can we spread to the world?”

Artwork by Tim Holtz

Each shoebox for donation contains a note asking the recipient to perform a random act of kindness or to sponsor shoes for another. By doing so, the web of “Random Acts of Kindness” extends further and further, entwining more and

What’s next

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WARM UP AMERICA craftyarncouncil.com/ warmup.html Who they are Warm Up America (WUA) engages volunteers of all ages to knit and crochet afghans for people in need. Evie Rosen started WUA in 1991 and was active in guiding the 501C3 charity until her death in 2012. She started the project to help the homeless in her hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin, but she understood that homelessness was a national problem.

What sets them apart In addition to retailers, there are individuals, groups and guilds sponsoring WUA projects in their communities.

Many volunteers assemble and distribute afghans in their communities while others send individual sections to the WUA Foundation in Gastonia, North Carolina, where they are assembled by

local volunteers and shipped to agencies that submit requests for afghans.

Recent success Most recently, WUA teamed up with global charity Save the Children to knit and crochet caps to keep newborns warm in developing countries. It was the first international project undertaken by the foundation, and the response was amazing – more than 250,000 caps were made. WUA also teamed up with the Craft Yarn Council, Scholastic and JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores to distribute 40,000 free knitting and crochet kits to teens. In addition to teaching those skills, the project introduced teens to WUA and community service.

What’s next WUA’s immediate efforts are focused on creating more afghans for many of our neighbors who are facing economic challenges. To date, an estimated 275,000 afghans have been distributed nationwide – they’re aiming for 1 million!

CIT

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Industry Retailers

G iveck a Ba

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Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

by Mike Hartnett

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Much is reported about retailers’ marketing and sales efforts, but very little is ever written about shop owners’ efforts to give back to their communities and make the world a better place; that’s because retailers go about their charity work quietly. It would be impossible to detail every effort by every retailer, but here are some examples.

Evie Rosen Evie Rosen was an occupational therapist who loved knitting. Loved it so much, she opened the Knitting Nook in 1964 in Northern Wisconsin. But her influence spread far beyond her modest yarn shop. Mary Colucci, executive director of the Warm Up America Foundation and the Craft Yarn Council, tells the story.

“While many of us have great ideas, few have the ability, like Evie Rosen, to execute them. In the early 1990s, this yarn shop retailer from Wausau, Wisconsin, was moved by the problem of the homeless, so she started knitting afghans to keep them warm. Soon she involved customers at her shop, friends, and community members, and then reached out to other retailers to get involved. Warm Up America was born. Evie recognized that knitters and crocheters are ‘givers’ like herself. They respond to charitable initiatives. In the process, Warm Up America brought more people into her store and established her as a retailer who gave back to the community.”

In the 22 years since Evie launched Warm Up America, volunteers have knitted or crocheted more than 15 million squares and created more than 300,000 afghans given to those in need around the world.

In 1994, Evie was honored by the craft industry, and received the President’s Award from the Hobby Industry Association (CHA’s predecessor). She was also named a “Local Hero” by Time Magazine. Evie passed away last year.

The Schlecht Family

Evie Rosen

In 1997 John Schlecht, who operate a 40,000-square-foot store, Crafts Direct, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, made a month-long offer to customers: a 40-percent-off coupon if they made a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

For years, Crafts Direct offered that annual one-month-only offer, then his family added similar deals for two other charities – Toys for Tots in November, and a local food pantry in December. The program changed to a $1 donation per coupon after a few years for the three promotions.

John’s son Scott explains the evolution. “In 2010, our management team was discussing plans and goals for 2011, and thought it would be great to offer a 40-percent-

Left, top: Project 12-14-12 was a collaboration between Brea Bead Works in California and A Bead of Roses in Newtown, Connecticut.

Left, middle: Since its inception in 1991, Warm Up America has created more than 300,000 afghans.

Left, bottom: More than $150,000 has been donated by Crafts Direct’s Charity of the Month.

Chains Give Back, Too ❥

The most recent effort by A.C. Moore’s Crafting a Better World initiative included a make-it/take-it craft day and checkout donation program that raised $150,000 for the American Cancer Society. Since its inception in 2010, the initiative has raised more than $1.1 million for not-for-profit organizations. ________________________________

❥

Hobby Lobby supports a number of evangelical-related nonprofits, including Need Him, Ethnographic Media, One Hope, Harbor House Foundation, Every Home For Christ, Wycliffe, Oral Roberts University and Passages. The company has also acquired one of the world’s largest private collections of Bibles and Biblical artifacts. The collection will be housed in a museum opening in Washington, D.C., in the near future. ________________________________

❥

Together for Short Lives, a campaign of the Hobbycraft chain in the U.K., hopes to raise at least £100,000 for a children’s hospice charity. ________________________________

❥

Jo-Ann supports the American Heart Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Kids in Need Foundation and the United Way. ________________________________

❥

Michaels’ charity partners include the Boys & Girls Clubs of the U.S. and Canada, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Crafting For A Cure, and Serious Fun. ________________________________

❥

Wal-Mart and the Walmart Foundation gave $958.9 million in cash and in-kind contributions in 2011, and employees volunteered more than 1 million hours that resulted in more than $13 million in grants to local nonprofits.

Craft Industry today • Spring 2013

17

Industry Retailers

Give Back

Lisa Rose at A Bead of Roses designs jewelry to honor the memory of Sandyhook’s victims.

off coupon all of the time. That discussion led us to analyze the number of coupons we were receiving. We would occasionally offer our own 40-percent-off coupon, but we also accept our local competitor’s coupons. The number of coupons was astronomical.

“Then we thought of the impact we could have if we received a $1 donation for each of those coupons. The other three coupons-with-donation promotions worked well, so why not do it all year?”

“It was decided we would have one charity per month and offer a 40-percent-off coupon with a $1 donation to the selected charity,” Scott continued. “If the customer didn’t like that month’s charity, they could choose from any of the others. At the end of the month, we would write that charity a check for the amount collected, and we would add at

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Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

least 2 percent more.”

By the end of 2011, the Charity of the Month had generated more than $150,000 for the selected nonprofits.

As word spread about the program’s success, more and more charities contacted the store to ask if they, too, could be included. The Schlechts then changed it to Charity of the Week (actually every two weeks).

But nothing worthwhile is easy.

There were bumps in the road.

“Educating the customers was the most difficult part of the program,” Scott said. “A few customers did not like being required to donate with our coupon, and really didn’t like that we required it with competitors’ coupons. I believe the most noise came from customers who were abusing the coupons

and buying many items with coupons. It took about six months to get through most of the complaining.

“It wasn’t always easy to stick with the program, but we knew in the long run that it would be beneficial to everyone involved,” Scott added. “The charities get funds that they need, our customers get a discount, and we have a great promotion that supports us and the community.”

Last year, the total raised was more than $187,000. For details of the program and the charities included, visit craftsdirect.com/charity-of-the-week.

Scott Remmer & Lisa Rose When Scott Remmers of Brea Bead Works in Brea, California, heard about the horrific events thousands of miles away in Newtown, Connecticut, he sprang into action. He contacted his friend, Lisa Rose, who operates a bead shop, A Bead of Roses, in Newtown.

He and his staff created a project, The 12-14-12 Project, and invited customers to visit the shop and make the snowflake ornament, which would be sent to Newtown. The materials were free. “We provide the materials. You provide the Love,” the flier explained.

Scott is also the head of the Southern California Local Bead Shop Association. He contacted its members, along with another 400 bead shops in his database.

Scott’s customers responded. “The customers were nonstop all day; many just came to the store and took part,” he said. “The sheer number of people who took time out of their calendar to make sure they did so was overwhelming. It brings tears to your eyes knowing that people where touched by this so deeply.

“They would turn around to thank us for doing it,” Scott added. “Are you kidding me? That is what we should be doing.”

Meanwhile, Lisa turned her shop into a haven for the children (and adults) of Newtown. Each Saturday kids can go there and make a project, free, while music therapists perform.

She plans to continue the Beading/Healing operation, and the music, every Saturday throughout the year, and is expanding the crafting area so more people can sit, bead and listen to live music.

“We received probably 15 boxes of donations ranging from beaded snowflakes, angel zipper pulls, and glow-in-thedark bracelets, to cross charms and monetary donations,” Lisa said. “Families are still coming to the store to bead for free at our beading table in the back room.

“Let the healing begin.”

Lisa also designed special “Our Little Angels” bracelets and necklaces, which the shop sells. The proceeds go to the Sandy Hook school. (Visit abeadofroses.com.)

There will be more memorial jewelry, too. Lisa is currently designing necklaces in memory of two of the little girls killed in the massacre, Charlotte Bacon and Caroline Previdi.

The proceeds will go to area nonprofits, and to fund a free birthday party program for children in need in September in honor of Caroline Previdi. “Caroline loved beading so much that she had both her 5th and 6th birthday parties at our shop in September.”

So retailers and their customers continue to be “givers.”

As Scott Schlecht said, “God has blessed us so much, so we should be a blessing to others.”

CIT

{ COLOR PROFILE } brights No more playing it safe! Gloriously vibrant hues are here to enliven your design palettes!

Each NEW color is energetic, confident and friendly. All are rooted in floral to deliver authentic, natural bright colors to your floral, craft, party or DIY projects. Available in the versatile COLORTOOL® Spray line. Change the color of most any item you have to the color you need.

Craft Industry today • Spring 2013

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Do-It-Yourself

by Lindsay Obermeyer

Baby Knit Cap

T

This cute baby’s cap is a great beginner’s project and a wonderful item to donate to your local children’s hospital or domestic abuse shelter. If you devote just eight minutes to it a day, you could knit one in under two weeks! But be warned – knitting is addictive. You won’t be able to stop with just one hat!

Why not create a charity club at your store? Display your customers’ donations to spur on more customer donations.

Step 1 Gather your supplies

1 Ball of Tweed Stripes by Lion Brand Yarn 1 Martha Stewart Crafts Knit and Weave Loom Kit 1 Clover Large Pom-Pom Maker 1 Pair of Scissors 1 Tape Measure

Step 2 Assemble the loom Snap together the two semicircular pieces. Place a small blue peg in 55 of the holes, and one small gray peg in the final hole. The gray peg is your start and stop point for each round. (Note: You may also use an infant-sized knitting loom with pegs set for worsted weight yarn. If you have a bulky loom, carry two strands of Tweed Stripes rather than just one.)

Step 2

Step 3 Cast on

Step 3 20

Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

Create a slipknot with a 6- to 8-inch tail. Place the slipknot over the gray peg and tighten it. Wrap the yarn in a counterclockwise direction around each blue peg starting to the left (clockwise) of the gray one. Continue in this fashion until you are back to the gray peg. Continue wrapping around each peg until you have two wraps per peg. Use the knitting tool to lift the bottom wrap up and over the top wrap and off the peg. Do this until just one wrap/ stitch remains per peg.

Step 4 Knit 9 rounds To knit, you will wrap another round just like you did for the cast-on. Once you have two wraps on each peg, proceed to lift the bottom one up and over the top one. This makes one round of knitting. Continue until you have completed 9 rounds.

Step 5 Work a garter ridge To create a garter ridge, you will work one round of purling, a second round of knitting and the final round of purling. To create a purl stitch, bring your yarn to the front of the peg and below the stitch on it.

Bring your knitting tool through the stitch on the peg to catch the working yarn. Pull the yarn through the stitch and then lift the stitch off of the peg. Place the loop on your knitting tool onto the peg. This makes one purl stitch. Continue with this process for each peg until you have completed a round.

Step 7 Cast off After the final round of knitting, cut the yarn leaving a 16-inch tail.

Thread the tail through the tapestry needle included in the kit. Slide the needle through the stitch from the top of the peg, working in the same direction you knitted (clockwise). Pull the tail through the stitch. Lift the stitch off of the peg. Continue with this procedure until all the stitches are off of the loop and safely on the tail of the yarn. Pull the tail until the top closes up. Weave the tail through several stitches and to the interior of the hat. Weave the tail through a few more stitches and cut away the remainder of the tail. Weave in the tail from the beginning.

Step 7

Step 8 Make pom-pom and attach to hat Make a pom-pom using the pom-pom maker. Use the pom-pom tails to sew the pom-pom to the hat.

CIT

Step 6 Repeat knit and garter ridge rounds Work 6 rounds of knitting followed by one garter ridge twice. After the final garter ridge (you should have a total of three ridges), work 10 rounds of knitting. The hat should measure 7.5 inches from the cast-on edge. Don’t worry about the bottom curling, it will make an attractive and comfortable hat brim.

Lindsay Obermeyer is an artist and writer who shares her joy for crafts through easy-to- follow patterns with creative twists. Her work has been featured in numerous books and magazines, as well as on radio and television programs including a pilot for PBS. Since 2004, her community art endeavor The Red Thread Project has involved thousands of crafters from around the world, and resulted in the donation of more than 7,000 handmade and embellished hats to charity. Lindsay is teaming up with Charity Wings Art Center to bring The Red Thread Project to CHA in winter 2014. To learn more about the project, go to theredthreadproject.com or charitywings.org. Lindsay’s website is lbostudio.com, or you may e-mail her directly at lindsay@lbostudio.com.

Craft Industry today • Spring 2013

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New Products ▼ Faber Castell The Mix & Match Gelatos Misting Kit includes the tools you need to easily create mists in eight NEW Gelatos colors. fabercastell.com

▲ Plus Corporation of America Decoration rollers create fun and colorful patterns simply by rolling the stamp. For backgrounds, borders and more. plus-america.com

▲ Ranger Industries Use Claudine Hellmuth Studio Stencils with her paints, mediums, inks and ink sprays, plus her canvas, craft tags and cardstock surfaces to create fun projects. rangerink.com

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Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

▲ CTF Enterprises The FixNZip patented zipper slider replacement repairs zippers without tools or sewing. fixnzip.com

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We R Memory Keepers

▼ Cameleon Hardware

▼

With Cameleon Hardware, you can create custom hardware quickly and easily. The patented design allows you to change the look in a matter of seconds. Easy enough for children, versatile, economical and made in the USA. cameleonhardware.com

The Envelope Punch Board is the first and only one on the market! Just punch and score for perfect envelopes. No scissors necessary. weronthenet.com

Fiskars Brands The Fuse Creativity System is the only 12-inch system on the market that can die cut and letterpress in one easy pass. www2.fiskars.com

▼ Plaid Enterprises Martha Stewart Crafts Glass Paints are specially formulated and high performance, so they’re permanent, dishwasher safe, and UV/weather resistant. plaidonline.com

▼ Crafty Cat Sticky Micro Stix are reusable, adhesive-tip applicators that securely hold small crafting parts so that you can place them. Perfect for difficult-to-hold items, and for placing materials into hard-to-reach areas. alphaabrasives.com

Craft Industry today • Spring 2013

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New Products ▼ Sticky Sticks LLC Sticky Sticks are tongue depressor-sized craft sticks that feature the most amazing adhesive on one side of one end. They stick permanently to paper, ribbon, felt, foam and wood. stickysticks.net

▲ Plaid Enterprises

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The Plaid FolkArt Handmade Charlotte Stencils designed by Rachel Faucett include functional, family friendly designs that come to life with FolkArt paint. plaidonline.com

Environmental Technology Inc.

New professional grade EnviroTex Jewelry Clay will not shrink when cured.

It adheres to glass, metal and wood. eti-usa.com/envirotexjewelry-clay

▲ Fiskars Brands The AdvantEdge Punch System adds decorative borders to craft projects. Its slide-and-lock technology keeps the paper in one place while you slide the punch cartridge from one lock-in slot to the next.

Every punch is perfectly spaced. www2.fiskars.com

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Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

▼

Beadalon

▲

The Jewel Loom designed by international jewelry artist Julianna C. Hudgins fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. It’s easy to use thanks to its comfortable grip, and gives you ultimate control while bead weaving. beadalon.com

Ranger Industries

Tim Holtz Distress Paints are fluid water-based acrylic for use on multiple surfaces. They react with water, just like Distress Inks and Distress Stains. rangerink.com

▲ Purple Cows Encaustic paint is handmade in the USA using the finest dry pigments and the highest quality, naturally purified beeswax and damar resin with a 1:8 ratio. purplecows.net

▲ Craft Attitude With JEWELRY ATTITUDE, jewelry makers can personalize their metal, leather, beads, charms and accessories with photos and names. By printing right on the inkjet compatible film, photos and words are crisp and clear. craftattitude.com

▲ June Tailor Inc The T-Shirt Transformation Ruler Center lets you mark and cut perfect T-Shirt blocks for quilts, tote bags, pillows and more. Printed grid lines and 45° markings to perfectly align and center t-shirt graphics. junetailor.com

Craft Industry today • Spring 2013

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▲

New Products KOOL TAK

▼

Bond cardstock, fabric, wood, glass, acrylic and more with KOOL TAK Strips.

Each pad has 15 easy-peel double-sided acid-free adhesive strips , each 5-1/4 inches long. Cover with embossing powder or iron between two pieces of ribbon. Four pads per pack in four widths: 1 inch, 3/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch. www.kooltak.com

Katy Sue Designs

▲

Thanks to food-safe colors, crafters can extend their coloring techniques to cakes. These FDA-compliant silicone molds for are perfect for fondant, candy and chocolates. katysuedesigns.com

Zodiacs

▼

Show off your sign in metal with one of ImpressArt’s New Zodiac Design Stamps. Whether it’s for jewelry or crafts these new design stamps will leave a lasting impression in virtually any metal element. Stamps will be available this spring and retail for $8 each. impressart.com

Spellbinders Paper Arts

▲ Krylon Glitter Blast Glitter Spray provides a uniquely intense, sparkling glitter finish with exceptional depth. It makes it easy to achieve an irresistible look on almost any surface. krylon.com

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Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

Spellbinders Imperial Gold die templates bring out the fourth dimension. They cut, emboss, stencil and deboss. Never before have you had the ability to cut and create in multiple layers with a single die template. spellbinderspaperarts.com

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DESIGN MASTER

▼ Global Solutions Simply peel and stick these self-adhesive wax seals to invitations, scrapbooks, cards, soap or wine bottles. globalsolutionsonline.com/self_adhesive

The versatile COLORTOOL Spray line now includes BLUE BRIGHT. This quick-drying paint provides vibrant color for fresh flowers and crafts. dmcolor.com

▼ DMC Corporation More than 60 pages of step-by-step instructions with photos to create trendy jewelry, paper crafts and needlework. The projects educate, encourage and inspire crafters and stitchers alike. dmc-usa.com

continued on page 28

®

TAKE YOUR CRAFT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

www.ImpressArt.com

Craft Industry today • Spring 2013

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Creativity Is Our Business

New Products

▲ John F. Allen Czech out these Preciosa Twin two-hole beads! These versatile beads come in a variety of colors and are ready to use. jfallen.com

The recognized Glue Experts for over 65 years and #1 Teacher Brand™ is now available for licensing in select products true to the core brand equity.

▲ Ellison/Sizzix The Sizzix Big Shot Machine now includes the Extended Multipurpose Platform. It gives users instant compatibility with the entire Sizzix library of embossing tools and chemically etched dies, including Sizzlits Decorative Strip dies. sizzix.com

info@licensingworks.us www.licensingworks.us phone: 805-983-7102

▼ ImpressArt® Metal Stamps ImpressArt’s Design Stamp Packs offer jewelry and mixed media artists collections of metal stamps in themes ranging from weddings and family to sports and shabby chic. impressart.com

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Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

Contact a designer today to schedule a class, arrange for a consultation, improve your social media or solve your design dilemmas.

The X-ACTO® brand name, with a dominant 70% brand awareness and #1 Hobby Knife market share is now available for licensing to a broad array of cutting edge tools and products.

info@licensingworks.us www.licensingworks.us phone: 805-983-7102

Cardmakers! Scrapbookers!

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Expand creativity with original artwork from Penny Pierick. Available on transparencies, and high quality paper. This art is easy and fun to use, and is an inspiring way to add something unique to every project.

Eileen Hull

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susanlouisearts.com Or call Penny at (608) 206-6987

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Designers Reserve your advertising space in the Summer Show Issue by May 10.

Contact Darlene Roberts darlene@fwpi.com Craft Industry today • Spring 2013

29

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Spring 2013

30

Company....................................Pg.

Company....................................Pg.

Company....................................Pg.

Beth Watson Design Studio ..............29

Gail Green Licensing & Design ........29

Licensing Works ..............................28, 29

Blue Ridge Impressions ........................7

Hydrangea Hippo..................................29

Plus Corp of America............................15

Cathy Nolan ............................................28

ImpressArt................................................27

Ranger Industries ..................................14

Clover Needlecraft Inc. ........................21

Innoversa Corp ......................................29

Scene-A-Rama ........................................30

Craft Attitude ............................................2

Jill D. Evans Design ..............................28

Sha & Co....................................................29

Crafty Cat..................................................21

John Bead Corp. ....................................32

Spellbinders ..............................................4

Designer Master Color Tool ..............19

John F. Allen & Son................................19

Susan Louise............................................29

Details of Design ............................28, 29

Katie Hacker ..........................................29

Whimsical Craft Studio ........................28

Eileen Hull Creative Design Studio ..29

KOOL TAK ....................................................7

Ellison/Sizzix ............................................31

LBO Stuido ..............................................29

Spring 2013 • Craft Industry today

We Put the ART in ARTISTS

Sizzix® licensed designers help your customers create many masterpieces to enjoy.

Choose from exclusive offerings from today’s biggest names and hottest styles as well as an exquisite assortment from our talented in-house team. Contact us today and order while supplies last.

©2013 Ellison. All rights reserved.

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