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| Find out more about the latest industry news and product launches in the current issue of Craft Focus. Why not download the magazine in PDF format from www.craftfocus.com? |
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Knit Together
The ever-expanding world of knitting holds many creative and commercial possibilities as we discovered
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Quilting Today
Quilting today is so much more than the dictionary definition of stitching two pieces together
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Adventures in Papercrafting
Louise Fisher investigates the exciting world of papercrafting
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Needlecrafting
Step into the modern world of needlecraft delights, with Becky Williams' run-down of tapestry, embroidery and more
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Club Together
Holding craft clubs or classes in your shop might seem like an optional extra - we look at why it's a must in today's retail world
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In the Name of Art
Louise Fisher gets the lowdown on art supplies from four of the biggest names in art
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 28th November 2011 |
| Win a VIP trip to Craft Hobby + Stitch International |
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Europe's largest trade show for the craft industry, Craft Hobby + Stitch International is fast approaching and will be held from 19-21 February, 2012 at the NEC in Birmingham.
Now in its 37th year, the show draws manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers from the creative art, craft, needlecraft and hobby sectors. The show offers a world-class forum at which to promote, sell, buy and network with industry colleagues from around the globe.
More than 250 creative craft exhibitors from across the globe will be attending the event which will also offer visitors more than 150 hours of free dedicated training, technique and seminar-based sessions. The seminars require no pre-booking, although to participate in the free workshops, pre-booking is required.
The 2012 event will again feature a vibrant catwalk show, which was well received at the 2011 show. This will run throughout all three days, inspiring buyers with stunning creations from exhibitors.
Buyers will also be able to draw inspiration from, and discover new products in the Bright Sparks Pavilion which will be packed with innovative new designs and creations from upcoming designers and creative craft entrepreneurs.
Direct flights from around the world and connections from most major European cities are available into Birmingham International Airport which is adjacent to the exhibition centre, while the unique 'sky-rail' monorail links the NEC to the airport providing a stress-free transit from plane to exhibition. Birmingham NEC is also at the heart of the motorway and rail network.
Two lucky winners from this issue will each receive a one-night bed and breakfast stay for two people on Sunday 19th February, at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel, in a double or twin room. In addition, the winners and their guests will be invited to attend a VIP lunch on Monday 20th February at Craft Hobby + Stitch International.
Just 10 minutes from Birmingham International Airport, the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel is one of the UK's largest conference hotels. Located on the site of the NEC, the hotel has excellent transport links to the city centre. The hotel's three restaurants offer a selection of international cuisines, while a fully equipped Living Well Health Club and heated indoor swimming pool provides extensive leisure facilities. |
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| Gunning for Success |
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With a glue gun - so much is possible. Add colour glue sticks, glitter sticks and more and you're onto a winner! The Dremel Glue Gun 930 is aimed at the hobbyist and creative crafter. Its features include drip-control, a five minute heat-up time, a fixed precision nozzle and silicone nozzle protection tip - as well as having an extendable plastic stand, a stable base and an ergonomic handle.
The clever Glue Gun 930 has a dual temperature facility of 105 and 165 degrees centigrade which allows gluing and decorating across a wide variety of materials from glass, wood, textiles, plastics, paper and cardboard. The Dremel colour glue sticks are an exciting addition to the Hobby range when used to embellish decorative crafts and create 3D relief designs. For example, a beautiful faux wax seal pressed with a rubber or metal stamp adds instant charm to invitations, table place cards, announcements and awards certificates, as well as envelopes, gift wrapping and tags, or even your own wine bottles!
There's also a range of accessories and attachments for the Dremel Glue Gun. Plain glue sticks (7mm and 11mm), wood glue sticks for specialised woodworking applications, glitter sticks to add sparkle to creative designs, solid colour glue sticks for work in 3D and a special glue work pad which protects projects from dirt, is heat resistant and cleans easily - allowing you to remove glue spills from the pad and protect your furniture.
We have 10 Dremel Glue Gun 930s to give away, complete with one pack of every accessory - worth over £50 each! |
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| Crafty holidays |
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Set on the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, The Manor House and Ashbury Hotels are the ideal venue for a craft break. Their unique Craft Centre offers 17 tutored crafts with expert tuition, including pottery, glass engraving, enamelling, personalised hot press printing and woodwork. As well as the arts and crafts, guests are spoilt for choice as there are many other activities to try out, available free of charge to hotel guests. These include tennis courts, bowls rinks, badminton courts, swimming pools with spa facilities, 10-pin bowling, snooker tables, and target ranges featuring archery, air pistols and air rifles. Breaks are full board from £210pp, for four nights midweek.
For more details T: +44 (0)800 197 7552,
www.activityhotelbreaks.co.uk |
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| If it's crafting - we've got it covered! |
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Hi, welcome to this absolutely jam-packed largest-ever edition of Craft Focus! We've packed the pages with a diverse range of crafting features sharing news, views and trends to help you keep abreast of what's happening out there. Take a look at our special reports on knitting, needlecrafts, quilting, art materials, papercrafts and craft clubs - there really is something for everyone.
Knitting has enjoyed an amazing resurgence over the last five years and its popularity continues to grow as the market diversifies as Becky Williams discovered. New products designed especially for beginners are bringing in fresh crafters, while new novelty yarns are bringing exciting creative possibilities to those who are experienced in the craft. Quilting is also enjoying renewed energy as we found out when talking to exhibition organisers, retailers, specialist magazines and tutors.
Until next issue...
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| Wendy Gardiner, Editor |
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| Make sure you email editor@craftfocus.com to keep us up to date with all your news |
| New improved website for Mamelok |
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Following the successful takeover of the Mamelok brand by a new management team, the directors of Mamelok Papercraft Ltd have launched a new company website. Showcasing the historic range of Mamelok die-cut and embossed scrap reliefs, the site also features the company's paper masks, dress-up dolls, friezes, garlands and greetings cards. To celebrate the launch, a number of Mamelok scraps are now also available with silver and gold glitter to bring an extra sparkle to scrapbooks, cards and other projects.
Director Philip Saich said: "We've been fans of Mamelok for years and it's very gratifying now to be able to play a part in the future development of this fantastically quirky brand. 'We have ambitious plans to develop complementary products which we feel will be of interest to Mamelok's customers. We've already created a new wreath garland and a new dress-up doll called Florence, and we've expanded the range of glittered scraps available for purchase." Now located near the university city of Cambridge, Mamelok Papercraft sells to customers throughout the world.
Visit www.mamelok.com to learn more. |
| Needlework in Glasgow |
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World famous for its teaching of traditional embroidery techniques, the Royal School of Needlework (RSN) started up a Scottish-based teaching centre at Make it Glasgow
sewing café in the centre of the thriving Merchant City area this September. They are offering a series of 'taster' days in different embroidery techniques including crewelwork, silk shading, blackwork and goldwork. RSN tutor Helen McCook will be teaching the classes. Helen has a wealth of teaching experience combined with a contagious enthusiasm and passion for embroidery. She explained: "The RSN first set up a Glasgow branch in 1879 so we're thrilled to be back running courses in Scotland some 132 years later. The Make it Glasgow sewing café provides the perfect venue and we look forward to welcoming lots of craft enthusiasts to our classes in this historical and cultural heart of Glasgow." All classes are suitable for beginners and no embroidery experience is necessary and cost £65 each.
Further details available:
T: +44(0)20 3166 6937,
E: gill.holdsworth@royal-needlework.org.uk
W: www.royal-needlework.org.uk/courses |
| Craft council and WI craft clubs |
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Through additional Arts Council funding and a generous donation from the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI), the Craft Club scheme now has 350 active clubs in primary schools across the UK teaching children craft skills with the help of local volunteers . The aim is to build on this success, with volunteers passing on their skills to parents and children in a fun and lively environment. "It will strengthen bonds between local communities and between family members by enabling them to learn new skills together," explained the Crafts Council.
Eleven volunteer training events are taking place across the UK this autumn including events in Cardiff, Margate, London, South Shields, Sheffield and Walsall as well as two sessions a day at the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace from 6th-9th October. From these sessions approximately 300 new volunteers will know how to effectively and confidently pass on their knowledge and skills to others. These training host venues will then be supported to set up a regular Craft Club using the trained volunteers. They will also be supported by the online resource www.craftclub.org.uk that provides practical tips, project ideas and an online forum connecting people who are passionate about craft and learning new skills.
People who are interested in attending one of these training events can book online www.craftclub.org.uk/crafty_volunteers. If you are unable to book online please ring the Crafts Council on +44 (0)20 7806 2500. |
| Flying high |
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Butterfly Garden papercraft sheets are perfect to brighten up those dull winter days and are ideal for retailers looking to stock some bright fresh designs ready for spring. "As with all China Butterfly designs these sheets are printed in the UK on high quality paper (150gsm) and card (250gsm)" said Sarah for China Butterfly. The decoupage, topper and sentiment sheets are all bagged individually, the backing papers are bagged in pairs and each pack has an RRP of just £1, also available is the complete collection containing all five Butterfly Garden sheets with an RRP of just £3.50.
For more information contact China Butterfly on T: +44 (0)1704 831708 or email info@chinabutterfly.co.uk. |
| Promotions working |
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Since launching AEG sewing machines, distributors Adjustoform Sewing Limited have been very pro-active with several promotions to help bring the brand, which is new to the UK, to the attention of consumers. It joined with Coats Crafts UK to offer two reels of high quality Duet sewing threads with every machine purchased and has run competitions in several sewing magazines with prizes offered to consumers who can answer a few simple questions about AEG sewing machines. AEG Sewing Machines come from a background of thoroughbred products from a company that began life as light bulb manufacturer way back in 1887. The collection includes sewing machines, overlockers and steam presses. The sewing machine collection starts with entry level mechanical machines for beginners or sewers who simply want a basic machine (RRP approximately £161) through to computerised and versatile machines with 191 stitch programmes and loads of features and accessories (RRP approximately £349.99).
For further information contact Chris Darwent or Keeley Glynn on T: +44 (0)1233 642865,
E: AEGsewingmachines@btconnect.com. |
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| Take a look at our regularly updated Find a Supplier feature on our website where you find profiles, photographs and contact information from all our current magazine advertisers. |
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| For all craft retailers... |
| Adventures in papercrafting |
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Surge in 3D
Faye Channon at Craftstyle Products has seen a definite surge in the interest in 3D items in papercrafting. "3D is so popular in card making whether it be decoupage or matting and layering, we have decided to take it to the next level by creating 3D Christmas trees. Customers can use their imagination to decorate the tree, write their message on it and then send it to their family and friends. The results will certainly look different compared to plain cards on the mantelpiece!" The tree works by slotting two halves together to create a tree that stands on its own as a card or decoration.
To find out more contact Craftstyle Products,
T: +44 (0) 1924 411564,
E: info@craftstyleproducts.co.uk
W: www.craftstyleproducts.co.uk. |
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