On February 16-18, 2014 was held the largest 39 th exhibition “Craft Hobby+Stitch International Spring”. The show was buzzing throughout as more than 250 exhibitors from across the world connected with thousands
of retailers at the three-day event. “Fashion Magazine – Fashion Handmade” Editorial Board took part in the exhibition. Our Editorial Board was happy to present our magazine and our show on the largest International event of hobby and creative work. Companies, distributors and manufacturers of products for hobby and creative work presented the best and the new. Each stand was excellent decorated and visitors can see, touch and test the presented products.
ICHF Events Ltd, Show Organiser Andrew Morton said: “The response to the show has been overwhelmingly positive both from exhibitors and retailers. Our latest addition, the Cake Pro area, dedicated to cake decorating and sugarcraft supplies, made its debut at this show and was very well received, not least because of the growing public interest in baking and cake decorating.”
“Craft Hobby + Stitch International continues to attract retailers serious about developing their businesses with new lines and the latest craft trends. We’re responding to this continuing enthusiasm and energy from across the industry by launching an autumn show this year which will make its debut in London at ExCel in September. This new two-day show, on 21st and 22nd of September, leads into the busiest time of the year for winter and spring sales and exhibition space is already selling well. With two shows a year, we are offering a round-the-calendar opportunity for both for suppliers and retailers to connect.”
The brand new Cake Pro area attracted lots of attention and was welcomed by visitors and exhibitors alike. Dawn Butler of Dinkydoodle Designs said: "This show has opened our eyes to the huge overlap between cake decorating and the crafting world. Visitors have been particularly interested in the airbrushing products which are edible and usually used on cakes but they have been keen to use them on buttons, fabric and stamps! We have seen a mixture of visitors from large retailers to independent retailers who have seen that they can put craft and cake together. The Cake Pro area fits well within the show and has given us ideas of other products we could create to interest the crafting audience."
Exhibitors across the board, both long-standing and new, reported an excellent show. Alan Collins, Owner of Stampbox said: "This is our 10th year at the show and Sunday was busier than ever. We have had a lot of interest in our demonstration area where Anna Dabrowska has been demonstrating mixed media and showing people that it really is much easier than it looks. We have had a good mixture of visitors from Europe, particularly Sweden, Spain and France and have met new customers. There has been a lot of interest in our new colour bloom sprays as this is the first time they have been seen outside the USA."
The show was packed with new products from a wide range of exhibitors who used the show as a platform to launch new products and ranges. As well as being able to talk to the thousands of visitors present, exhibitors also had the opportunity to showcase their products to the many press in attendance.
Kayleigh Dodd, Marketing Team Leader at Sizzix said: "The show has been a great success. We launched our new paper brand, Craft Asylum, with papers, embellishments and stamps. We have had great feedback on the look of the stand and our on-stand quilting demonstrations have been very busy. Our patchwork workshops have been full every day."
Michael Armstrong MD of RICO Design Ltd. said: “We’ve had an excellent show with good orders. We’ve also had some good quality leads which is very important. Made by Me Patisserie is our new edible and non-edible range of cake decorating products which we’ve just launched here at the show. Products will be in store in May.”
Farah Farmah, Marketing Manager at DMC said: “The show went very well for us. We had a brand new stand which we feel has made a great impact. We’ve showcased our brand new spring/summer collection, new crochet collection and cross stitch collection. The show has resulted in some very good new leads and some good orders too and we’re looking forward to the new autumn show in September.”
Once again there was a strong international element, attracting exhibitors and visitors from across the globe. This international trend is expected to be replicated at the autumn show in London.
Morten Fredsbo, Sales Manager at Denmark-based Stof A/S said: "We have exhibited here seven times before and it is always a good show. Sunday was very busy for us with our target audience of independent retailers. We have had lots of interest in our new Christmas products."
Tracey Dutton, Owner of UK-based Lavinia Stamps benefitted from the high number of international visitors at the show: "This is our first trade show and it has been very good. We have taken a lot of orders today, probably more international orders than from the UK. Our fairies theme has been very well received and we will definitely come back next year."
Andrea Heaton, Director at EBOR Fabrics Ltd. said: "We have exhibited at CHSI since it started and have been very pleased with the show this year. We have met lots of buyers from Europe and particularly Eire looking to find more diverse products for their shops. This year, perhaps due to a better economic outlook, buyers have been more positive and confident. We have lots of new ranges and lines, which is always important for the quilting market as buyers want interesting new ranges to inspire their customers.”
The show’s 2014 Catwalk was devised by professional contemporary dance choreographer and tutor Chris Worrell, with Silk Model Management’s Coral Bell. The dynamic display showcased products and designs from a host of exhibitors including Coats Crafts UK, Simplicity, Makower Fashion Fabrics and Westfalenstoffe.
Education and skill development remains an important theme of the show. More than 150 hours of educational seminars, workshops and demonstrations for visitors were available. The seminar programme covered a diverse range of topics, from window dressing to website optimisation, while retailers could also get hands-on with an inspiring programme of workshops.
The show welcomed thousands of retailers through its doors each day. Lyn Symonds from Creative Crafts said: “I had a great time at the show, I always enjoy it but this year there seemed to be an additional level of excitement and optimism. My main aim is to get a feel of the trends and see if they will be a fit in the shop. It is wonderful to see new products from existing and new suppliers and the demos are so exciting and useful too, allowing us to see and sometimes even have a go with products which we can show to other members of staff and, of course, customers.”
The Bright Sparks Pavilion was packed with upcoming designers and businesses with innovative products for retailers to discover, Tina Francis of Tina Francis Tapestry said: "I have had a really good show. I met mostly independent traders with two or three shops in different locations which is a great way of getting my work known across the UK, not just in the South where I am based. My products have been really well received, my designs are different to traditional tapestry designs and visitors seem to really like them.”
Kerry Lord, Director at Toft: Luxury British Knitting said: "This is our first ever trade show and we have had a phenomenal response which has exceeded our expectations. We have met a mixture of buyers from department stores to independent retailers and buyers from museum shops and bookshops. We have launched our Elephant beginner crochet kit here and it has been the focus of attention for visitors to the stand."
James Dannell, Director at Needcraft, another Bright Sparks exhibitor said: "This has been our first trade show and it has been fantastic. We have met lots of independent retailers who are our target market. It has been great to show visitors what we do and the quality of our products, everyone has been really friendly and professional. Bright Sparks has a real buzz about it and a great position in the centre of the show - it has been good to meet other like-minded exhibitors in this area too."
Preparations are well under way for CHSI Autumn. The new show, on the 21st and 22nd September at ExCeL, London, will be packed with the latest trends and launches from exhibitors as well as offering an extensive programme of workshops, seminars and educational features. The CHSI Business Advice Centre will offer key business help and advice.
ExCeL Londonhas been selected to offer excellent international links, being close to London City Airport. The venue is also easily accessible via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and major motorway networks.
www.excel-london.co.uk / www.londoncityairport.com
Craft Hobby + Stitch is Europe’s No 1 trade show for the art, craft, needlecraft, fabric and hobby industry. Craft Hobby + Stitch Autumn takes place on 21st and 22nd September at ExCel, London. For further information on exhibiting or visiting email info@ichf.co.uk.
Our Editorial Board wants to note the excellent organization of the exhibition, business atmosphere and creative attitude.
Many thanks to Andrew Morton!
