British Craft Trade Fair
 
DECEMBER 2018
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Dear Buyer,
 
Welcome to our December newsletter,
 
In just a little over a weeks' time after eating our way through mounds of chocolate, nuts and turkey we will be thinking about the New Year and what it holds for us with Brexit on the horizon.
 
Business as usual I think will be the name of the game as the alternative is to do nothing and let's face it we Brits are made of tougher stuff!
 
There are plenty of reports in the press about large multiple retailers struggling on the high street, but many independents are still reporting good sales in the run up to Christmas as consumers increasingly seek products with strong provenance and sustainable credentials, especially those which are Made in Britain. Changes in the political environment mean that the desire for authentic British products has never been stronger.
 
Here at BCTF are plans are moving along nicely and plenty of great designers will be at our 2019 fair to tempt you with their fantastic collections.
 
If you are wanting to purchase stock prior to April then please access our online catalogue where hundreds of designers are listed and ready to supply trade orders, the link is located in the left side bar.
 
That leaves us here at BCTF to wish you all a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year.
 
See below our 4 featured artists.
 
Best wishes
Margeret

 
Lou Stafford
 
Lou used to think her first love was textile art but then, after she stumbled upon a way of blending thread, she began applying this method to further watercolour techniques. Since then art has completely taken over her life - photographing and sketching in the Shropshire countryside while out walking her dogs, or back at home in her studio experimenting with new ideas.

Lou's fascination for vibrant, bold colour and texture is used in her countryside watercolours. Having recently started working in acrylics she now creates in both mediums, producing originals, giclee prints and greetings cards. Lou exhibits and sells her work in galleries across the UK and via her website.
To see more of Lou's work, visit her on stand N26 at BCTF 2019, or visit her BCTF Online page.

 
Leena Charles Knitwear
 
Leena designs and makes knitwear using soft merino wool yarns sourced from a mill in Scotland. The felting techniques she uses create soft textures and warmth without the added weight. Her patterns are contemporary or influenced by her Scandinavian heritage. Colour combinations are bold and bright or muted and warm.
 
The collection she will be exhibiting consists of scarves, hats, gloves, ponchos and cardigans, she would describe the collection as stylish, unique yet easy to wear and a great compliment to any look. 

Leena has also designed a range of merino wool cushions with geometric patterns for modern interiors which she will also be bringing to Harrogate.
To see more of Leena's work, visit her on stand P20 at BCTF 2019, or visit her BCTF Online page.

 
Gin Durham
 
The inspiration for Gin Durham's Ceramic work stems from traditions of storytelling and a life-long fascination with the representation of animals in culture. She draws on an imagination which has been shaped by treasured tales and imagery, translated into sculptures.

Clay is such an expressive material, lending itself to exploring emotional connections with many narratives. Gin sculpts in clay to represent fluid forms based on anatomically correct studies, though creativity enhances and exaggerates detail in the work.

The pieces are sculpted in stoneware, often incorporating textile impressed elements and finished with oxides and underglazes, transparent gloss glaze and precious metal lustres.
To see more of Gi n's work, visit her on stand 52 at BCTF 2019, or visit her BCTF Online page.

 
Lumos
 
Frank Chapman completed a 4-year engineering apprenticeship and remained with his employer until redundancy became inevitable. He developed practical problem-solving skills, and this helps him to match items that were never designed to meet. 

He is passionate about recycling well-designed products that have been superseded by technology and progress. Frank loves to push design boundaries using whatever he can lay his hands on. 

Most of his products are one-off unique pieces and he is constantly thinking up new designs. 

A City and Guilds PAT testing course was completed, enabling him to safety test all his products.
To see more of Frank's work, visit him on stand N72 at BCTF 2019, or visit his BCTF Online page.