May 21, 2010

Handmade Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Growth & Development

White Plains, NY — The addition of more than 35 companies in two new product sections, brand new exhibit space, and the launch of a major industry partnership will set a tone of progress during the 25th anniversary edition of Handmade® at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), August 14-18, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The extensive, juried division of cross-category handcrafted items has been reorganized into two distinct collections, Handmade® Designer Maker – which debuts in the new Javits Center North – and Handmade® Global Design – which debuts in the Javits Center’s 1D Hall. In connection with the division’s 25th anniversary, NYIGF also has broadened it partnership with CRAFT (Craft Retailers and Artists for Tomorrow) to include sponsorship of American Craft Week and production of at-market events.

“This anniversary edition will be buzzing with new resources, new product sections, new space at Javits and new events through our partnerships with CRAFT and MAD,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “These exciting developments are indicative of the growth of Handmade and the craft community at large.”

With the addition of some 35 new exhibiting companies selected from 160 applicants, Handmade is now sold out. Applications to the summer 2010 edition of Handmade, which far exceeded the last several years, represented a resurgence of glass and ceramics, as well as continued emphasis on recycled and eco friendly products.

Handmade Designer Maker will debut in the new Javits Center North, a column-free 40,000 net square foot exhibit space at the North end of the Javits Center accessible both from the Street and from the North Concourse Lobby of the Center. It will showcase 360 limited-production makers across all categories and media from around the world, including first-time participants: Daniel Bellow (porcelain); Gartner Blade (glass); Rachel Holian (ceramics); Red Rover Clothing Co. (textiles); Rickard Studio Inc. (home décor, wall art); Sarah Weiss Design (jewelry); Serena KH Park (jewelry); The Branch (textiles); Vitrix Hot Glass Studio (glass); Wendy Stevens (handbags); and Yoko Izawa (jewelry). In addition, six notable designer makers will return to NYIGF following an absence from the market: Nelles Studio (bronze sculpture), Pizzichillo–Gordon (handblown glass); Santa Fe Stoneworks (knives); Saturn Press (letterpress stationery); Sydney Cash (jewelry); and Ugone & Thomas Company (lighting).

Within the Javits Center’s Hall 1D, Handmade Global Design will present a selection of 200 international craft resources with a focus on strong design, traditional techniques and quality workmanship. Eight newcomers will be featured: Artisan Emporia (handbags and accessories); Artists of Africa (ceramics and tabletop); Asociación Guatemalteca de Exportadores/Agexport (home accessories and gifts); Encanto Jewels (jewelry); Global Exchange (jewelry, baskets, gifts); Global Mamas (recycled bags and home accessories); and Peace by Piece (ceramics, gifts, ornaments). In addition, ProPueblo (wood, ceramics, baskets) and Beyond Borders / It’s Cactus (Mexican folk art) will return to NYIGF this August after a hiatus.

Additional developments within Handmade include a new partnership between NYIGF and CRAFT (Craft Retailers and Artists for Tomorrow) in connection with American Craft Week 2010, a nationwide celebration of American craft. As part of this partnership, CRAFT will exhibit at the summer 2010 market, and will host two special events – “American Craft Week Tutorial and Networking Lunch,” on Saturday, August 14, and “CRAFT Table Topics – Lunch & Learn!” educational round-table sessions, on Sunday, August 15. Information and registration for these events is available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

The summer edition of Handmade takes place Saturday, August 14, through Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. For 25 years, Handmade has offered buyers an extensive selection of handcrafted items across such categories as tabletop, ceramics, textiles, home décor, jewelry and apparel. The division features 560 artisans from 37 American states and 13 countries worldwide.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800 exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.