Jun 6, 2014

NY NOW Handmade Collection Accepts 39 New Exhibitors

A comprehensive, multi-media group of new artisans has been accepted into the juried HANDMADE Collection for the summer 2014 edition of NY NOW™, the Market for Home + Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®). A total of 39 new exhibitors will make their NY NOW debut – as part of nearly 500 exhibitors featured in the HANDMADE Collection’s Designer Maker and Global Design sections – August 16-19, 2014, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Additional related highlights during the summer market include the launch of NY NOW’s new “Maker Project,” which promotes artisans and their handcrafts, a five part seminar series hosted by CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artisans For Tomorrow), and the return of Artisan Resource™, a concurrent tradeshow for volume import handmade resources.

“These newcomers to HANDMADE all reflect the best in innovative, creative design and technique,” said Michelle Karol, HANDMADE sales manager. “They also showcase an impressively diverse array of materials and home and lifestyle products.”

Located in Javits Center North, Designer Maker will showcase 350 limited-production makers across all categories and media resources from 37 states and nine countries. In addition to these handmade in America resources, artisan groups from France, Germany and the United Kingdom will bring some 40 additional individual designer makers to the summer market. A showcase space for HANDMADE’s “Emerging Makers” will spotlight new designers in business for a year or less, as well as artisans who are entering the wholesale marketplace for the first time.

A range of media are represented among the 32 newly-accepted Designer Maker exhibitors,including ceramics (Clementine Porcelain, New York Stoneware, Workaday Handmade); glass (Artech Studios, Kiku Handmade, Solinglass); paper (Margins); metal (Madacsi Studios); and textiles (clothe my soul, Katherine Rally Textiles, stitch and tickle). Jewelry makers include Cinderella Garbage, inSync Design and With Roots.

Seven companies have been accepted into Global Design, which presents a collection of 150 exhibitors from around the world with a focus on traditional craftsmanship, design, and community building through fair trade practices. First-time Global Design exhibitors include: Alegria Home (home textiles made in Mexico); BeadforLife (jewelry made in Uganda); Calyz Textiles (home furnishings made in India); Christa Louise LLC (scarves handmade in Mexico); dot2knot (home textiles and apparel made in Pakistan); Ecuador Trade Office (handcrafts from Ecuador); and Manos Zapotecas (rugs, pillows, bags made in Mexico).

In line with the nation’s growing Maker Movement, NY NOW also will launch a new “Maker Project” at the summer market. This initiative includes showcases of individual makers and their products and a four-part seminar program addressing the movement’s evolution, impact and opportunities. As an added benefit, through collaboration with New York City’s MAD (Museum of Arts and Design), NY NOW will extend its Maker focus beyond the walls of the Javits Center to provide exclusive free access to a special “NYC Makers: The MAD Biennal”exhibit and a 20% discount on full priced items at The Store at MAD during Market Week.

Additional market highlights include the return of the CRAFT (Craft Retailers’ Association for Tomorrow) Power Hour seminars on topics covering social media, content marketing, and e-commerce. Programming details and registration is available online atwww.nynow.com/programs.

NY NOW’s “Made in the USA” program also will return, incorporating a curated “Made in USA” display showcasing products – both handmade and commercially-produced – in the United States. Additionally, US-based exhibitors in Designer Maker, as well as American makers of handcrafted items through NY NOW, will display a custom “Handmade in the USA” logo within their exhibit spaces.

Running concurrently with NY NOW is Artisan Resource, a tradeshow offering U.S.-based volume import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers. Some 120 exhibitors, from nearly 30 countries worldwide, are expected to participate in the fifth semi-annual edition of Artisan Resource, which runs August 16-19, at Pier 94. Information and registration is available online at www.artisanresourceny.com.

The summer 2014 edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home + Lifestyle, will run Saturday, August 16, through Wednesday, August 20, 2014, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94. NY NOW’s four comprehensive collections – HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW! – will encompass 100,000 products in 400+ product categories. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online atwww.nynow.com.