Fresh Use of Traditional Materials Expected at Handmade®
White Plains, NY – Some 20 artisans newly juried into Handmade® at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) will showcase innovative uses of traditional materials – particularly wood, glass, and ceramics – at the winter 2011 edition. NYIGF’s Handmade division features a total of 500 exhibitors – with artists categorized by process and provenance into either Handmade Designer Makeror Handmade Global Design.
“Traditional media are making a comeback, and Handmade’s newest participants will be presenting some innovative new takes on the world’s oldest materials,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “In addition to these newcomers, Handmade will welcome back a number of leading crafts resources following an absence from the New York market.”
As the economy improves, artists are creating some fresh new interpretations on the use of glass, wood, and ceramic – traditional materials which can be expensive to procure and ship. For example, Canada’s Stinson Studios produces hand-carved, functional vessels from burls, the rounded outgrowths on tree trunks; and Ohio glass artist Jess Wainer has developed a new “graffito” technique which allows her to carve free-hand line drawings into her blown glass vessels using a photosensitive material.
Handmade Designer Maker, located in Javits Center North, will showcase 360 limited-production makers across all categories and media resources from around the world. The division will welcome the following companies back to NYIGF: Carruth Studio (outdoor / garden accessories); Dust Furniture; Exotic Sands (home décor); Frittelli & Lockwood Textiles; Greentree Furniture & Accessories; Jeung-Hwa Park Textiles; Koochi Ku (kids’ outerwear); R. Wood Studio Ceramics; and Solos Glass.
At the same time, Handmade Designer Maker also will showcase nearly 20 newcomers: Art of Fire (glass); A.W. Scopes (wooden kaleidoscopes); Cooper, Steven, Metalsmith (jewelry, judaica, garden); David Royce Glass; Dewdrop Inc. (leather accessories); Dolan Geiman Inc. (wall décor); eco-kids (children’s art supplies); Jan Hinchliffe McCutcheon (jewelry); Jess Wainer (glass); Kimberley Selwood (jewelry); LaMaide Designs Inc. (textiles); Maya Selway (precious metal vessels and jewelry); Merrily Made (jewelry); Sticks® (furniture & accessories); Stinson Studios Inc. (wooden tabletop / home décor); Tania Clarke Hall Jewellery; The Black Rabbit (jewelry); and Thomas Mann Design (jewelry). Handmade Global Design, a selection of 140 import resources with a focus on good design, traditional craftsmanship, and community building, will welcome several newcomers to the division: Eangee Home Design, Inc (lighting); Indego Africa (baskets & textiles); Stefans Jewelry Inc.; and Tabask (accessories), as well as several companies returning after an absence from the market: BULGAR USA (pottery & textiles); Culture Shock (jewelry & gifts); Kwytza Chopstick Art (home accessories); and Zardozi-Markets for Afghan Artisans (textiles & accessories).
In addition, three international groups – ProMexico, AMCHAM (American Chamber of Commerce of Peru), and the Egyptian Exporters Association-Expolink will bring exporters, manufacturers, and artisans from their respective countries to Handmade Global Design. The British Craft Council and Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH, Messe Stuttgart also will bring individual artisans from the United Kingdom and Germany to Handmade Designer Maker.
In addition to the introduction of new craft resources at the winter market, NYIGF will continue its partnership with CRAFT (Craft Retailers and Artists for Tomorrow) to produce two special events – “American Craft Week Tutorials” on Saturday, January 29, and “CRAFT Power Hour” educational round-table sessions, on Sunday, January 30, and Monday, January 31. The series of eight “Power Hour” sessions will be lead by veteran craft retailers and artists who will share their tips for business success. The topics will cover social media, website enhancement, public relations strategies, and incorporating new product categories. Information and registration for these events is available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.
New York’s Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) once again will have a presence at the NYIGF, with The MAD Pop-Up shop creating a “cash and carry” retail location on the Javits Center’s North Concourse. The product selection will focus on The Store at MAD’s exclusive craft and design products, and as part of this partnership all buyers and exhibitors will receive free admission to MAD during market week.
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 500 artisans from 37 American states and 13 countries worldwide. The winter edition of Handmade takes place NYIGF runs Saturday, January 29, through Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
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.
