May 4, 2012

NYIGF Spotlights Craft With Influx of New Handmade Exhibitors

An influx of newly-accepted craft artisans and global suppliers of artisanal products will join the 475 exhibitors in the Handmade® division at the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). Other Handmade highlights include relocation of Handmade Global Design; introduction of a new Fair Trade “neighborhood”; presentation of eight educational sessions hosted by CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artisans For Tomorrow); and naming of the second annual Carol Sedestrom Ross scholarship recipient.

“As the interest in artisanal craft grows, we’re making it easier for buyers to source and shop for handmade products,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “We’re also pleased to continue our partnership with CRAFT to bring business-building education for craft retailers to NYIGF.”

NYIGF’s Handmade division is categorized by process and provenance into two distinct sections – Handmade Global Design and Handmade Designer Maker. This summer, Handmade Global Design relocates to its new home in the Javits Center’s Level 4 Galleria and welcomes 10 new exhibitors to its ranks of 135 resources with a focus on good design, traditional craftsmanship, and community building.

First-time Handmade Global Design exhibitors include: Bedouin Weaving: (hand woven carpets and cushion covers); EcoLoving: (hats, scarves and jewelry); Green Jute: (handbags, tote bags, wraps and skirts); Malia Designs: (handbags and accessories); The Egyptian Heritage Co: (men’s and women’s scarves); The Mayan Store: (pillows and cushions); Shupaca (alpaca clothing and accessories); and The Red Sari: (hand felted scarves).

Additionally, Handmade Global Design will introduce a new “neighborhood” featuring nearly 20 exhibitors who are members of the Fair Trade Federation. These companies and their products have passed rigorous Fair Trade Federation vetting to ensure that they support artisans in developing countries who are trying to make better lives for themselves and their families through their craft.

Participants in this new Fair Trade “neighborhood” are: Acacia Creations; Aid through Trade; Belart; Bridge for Africa; Cheppu Himal; DZI; Global Goods Partners; Global Mamas; Handmade Expressions; Jamtown World Music; Lucuma Designs; Mandos de Madres; One World Projects; Seastea; Sevya; Sustainable Threads; Tokoloshe; and WorldFinds. Several other Fair Trade Federation members also exhibit in Handmade Global Design, as well as other NYIGF divisions.

Handmade Designer Maker will showcase 350 limited-production makers across all categories and media resources from around the world. From more than 145 applicants, the division will welcome approximately 30 artisans to their first NYIGF: Anna Ruth Henriques (Ise Jewelry LLC) (jewelry); Ashka Dymel Jewelry (jewelry); C&H Glassworks (decorative & functional glass); Catherine Grisez Jewelry (jewelry); Cedar Mountain (wall hangings); dahlia kanner studio (jewelry); Forgotten Judaica (Judaica product); frazier & wing (paper mobiles); garbella (apparel & clocks); Heather Palmer Glass (decorative & functional glass); Julie Dye Craft (paper, home & accessory product); Justin Rothshank (decorative & functional glass); Kolman Artisan Glass (framed glass wall hangings); Little Delaware Pottery (functional pottery); miss millie (handbags); MONIKA KNUTSSON LLC JEWELRY (jewelry); Nell & Mary (pillows); Patch Design Studio (pillows, towels and baby product s); Pozie Poems (poetry/inspirational hanging signs); Sarah Swell Jewelry (jewelry); SCHOOLYARD (towels, stationery, baby clothes, sleepware); Serenity Ceramics (decorative & functional ceramics); SOMERS JEWELRY (jewelry); Stiles & Stubborn (tabletop, art prints & jewelry); Susan Riedweg Designs (handbags); Tigerlillyshop (jewelry); To Boldly Fold (journals & paper goods); Two Tone Studios LLC (decorative & functional glass); and Ullsmycken (felted scarves).

In recognition of creativity, craftsmanship and unique artisanry, one emerging artisan – Melissa Chao of To Boldly Fold – will receive the second annual Carol Sedestrom Ross “Maker-to-Market” scholarship awarded by NYIGF. The award – honoring the memory of Ross, a pivotal figure in both the American Craft movement and in GLM’s development of wholesale craft markets – will be presented annually to the most promising newcomer to NYIGF’s Handmade® division. Chao, based in Watertown, MA, makes leather bound journals.

Beyond exhibits, NYIGF will offer retailers numerous craft-focused educational seminars on timely business topics. Through continued partnership with CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artists For Tomorrow), six “Power Hour” sessions will be presented at NYIGF. Subjects will include website essentials, Facebook and email marketing, mobile marketing, publicity and “StorySelling.” On Saturday, August 18, CRAFT also will offer two seminars in cooperation with Constant Contact, addressing digital marketing for events and social media marketing. Details and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

GLM will extend the artisanal resources presented in connection with NYIGF, with the launch of Artisan Resource™, a new semi-annual show offering U.S.-based volume import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers. Artisan Resource runs August 19-21, 2012, at the Passenger Ship Terminal’s Pier 92. Information and registration is available online at www.artisanresourceny.com.

For more than 25 years, Handmade has offered buyers an extensive selection of handcrafted items across such categories as tabletop, ceramics, textiles, home décor, jewelry and apparel. 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.

Handmade, one of ten NYIGF divisions, runs Saturday, August 18, through Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.