Feb 1, 2018

Seattle Gift Show brings new Artisan Alley, expanded handcrafted resources to Pacific Northwest Retailers

Adding to the show’s spotlight on new, handcrafted resources, first-time Artisan Alley exhibitor Studiostone Creative won the best new product award. Reviewing elements from packaging to its mission to unite the company values – art, nature and education — attendees, show management and other industry member voters singled Studiostone Creative out for its “make your own” stone-carving kits that focus on the art-making experience and the benefits of the creative process.

“The Seattle Gift Show has been an incredible learning experience for us,” said Oliver Hardwood, Studiostone Creative, Vancouver, Canada.  “From the pre-show wholesaling seminar to the chance to meet retailers and other artisans, it’s been terrific.”

“Our retail base told us they wanted access to more unique, handcrafted designs and new resources, and we worked hard to deliver just that in January,” says Shashin Patel, Show Director, Seattle Gift Show. “The feedback from our retail customers has been strong and we’re already working on plans to offer even more of these artisan designs and Northwest specialties for our summer edition.”

Making its debut during the show, the new Artisan Alley tabletop showcases gave artisans a way to be part of a cost-effective, curated experience with like-minded creative talents and companies neighboring the show’s popular Makers’ Market handcrafted section and the Urban Craft Uprising Pavilion.

To help these emerging artists prepare for their show experience, the Seattle Gift Show partnered with  Craft Retailers Association For Tomorrow (CRAFT) to host a full-day educational session, “How To Wholesale” on Friday, January 19, the day before the show opened. Led by CRAFT Executive Director Diane Sulg, the comprehensive curriculum covered everything from market preparedness, to product pricing, booth know-how, and most importantly, getting the sale.

In addition to the expanded handcrafted offerings, the winter Seattle Gift Show was also a magnet for Alaska retailers seeking the newest souvenir and resort apparel, novelty products and other designs from exhibitors in the Northwest Directions section on the show floor.

“We’ve been coming to the Seattle Gift Show for 25 years to order our hard goods,” explains Ford Reeves, Northern Lights Theatre & Gift, Denali National Park, AK.  “This show is indispensable to our reorders.”

“I’ve been very impressed with the new resources and the show floor looks better than it has in years,” added Jean Stack, Tongass Trading Co, Inc, Ketchikan, AK.

Further strengthening the versatile selection, the Seattle Gift Show partnered once again with the Seattle Mart permanent showrooms to co-host Seattle Market Week, inviting buyers to enjoy complimentary shuttle service between both venues and a unified admission badge. In addition, the Seattle Gift Show also forged a new alliance with NW Trend, the womenswear apparel show at Pier 91, to co-host “Market Monday” on January 23. As part of the new promotion, complimentary shuttle service was provided between venues and buyers who attended each had the chance to win a $100 American Express Gift Card.

The next edition of the Seattle Gift Show is scheduled for August 17-20, 2018 at the Washington State Convention Center. For more information, visit www.seattlegiftshow.com.