Date: January 5, 2009
Vol. XII, No. 1

Printer Version

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COMMENTARY: CLOSURES = OPPORTUNITY 

Retailers will close 12,000 stores in 2009, retail consultant Howard Davidowitz told Bloomberg.com. The article also quoted Burt Flickinger, managing director of the retail consulting firm Strategic Resource Group: "You’ll see department stores, specialty stores, discount stores, grocery stores, drugstores, major chains – either multi-regionally or nationally – go out. There are a number that are real causes for concern."

The Associated Press reported store closures and cutbacks will have ominous consequences for vendors, too: "Other retailers are saying they will trim inventory and reduce the number of suppliers. That, in turn, will cause a ripple effect, prompting a number of weaker manufacturers, small brands, and underfunded fashion labels to fail. New retail formats and concepts stores are likely to be curtailed in the coming year.

There can be a silver lining in this gloomy scenario: 1. Retailers with the courage to expand or renew their leases will discover real estate companies will slash rents to avoid empty storefronts. The National Assn. of Retailers predicts the retail vacancy rate will hit 12.7% by the third quarter. 2. Retailers and vendors alike who can manage to survive these perilous times should emerge from the recession with fewer competitors.

NEW COLUMN: Kizer & Bender. The industry's top experts on retailing launch their new column with savvy strategies to get the most out of trade shows. (And they're conducting two seminars on Mon., Jan. 26 at the CHA Winter Show.)

"Vinny Da Vendor". A listing of CHA special events and seminars for manufacturers.

"Benny Da Buyer". A listing of CHA special events and seminars for retailers.

Designing Perspectives. CHA show special events and seminars for designers.

Kate's Collage. A British researcher is studying the effects of crafting on health – physical health, as well as emotional satisfaction/well being. Imagine if doctors prescribed crafting to their patients? Her CHA seminar, The Health Benefits of Crafting: An Important Message for Your Customers! (S111), is Sun. Jan. 25.

For info on the seminars referred to in the columns above, visit www.chashow.org.

Memory, Paper & Stamps. Advice for consumers on preserving newspaper clippings, photos printed from a computer, journaling, and even sonograms and ultasounds.

Industry Research. Info on the PMA 2008 U.S. Consumer Scrapbook Report. (See highlights below.)

(Note: If a column appears to be old, click the Reload or Refresh button on your browser.)

Whether you're exhibiting or attending TNNA, CHA, or both, what are your thoughts? Great shows? Mediocre? About the same as previous shows? To vote, click on Industry Polls in the right-hand column or click HERE.

The industry is entering the new year in a somewhat pessimistic mood. More than half the voters in CLN's unscientific poll believe their profits will decline this year; 19.6% think profits will drop more than 10% and 32.3% expect profits to slip by 1-9%. There are optimists: 29.0% believe their profits will increase more than 10%, and 6.5% predict their profits will increase 1-9%. The remaining 12.9% expect similar profits in '09 as they had in '08.

Overall, the results are 22.8% more negative than an identical poll asked one year ago.

CLN had stopped counting the number of newspaper articles and tv stations that reported strong sales in our industry's stores. Now the New York Times has joined the group with a Dec. 22 report citing a variety of sources:

Scrap, a craft store in Portland, OR, reported November sales were 33% higher.

CHA's Victor Domine: "With the recession, people are looking for ways to save money, and doctors are recommending it as a major form of stress relief."

CEO Brian Cornell said Michaels' sales of small-ticket craft supplies had increased sharply, particularly in jewelry-making, cake decorating/baked goods, scrapbooks, and wearable art. (However, seasonal and home dec products were not selling well.)

Company spokesperson Lisa Greb said Jo-Ann's sewing and craft sales had increased in this fourth quarter.

Stampingly Yours, a scrapbooking store in Clifton, NJ, reported many new customers in recent months.

Consumers are buying supplies – and finished crafts, too. The article reported sales of handmade crafts on Etsy.com are up 34%.

(Comment: The article is surely a boon to the industry; the next day a Motley Fool writer recommended Jo-Ann simply on the basis of the Times article. However, the article did contain a few "facts" that made CLN say, "Huh?" It put the size of the "craft sector" at $5.9 billion, and quoted an analyst at the research firm IBISWorld as saying, "The number of [craft] establishments is growing.")

Mary Delik, a director in the retail practice at consulting firm Deloitte, summed up the holiday selling season for the Wall Street Journal: "Retail sales went from 'Ho-Ho' to 'Uh-oh' to 'Oh no.'"

Data released by MasterCard's SpendingPulse unit showed total retail sales, excluding automobiles, fell by 5.5% in November from the year-earlier period and by 8% for December through Christmas Eve, MarketWatch reported.

Consumers spent at least 20% less on women’s clothing, electronics, and jewelry during Nov.-Dec., resulting in what may be the biggest holiday-shopping sales decline in 40 years, Bloomberg News reported.

Online sales, which had been growing at a rate of 20% each holiday season, suffered, too.

They fell 2% from Nov. 1 through Christmas Eve, the Wall Street Journal reported, although Amazon claimed it had its best season ever.

Gift card sales were expected to fall 5.3%, due in part to fear that stores may close before the recipient could use them. Whatever the reason, retailers will not receive as large a January sales boost from the cards as in past years.

Bloomberg also reported on a site, www.plasticjungle.com where consumers can buy, sell, or trade gift cards. The article cited Talbots and Michaels as merchants whose cards are most often traded, and reported a $205.46 Michaels gift card was for sale for $151. Michaels Chief Marketing Officer Stuart Aitken told Bloomberg news the retailer is "committed to our gift-card program," and wants to expand its distribution.

Another site that allows consumers to buy and sell gift cards is www.cardavenue.com.

The results appeared to be far less negative for our industry's stores, although no official sales data was available. As CLN has reported, our stores benefitted from consumers making gifts, but early indications were that consumers were avoiding seasonal and higher-ticket items. Consequently, overall sales may be down, but not to the extent of so many non-craft retailers.

Because of the heavy discounting, however, there's the question of whether any retailers actually made any money.

Show Numbers. Pre-registered buyer attendance is about even with last year, officials say, and demand for space at the CHA Summer Show and CHA Craft SuperShow is better than expected. To date, the CHA Summer Show is almost half sold out for the debut in Orlando and 10,000 sq. ft, for the (consumer) SuperShow, causing CHA to revise target estimates upward for the first-run consumer event.

Kids. January 23rd will be proclaimed Kid's Craft Day by the Anaheim City Council in support of the CHA Winter Show and the Kids Crafting Event sponsored that day by CHA, the Anaheim Police Department, and the local Boy's and Girls Club. It's 3:30-5:30 pm and will provide 150-200 area kids with a craft fair at the local Boys & Girls Club. CHA has 20+ CHA volunteers to help staff the event, but more are welcomed. If interested, email PR Manager Victor Domine at vdomine@craftandhobby.org.

Seminar Passes. One-day or all-show seminar passes save money over buying individual tickets. Also, workshop tickets are at the pre-2008 price of $25/Workshop.

New (Free) Sessions. Info on the Orlando Craft SuperShow: (E510) - Jan. 25, 1:00-2:00 pm and (E511) - Jan. 26, 11:00 am-12:00 pm.

Celebrities. Keynote speaker Deborah Norville will be in the Premier Yarns booth (#1619) introducing her new Serenity yarn line Sun. Jan. 25, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. ... Vanna White will host the Lion Brand Yarn fashion shows Mon., Jan. 26 at 12, 1, and 2 pm in the Lion booth (#1801). ... Jane Seymour, who designed her Home Collection and her Open Hearts jewelry line, will be in the Tara Materials/Fredrix booth (#3529) Mon., Jan. 26, 1-3 pm.

Task Forces. They are members' opportunities to give input on critical issues facing CHA and its efforts to serve the industry. 1. Member Benefits. Participants will be asked for input on awareness and use of current benefits and additional benefits they'd like to see. Mon., Jan. 26, 11:30-12:30. ... 2. Portfolio magazine. Participants can give input on articles, advertising, frequency, etc. Tues., Jan. 27, 11:30-12:30 pm. ... 3. Trade Show Education. Participants can give input on perceived value, topics, suggestions for new subjects. To volunteer for a task force, contact Jon Krance: jkrance@craftandhobby.org, 201-835-1214.

Board Members. Suggestions or complaints about CHA? Tell them to a board member. Board members will staff the CHA booth (#2935) on show days at 10-11 am and 2-3 pm.

Products. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act goes into effect Feb. 10, with massive new penalties for violators. Retailers may no longer sell their existing inventory of children's products that do not meet the new law's strict testing standards. Manufacturers should attend "The New Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: What You Need to Know About Compliance Standards" (S123) on Mon. Jan. 26, 3-5:00 pm.

For show info, registration, and ordering tickets, visit www.chashow.org.

Exhibiting at the CHA Winter Show? There's one last issue of CLN before the show. If you want to give buyers a sneak peak at your new products, email mike@clnonline.com with a brief description, booth number, and the URL.

C&T Publishing (#2035). The booth will include "Stay-n-Play sessions with designers Rebekah Meier and Daniela Costa – in conjunction with the Stay-n-Play Café workshop (W065) Mon., Jan. 26, 7:00-9:00 am. www.createandtreasure.com.

Earth Safe Finishes (#4926). Manufacturer of no/low VOC water-based, non-toxic paints, glazes, mediums, sealers, stains, varnishes, and waxes for the craft, fine art and woodworking industries. There's also a workshop with Walnut Hollow on Faux Raku and a display in the Eco Lounge. www.earthsafefinishes.com.

Dynamic Resource Group (#1927). Offering a variety of new publications, including CardMaker's Sketch Book Birthday Celebration and The Big Book of Beautiful Afghans ... Crochet! magazine is introducing a new feature, Caring and Sharing, highlighting charities that incorporate crochet as a means of supporting issues of interest to women. ... Sew Special Fat Quarter Gifts under the House of White Birches brand features 64 hand-sewn gift projects. www.drgnetwork.com.

Fiskars (#3981). Is offering a limited edition line of spring squeeze punch designs, including an umbrella, butterfly, chick, an egg. Previous editions of squeeze punches have been finalists in the 2006 and 2007 Creating Keepsakes Readers Choice awards. www.fiskarscrafts.com/spring_punches.aspx.

Jack Dempsey Needle Art (#1917). The new 2009 seasonal catalog includes a variety of new designs. www.jdneedleart.com.

Kalmbach. New books include Crystal Chic, for beginner to intermediate jewelry makers to pair crystals with metal, resin, wood, fiber, polymer clay, etc. ... Vintage Redux teaches readers how to recycle vintage jewelry into new art pieces. ... Let’s Knit teaches knitting basics and techniques with 20 simple yet stylish projects. http://retailers.kalmbach.com/tss/default.aspx.

Paper House Productions (#1351). Will be unveiling new themes such as Rockstar, Space, and Pirate, plus a new way to purchase the company's best-selling favorites such as Travel, Sports, and Pets. There are new papers, cardstock stickers, mini cut-outs, chipboard, and glitter rub-ons. www.paperhouseproductions.com.

R&M West Coast Ent. (TNNA, #1421; CHA 4623). Authors will sign copies of their books at the TNNA booth – Wendy Bernard (Custom Knits); Leigh Radford (Alterknits Felt); Margaret Fisher (Seven Ways To Make or Break a Sweater); Melanie Falick (Weekend Knitting); Suzan Mischer (Greetings from Knit Café); and Eddie Eckman (Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs). Jenny Ryan (Sew Darn Cute) and Jenny Hart (Sublime Stitching) will be in the CHA booth. Check the booths for times. www.wholesale-books-crafts.com

A year ago, were you planning to send your kids to a high priced university because of your retail stocks? Well, the local community college might be a wiser choice. Retail stocks, like the market in general, had a horrendous year. The Dow plunged nearly 34%, the worst year since 1931.

Some selected retailers: Family Dollar Stores, + 34% ... Dollar Tree, +60% ... Family Dollar Stores, + 34% ... Jo-Ann, +18% ... Wal-Mart, +16% ... Target, -31% ... Tiffany, -49% ... J.C. Penney, -56% ... Sears, -62% ... Macy's, -62% ... Martha Stewart Omnimedia, -72% ... Saks, -81% ... A.C. Moore, -92%.

Call this the battle of the private equity firms. EK Success, owned by GTCR Golder Rauner, filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Michaels, owned by Bain Capital and The Blackstone Group, in U.S. District Court's Southern District of New York. The suit is in regards to Michaels' "Seasonal Punch" products and wants damages for EK's "losses, Defendant's profits, the costs of the action, attorneys' fees, and interest." The suit also asks for triple damages "because of Defendant's willful infringement."

Both parties were asked to comment and both declined.

E.K. also filed lawsuits against Provo for a trademark question, Sew Easy Industries and QVC for a trademark question, and Always Charming for copyright infringement.

(Comment: It is highly unusual for an industry vendor to take one of its largest customers to court.)

According to the recently released PMA 2008 U.S. Consumer Scrapbook Report, 22% of U.S. households have completed scrapbook projects and an additional 9% have started but not finished a scrapbook project. Fourteen percent of households completed a scrapbook in the 12-month period ending April 2008, up from 12% in 2005.

The percent of U.S. households interested in the digital components of scrapbooking has increased dramatically. Nineteen percent of active scrapbooking households used the computer for some elements of their scrapbook project in 2005. Three years later, the percentage was 68.

The primary reasons for using computers: Print digital photos (47%); improve the quality of photos (47%); and designing pages (30%).

For the full PMA Report, visit www.pmai.org/content.aspx?id=7068.

Industry pioneer Moe Gherman, 88, passed away. He was the owner of Hobby Publications, publisher of Craft, Model & Hobby magazine, which later evolved into CNA. He was honored three times by HIA, receiving the Industry Pioneer, Lifetime Member, and Meritorious Service awards. He leaves behind his wife Maye; sons Stuart, David, Robert, and Bruce; 9 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.

(Comment: Anyone who makes a living in this industry should thank Moe and other pioneers such as Bill Mangelsen and David Cunningham for helping to create the industry in the first place.)

With the economy in recession and the unemployment rate growing, we may see the resurrection of the professional craft producer (PCP), the person who makes craft projects and sells them. Once they were a major force in the industry with their own trade shows and magazines; they were so numerous that trade associations gave PCP's their own membership category.

PCP's were not without controversy, however. Trying to keep their costs low, many PCP's attempted to buy in bulk from distributors or manufacturers. Vendors who sold to PCP's angered their retail customers. Their attendance at shows sponsored by ACCI and HIA, CHA's predecessors, infuriated some retailers and exhibitors.

Part of the problem was the diversity within the PCP ranks. One would take up space at make-it/take-it tables, then want to order six bottles of paint – at the wholesale price. On the other hand, CLN heard of a PCP who would order one-inch, white pom poms – 10,000 at a time. She employed six women in her basement making pom-pom dolls.

Categories most affected by this trend will be jewelrymaking, naturals/florals, soap- and candle-making, and wearable art.

(Note: To learn more about the decline of PCP's and their potential resurgence, CLN asked Maria Nerius, probably the industry's best known PCP and freelance designer/writer.)

I have a great letter from a PCP about having to compete with imported items. (PCP's were buying imports and basically re-selling them without as much as an added bow!) This is just a continuing problem; as a PCP I faced customers who wanted to know why my prices were so much higher than imported gift items from the local Walmart.

Every category in our industry faces some "competition" that just can't be beat on price, so you add value to what you are selling. I told customers about all the steps I took to make sure the item they purchased from me would be around for their grandchildren to enjoy, unlike the imported rag doll.

In my opinion, the PCP's will have their day again – everything cycles. But first the show producers are going to have to do some work, rethink the show fees that got out of control, rethink how many shows an area can handle, and have rain dates for outdoor shows. Many of the PCP's we assumed had disappeared went to selling on the Internet where weather and show fees were not an issue.

Even after all these years, I'm still a PCP at heart. I remained independent and self-employed for 20+ years now; I could never have done that without my roots as a PC.

Th company has designed/manufactured scrapbooking supplies since 2003. The designs are original and could easily cross over to other markets. The company has created 1,000+ SKUs, and using a widespread rep force, currently sells around 300 SKU's to approximately half the independents, some chains, and distributors in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

The company currently shares a building with a commercial printing company that prints most of the company's SKUs and marketing materials. A sale combining both companies is also a possibility. For more info, in confidence, email CLN: mike@clnonline.com.

1. In my last issue of Kate's Collage, I made a major goof, mistaking Krause Publications for Kalmbach Publishing Co. Krause, not Kalmbach, was the ESOP company that was later sold to F+W Publications. It's the worst mistake since years ago when as editor I published an article about miniatures, which were very hot at the time. The author quoted David Cunningham, then CEO of Plaid, as saying, "Miniature wallpaper is now one of our biggest sellers." That's what David said, that's what the author wrote, and that's what I edited. But the typesetter made a mistake that I failed to catch: "Miniature wallpaper is not one of our biggest sellers."

I mention this as a warning: don't think spellcheck will substitute for a sharp-eyed proofreader.

2. In case you've ever wondered about booking a hotel room through the trade show sponsor or doing it on your own: I booked my room for the CHA Winter Show through CHA, then went directly to the hotel to see if there was a difference. There sure was. By reserving the room through CHA, I saved $27 a night. Then a subscriber told me he booked through Priceline.com and saved even more.

3. With the industry's preoccupation with paper in recent years, I've never understood why there hasn't been a resurgence of quilling, one of the loveliest crafts there is. For an example, visit www.artyulia.com/index.php/Illustration/PAPERgraphic. The leading supplier of quilling products, projects, etc., is Lake City Crafts. Visit www.lakecitycraft.com.

4. If you have an offspring working in your business, watch the HBO documentary, Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven. It's about the restaurant business, but it isn't. It's about every business. And family.

BANKRUPTCY. Creative Memories' hearing for confirmation of its bankruptcy plan was delayed until this Friday because the Unsecured Creditors Committee requested more time to study the proposal. According to Scrapbook Update, The major group of unsecured creditors are former employees who are reportedly owed $21+ million for their stock in the company. (For more on Employee Stock Ownership Plans, click on Kate's Collage in the left-hand column, then "Employee Stock Ownership Plans in the right-hand column.) ... The Woolworth chain, once a major retailer of craft supplies, went bankrupt and closed in 2001. Now Woolworth in Great Britain, with 807 stores, is bankrupt and is shutting down.

RUDY. The memorial service for popular industry veteran Rudy Heukels will be Jan. 11 at 3:00 pm at Grace Bible Church, 100 Oakdale Rd., Chester, NJ 07930. Tax-deductible donations and memorials should be made to the church, whose members were a great help to Rudy's family.

IMPORTS. U.S. retailers are slowing their payments to Chinese vendors from 30-45 days to 90-120, which is pushing more factories to shut down, the New York Times reported. And in an effort to restore economic growth, the Chinese government has restored export tax rebates on textiles and stopped raising the minimum wage.

QUOTATION. "We’re seeing, though, that our customers have a great deal of faith that government will take the right action and be successful in addressing the current situation. But the No. 1 issue today is their concern about their job." – Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott, on NBC's Meet The Press (Bloomberg News)

AWARD. The innovative home déc program for STYROFOAM™ brand foam, Great Décor in a Flash - Without a Lot of Cash, recently won honors from both the Cleveland chapters of both Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Int. Assn. of Business Communicators (IABC). The 16-page booklet, Great Décor in a Flash - Without a Lot of Cash, won first place awards from both PRSA and IABC. The overall program won an honorable mention from IABC, as did the advertising campaign, "It's STYROFOAM™. Surprised?" To view the home déc ideas, visit www.styrofoamstyle.com. The program was developed and implemented by Currier Communications, a Cleveland-based marketing communications agency specializing in the craft and creative industries. For info, email Sharon Currier at scurrier@curriercomm.com or call 440-247-4371.

SHOWS. The PSRO 2009 Convention, in conjunction with the PMA 2009 show Mar. 3-5 in Las Vegas, is offering an "all-conference connection pass" allowing complete access to all sessions, the PMA 09 trade show, and more. It's $299 for members, $399 for non-members. The 2-for-1 deal has been extended. For info, visit www.pmai.org/psro2009.

TOYS. Previously CLN reported on trouble in the toy industry. KB Toys filed for bankruptcy and Toys R Us is under a heavy debt load. Now The Parent Co., an online seller of children's products including eToys.com, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. ... Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher Price will pay $12 million to settle lawsuits in 39 states over recalls of two million Chinese-made toys that had traces of lead paint in them.

PAPER. The Image Permanence Institute has updated its Consumer Guide to Modern Photo Papers. To download a copy, visit www.archivaladvisor.com/shtml/articles_index.shtml.

HOBBY LOBBY. To read the remarkable story of David Green, his family, the growth of Hobby Lobby, and the charity work the company's success has enabled the family to fund, visit www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29578.

WINTER. The Hobby Lobby in Fargo, ND lost 16 hours of prime-time holiday shopping. The culprit: frozen water pipes that burst. ... The roof collapsed at a Spokane area Hancock store. The culprit: 61 inches of snow in less than three weeks.

LOOKING TO BUY. An Internet based company seeking to grow through acquisition of a complementary business with profitable, six-figure revenue and could easily be moved to Boston area. Willing to sign a confidentiality agreement. For more info, in complete confidence, contact Larry Rubin, lrubin28@gmail.com.

PEOPLE. Blumenthal/Lansing named industry veteran Jane Anne Davis Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing. Jane Anne had a consulting business, jane anne & co. She is a member of the CHA board of directors and was recently elected board secretary. ... Interweave named Marcy Smith editor of Interweave Crochet. Smith is a former craft columnist for the Raleigh, NC News & Observer newspaper, the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Crochet Projects, Illustrated, and she has a PhD in American Literature.

BEADS. The Bead&Button Show 2009 class catalog, with 500+ workshops and classes, is now available, as is online registration. The show, sponsored by Kalmbach Publishing, is May 31-June 7 in Milwaukee. Visit http://beadandbuttonshow.stores.yahoo.net/register.html.

PBS. The second series of Knitting Daily uplinks Jan. 18. Core teachers Eunny Jang, Kim Werker, Liz Gipson, and Shay Pendray will be joined by guest designers. The series is produced by KS Inc. Productions. The projects and patterns from the shows will be available at www.knittingdailytv.com.

SPELLBINDERS PAPER ARTS. Issued an open call for designers to join its 2009-2010 Design Team. For details, visit www.spellbinderspaperarts.com or email designteam@spellbinders.us. ... Today starts the company's "World Wide Blog Party" in which each day a designer will preview at least one of more than two dozen new die templates set to debut at the CHA Winter Show. To see the schedule, visit http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/blog/spellbinders-5th-anniversary-blog-party.

LAWSUITS. Wal-Mart will pay as much as $640 million to settle 63 federal and state class actions claiming the company cheated hourly workers and forced them to work through breaks, Bloomberg News reported. Similar lawsuits in California, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania aren’t on the list of cases settled that was provided by Wal-Mart.

EVERYBODY SCRAPBOOKS. Even Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy, and his three live-in girlfriends, according to a profile on E! Entertainment's "The Girls Next Door." Apparently he has 2,000+ scrapbooks and a special scrapbook room at the Playboy mansion.

LISTS. Jarden, the corporate parent of Loew-Cornell, Forster, and other consumer products, was named to Business Week's newly-released list of the World's Most Influential Companies. Its stock is traded on the N.Y. Stock Exchange under the symbol JAH.

STOCKS. A.C. Moore: $1.40, down $0.02 ... Hancock: $0.50, up $0.05 ... Jo-Ann: $15.49, up $2.88 ... Wal-Mart: $54.63, up $1.43 ... Dow Jones: 8,776.39, up 1.7%. (Note: All changes in price are since 12/12 and are exclusive of dividends.)

STORE. To see photos and learn more about Lion Brand Yarn's studio/shop on 15th St. in New York, visit www.lionbrandyarnstudio.com.

KNITTING. In an interview with Brand Week, James White, CEO of the 749-store chain, Jamba Juice, announced the store on Michigan Ave. in Chicago would have a "knitfiti" art installation. "Knitfiti (rhymes with graffiti) is a burgeoning underground movement in which guerrilla artists hit public property with handmade knitwear rather than markers and spray paint, warming and beautifying the space."

CONTEST. The Knitting Guild Assn. (TKGA) and sponsor Yarnmarket.com announced the 2009 TKGA Design Contest. Prizes will be awarded in several categories, with the grand prize pattern winning a Yarnmarket.com $1,000 gift certificate. Rules and an entry form are available at www.TKGA.com. Photos of original designs must be submitted by Mar. 11. Winners will be announced at the TKGA National Conference/Knit & Crochet Show in Portland OR May 14-17.

CONFERENCE. Westminster Fibers is providing 10 scholarships for 50% off the early bird tuition rate of $875 for Yarn Market News' business conference Mar. 15-17 in Chicago. The deadline is Jan. 30. Visit www.yarnmarketnews.com/sbc2009/scholarship.php. For more info on the conference, visit www.yarnmarketnews.com/sbc2009/agenda.php.

PROJECTS. An interesting blog with links to industry related projects for/by cancer patients: http://imtooyoungforthis.blogspot.com/2008/12/etsy-cancer.html.

TNNA’s Yarn Group is looking for volunteers to help for an hour or two with the Fashion Show – at the drop off/pick up table Fri., 9:00 am-3:30 pm or Sat. 8:30 am-10:00 am. Email JoAnne Turcotte at design@plymouthyarn.com or call 215-788-0459.

VOLUNTEER. TNNA’s Yarn Group is looking for volunteers to help for an hour or two with the Fashion Show at the San Diego show – at the drop off/pick up table Fri., Jan. 16, 9:00 am-3:30 pm or Sat. the 17th, 8:30 am-10:00 am. Email JoAnne Turcotte at design@plymouthyarn.com or call 215-788-0459.

INTERNET. Coats & Clark® and Red Heart® Yarns launched a new website, Redheart.com (www.redheart.com), which includes a pattern finder which allows members to search for and download patterns by category, yarn weight and type, and by pattern name. The site includes chat forums, a gallery to post finished projects, a newsletter, on-line learning, pod casts, etc. Membership is free.

Gooch & Gooch LLC, an editorial services and marketing company specializing in business-to-business media, is expanding to include the professional needlearts and craft industries. Positive Yarn (www.positiveyarn.com) is Gooch & Gooch's entry into this market, encompassing a marketing insights blog, monthly e-newsletter, and a variety of marketing services for retailers, designers and small manufacturers.

Positive Yarn services include, but are not limited to Articles, Blogs, Brochures, Booklets, Business Cards, Buyers Guides, Calendars, Catalogs, Customer Loyalty Programs, Databases, Direct Marketing, Editing, Event Planning and Assistance, Ghostwriting, Newsletters, Podcasts, Press Releases, Reports, Surveys, Videocasts, Websites, and White Papers.

Personnel. Heather Gooch, Vice President: positiveyarn@goochandgooch.com. Heather, who owns the business with her husband, Jamie, counts The National NeedleArts Association among her many marketing clients. In her spare time, Gooch is the newsletter editor and photographer for her local needlework guild, as well as photographer and librarian of her local chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America.

Jamie Gooch, President: Jamie@goochandgooch.com.

Tessy Somers, Data Processing Specialist: Tess@goochandgooch.com.

Rolodex. Gooch & Gooch LLC, P.O. Box 1496, Medina, OH 44258. Call 330-723-3539; To sign up for the Positive Yarn e-newsletter, read Gooch’s blog, or for more information, visit www.positiveyarn.com.

To see a listing of job openings by the only personnel recruitment firm specializing in our industry, click on Jobs in the left-hand column or click HERE.

 REMINDERS

1. If you want a hard-copy of this issue, click on "Printer Friendly version."

2. If your company is a paid subscriber, everyone in the main office is welcome to register, free. Just click on "Work for a paid subscriber? Click Here to register" (center column, near the top).

3. If you ever have trouble with your password, click on "Trouble with your password" in the right-hand column of the main page. The computer will then email the correct information to you.

4. Creative Leisure News is published the first and third Mondays of each month. Your next issue will be Monday, January 19.

[ Home ] [ Business-Wise ] [ Kate's Collage ] [ "Vinny Da Vendor" ] [ "Benny Da Buyer" ] [ Kizer & Bender ] [ Memory, Paper & Stamps ] [ Category Reports ] [ Designing Perspectives ] [ Trade & Consumer Groups ] [ Subscribe to CLN ] [ Scene & Heard ] [ Jobs ] [ Industry Research ]

©Copyright 2012 by Creative Leisure Communications
(Reproduction or re-transmission without permission is prohibited.)