On Monday I had the pleasure of visiting the CHSI Stitches show at the NEC Birmingham.

CHSI Stitches is a trade show where craft companies from all over the world exhibit their products and I love the fact that I’m allowed in too! Armed with my press pass it’s the most wonderful chance to chat to people from the craft world, see what new ideas they are bringing to the market and just be with my kind of people for a day!

Here are just a few of my highlights from the day:

Cotton Clara has some gorgeous new embroidery kits. I love this ‘We rise by lifting others’ don’t you?

I first came across Cotton Clara when she produced a kit in conjunction with Mollie Makes Magazine to embroider this cute little wooden banner a couple of years ago.

Have you heard of Knit Pro? (Knitters pride in the US) They make all sorts of lovely knitting and crochet accessories and 2 things about them really caught my eye at the show.

Their new Smart Sticks; knitting needles with measurements printed on them, how brilliant is that? I know some patterns have a tape measure printed on them but not all do and how often have you had to go rummaging for a tape measure when knitting? I just think it’s such a clever and yet simple idea.

The other thing is the community work that Knit Pro does in India where it’s factory is based. I had no idea and after reading about it at the show I just assumed it would be plastered all over their website but it’s not. The company ethos is worth shouting about though - any woman turning up at their factory asking for a job will be given one, transport is provided for employees, they provide a creche and medical centre and have built a school for the local community. Extraordinary stuff!

I spotted more gorgeous new embroidery kits from Hawthorn Handmade. I especially love these outline designs on vibrant colours. So modern and perfect for beginners as no complex embroidery stitches are required. There was one in the press room for us try out, so in my tea break I enjoyed a spot of simple backstitch.

The Makerss were at the show with their beautiful needle felting kits. Honestly, the things people can make with this technique are just ridiculously cute!

They have a new idea that’s coming soon too. These gorgeous ‘Painting with Wool’ kits. Perfect for beginners, you needle felt onto printed fabric, isn’t that a lovely idea?

They gifted me this sweet little kit to make a heart so I’ll be trying that out soon (if you follow on Instagram you’ll be sure to see it there some time soon)

Look at these beautiful haberdashery trims, they are from Aarti J. Just look at those tassels and pom poms and the triangle bunting trim is just the cutest! And the good news is that they sell direct to the public as well as the trade.

Anyone who’s read any of my previous posts on the various craft shows that I attend through the year will know that my favourite bit is the hands on workshops and ‘make and takes’.

At the Korbond stand I had a chance to make a sweet little scissor keeper pincushion with the lovely Jenniffer Taylor in a boro style.

I’m so pleased with how it turned out :-)

I also enjoyed painting this cute Live, Love, Craft sign with Debbi Moore Designs. This craft is so easy, you just need an MDF cut out, paint and glitter and a little time. The last picture is my sign in situ in my craft room/dining room, I love it!

Debbi has dozens of beautiful MDF shapes and designs, I especially like this one.

Last but not least, in the press room we had some balls of this super soft yarn from King Cole to ‘play with’ whilst we listen to a fascinating talk from Linda Jones on the findings of the most recent Craft Report, an independant craft industry research project looking at UK crafters and trends.

The main take home point from the research seemed to be that the craft industry is a growing one. More and more people are getting involved and trying not just the traditional crafts but all sorts of new and innovative ones too. Crafts as therapy, as a tool for helping with everyday stresses is a major movement as is upcycling and recycling based crafting. These are two areas that particularly interest me so I’m right on trend!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my highlights, and don’t feel too jealous that you weren’t there with me!

Julie