Dmcthread's Blog

Happy Presidents Day! – From DMC

DMC Freebies:

All this snow over here in New Jersey has me freezing and wishing for Spring to come! Here are some pretty flower series to warm things up a bit. They look great in one big frame to finish, or as individual pieces in small frames. Click on the image to download the free chart.

Blooming Nasturtium

Blooming Rose

Blooming Tulip

- Enjoy

Emma Broidery

Industry News:

The National Needlework show in Nashville is almost here! Click here to download the Buyer Registration Guide.

The Great Lakes Fiber Show is approaching May 29-30 2010 in Wooster, Ohio.

Stitches West in Santa Clara, CA is taking place February 25-28th and still has room available to sign up for the Market or to take classes.

The 2011 Winter CHA Show will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center Sat January 29th-February 1st.

The future of trade shows. Creative Leisure News wants to start a discussion on the long term viability of trade shows. Some areas to consider- Product demonstrations posted online, webinars providing a visual presentation and an interactive experience, cost of traveling will rise – what will air fares, restaurant meals, and trade show hotels cost a decade from now?

DMC’s take – Trade Shows are here to stay for a while. The craft industry is so viable with its success contingent upon creative minds of manufacturers, retailers, and designers supporting one another and collaborating. This is not a static industry – there is something to say about gathering together in one place for a number of days and talking face to face to the people that contribute to this industry. It’s a truly powerful thing that a computer and digital media can not replace. Just as CHA Show’s keynote speaker Martha Beck says that crafts will never go away because they appeal to mankind’s innate desire to make things beautiful. By crafting, she said, “The soul comes home.” Trade Shows play a huge part in the crafting industry so in terms of long- term viability, DMC thinks that it is strong.

Interestingly enough, the CHA Show “mood” was much better, compared to a year ago when the economy was tanking. Retailers were coming off from a strong December and looking for some serious buying. Vendors heard many fewer complaints.

The Craft Yarn Council of America released the results of its 2009 Tracking Study: Consumer Purchasing, Habits and Motivation. While the complete results will soon be available on their website, here are some positive facts: 71% of the respondents said they planned to make more projects this year than last year, and 98% will knit and crochet at least as much. Great news for the needlearts industry.

A Retailers Contest – I just received a note from Renee at Gone Stitching, a Needlework store in Bergenfield, NJ is hosting a new needlepoint design contest called “Our World.” The contest is in association with Planet Earth Fibers, but all thread companies including DMC is being promoted as designers are encouraged to use a variety of threads in their designs. Entrants must design and stitch an original 6" x 6" needlepoint canvas based on the theme, "Our World." Go to their website for contest details.

Haiti – Please Support! You probably all know about the wonderful new etsy store, Craft Hope for Haiti. I clicked over to their site to read more about them and was so inspired to see how people can help make a difference. I know that people worldwide have been moved by the tragedy in Haiti, but the idea that 2 moms, working from home could raise over 20,000 dollars for Haiti in a matter of days, in an Etsy store, just amazes me. To me, it speaks to the amazing generosity and kindness of the crafting world.