With the British Craft Trade Fair coming up in less than a month (oh how times flies!) we take a look at some of the fantastic prints, stationery, greetings cards, giftwrap and other paper products you can look forward to seeing at the show in April.
Featured top: Scottish designer-maker, ‘Rachel Meehan, pictures and words’, which was launched in 2017 and specialises in high quality products including blank greeting cards, wrapping paper, prints, & ceramic coasters, perfect for any occasion. For 2021 Rachel has expanded the range to include aprons and tea towels.
First up we have the wonderfully witty Citrus Bunn with her animal-themed humour cards which cover most occasions you can think of; new exhibitor, Kate Miller Printmaker, who is making her very first foray into trade fairs with BCTF from April 10-12; Herbert & Rose, whose charming and whimsical hand illustrated cards, prints and textiles are constructed of recycled and/or recyclable materials wherever possible; Snapdragon Designs create Classically Modern Skylines in a range of laser cut cards, homewares, and gifts, many of which are tailored to particular British towns and cities; more fun from Fasanian Artistry– watch out for the amorous Easter Bunny!
Next we have Print Circus, the work of designer, Fay Shoesmith, who offers an eclectic range of design-led greetings cards, prints and gifts; Rogers Ink, who for the Spring and Summer Seasons brings Bee and Butterfly friendly Wildflower Meadows, gift packed wallets with six large cards illustrating some of the wildflowers that will grow when the enclosed seeds are sown; a marriage of the vintage and modern from Sundial House Design, new to BCTF this year; Joy Jen Studio, whose prints, cards and stationery are all printed in the UK onto luxury papers, carefully packaged in eco-friendly packaging; artist and designer Kimberley Dewhurst creates unique and vibrant pieces of art all inspired by her countryside surroundings.
The next selection features new exhibitor, Bean & Bemble, founded in 2020 by Michelle Dodds, a surface pattern & print designer from Yorkshire; Robert James Hull, an established watercolour artist devoted to bringing our four legged friends to life in his distinct and modern style; another newbie, Soodle Street, where each illustration is a handmade collage of unwanted and found paper using imagination to reinvent single-use material; Faye Stevens, who combines her skills in pattern cutting and 3D design to create pop-up greeting cards; Umbellifer, which showcases the beauty found in everyday garden plants and demonstrates an eye for bold colour and strong lines.
Last but not least we have newcomer, Harriette Rymer, who explores colour through shapes and strokes to create vibrant, playful pieces; Leics based artist and graphic designer Jenni Robson, who joins BCTF with her contemporary cotton wall hangings, book bags, kids prints, greeting cards, stationery and her debut children’s rhyming picture book; Jill Campbell-Kelly J A C K Illustration and Design, whose quality, individually made greetings cards are made using recycled paper; Purple Pomegranate Press, who publishes traditional fairy tales and original stories as greetings cards. These exquisite little books are A6 in size and are printed in Northumberland on Gesso card; Working from her garden studio in Horsforth, West Yorkshire, newcomer Sarah Perry creates hand-drawn pet and animal portraits bringing them to life using pastel, coloured pencils, or graphite; sustainable Gift Wrap, Cards and Art Prints by Jane Crick.
See all these wonderful designers and more at the British Craft Trade Fair, running from April 10-12 at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate. Trade only.
