Gifts & Greetings Review was delighted to attend the fabulous British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) which took place from April 8 – 10 at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.
As one of the official media partners we were kept very busy supporting some 450 exhibitors – the cream of British designer-makers – on social media and especially Instagram, which is rapidly becoming a great PR and sales tool for companies.
Show organiser, Margeret Bunn said: “The 2018 show has had a great buzz and atmosphere, and although we are still awaiting the final figures, numbers are up on 2017. This is our second year in the new hall, a wonderful, purpose built venue which provides the perfect environment for buyers to source new products. Feedback from both exhibitors and buyers has been overwhelmingly positive and we are delighted at how the show has been received, a good time has been had by all.”
Everyone gathered together when the show closed on Monday April 9 as the hotly anticipated winner of this year’s BCTF awards were announced. The winners, highly commended and commended exhibitors are:
BCTF Award For Excellence, sponsored by PSM Ltd:
Winner – Anderson Creations, Highly Commended – Albert And Alfred, Commended – Sarah Saunders Ceramics
Best Newcomer Award, sponsored by Craftanddesignonline:
Winner – Charlotte Wilkinson Glass, Highly Commended – Rouaida Jewellery
Giftware Association Award For Excellence:
Winner – Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics, Highly Commended – Ann Charlish Studio, Commended – Rachel Thornton
Award For Excellence In Jewellery sponsored by the National Association Of Jewellers (NAJ):
Winner – Ellen Monaghan, Highly Commended – Caroline Finlay
Greetings Card Award sponsored by Greetings Today:
Winner – Faye Stevens, Highly Commended – Rhombus And Pineapple, Commended – Artinker, The DM Collection, Catherine Kleeli Cards
Greetings Today editor, Tracey Bearton, gave her ‘Just Because’ award to Rhian Winslade Ceramics, which produced a lovely range of cards for the show.
Wow Factor, sponsored by DesignGap/ArtGap and voted for by exhibitors:
Joint winners Joanna Coupland and Albert And Alfred
For more information on BCTF visit the website
Images from top to bottom: Joanna Coupland, Albert & Alfred, Anderson Creations, Charlotte Wilkinson Glass, Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics, Ellen Monaghan, Faye Stevens, Rhombus & Pineapple, G&G editor Charlotte Cowell with Joanna Coupland, Boho Buffalo.
