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FINALISTS REVEALED FOR FIRST RETAILER STATIONERY AWARDS

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The Stationery Awards aim to recognise and benchmark good practice and innovation in the retail stationery sector. Each year Stationery Show London plays host to the prestigious Awards and this year, for the first time, the Stationery Awards have expanded to include five NEW Retailer Stationery Awards. 

Starting with just five key categories for stationery retailers to enter, the panel of seven judges each read and viewed all their material online and allocated their scores. 

The first ever Retailer Stationery Award judges panel consisted of: Jane Reucroft, founder and Chloe Bayles, head of wholesale from A Gift From The Gods, Rebecca Saunders, independent retail & ecommerce consultant of Saunders Retail (and ex Not On the High Street/JLP Buyer), Kerri Middleton, managing director of Busy B, Michael Owen co-founder of Lime Stationery & Art, George Wilkinson, managing director of Nuco International and Gemma Bassett, Thirty Under 30 Star Choice and marketing manager of Sinclairs.

“We’d like to thank our judges for taking the time to review all the entries to our five new retailer categories,” said event manager, Hazel Fieldwick.  “It’s been fantastic to involve so many stationery experts in our Awards judging this year.”

“Our congratulations go to all the finalists on being picked out, and we send our thanks to all the other companies and nominees who took the time to complete the entry forms – we appreciate your support!”

All the finalists are listed below.  The winners will be revealed at the Stationery Awards evening on Tuesday 30 April, to which all the finalists will, of course, be invited!

Best Customer Initiative (Instore or Online):

Company: Campaign:
Got2Jot The corporate pop up experience – Bringing Fashion stationery direct to the workplace
Martha Brook Stationery Social 2018
Postmark ‘Post it from the start of time’ – Inhouse franking service, Postmark (Greenwich)
ScrawlrBox The Scrawlr Challenge

Best POS/Merchandised Stationery Display:

Company Campaign Nominated by:
Papersmiths Universe  
Postscript Autumn/Winter 18/19 Nominated by BusyB
Scriptum Fine Stationery Vincero  
Stationery Supplies ‘Find Zen in your Zebra Pen’  

New Store of the Year:

Company
Comme Glom – Online
Papersmiths Brighton and Papersmiths Chelsea

Best Non-Specialist Stationery Retailer:

Company Nominated by:
B&M RETAIL Sinclairs
Little Paperie  
Paperchase Spectrum Noir/Crafter’s Companion
Papersmiths  
The Alphabet Gift Shop Ltd  

Best Specialist Stationery Retailer:

Company
Cult Pens
Martha Brook Ltd
Notable-Notebooks.com (Notable Collections S.L.U)
Penfax
Stationery Supplies
The Green Stationery Company

Ends

For further information please contact:

Vanessa Fortnam, vanessa.fortnam@stationeryshow.co.uk – 01666 824624.

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BCTF 2019 AWARD WINNERS REVEALED…

The winners of the BCTF Awards 2019 were revealed at a ceremony held on the afternoon of Monday April 8 at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, where the very best designer-makers are presenting their latest collections to the trade.

The winners are as follows:

  • Winner: Helen Eastham Studio
  • Winner: Kevin Hutson
  • Winner: Sarah Saunders Ceramics
  • Winner: Rebecca Perry Ceramics
  • Winner: Cinda Clark Design

Form & Function Award sponsored by The Platform Gallery: Joint Winners – Ellen Monaghan, Helen Eastham Studio, Kevin Hutson, Sarah Saunders Ceramics, Rebecca Perry Ceramics and Cinda Clark Design.

  • Winner: Melina Xenaki Ceramics
  • Highly Commended: Ugly Jewellery
  • Highly Commended: D W Glass

BCTF Award for Excellence sponsored by the Pyramid Gallery: Winner – Melina Xenaki Ceramics; Highly Commended – Ugly Jewellery and DW Glass

  • Winner: Faye Hall Design
  • Highly Commended: Betsy & Elys

Best Newcomer Award sponsored by the Heart Gallery: Winner – Faye Hall Design; Highly Commended – Betsy & Els.

Winner Sandra Vick

Post Newcomer Award sponsored by ACID: Winner – Sandra Vick

Winner Rachel Thornton

The Giftware Association Award for Excellence: Winner – Rachel Thornton

Winner Francesca Marcenaro

The NAJ Award for Excellence: Francesca Marcenaro

  • Winner: Citrus Bunn
  • Winner: Betsy & Els
  • Highly Commended: Claire Baxter Fine Art
  • Highly Commended: Jill Ray Landscapes
  • Highly Commended:The Three Foxes

Greeting Card Award sponsored by Greetings Today magazine: Winner – Citrus Bunn; Just Because – Betsy & Els; Highly Commended – Claire Baxter Fine Art; Commended – The Three Foxes and Jill Ray Landscapes

  • Winner: Kate Toms
  • Shorlist: Melina Xenaki
  • Shortlist: Jack McGonicle

Wow Factor Award sponsored by DesignGap/ArtGap: exhibitors selected Kate Toms as the winner from a short list of three, which also included Melina Xenaki Ceramics and Jack McGonicle Ceramics.

Show organiser, Margeret Bunn said: “BCTF is a real celebration of all things British and handmade, and our award winners represent that brilliantly and I am delighted to congratulate them all for their well-deserved accolades. We are very fortunate that our awards are supported by important industry associations, prestigious galleries and trade press, so a big thank you to them all for getting behind the show and supporting the best of British here today.”

BCTF 2019 has proved to be a success, with visitor numbers up and many exhibitors reporting that trade has been exceptional as retailers lined up to place orders on their stands.

“It has shaped up to be a fabulous edition of BCTF,” Margeret confirmed. “Buyers are aware that demand for handmade British products has increased over the years and they are keen to offer something new and unique to their customers. We have some incredibly talented designer-makers from all parts of the UK who are creating the most beautiful crafts, so it’s well worth the visit for gallery owners, gift shops, tourism destinations and other discerning retailers”.

For more information visit www.bctf.co.uk

Press contact: Charlotte Cowell: 01442 863646 / 07725 181974 / charlotte@bctf.co.uk

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FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2019 DESIGNER STATIONERY AWARD

This year’s new ‘Stationery Designer’ category has been introduced with the support and sponsorship of GO Stationery, which as a UK manufacturer, is in the almost unique position of being able to nurture a stationery product through its life – from conception and design, right through to retail sale.

Entrants for this Award were asked to supply a maximum of three A3 design boards showing at least three stationery items with the theme ‘The Next Big Thing’.  They had to explain who they thought their designs would appeal to and give an indication of what they thought the likely RRP of each item would be.

This design competition is a unique opportunity for budding stationery designers to work with an experienced production and sales team and see their ideas taken into production and delivered to retailers throughout the UK.  The lucky winner from the finalists below will work with the GO Stationery team to bring their designs to life!

The finalists are listed below, and the Winner will be announced at the Stationery Awards Evening on Tuesday, 30 April.  All Finalists will be allocated two tickets to the Awards Ceremony and will be contacted shortly so that they can nominate who they would like to attend.

The Stationery Designer of the Year 2019 Award finalists are: (this info has also just been revealed on www.stationeryawards.co.uk)

Designer Company
Laura Jackson Laura Jackson Design
Nina Dogmetchi Nina Nou
Soula Zavacopoulos The London Studio
Sian Towner Tiny T-Rex Tales

ENDS

Editors’ Note:

The GO Stationery team is passionate about producing great stationery designs and products for many of the UK’s leading retailers. Based in West London, and proud to be a UK manufacturer, it has a great track record of working with retailers from stationery specialists to fashion brands to develop great quality, market-leading, on-trend stationery.

For further info please contact vanessa.fortnam@stationeryshow.co.uk  | 01666 824624

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LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE 2019 STATIONERY AWARDS

Stationery Awards Logo

This week is the last chance for stationery suppliers and budding stationery designers to get their entries in for this year’s Stationery Awards which close this Friday, March 29.

The Supplier Awards are broken down into 11 product categories and a Good Design Award and are free to enter for any stationery supplier.  The entry form is online at www.stationeryawards.co.uk and a product sample must be mailed in for the judges to review along with the written entry.

The product judging panel this year includes Katy Golden, the new head of gift for The Great British Card Company, Debbie Wigglesworth, product development consultant of The Paper Collaborative, Sidonie Warren, co-founder of Papersmiths, Sarah Laker, proprietor of Stationery Supplies in Marple, Chris Lambert, founder of monthly art supplies subscription Scrawlrbox, Abigail Ball, assistant buyer stationery for Fenwick and Mark Hayhurst, editor of Craft Business. 

Once again independent retail consultant and deputy chair of The Giftware Association, Henri Davis, will guide and chair the panel.

It’s also the final week for any independent, freelance or student stationery designers to get their entries in for this year’s new ‘Stationery Designer of the Year’ category, sponsored by UK manufacturer GO Stationery.

“This Award is a great opportunity for a designer to work with an experienced team to see their ideas brought to life and sold into to the UK stationery market.  Who wouldn’t want to walk past a shelf with a display of your own designs on?!” commented event manager Hazel Fieldwick of Stationery Show London, which organises the Awards.

Designers need to submit no more than three A3 pieces of artwork, entitled ‘The next big thing’ which should feature their ideas for a new range of stationery designs covering a minimum of three separate items and a covering note.

Entry is free and must be done online via www.stationeryawards.co.uk. Physical samples may also be sent in for the judges to look at if the designer wishes – to arrive no later than Friday, 29 March 2019.

Finalists will be announced in the run-up to the Stationery Show at the end of April with the Winners revealed at an Awards Ceremony taking place on the first evening of the show, which runs over Tuesday and Wednesday, April 30-May 1, at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

Full details regarding delivery of samples etc is given on the entry form at www.stationeryawards.co.uk


ENDS

For further information please contact Vanessa Fortnam, Head of Content & PR, vanessa.fortnam@stationeryshow.co.uk

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LUCY LEDGER BUSINESS MASTERCLASS

V&A-March

The Giftware Association is proud to support multi-award winning UK designer, illustrator and artist Lucy Ledger at her next Creative Masterclass on Saturday 2nd March, held at the illustrious setting of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, The masterclass will focus on pinpointing a brand, encouraging new and emerging publishers and designers and learning insights into any creative industry, not just cards and illustrations but gifting too.

Lucy has been in the creative industry for 18 years working across a number of organisations before setting up her own internationally recognised company with a focus on unique, handpainted and mixed media art. Lucy now wants to share her expertise, knowledge and experience of the industry with her creative masterclasses on setting up and building a business or brand within the industry.

Partnered with The V&A, Lucy, a qualified teacher has run courses in building and developing a creative brand. Her first two courses were a massive success with both selling. Her next course on 2nd March is looking for new and existing designers to refresh their brand and adding authenticity to your brand as well as speakers from across the industry offering invaluable insights.

 

CEO of The Giftware Association Sarah Ward will be speaking at the event to give an overview of The Giftware Association and how it can help young designers and creators, as well as some of the initiatives the association can offer to help new businesses scale up as well as indispensable advice into the giftware industry.

Henri Davis, outgoing Chairman of The giftware Association and independent retailer advisor will also be speaking on the importance of branding and getting noticed by the right retailers. Stephen Spencer from ‘Stephen Spencer Associates’, will be offering advice on the importance of customer service and how to create an experience around your brand so it is long remembered.

Purchase your ticket here for this not to be missed masterclass. Places are limited so please book quickly.

Testimonials:

‘After our 1-2-1 mentoring session with Lucy we were able to map out a schedule of really achievable goals over the next few months. It helped us feel more confident about the direction we are heading in and how we need to go about this. We would recommend Lucy to anyone who is in the process of trying to reach the next level with their business and need a fellow stationery professional to help sift through the mountains of ideas flying around!’
 
‘My recent 1-2-1 mentoring session with Lucy was fantastic! She was so lovely, helpful and knowledgeable and gave me great tips on how to take things one step at a time with setting up my design business properly, branding and tips with social media. She inspired me so much! Thank you!’
 
“I recently had a bespoke 1-2-1 Skype training session with Lucy. I had so many questions for her and she managed to fit everything in. I was requiring more technical than business mentoring. Preparing artwork for printing, Photoshop techniques and much more. Her knowledge was astounding and her delivery was clear and concise. I would definitely book another session with her.”
 
“Thanks for all your support and guidance you have given to me this year I really appreciate it and wouldn’t have the confidence to launch my new business without it, I can’t wait for it to get started on all my ideas and plans!”