After a successful launch in 2023, Curated Craft Online returns from June 16 to June 24 with a host of first-class British makers and hundreds of beautiful handmade products, ranging from ceramics and glasswork to greetings products, Christmas decorations and jewellery.
With last year’s show attracting 225 unique buyers from around the UK, there are high hopes that gift shops, galleries, garden centres and heritage retail destinations will once again show their support from British makers at this friendly event.
The most popular promotional initiative from last year’s show – the Golden Ticket prizes – will be reprised this year, with a first prize worth £300 and second prize worth £200 that the winners can spend with exhibitors. At last year’s show, Ebbingtide at Seagull Gallery in Filey, the Jane Adams Gallery in Cornwall and Alchemist Gallery in Scotland, each scooped £150 which they used to trial new makers.
Curated Craft offers retailers a simple and effective sourcing platform enabling them to browse high quality products from the comfort of their own home. The event is not intended to replace physical trade shows, but it does offer a way for busy retailers to extend their product sourcing without having to travel.
“While nothing can replace the experience of visiting a great exhibition, the online marketplace is a huge growth area – and both retailers and consumers have become more accustomed to sourcing products this way”
Organiser Denre Bruins
While the show will be ‘live and direct’ with a real time chat function for those who want to hang out, makers won’t have to be glued to their computers for an entire week, as buyers will have the option to message them on email or WhatsApp.
Organiser Denre Bruins said: “While nothing can replace the experience of visiting a great exhibition, the online marketplace is a huge growth area – and both retailers and consumers have become more accustomed to sourcing products this way. There is a huge amount of design talent out there and this offers an alternative platform for a wide pool of makers. Curated Craft gives exhibitors a chance to showcase new lines as we enter the Christmas buying period, while retailers can catch up with their favourite British makers, discover new products and refresh stock ahead of the Golden Quarter.
“Last year we found that many retailers were browsing the show in the evening, after their shops closed. So for this event we’ll be keeping it open 24/7 for a full week to maximise that opportunity. Any retailer who visits has a chance to win Golden Ticket, which is our gift to the amazing independents who do so much to support British makers and to keep our high streets alive. The higher value Golden Ticket value means that makers with higher end work can potentially benefit more from this great promotional offer that’s exclusive to Curated Craft in 2024.”
Register as an exhibitor or retailer at https://curatedcraft.co.uk/
For enquiries, email Denre Bruins at contact@britishcraftdirectory.co.uk or call 01442 863646.