The Giftware Association named the winner of the timely competition as Dragonfly Dichroic with their beautiful mini glass rainbows. The rainbows were designed and made by founder Ann Maitland to help raise money for a local hospice and support the UK during the ongoing health crisis
The competition, that ran in June, highlighted all the great work giftware suppliers were doing during the health crisis – whether that was raining money for charities, key workers or care homes or giving back to community with profits from their products and ranges. Twenty percent of each entry fee went to charity of the entrants choosing and the GA has so far given money to 12 different charities including NHS Charities Together, Mind and St Johns Ambulance.
 ‘My 15 year old and I were both starting to struggle with lockdown so we came up with this project,’ says the winner Ann. ‘We took the scraps of glass left from making the larger rainbows I’d launched in September, and made sets of two for friends and relatives which we posted or delivered by hand.
‘We gave about 100 away but so many people got in touch asking for them that we decided to make some to sell while donating 25% of retail sales to Strathcarron – and so far have donated enough money to run the hospice for 48 hours.’
The entries were judged by buyers, retailers and industry experts, who had their work cut out with the amount of great products entered. Tabi Marsh from Papilio Heritage said there was ‘a fantastic range of products,’ while Samantha Swain former buyer for Lakeland and retail consultant said ‘I’ve loved looking through the wonderful contenders. Some fantastic products! Made me quite emotional.’
The winners will receive ongoing promotion through all the GA channels and will also be included in the main Gift of the Year awards held at Soring Fair 2021 receiving a special trophy.
‘We are extremely happy to have a winner from what has been a competition born out of a crisis,’ says GA CEO Sarah Ward. ‘During the first months of Covid-19 we were seeing so many great products that gave back so we are happy that its gone to such a beautiful product, with a touching back story, though all the products are to be celebrated.’
