I spent yesterday at the National Stationery Show (NSS) which started
Sunday at the Javits Center in NY. I've been attending the show on
behalf of CNA for a few years now and I strongly believe this show
offers lots of products and inspiration for craft retailers.
Stationery/gift/home dec trends feed into each other so trendspotting
at NSS is highly useful. The other thing about stationery is that
because greeting cards tend to reflect the emotional priorities of
consumers it gives you a window into how consumers are feeling.
I'll tell you...they're feeling cynical. I was surprised by what seemed
like a lot of tongue in cheek and downright snarky card messages.
That said, consumers are also looking for beauty, perhaps to surround
themselves with pretty things during uncertain times. The print story
was very elegant (venetian prints) and whimsical (letterpress and
vintage children's book art). Pink and kelly green was the runaway
color story. Not just with preppy looks but with contemporary ones as
well. Pink is a hopeful color. Kelly green suggests new growth and a
healthy earth. Can you be cynical and hopeful at the same time? I
really think you can.
Scrapbook folks will see some familiar faces at NSS: Creative
Imaginations, DCWV, EK Success, Ellison, K& Company, Sandylion,
Daler Rowney, Glue Dots, and others, but their booths take on a
different look in a Stationery environment. Very interesting to see
scrapbooking products in the larger stationery market, just goes to
show you how "on the money" our industry suppliers are.
You'll have to check back for my full stationery trend report tomorrow
(sorry I need to get a code cracker to decipher my notes).
Prior to the Stationery Show, CHA held an event to launch a new
licensing pavilion at their show. This Pavilion is for artists looking
to license art to craft industry companies for packaging, stickers,
paper, fabric, etc etc. CHA has put together a really attractive
package so if you are a graphic designer or a manufacturer with a
really distinctive look, consider the pavilion. CHA will be agressively
promoting it and working to draw in art directors who could potentially
license the work. Contact Anthony DeMasi at CHA headquarters for more
info.
i always feel inspired when I leave the NSS and am feeling more
inspired because we already have articles in the works for our
July/August issue of CNA that address some of the trends I saw there.
Stay tuned! --Beth