Summer 2021 - 28

COVER STORY
... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
" In my house, the same collection
of things comes out of the holiday box
every year, and most of those things are
handmade, " added Kaplan. " They hold so
many memories - not just in the tradition
of displaying the item year after year, but
also the memory of the time spent making
it. These things represent different ages
and phases of creativity with my daughter,
the different crafts that were sparking my
interest that year, the things my mom saved
that I made when I was little. I like to add a
new keepsake each year. I always set the
intention to slow down and craft and create
during the holidays, both for myself and to
give as gifts. "
Kaplan encourages her retailers to set
up a little display of the made items as a
silent selling tool. " I offer a pre-made version
of all of the DIY kits, or I nudge the retailer
to try their hand at making one of the kits
for display. "
The elephant
in the room is when
in-person workshops can resume, and how
to build community in the meantime. " If
conditions do not allow meeting in person, "
Luna promised, " we're looking at holding
(holiday) events online! "
When IRL is impossible, venues that
" offer support and have knowledgeable,
crafty staff have the most success, " Rivera
described. " We have a library of tutorial
content we've made over the years to use
as a reference. "
Like many makers, Kaplan started
posting free sewing tutorials on her site
the past year, building brand loyalty as
crafters sharpen their skills. " I try to make
these projects accessible to most skill levels
and adaptable to materials people likely
already have at home. These projects are
a good place to start when you want to
make something but find your mind empty
of ideas. "
The prospect of gathering to craft in
person is appealing on several levels,
finished James. " We think this category is
one that is here to stay. As we are able to
gather more safely, I can see meetups and
classes being a really big draw for local
shops and their communities. "
noticed that through the pandemic people
were really writing a lot more. Whether it
be journaling or writing a letter a day to
someone they couldn't touch ... it didn't
matter if they lived across the world or the
next room. It only mattered that they wrote.
So I am considering launching a branded
product line. Hopefully, I will be able to pull it
28 Summer 2021 | STATIONERY TRENDS
Clockwise from top, Antiquaria (circle 136)
elevates the act of calligraphy into a meditative
practice. Meanwhile sweet Kata Golda (circle
138) kits can be the start of new family customs,
and STORiBRUSH (circle 137) integrates
personalization into the DIY mix by transforming
photographs into paint-by-numbers.
off by the holiday season. It will be beautiful
and smell amazing! "
24. Think Positive. Be ready for anything,
but don't lose that spring in your step. " I
really hope to be more prepared this year! "
Norwood finished. " I also hope that the
majority of people are vaccinated and we
can all shop without capacity limits! " S T
Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Summer 2021
