Industry News
The Craft & Hobby Association announced its board of directors for the 2010 term, elected in October. Named were: Mike McCooey, president and chief executive officer of Plaid Enterprises, chairman; Larry Olliges, president of Dees’ Crafts as vice chair; and Mark Peters of iLoveToCreate, a Duncan Enterprises Company, as secretary. McCooey and Olliges were both re-elected to serve second terms in their respective offices, while Peters will serve his first term. The board also announced that David Murray, vice president of ACTIVA Products, will fill the board vacancy created by the resignation of Sara Naumann. For more information about CHA, visit www.craftandhobby.org.
Faber-Castell USA has redesigned its Creative Studio website, www.creativestudio.fabercastell.com. The enhanced site is full of new features showcasing Creative Studio products and providing detailed descriptions, ratings and images.
In the Buyers’ Guide Issue of Art Materials Retailer, mailed last November, the address for Pebeo was listed incorrectly. The correct address is:
Pebeo Inc.
33 Elm Street, Suite 131
Champlain, New York 12919
Writing implements manufacturer Staedtler is sponsoring the third annual World Kids Coloring Day, which will be held Thursday, May 6. Children are encouraged to color and sell their artwork to raise money to benefit Save the Children, an organization that trains teachers and provides teaching and learning materials for children in the U.S., Sudan, Afganistan and Haiti.
Suggestions and information are available at www.world-kids-coloring-day.us. It’s a great event to participate in with schools – each school is responsible for planning its own activities and the event at which the pictures will be sold or auctioned.
STAEDTLER will supply each school with posters and other materials for their participation, and will award monetary prizes to the top three fundraising schools. The first place school will receive $1,500; the second place finisher, $1,000; and third place, $500.
Plaid’s new Community section on www.plaidonline.com is equipped with several easy-to-use features that allow artists to post and share their work, and to see what others are doing. All designers, artists and crafters are welcome to submit ideas, projects and profiles to the site.
In the new section, visitors will find:
• a Community Gallery where artists can post their own works created with Plaid products and include a statement about their inspiration for projects
• a Featured Artist column where artists can post photos and talk about themselves and their work, as well as post links to personal blogs and websites
• and instant links to friends and other areas of Plaid’s online network, including www.plaidkidscrafts.com, and links to Plaid’s Twitter, My Space and Facebook pages.
The Daylight Company is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the launch of its first Daylight lamp in 2010. Founded by Patrick Jacquelin in a warehouse on London’s Portobello Road, the company creates lamps that have changed the way crafters and artists work, helping them see true colors and extending the time they can work without eyestrain.
Jacquelin started selling blue bulbs to artists who used them to improve lighting conditions in their studios and compare colors in their true light. Soon, the company started to design lamps to use for crafting, including sewing, needlework and quilting.
Initially sold only at exhibitions, Daylight lamps are now available from a wide network of craft shops, shows and websites in more than 25 countries worldwide.
The company recently introduced the Studio Tripod Lamp, considered a breakthrough in precise lighting for artists. Its strong, flexible, 5-inch arms are arrayed in a tree style, directing north-facing daylight where it’s needed by artists working with large-scale canvases, craft projects and work areas. The height-adjustable 7-foot tripod accommodates up to four energy saving clip-on lamps, each providing the equivalent of 100-watts of powerful natural light while using only 20 watts of electricity. The Daylight Clamp-lock System attaches the clip-on lamp securely to the tripod or easel, allowing the flexible arm to move seamlessly to direct the light exactly where it’s wanted.
To see Daylight’s full range of products, please visit www.daylightcompany.com.
We at Art Materials Retailer want to share your company’s news. Please send us information regarding new hires, expansions, mergers, charitable programs and other developments in your company and the industry. Submit your news items to Anya Harris, assistant editor, via e-mail at anya@fwpi.com, by telephone at 800-344-0559, by mail at PO Box 1080, Geneva, New York, 14456 or by faxing them to 315-789-4263.
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