CHA Winter 09 - Day One...

Spotted: Key trends which are gaining pace in the scrapbook world en mass include

1. The "rhinestone revival":

{Everyone} is doing it... from combo rub-ons with bling (a la Imaginisce, BasicGrey, Kaiser Craft etc) to just plain studded shiny (and pearl) stuff (again, a la BasicGrey, Kaiser Craft, K&Co, Doodlebug, Imaginisce et al...) It seems no collection is complete without the bling factor! You will be inundated, so hold onto your wallets...

Other trends spotted include:

2. JEWELLERY:

EKSuccess have ploughed into this category with the launch of their Jolee's line of findings and jewellery making components. It is a beautifully packaging and presented range which is already spotted in Michael's stores (alongside their adorably chic Martha Stewart line.) There is so many vendors now coming to the fore, with a jewellery offering, that this category is just hotting up. From cheap plastic bits to full scale quality semi-precious... you are going to be spoilt for choice (and hard pushed to not at least try it just *once* ;) The feel of jewellery is definitely younger, and definitely more DIY accessory (think how the recession will entice those thrifty crafters to make their own... rather than pay top/mod dollar for the same effect!!)

3. MINI-ME CLEAR STAMPS:

Clear Stamps is not new news (this grew big time in 2008) - but the trend is now to mini stamp sets and smaller price points. Everyone (maybe bar Fancy Pants) is going teeny... and trying to pick at the pocket money purchase - those impulse buys, the ones that fly under the radar of spouse approval ;)

4. FAST:

Autumn Leaves are not the only company to come up with 2 minute scrapbooking... but they are the first to really package it well with a time guarantee as part of the product title. You can select how much time you want to spend; and then be productive to deadline. HOTP championed this cause for much of 2007-2008, but Autumn Leaves has stamped the *cool factor* all over it!

5. ECO-FRIENDLY:

Forced upon the industry, or volunteered... we now have a green agenda and we are seeing some inventive interpretations. My fav is K&Co (as their packaging is fabulous) and they still feel oh so sophisticated along with that environmentally feel-good factor.

6. FLOURISH:

Swirls, scrolls and flourishes are flouncing their way into every designer range - whether wood, stamps, paper, emboss templates... you name it, there is a curly wurly swirly option. Loveable and pretty much a staple diet in craft - you can expect the flourish to be a firm fav in 2009.

xxx