© 2015 HA Designer Section Page 1 - AFCI Section Trends Committee Report...© 2015 HA Designer...


The CHA Designer Section Summer Trends Report

Introduction A trend refers to the general direction in which something is changing. In the first half of 2015, the craft industry has continued to develop, shift and change course. There is a natural ebb and flow in the life of every trend. This phenomenon, coupled with technological advancements, changing tastes and the power of social media, influence the world of crafts.

While every crafter and artist may have a stash of favorite supplies and techniques, trends influence the creative process that, in turn, determine release of new products scheduled by manufacturers. Trends are developed by both groups based on the particular range of products available and the buying habits of crafters.

This report highlights the trends seen in the first half of 2015 as well as those expected to develop in the second half of the year. A diverse group of designers put their time, energy and industry know-how to good use reporting on the different aspects of trends in the world of crafts. Despite coming from different areas, there is a surprising level of consistency in the reports. To our contributing designers, a sincere thank you!

General Crafts - Carmen Flores Tanis Mixed Media - Seth Apter

Children’s Crafts - Shannon Bielke Needle Arts - Lorine Mason

Home Decor - Linda Swingle Paper Crafts - Eileen Hull

Jewelry Arts - Suzann Sladcik Wilson Wearable Arts - Linda Swingle

Wishing success to everyone,

Linda Swingle

Seth Apter

CHA Designer Section Trend Committee Co-leads

Cover Design by Linda Swingle

Layout by Linda Swingle and Carol Heppner


Typography continues as a popular trend. Ready-to-paint individual letters, words, phrases, and complete quotes make interesting selections.

Depending on the materials, single-cut letters appeal to crafters on many levels. Simple screen stencils can be used to personalize stationery and mini wood pallets with stylized monograms.

Adding a third dimension to letters allows them to pop off the printed surface in the form of cardboard or metal letters ready to set on tabletops or hang on walls. When fitted with lights, suddenly those 3D letters become icons reminiscent of marquee signage making every person feel like a star in her own home. Depending on the finish, 3D letters can feel vintage as if rescued from an old drive-in theater or appear bright and shiny as if from the corner diner.

When it comes to materials, manufacturers provide crafters with typography precut from Masonite, wood and dense cardboard – all perfect and ready for receiving unique combinations of mixed media and various art techniques. With so many designs available in so many different typefaces, crafters can choose their own selections and meaningful words or phrases. “Love”,

“Dream”, “Princess” and “You & Me” standout amongst the selection: all of which inspire, describe and remind individuals of important thoughts and ideas.

General Crafts Carmen Flores Tanis

Carmen Flores Tanis www.florestanisstudio.com Email: [email protected]

Carmen teaches art and craft classes throughout Southern California. She specializes in combining diverse materials in unexpected ways as she pushes her creativity process beyond that of mixed media. With a background in glass crafts, Carmen is a contributing editor to Glass Patterns Quarterly and has her own product line of glass crafting kits.

http://www.florestanisstudio.com


Children’s Crafts Shannon Bielke

Shannon Beilke www.shaandco.net Email: [email protected]

Shannon holds a bachelors degree in Art and enjoys teaching art techniques to all age groups. She teaches various classes within her community and freelances as a contributing designer to a number of companies. Mixed media is her latest passion, which lends so beautifully to all sorts of arts and crafts.

More kids are crafting today than ever before. Reasonably priced supplies and kits, a seemingly endless variety of crafts, and more adults embracing their artistic sides have all contributed to a new generation of highly creative children.

Children's craft trends, strongly influenced by social media, make it easy as DIY craft ideas are available everywhere. With the assistance of family, teachers and friends, today’s children can easily explore their natural creative intuition and spend more time crafting than in years past, satisfying creative urges and learning new skills.

Loom and band crafts are still popular, as is tie-dye and foam crafts. Quilting crafts are making a showing, and sewing seems to emerge as a favorite as grandparents and older relatives guide the young crafter along the way. Various ready available craft kits save time and money. Along with the expected, innovative kits

such as cement stepping stones, rag dolls and clay sculpting with a potter’s wheel included, advance children’s skills on many levels. If you want your child to learn to paint, kits includes traditional oil paints, canvas, brushes, as well as an easel.

Children are open minded, eager to try new things, and confident in their abilities to create. Creativity comes

naturally, mom and Pinterest guide the way, family and friends provide opportunity and inspiration, and a child creates. As children joyfully create, they will lead the way and guide the trends. New trends will come and go, new ways to create will inspire us, and in the children, we can be sure we'll find the next great artist or crafter waiting to be discovered.

Fun and colorful “Newspaper Birds” by © Loraine Brummer with Kids & Glitter, used with permission www.lbrummer68739.net

http://www.shaandco.net


Home Decor Linda Swingle Eclectic combinations make a classy return in 2015 as creativity and art accentuate comfort and stylish living.

Americana ‘Home-Spun’ turns sophisticated due to the large DIY movement. Hobbies and interests step up as decorative and functional accessories capture the heart of the American style.

Wallcoverings top the list transforming a single wall or an entire room with lively color, patterns, and texture including snazzy retro fusing with modern appeal. High-end, handmade wallcoverings provide style for discerning taste as do custom hand-painted murals.

Marsala takes a back seat to blue as color of the year for furniture, décor and accessories. Standing the test of time, natural earth tones taken directly from Mother Nature’s palette state comfort, hominess and grounding. Sourced elements feature

burled timbers with embedded crystals, natural geodes, as do minerals fused with colorful glass and ores. After all, “Mother” knows best!

Metallics remain a staple as gold, silver, bronze and pewter add shimmering tones for 2015 and beyond. Gallery walls storyboard family photos, events, travel, handcrafted items, art, typography and

other interesting objects, creating a focal point for guests as they enter the home.

Exterior design style equates to outdoor living. Regardless the size of an outdoor space, entertaining and dinning outdoors rejuvenates the spirit and calms the soul.

Linda Swingle www.lindaswingle.blog.com Email: [email protected]

Linda works as a professional artist, consultant, orator, and art specialist. Her services include prod-uct invention, development, and packaging tailored to the craft industry. Her professional approach combines in creating multiple forms of art including original paintings, sculptures, illustrations, graphic design, crafts, and home décor. Linda’s art spans the globe in both the commercial and pri-vate sector. Linda’s knowledge and services will help to make your product line shine!

http://www.lindaswingle.blog.com


Gold dominates as the metal for Fall and Winter 2015.

Cuff bracelets and stacked bangles will be popular with leather and chain combinations in some designs.

Designers are keeping it close to the neck with wide chokers and collars as hot accessories.

The broach is back and the materials being used are rhinestones and metals. Also, look for unusual materials such as Plexiglas.

Rings are coming in strong colors to complement the fabrics of the fall and winter fashions. Another interesting trend is colored resins mimicking gemstones that have been put to use in some trendy new designs.

Handmade Accessories that are made with beads for a more handcrafted look are a welcome trend this fashion season.

Natural Environment Animal prints are still popular with exotic leathers being used for necklaces and bracelets. Florals will continue to carry over as flowers make striking statements on beautiful crystal necklaces and earrings.

Variations of raw stones combined with silver make a showing by some designers.

Art Deco Expect to see geometric earrings and cuff bracelets highlighting this look.

Serious Sparkle Designs like crystal collars and broaches with bling will shine through this season.

Jewelry Arts Suzann Sladcik Wilson

Suzann Sladcik Wilson www.beadphoria.com Email: [email protected]

Suzann continues her professional knowledge of beading and jewelry making by yearly attending the Craft and Hobby Association MEGA Show; subscribing and contributing to several leading beading and jewelry making magazines, and networking with other leading designers.

http://www.beadphoria.com


Mixed Media Seth Apter Mixed media is everywhere. Historically connected primarily with art and artists, it has fully crossed over into the craft industry as more companies release mixed media products and invite mixed media artists, designers and bloggers to their teams.

A number of recent trends continue as art journaling remains hot by shifting toward authentic raw journaling and less emphasis on creating pretty pages. Faith-based and Bible journaling have also increased in popularity. The use of text and lettering continues to be extremely popular in all forms of mixed media art as well.

Acrylic paint and paint-related mediums continue to surge in popularity as more companies release their own lines of products and provide relevant education. Paint pens and markers are particularly popular. Fine art techniques cross over to mixed media including encaustic and cold wax techniques, portraiture

and watercolor painting.

Stencils continue to be strong with text, geometric shapes, nature, portraiture and background designs trending as themes. Fabric and fiber art continue to move into mixed media, paper arts, journaling, and collage as a supplemental material to add for layering and texture. Similarly, free stitching on paper continues to be widely seen.

Increased interest in surface design and patterning is evident on both paper and

fabric and in the form of both digital and handmade art, via stamps in particularly. There also seems to be a resurgence of interest in more traditional sketching and drawing. This is perhaps a logical extension of popular doodling techniques that served as an initial introduction to drawing, while doodling may be reaching a plateau after several strong years. Coloring books for adults seem to be taking its place as a hot, new trend.

Seth Apter www.sethapter.com Email:[email protected]

Seth is a mixed media artist from New York City. You can find his work in galleries and on the pages of many books and magazines. He teaches internationally, has published several books and workshop DVDs, and is the designer behind his own lines of art stencils and stamps.

http://www.sethapter.com


The crossover between traditional needlework projects and mixed media has never been stronger.

This crossover has resulted in the creation of art projects that are not only wearable, but can be found displayed on your wall, carried into the airport on the front of your luggage or become a part of something as utilitarian as a tea towel hanging in your kitchen. Artists no longer peruse in just one or two aisles in their local craft store. Crochet enthusiasts are just as likely to be found in the jewelry department looking for beads to add to their next project. Sewers, quilters and embroiderers are also looking for the unusual: adding a host of mixed media elements to their work.

Traditionally, needle art examples featuring non-traditional embellishments beyond thread, fabric and row after row of meticulous stitching would have been difficult to find. In 2015, you

are just as likely to find fabric and thread incorporated into paper crafting as paper utilized in fabric collage art. Lines have blurred and rules relaxed, making this an exciting time for mixed media arts. Raw edges and free-form stitches prove versatility is the law of the land without concern for the intended use of pieces.

Creativity means there are no boundaries and each item in a sewing or craft store might find a new use from the creative process of the artist.

Floral appliqué and floral- inspired designs continue to garner attention. Whether delicate floral motifs or large and messy blooms, flora and fauna images are strong trend icons. Look for color, photographic realism, handcrafted interpretations as well as 3D versions. After the cool winter season we just went through, brightening things up is being welcomed with open arms. Let vibrant color, texture and intuition guide you.

Needle Arts Lorine Mason

Lorine Mason www.lorinemason.com Email:masoncreation.com

Lorine is a licensed product designer, an accomplished project designer, and author of thir-teen DIY sewing and craft books. Innovative project design, trend awareness, and hard work are the corner stones of her business. Skills include designing, writing, teaching and consulting. As an accomplished sewer, Lorine strives to inspire others to create unique home sewn items with a creative twist.

Creative Needlework projects created

by Lorine Mason (above) and Rebekah

Meier (left), features versatility fusing

aspects of mixed media via needle,

thread, and multiple techniques.

http://www.lorinemason.com


Paper Craft Eileen Hull The paper craft community of card makers, scrapbookers, mixed media artists and 3D crafters has expanded to include party planners creating table décor, banners, tissue paper garlands and 3D flowers for all occasions. Instagram is filled with countless bloggers posting great ideas for party themes.

Elevating life to an art form, crafty planners arrive on the scene assisting in organizing family schedules, time, and even shopping trips! The pocket scrapbooking system adds a new twist with pocket letters. The 8 1/2 by 11-inch pockets house art pages, sayings or gifts while making mailing a snap. Travel themes continue as maps, signs, and campers via icons in papers, dies and embellishments add charm to pages. Metals and foils, especially gold, continue as companies provide foil application systems allowing the crafter to create elegant style at home. Vellum returns

as a fun surface to foil. Shaker cards, nautical themes, geometrics and clean styles remain popular for card making as the vintage and distressed styles wane. Metal, washi tape, and wood laser cut accents add to paper lines. Embroidery crosses over into paper as dies and papers reflect sewing and stitching.

Text continues as digital handwritten fonts assist to create art, thus eliminating worry if your lettering skills are not the best. Creative wall art

influences the use of stamps, stenciled phrases, and words in block print and script. Doodling and lettering goes free form eliminating “rules” as calligraphy relaxes for a personal style. Coloring books for adults are big sellers. Grown-ups are celebrating the chance to sit and play with colored pencils and markers! Meditative type doodling and patterning dominate as subject for books, online and in-store classes.

Eileen Hull www.eileenhull.com Email: [email protected]

Eileen is an artist, author, and adventurer. Recently, Eileen launched her eleventh die-cut collection with Sizzix and six new ColorBox™ Blends ink colors with Clearsnap. Eileen travels across the United States in a vintage camper on the "Paper Trail" teaching classes at stores and galleries along the way.

http://www.eileenhull.com


Wearable Arts Linda Swingle As the summer Paper Arts+ Show draws near, it is only natural to feature paper art. Understanding the Show features a menagerie of wonderful inspiration, creative tools, and supplies, I remain compelled to focus on paper. Glorious paper!

Paper continues as a hot trend as many world-renowned fashion designers coolly continue to support the global focus on “Going Green” by incorporating paper as a base material.

Limited editions of dresses, fashionable accessories and jewelry continue to make a scene as creative paper styling features newsprint ripped straight from the headlines. Grocery bags, pages from the phone book, and recycled junk mail support efforts. While creating with paper, it is only natural to turn to ready available sources. One only has to go as far as her mailbox for an endless supply of paper!

Handmade paper jewelry trends in stylish ways as

decoupage jewelry and pendants display treasured photos. Many DIY blogs offer free tutorials for those interested in creating custom jewelry, accessories, and apparel.

Believing in practicing what I report, the necklace I made, featured in the photo above, provides ample inspiration for your next project.

Abracadabra! Junk mail transforms into an elegant focal piece fit for casual attire or an evening out on the town.

Paper is a wonderful source for

creative ingenuity. Join in the fun: it only makes sense to recycle while creating your own unique styling trend. The depth of inspiration strongly communicates your care for the earth while proudly claiming creative ownership of unique and unforgettable style as your inner fashionista!

Linda Swingle www.lindaswingle.blog.com Email: [email protected]

Linda works as a professional artist, consultant, orator, and art specialist. Her services include product invention, development, and packaging tailored to the craft industry. Her professional approach combines in creating multiple forms of art including original paintings, sculptures, illus-trations, graphic design, crafts, and home décor. Linda’s art spans the globe in both the commer-cial and private sector. Linda’s knowledge and services will help to make your product line shine!

http://www.lindaswingle.blog.com

© 2015 HA Designer Section Page 1 - AFCI Section Trends Committee Report...© 2015 HA Designer...

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