Gift Focus - Jan/Feb 2019 (Issue 111)

giftfocus 103 spring fair preview CLASSIC CANES Stand: 20K10-L11 W: classiccanes.co.uk This year is a major milestone for walking stick specialists Classic Canes, as the family firm celebrates its 30 th consecutive Spring Fair. Director Diana Porter, who has attended every year, recalls the early days: “In 1990, we had to join a waiting list to exhibit. We had just two weeks of notice that a small stand was available for us. We created a stand out of garden trellis and a cloth backdrop I ran up on my sewing machine. We had a much smaller range of products then but knew that we needed to reach a wider customer base and to start exporting. The Spring Fair helped us to do this. The shows were very crowded then, and it was often impossible to leave your stand because of the stream of people passing by. We met a variety of interesting retailers, many of whom are still stockists today.” Today, Classic Canes stocks more than 700 traditional and contemporary walking sticks, folding canes, seat sticks and umbrellas, and the company is renowned internationally for the style and quality of its products. New walking sticks at Spring Fair will include designs based on Monet’s water lilies, produced in association with The National Gallery, new patterns of folding canes, including designs for men such as Prince of Wales check and camouflage designs, formal evening canes with glittering crystal collars and new leather seat sticks, made in the UK. Diana’s daughter Charlotte, now managing director, commented: “We are delighted to be exhibiting for the 30 th time at Spring Fair. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new to the stand to view our latest products. The range of retailers that can sell our products is very diverse now, so we never know who we might meet next; it’s all part of the fun of Spring Fair.” HOLY MACKEREL Stand: 3U11 W: holy-mackerel.co.uk Holy Mackerel is a family company established in 2002, supplying greetings cards and gifts from beautiful Pembrokeshire. It supplies card and gift shops, garden centres, galleries, bookshops and department stores in the UK and overseas, working with a number of excellent artists to produce quirky ranges. The company is kicking off 2019 with a host of new card ranges and designs, starting with X Axis by artist Beth Hopkins. Beth uses collage to create cool and contemporary designs, perfect for all ages. The Frankly My Dear humour range has been expanded, ideal for the gin-lover, knitter or wine connoisseur. For 2019, the Vinegar and Brown paper range of cards, featuring Andy Poplar’s witty glass and vinyl etchings, also sees new additions. The range contains a mix of wry humour and beautiful retro designs, making it a real crowd-pleaser. There are also fresh designs on display by Erica Sturla, and Holy Mackerel’s bespoke service means the possibilities for retailers are endless.