Craft News: Tiny Hats, Young Tokyo Artisans and Why Where Something Is Made Matters

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Every fortnight, I take a wander around the wider craft world to see what has been happening beyond my own particular pile of paper, card, cutting machines and all the other creative paraphernalia that somehow seems to reproduce when I am not looking. This time we have tiny knitted hats doing rather a lot of good, a new generation of Japanese artisans showing that traditional craft is anything but stuck in the past, seven Scottish makers being given some very welcome room to experiment, and an interesting new European scheme that could eventually give certain crafts the same sort of geographical protection that we already associate with things like Champagne and Stilton.

There are also miniature rooms for people who apparently feel their full-sized homes do not contain enough things to decorate, an Australian exhibition celebrating imperfection, some exquisite Irish lace heading into the world of couture, and even a new little die-cutting machine in a rather fetching frosted finish. So, altogether, a much more cheerful wander around the craft world this time.

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Five handmade cards displayed on a wooden table, including floral, geometric, vintage, and pop-up designs

Papercraft Trends for 2027 – What’s Hot, What’s Not and What Might Be Making Its Way Into Our Craft Rooms?

John - Gentleman Crafter6 Comments

Well, here we are, heading towards another new year and, as is traditional at this time of year, the people who apparently know these things have started telling us what colours, patterns, textures and creative styles we’re all going to be falling in love with over the coming twelve months.

Isn’t that marvellous?!

Personally, I’m still trying to work my way through some of the craft supplies I bought in 2019, but apparently it’s time to start thinking about 2027.

Now, before anybody starts panicking and rushing out to replace their entire collection of patterned papers, embossing folders and cutting dies, I should probably explain that a trend isn’t an instruction. Nobody is going to come knocking on your door in February demanding to know why you’re still using last year’s floral stamps.

At least, I hope not…

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Woman looking overwhelmed at a cluttered craft table surrounded by sewing supplies

Some Uncomfortable Truths About Being a Crafter (That We Probably Shouldn’t Talk About)

John - Gentleman Crafter22 Comments

Hello there, my crafty chums!

Now, before we get started, I should probably warn you that today’s blog post might make for some uncomfortable reading. Not because I’m about to reveal some terrible scandal involving a well-known craft celebrity, a missing embossing folder and a suspiciously sticky tube of glitter glue, but because I thought it might be interesting to have a little chat about some of the things that we crafters know to be true but would rather not admit.

You see, crafting is wonderful. It’s creative, therapeutic, rewarding and, at times, downright magical. We can take a few sheets of paper, some glue and a handful of embellishments and turn them into something that brings a smile to somebody’s face.

However, beneath all those beautifully coordinated cardstock collections and perfectly organised ribbon racks lies a world of secrets, questionable financial decisions and enough unused crafting supplies to keep a small country occupied until the next millennium.

So, put the kettle on, grab yourself a biscuit (or three) and prepare for a little self-reflection.

Don’t worry. I’m including myself in this little interrogation.

Right then, shall we…?

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Crafter’s Companion: Another Sad Chapter for the Crafting Industry?

John - Gentleman Crafter6 Comments

Well, this is not the sort of news that I ever enjoy writing about.

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of watching the crafting industry grow, change, reinvent itself and, on occasion, go through some rather difficult times. I’ve met some wonderful people along the way, made lifelong friendships and seen first-hand just how much passion, determination and hard work goes into bringing the products we all enjoy to our craft tables.

So, hearing the news that the company responsible for operating Crafter’s Companion is entering liquidation is genuinely saddening. Not simply because another familiar name in our little corner of the creative world is facing an uncertain future, but because behind the headlines, the financial figures and the inevitable speculation are real people…

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A Crafty Day Out in Glasgow – Old Friends, New Inspiration and a Rather Blustery Adventure!

John - Gentleman Crafter6 Comments

It’s been a little while since I last had the opportunity to wander around a proper craft show, so when the chance came along to visit The Creative Craft Show at Glasgow’s SEC, I was rather excited!

There’s something quite special about a craft exhibition, isn’t there? The opportunity to discover new products, see what other creative people have been getting up to, and, of course, indulge in a little crafty retail therapy.

And, as it turned out, this particular outing had a few unexpected adventures thrown in for good measure!

So, pop the kettle on, make yourself comfortable, and let me tell you all about it.

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50% Off Annual Membership To My Patreon Page!

John - Gentleman Crafter12 Comments

Exciting news for SVG cut file project lovers – yes I am talking to you if you have a Cricut, Silhouette or Brother Scan N Cut!

I am currently offering 50% your first year for annual memberships for my Patreon page, but only until 25th October – so sign up quick if you want access to the entire SVG cut file project library (about 350+ sets!), twice-weekly new SVG cut file project releases for the next year AND a say in future releases too!

Yup, 50% off – but you’ll need to be quick!

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Happy woman reading craft newspaper

Craft News 13 October 2026: Cricut’s New AI Designer, the Return of Lacemaking and Glass Made from Waste

John - Gentleman CrafterLeave a comment

Every fortnight, I take a wander around the wider craft world to see what has been happening beyond my own particular collection of paper, card, cutting machines and things I really ought to have put away by now.

And this fortnight has produced a rather interesting contrast.

At one end of the creative spectrum, Cricut has introduced a new AI tool that allows people to design cutting-machine projects simply by describing what they want to make. At the other, one of Britain’s endangered textile crafts is attracting a new generation of makers who are discovering the pleasures of doing things very slowly indeed.

Elsewhere, an experimental glassmaker has won a substantial award for turning discarded materials into something beautiful, fashion companies are encouraging people to repair and make their own clothes, and there have been some interesting developments in sewing, papercraft and contemporary textile art.

So, let’s see what’s been happening.

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Two craftspeople exchanging a hand tool across a workshop table

Craft News 7th October – Cricut Moves Beyond Cutting, Craft Courses Under Threat and Why Making Skills Still Matter

John - Gentleman Crafter1 Comment

Every fortnight I take a wander around the wider craft world to see what has been happening beyond whichever particular materials happen to be covering my desk.

This time, two stories at opposite ends of the craft spectrum particularly caught my attention. One is about a major craft brand moving into an entirely new kind of machine; the other is about the possible disappearance of three places where people learn specialist making skills professionally.

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Craft News Live, Craft News Hub, Crafting with Claire, and World News Live displays surround a crafting host.

Craft News 14th September 2026 – Knitting the Air, Japanese Craft Meets Technology and a Fortnight Full of Making…

John - Gentleman CrafterLeave a comment

Every couple of weeks, I take a wander beyond my own corner of the craft world to see what else is happening — and this fortnight has produced a rather lovely collection of stories.

There is relatively little headline-grabbing product news this time around – probably because all of the trade shows are coming up soon!

Instead, much of the interesting activity has come from people using craft in unexpected ways: knitters turning air-pollution data into textiles, Japanese artisans working with international designers, heritage skills being demonstrated alongside contemporary craft in Wales, and a major London exhibition putting the work of independent makers directly in front of the public…

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Craft table with yarn, Cricut machine, tools, dried flowers, and open notebook

Craft News 30th August 2026 – Denby Lives On, Cricut Expands, Creative Memories Change Direction and More …

John - Gentleman Crafter6 Comments

Every couple of weeks, I’m going to take a look beyond my own immediate crafting world and see what has been happening across the wider hobbycraft industry.

The idea is not simply to repeat product launches or company announcements, but to pick out developments that might inform, educate or inspire — whether they come from papercraft, textiles, pottery, digital crafting or somewhere entirely unexpected.

And this fortnight there is a particularly interesting mixture…

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Introducing the ALL NEW Paper Cutting Planner – Smarter, Simpler Cutting!

John - Gentleman Crafter5 Comments

If you have ever stood at your paper trimmer or guillotine with a sheet of cardstock, a list of measurements and the quiet confidence that you can work it all out in your head, you probably already know where this is going.

A few minutes later, there are measurements scribbled on scraps of paper, a calculator open somewhere nearby, several increasingly questionable little diagrams and the uncomfortable suspicion that the very first cut you made has just ruined the entire plan.

We have all been there.

And that, really, is the problem that eventually led to the Paper Cutting Planner – if you cut card or paper regularly in your crafts, you need this!

(Ps, it’s free to use).

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25% Off Annual Membership To My Patreon Page!

John - Gentleman Crafter1 Comment

Exciting news for SVG cut file project lovers – yes I am talking to you if you have a Cricut, Silhouette or Brother Scan N Cut!

I am currently offering 25% your first year for annual memberships for my Patreon page, but only until the end of July – so sign up quick if you want access to the entire SVG cut file project library (about 350+ sets!), twice-weekly new SVG cut file project releases for the next year AND a say in future releases too!

Yup, 25% off – but you’ll need to be quick!

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