Arts and Crafts Supplies News and Trends

Find arts and crafts supplies news and trends through published sources and industry events

By Denise Ryan
Whether you sell craft supplies online or through a brick and mortar arts and crafts supply store, boost sales by offering your customers cutting-edge materials, tools and embellishments. By keeping up with industry news and trends through a variety of sources, you'll also be able to discover new wholesale art supplies to keep your costs low.

Increase the appeal of your arts and crafts services by using news sources to learn new craft techniques. Teaching the project trends to your customers will also encourage them to buy additional products, ensuring future sales. Find arts and crafts supplies news and trends with the following resources:

1. Subscribe to trade journals and consumer craft magazines to discover popular products, upcoming releases and new techniques for arts and crafts supplies.

2. Attend craft industry trade shows and conventions to keep up with color trends, craft supplies and meet new suppliers for your arts and crafts store.

3. Find online sources for arts and crafts supply techniques and news like blogs, message boards and newsletters.

 

Check published sources for new art supplies and cutting edge techniques

Keep in tune with the arts and craft supply industry in general with trade journals or consumer craft publications that feature ideas for a variety of supplies and hobbies. You may also want to subscribe to magazines that focus on your store's area of expertise like knitting, jewelry making or sewing for project ideas, hot techniques, company news and advertisements featuring new product releases.
Try: Craft Magazine from O’Reilly Media features articles discussing hot products and projects using arts and crafts supplies for everything from jewelry making to rubber stamping and weaving. The publication also offers an online magazine, podcasts and forum where you can get product reviews and project ideas from crafters or other retailers. Check the books and magazines offered by F+W Media to find publications for specific crafts like scrapbooking, painting and woodworking.

Visit industry shows to find new ideas for and sources of wholesale arts and crafts supplies

Find numerous opportunities to network with other retailers, check out product trends and order cutting-edge craft supplies at industry trade shows and conventions. Inquire about keynote and educational speeches where you may hear industry news and business-related rumors. Also, consider visiting arts and crafts fairs during the holidays to discover ways that customers might be using different arts and crafts supplies for decorating or gift giving.
Try: Attend a Craft & Hobby Association trade show to discover new wholesalers, product lines and craft project ideas. Not only can you buy arts and crafts supplies for your inventory, but also sign up for marketing seminars and technique classes to learn how to use them. You’ll find educational resources on its website along with news on trends and research in the arts and crafts industry. Meet retailers and product suppliers for scrapbooking and card making materials at the annual MemoryTrends Conference & Expo show.

Read websites for reviews and trends for art supplies, home crafts and project ideas

Check the websites of every arts and crafts supply store, manufacturers, industry organizations and home crafters to find new products, hot craft trends or innovative techniques for basic items. Participate in online forums and post comments on craft-related blogs to share industry news, feedback and ideas with other retailers.
Try: Craft Solutions offers news articles, project ideas, book reviews and a directory of additional craft websites that feature discussions and ideas for art & craft supplies. Find craft message boards, art supply demonstrations and databases of craft resources through Craft Business Home.

 

  • Be willing to share resources for news and trends with other owners of art supply stores when you attend trade shows, seminars and marketing conferences. In turn, you may hear new product rumors, discover new customer requests and find additional wholesale sources for crafts supplies online.