Hobbycraft artisan programme sees launch of new ‘Year of Stitches’ kit
Hobbycraft’s Artisan programme, which launched in 2020 to give staff members the chance to design and create their own lines to sell, has seen 22 artisans sell their own products at Hobbycraft to date, with all profits going to the creators.
The arts and crafters retailer now has 113 artisan colleagues across the business and this month has announced the launch a ‘Year of Stitches’ Embroidery Kit priced at £8.00.
The kit offers a creative way for people to capture all the special moments in their life through craft. It was designed by artisan Katherine Lucy, who initially created a Year of Stitches personal project in 2019 and then went on to create one for the for the Hobbycraft Ideas Hub in 2021. When shared on Instagram by Hobbycraft, the project gained a cult following, with customers creating their own Year of Stitches hoops.
Featuring printed guides to inspire stitch designs, the latest kit includes a basic embroidery stitch step-by-step to help beginners looking to practice their stitches, as well as a 9” embroidery hoop, an embroidery needle, a cotton fabric square, and a heat erasable pen.
Last summer, Hobbycraft set up a panel of its senior management team for its ‘Artisan’ colleagues to pitch their product ideas with the chance to have their own ranges sold at Hobbycraft.
Lucy said: “I am overjoyed to see my Year of Stitches creation transform from a personal project to an actual kit which customers can buy and use. I hope my kit inspires people to get creative with their memories, believing each stitch will represent something that has happened to them – for example, stitching a firework for New Year’s or a pumpkin for Halloween. The kit can be enjoyed or started at any time of the year, and crafters can either add a small stitch every day or save it for the big occasions.”
