New Scottish Luxury Aromatherapy Product Launch
Scotland’s Trade Fair 22-24 January, SECC, Glasgow
Background Information

Beatitude –

A state of supreme happiness, has been created by beauty therapist and aromatherapist Rebecca O’Connor. Beatitude is a luxury aromatherapy brand that is 100% natural with no parabens, no petrochemicals, no sulphates and no artificial colours or fragrances. Rebecca has been qualified and has practised in the beauty industry for over 20 years. Rebecca also has a degree, BSc (Hons) in Bioscience and Health.
 

Since moving to Scotland in 2004, Rebecca has been inspired by the diverse range of wonderful organic and natural ingredients that have become more widely available within the beauty industry. Having started a family in 2005, she became more conscious of chemicals used in cosmetic products and in recent years, she has used with great effect, professional skincare products without petrochemicals and parabens. The quality and textures of these products, in her experience, has been far superior to products she had previously worked with.
Rebecca identified a gap in the luxury aromatherapy market and has introduced an innovative natural formula that disperses in the water, producing gentle bubbles. This avoids the greasy feeling that is often associated with traditional bath oils, and it also prevents the oily staining that can be left with other bath oils.
 

Rebecca is keen that the beatitude brand represents a luxurious high quality product that has consideration for the environment. The beautiful glass, decanter style bottles can be recycled and because of the natural formulation the products are biodegradable. All packaging is biodegradable and can be recycled.
 

Please visit stand number LG24 in the launch gallery to see and smell these beautiful new products.
If you would like more information about beatitude products or to schedule an interview with Rebecca, please email rebecca@beatitudeproducts.com or telephone 07947 005657.

Stable Cottage Design – Press release

Launch Gallery – Stand LG 48

Scotland’s Trade Fair, Spring 2012 at Glasgow’s SECC sees the launch of new Greetings Card Publisher - Stable Cottage Design. The company, headed by graphic designer Fiona Young will be showcasing 66 Greetings Cards never before available to gift shop and greetings card retailers.

Stable Cottage Design’s display stand LG-48 celebrates a fresh spring day - the cards are pegged out on bright washing lines, with clouds in the distance and green grass at your feet. The company logo is cheekily emblazoned on a large pair of white knickers drying on the line!
 

Stable Cottge Design studio is based in an 18th century stable conversion nestled in a tranquil, natural park setting in Midlothian.

Fiona Young graduated in Fashion and Printed Textile Design and went on to work as a Graphic Designer within the Scottish tourism industry. Fiona also hand-makes beautiful stained glass pieces which feature in some of her greetings cards, a unique element to the card ranges of Stable Cottage Design.

Note to Editor
All the greetings cards are printed in the UK.
150mm x 150mm, cello-wrapped with white envelope
RRP £2.50 each
 

 

Loco Mosaics Stand L82

EXCITING NEW MOSAIC BUSINESS EXHIBITS AT SCOTLAND’S TRADE FAIR

Loco Mosaics, a new Scottish business selling handcrafted mosaics for the home and garden, is set to exhibit at Scotland’s Trade Fair for the first time this year. The business is run by Rhona Torrance, who specialises in making mosaics on slate tiles with brightly coloured designs that are suitable for indoors or outdoors. Much-loved designs include the owl, the wee fish, the vintage heart and the thistle.Rhona has spent the last year developing and refining her product lines and testing the market at craft fairs across Scotland. The highlight of her year was selling one of her mosaics to actor Morgan Freeman at a craft fair in Glasgow in December!

 Rhona’s introduction to the business of mosaics was a chance one. “It began with a Facebook chain status of all things!” explains Rhona. “My friend had posted a status message saying he promised to hand make a gift for the first three people who commented on his status. And anyone who commented also had to do the same. Soon enough I had three friends signed up so I began to think about what I could make them.“I'd always loved art and particularly brightly coloured mosaics. I was looking at the internet when I stumbled upon 'pique assiette', a style of mosaic that incorporates pieces of broken ceramics - plates, dishes, cups, mirror and tiles - into the design. I was immediately hooked!” Everything happened really quickly after that for Rhona. “I did a mosaics course, our spare room became my studio, I raided the local charity shops for antique china, I got my hands on some tiles, beads, mirrors and tools, and I was off.”After being approached by retailers at craft fairs asking to stock her products, Rhona decided to exhibit at this year’s trade fair to expand into more retailers across Scotland and the UK.

 Rhona has a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree and is a member of Artists’ Interaction & Representation (AIR) and the British Association for Modern Mosaic (BAMM).To find out more, visit www.locomosaics.co.uk or visit Rhona’s exhibition stand (L82) at Scotland’s Trade Fair.  For more information, phone Rhona Torrance on 07973 886161.

Amanda Mercer
Designer & Maker
12 Hartington Place, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 1HL
Tel. 07963781125
info@amanda-mercer.co.uk
www.amanda-mercer.co.uk

Amanda designs and individually handcrafts each piece from delicate porcelain, inspired by nostalgia and past times. She will be bringing her delightful collection of buttons, home wear, jewellery and decorations to Scotland Spring Trade Fair.

In 2009 I graduated with a First Class Honors in Contemporary Applied Arts at the University of Cumbria.
Based in Carlisle, Cumbria I create textile and ceramic pieces which are decorative and wearable that are nostalgic and vintage inspired. My work evokes memories through the use of found objects such as buttons found in my Grandmas button box. Fragments of lace, old sepia and black and white photographs, postage stamps and letters.

My pieces are hand built; press moulded or slip casted from porcelain. The surface and decoration of my pieces are created from different techniques. I imprint and screen print onto the clay surface, and also use decal transfers from my own designs. My pieces are finished with an oxide wash, or under glaze, then glazed and fired.

CA Design
5 Spinners Yard
Fisher Street
Carlisle
CA3 8RE
www.catrionaarchibald.co.uk

CA Design will be launching an all new collection at Scotland's Trade Fair Spring, the companies never seen before range will be available exclusively to buyers from the show.

CA Design is a new company based in Carlisle and the Scottish Boarders. The ethos behind the company is a 100% handmade one; Catriona is inspired by everyday functional objects and work over multi disciplines to create individual pieces that stand alone or as part of a collection. Catriona works with a view to her textiles having as little environmental impact as possible, using a vintage Singer machine to create bespoke textiles from vintage, recycled and mixed fabrics. End to end production for completely unique ceramic giftware, Catriona uses slip casting and building techniques to create a range of functional and decorative wares for the home to compliment her textile pieces. Catriona’s passion for pattern and print based background allows her to layer contrasting patterns on to ceramics, adding in hand drawn elements to give her work a unique and quirky edge. Textures from lace and fabrics features on her ceramic work and these elements naturally link back to her textile pieces.

Tartan Twist at STF
Stand D57

Tartan Twist, the award-winning Scottish jewellery company, is launching four new jewellery collections at Scotland’s Trade Fair in January 2012. The company, which was nominated as Jewellery and Accessories Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards, in association with VOGUE.com, has taken inspiration from the poetry of Robert Burns. The new My Love Is Like… collection comprises agate, sterling silver and resin necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The show-stopping collection comes in two colourways: red and white.

The company is also launching its Tartan Angels collection of fun charms. Each angel is a different colour and represents a different attribute: hope, peace, promise, friendship, love, happiness and guardian angel. The collection comes as charms, clips or necklaces and is available with tartan or satin ribbons. The collections are designed and made at Tartan Twist’s Scottish studio.

Gillian Crawford, director of Tartan Twist, says: “2011 has been an exciting year for Tartan Twist. We’re looking forward to launching our new collections at Scotland’s Trade Fair. It’s always a great show for us and the focus group feedback for the new collections has been very positive. The new pieces have price points which we know will appeal to our customers in the current climate.”

For more information call Gillian Crawford on 07770 382033 or email gillian@tartantwist.com STF stand D57
 

Hanlin

Article 1 - Current trends in fashion have shown a steep rise in the use of natural materials, skins from various animals including sheep, cow and reindeer. With the majority of this winters collections including natural products and 35% of the world’s leading designers utilising natural products within their winter clothing range questions and eyebrows will certainly rise.
Questions which rise from seeing such materials being utilised at fashion events are revolved around the ethics of such acts, this is primarily due to the lack of knowledge of how the materials are sourced and produced.
At Hanlin’s all Products and Hides are a Bi-Product of their industry and 100% ethical and legal, not wasting resources and materials is an ancient trait which over the years has been lost, certain tribes to this day live by natural means sourcing food, shelter and clothing by hunter gatherer way of life. When an animal is acquired for food, other parts of the animal including bone and skin are not wasted, these materials then being used for clothing and shelter.
This in itself is a green and eco friendly way of living, artificial products which mimic this natural resource are non bio degradable materials as these contain chemicals known to harm the environment and in recent times have raised questions as to how such chemicals are being utilised to produce clothing.
Ethics and personal feelings aside artificial clothing and products do not match the quality or feel which natural materials provide, artificial materials are not as warm or insulating as natural products, neither are they breathable. Making clothing made from natural products not only the must have fashion item for this winter but an effective means of tackling Britain’s ever increasing harsh cold winters.

Article 2 - 2011 Winter Fashion Trends
With fashion magazine covers shouting out natural products as being this Winters trend and 35% of all winter collection being unveiled by the world’s top designer this year containing natural materials, we at Hanlin’s feel we as the leading supplier of natural products and materials to be best placed to lead and create awareness of this trend and the natural products industry.
With our product range having been produced from natural materials such as Sheep, Reindeer, Calf and Goat hides, our range of Footwear, Gloves, Hats and Rugs are perfect for this winters wardrobe.
The rise in natural products making a comeback in the fashion industry has caused a surge in consumers trying to source such products in turn causing a worldwide shortage of natural hides.
The trend in natural product clothing may not be a direct consequence of fashion magazines but factors playing a key role within the rise may well be that these products are more comfortable and provide the warmth and flexibility to tackle an upcoming winter and its shivering low temperatures.
Clothing has been made by natural materials for centuries; even today there are certain tribes which live by utilising natural materials one of them being animal hides.
Looking and feeling great this winter is what the leading fashion designers are looking to promote, with everyone’s thoughts turning to their carbon foot print, this certainly is one way in which we can make an impact on our environment with natural bio-degradable and eco friendly clothing and footwear.

CarrieMe launches new CarrieMore Snowball Charm

 The CarrieMore Snowball Charm is an irresistibly tactile bag charm, finished in the softest of faux furs. It gives any handbag an elegant, high fashion update in an instant. It also converts into a practical bag hook that fits even thicker tables due to its new extra-long hook. This keeps your bag off the floor, secure and germ free, giving the busy modern woman peace of mind without losing her stylish edge. RRP £24.95 www.carrieme.co.uk.
The first in CarrieMe's new range of CarrieMore Charms, the Snowball is designed to be worn as an elegant bag accessory, it clips onto any bag strap on the outside of your bag. When unclipped, it becomes a quirky high fashion bag hook.
 

CarrieMe’s designer Carrie Gregory-Hood says “I love the tactile faux fur trend and wanted to create a fabulously soft and original accessory that would be both fun and useful for all those who love the soft touch of faux fur. This exclusive CarrieMore Charm not only makes a bold statement on your bag, but also keeps your bag safe.”
The Snowball range is available in four deliciously Spring colours: shocking pink, tropical turquoise, cranberry red and pastel pink.
CarrieMe is a London based brand, designing practical accessories for the busy, sophisticated woman of today. Drawing from her own experiences as a cosmopolitan career woman in a variety of countries and inspiration from the latest colours and textures on the catwalk, Carrie is able to create stylish and useful innovative products.
 

Mele & Co.
From the Past to the Present
A Century of Jewellery Cases

In 1896 Emidio Mele emigrated to New York City where he lived with a family from his small hometown of Volturara Irpini that nestles at the feet of the ‘Terminio’ in the Province of Compania in Italy. He was only twelve years old but moving to America meant a chance for a new life and he was lucky to have the help of his surrogate Italian Family as well as a few mentors to get him started on what would become his future legacy.

Learning his craft from fine Jewellery display case makers Wolfsam and Sachs, Emidio soon had the skills he needed to make a name for himself. His first designs were conceived and crafted at his kitchen table and in 1912 Emidio and his wife opened a store on ‘Mulberry Street,’ New York and so our story begins. His new venture focused on designing and building his own elegant Jewellery displays for stores and eventually jewellery boxes for home storage. Ever the true entrepreneur, he was the craftsman, salesman, and deliveryman as well. With his attention to detail and design, it was not long before Emidio began to attract high-end customers for his jewellery boxes from New York’s historic Fifth Avenue.

The business grew into the 1940’s and 1950’s ushering in a new generation of Mele family to the trade: his three sons Edward, Raymond and Joseph. Edward, the eldest son, joined Mele after graduating from college. Both Raymond and Joseph first served in the military, Raymond as a fighter pilot and Joseph as a tugboat captain. After graduating college they both joined the family business in 1947 and brought new growth to Mele.

The next decade brought excitement as we introduced a jewellery box with an automatic tray, a feature so successful that we still offer it today. In a 1948 Life Magazine article, Macy’s listed a Mele Jewellery Box as one of the ten best-selling Christmas gifts. In the mid 1950’s we introduced another new category to the collection; musical jewellery boxes. Shortly thereafter, the success of the musical line inspired an entire category of children’s musical jewellery boxes with a twirling ballerina, a design with timeless appeal. From wood jewellery boxes to musical, ballerina boxes to lacquer and more, our selection over the years has led Mele to be known, as ‘The Foremost Name in Jewellery Cases’.

Throughout the 1950’s, the Mele business sprouted seven facilities across New York State. In order to be more efficient, we consolidated operations to our upstate New York location in the city of Utica. Our business family had found a new home and the Italian heritage of this Central New York community provided the best location to ground our roots. Half a century after founding and all under one roof, a new era for Mele began. In 1968 we expanded our business to the UK opening up a factory in Cardiff ‘Lionite Mele’ and from those new roots we have grown and now supply more than twenty countries from our location in Wales.

Emidio’s love for his trade has been passed down through the years. We now have Ray Mele the third generation of the family to own and operate Emidio’s business and continue his legacy of excellence, as we continue to create beautiful jewellery boxes that you and your family can enjoy for a lifetime. We have a long history in Utica and Cardiff and we are thrilled we have been able to maintain our presence in cities rich with Italian heritage, just like our company.

As we arrive at our 100th anniversary having survived two World Wars, the great Depression the recession and energy crisis of the 1970’s as well as the tumultuous economic landscape of the past few years, we now call our family brand “Mele & Co.” which best encompasses our brand – it’s not just Mele – it is our entire company – our family. We continue to be the most desired name in jewellery cases throughout the world. Our name is our brand. We infuse the heritage of our family into each of our jewellery boxes and continue to offer you innovative and timeless designs for years of happiness and sentimental memories.

Welcome to Mele & Co.
A Company of Tradition, A Family of Values!

O Chive Pocket Watch – Italian Chic in Your Pocket

Fullspot, the contemporary Italian design house that gave us the ultra stylish and multi-coloured O clock watch, has just launched its modern and affordable take on the classic pocket watch with ‘O chive’.

Lightweight and durable, the body and flip-top face cover is a plastic with a tactile, soft touch finish and the watch face is clean white. As with all classic pocket watches, O chive comes with a metal chain and hook in bold, chunky white that allows you to clip it to your jeans, waistcoat, jacket or even inside a handbag for safety and convenient access.

Available in 10 vibrant colours to suit every taste and outfit, including red, cyan blue, lime green, black and baby pink, Fullspot has given the pocket watch a new lease of life and sense of fun thereby opening it up to a whole new generation. O chive is a fresh and modern interpretation of this classic timepiece and is set to be the next fashion must-have. This is Italian chic in your pocket!

The presentation and packaging is as stylish as the contents, with each O chive coming neatly secured in a metal container resembling an old-style shoe polish tin allowing you to stack it for a bold shelf presence. O chive retails at £39.95. Trade price is £15.00.

Fullspot’s O chive and O clock are exclusively distributed in the UK by OWC Ltd:
Tel: 01873 855158 See OWC & Fullspot on the Crystal Grafitti stand at Scotland's Trade Fair Spring Stand H137
www.oclock-uk.com