HOME 2012

A couple of quick pics from my stand a HOME-LONDON, (the carpet didn't help with the exposure of the pictures). This was the first HOME show and I have to say I think it was great! I launched 2 new products and got plenty of new stockists on board.

Thanks to Tom for all of his hard graft on the stand and thanks to Earls Court Turkish Kebab house for providing a wonderful lunch everyday.

LDF 2011

This year I have taken a break from my usual routine of launching new products at 100% design and instead I have chosen to get my head down and actually take some time over designing some new products for launch in 2012. That being said, I could not let a LDF go by without being present. So if you are in and around the London Design Festival over the next few weeks be sure to check out: Design Junction. Here i will part of a Pop-Up Shop with various other designers (listed above), at the Pop-Up Shop you will be able to buy Embrace, Pantone Wallstore and Standard (for the very first time since it's launch at 100% design last year).

The event is located at:
Victoria House/Basement
37—63
Southampton Row
WC1V 4DA

Opening times: 22—25 September 2011 / 10—19.00pm daily.

Check out: www.thedesignjunction.co.uk for more details.

DAVID MELLOR DESIGNS

Since the opening of my exhibition in Barnsley earlier this year when I met Corin Mellor I have been meaning to visit the David Mellor factory. In NYC when I agreed to help breakdown their stand I spent a good half hour in amazement as I flicked through the David Mellor portfolio and learnt more about what he had designed. Being a bit naive I only knew of his cutlery. And to think i never knew who designed the Traffic Light makes me feel a bit of a clown shoe. So as I broke down the David Mellor stand in NYC I stuffed a few of my products into their pallets knowing it would get me down to their factory to collect them.

Last week I finally got the chance to get myself out to the peak district for a visit and wasn't let down! That place is just amazing and whether you are a designer or not I recommend it. It was the CLEANEST factory floor I had ever seen, you seriously could eat your dinner from it. Visiting has made me realise that this is exactly what I want for my brand. Maybe in a few years time though ;).

Thanks James for the coffee, the factory tour and most importantly bringing home the things from New York. Cheers

MOLESKINE - ICFF

For every trade show/exhibition I do I have a fresh Moleskine. This is used to keep business cards and write down notes from orders and contacts etc... There's always the odd inspired sketch in there too. When arriving in New York there was no need for my own Moleskine as greeting me on my stand was brand new ICFF limited edition notebook...well worthy of blogging. Even if it is a few months late. Check out the debossed ICFF logo, wrap and the note inside.

NEW DESIGNERS 2011

I've just returned from a week in London for the New Designers. This year I was helping out York St John University, working with them on the stand design and build. It was a big stand to build in a day but we managed it...just.

There are some promising graduates this year. I particularly enjoy the concrete stool 'dainty' and jigamals.

ICFF

Well...it's been an eventful few days, but I have to say some of my most relaxing of this month. Everything has just slotted into place quite nicely! For the first time I havn't been rushing about like mad. I like American trade shows.

A few pics of the stand above. Not very good...I need to get better at this!

LAST MINUTE PREPERATIONS

Thanks to BA throwing my case around a little bit more than I expected, I'm having to do a last minute spray touch up in the hotel room. Thanks to jessy for setting up the spray booth.

New York, New York

well, it's been an eventful few days, but I have to say some of my most relaxing of this month. Everything has just slotted into place quite nicely! I arrived in New York on Tuesday afternoon, wasn't jet lagged felt good had a nice stroll round. The city if everything I thought it would be....BUSY!

Decent view of the Empire state building from my hotel room:

Got to the Javits centre yesterday to set up the stand around 9.30 only to find my pallet had not been delivered despite an email to say it's waiting on my stand. So as you can imagine I was slightly nervous. Anyway after a few phone calls back to the UK I was re-assured it was on it's way. Waited for a good hour but nothing came and I was getting a bit stressed out with it all.

There is only so much thumb twiddling you can do when your in NYC. (Think I'm actually weeding some vinyl in the image below).

Went for a burrito and a quick sight see. Once we returned, as promised the Pallet was there. A couple of hours later and I was up:

Back in the Hotel room now trying to get some good shipping prices and burning press packs. I'll be finishing off the stand later and will hopefully get some nicer images up!

GRAND DESIGNS LIVE 2011

Well, well...what a show. I have just returned back up north after 10 days in London at the Grand Designs show and all I have to say is.....I'm knackered. With less than 24 hours before I depart for New York I will keep this post as short as possible. Sorry in advance for the grammer...i'm rushing!

So, just incase your not aware. I shared my stand at Grand Designs with snowhome. I showed embrace and snowhome had the word map. A nice collaboration between Angus @ snowhome and Alison Hardcastle, Click here to view. 

This was my first time at Grand Designs so I didn't really know what to expect. The biggest difference with this show to the others I have done is that this is a Retail show rather than a trade show. So I was expecting to be selling direct to customers, market stall style! Man......what a rollercoaster. I don't think I'm cut out for market stalls, too stressful.

To sum up the show: the first few days there were no embrace sales (Maps were moving slowly) and then mid-way through the show I found myself up on stage with Kevin McCloud being presented with the Grand Designs 'Highly Commended' Award for Product of the Year 2011. (a pic of me on stage will follow at some point). After this Embraces started to sell like Hot Cakes. Good show in the end.

9 days was a long long slog, but ont he bright side it gave me enough time to chat to some of the other exhibtors and I met some great designers you should check out: JamesUK, Tandem, and AssemblyRoom  

Sorry the pictures aren't too good, i was hoping for much better but the poor lighting made it difficult!

Right I have 23 embraces to pack up now for collection in the morning, a coat stand prototype to finish off and my bags to pack for New York, I'm sensing an all nighter on it's way :( at least I can sleep on the Plane. 

Highly Commended

Embrace = Highly commended for the Grand Designs Product Design Awards 2011.......NICE!

- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Edgware Rd,Paddington,United Kingdom

Grand Designs LOVES

Nice little present from the organisers of grand design last night! It was nice to chat with organisers of the show and hear that Grand Designs LOVES embrace! :)
(Appologies for the GASH photo's. I'll get some nice ones on the SLR asap).

So......If your in the London area and would like to pick up a bargain on an embrace, then get your self to Grand Designs. For this week only I'm offering a SHOW PRICE for all orders and sales made at the show....upto £100 off! This was never intention, but I have been here 2 days now and not sold 1 table. I've soon found out that the visitors to this show will not part with their cash unless your offering a show price. So it's day 3 and within 20mins I had sold 2 tables.

This offer willl not extend past the show, and just so you know, I'm accepting all major credit cards :).