NYIGF Names Two Winners of Carol Sedestrom Ross Scholarships

In recognition of creativity, craftsmanship and unique artisanry, two emerging artisans – String Theory from Montreal, and Haptic Lab fromBrooklyn – will receive the first two annual Carol Sedestrom Ross “Maker-to-Market”scholarships awarded by the New York International Gift Fair^® (NYIGF^®). The award –honoring the memory of Ross, a pivotal figure in both the American Craft movement and in GLM’s development of wholesale craft markets – will be presented annually to the most promising newcomers to NYIGF’s Handmade^® division.  

“These scholarships further Carol’s dedication to fostering the growth of young craft artisans with amazing promise,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Supporting their entry into a wholesale market will put these artisans on the path for business success.”

The scholarship recipients were selected from more than 200 applicants to the summer 2011 edition of Handmade at NYIGF.  Both winners, who are first-time exhibitors in Handmade Designer Maker, will receive free exhibit space and travel expenses as well asand pre- and post-show marketing support and market-readiness consultation from By Hand Consulting.

According to Colvin English, Co-Founder of ByHand Consulting, “Carol would be thrilled with this scholarship in her name.  She was always fostering new companies in their search to expand their businesses and improve their markets, and she truly believed in the NYIGF as a platform for building these relationships.  It is especially appropriate that both of the inaugural companies are textile groups.  Carol began her career as a textile artisan and she had a special place in her heart for companies working in the media.  I know she would love the products and the enthusiasm both Haptic Labs and String Theory are bringing to the show." 

String Theory, lead by textile designers and artists Lysanne Latulippe, Meghan Price and Étienne Proulx, create home and wearable accessories, including scarves, wraps, and throws. Design and production is based in their weaving lab in Montréal, Canada.www.stringtheory.ws

Haptic Lab was founded in 2009 by Emily Fischer, a Brooklyn, NY-based architect and designer. Fischer designs keepsake quilted maps, inspired and enjoyed by the sense of touch, which illustrate specific cities and neighborhoods with hand-stitched detail. www.hapticlab.com

Scholarship namesake Carol Ross was instrumental in the development and expansion of the Handmade division at NYIGF, following her 1992 appointment as the Director of Craft Marketing at George Little Management (GLM). Ross also initiatedHandmade sections in GLM gift shows in San Francisco, Boston, Dallas, Washington,Seattle, Los Angeles and Atlanta. For many years, she managed the jury process for all of GLM’s Handmade sections.

As founder and chief executive officer of American Craft Enterprises (A.C.E.) in 1975, Ross was among the first to recognize the market existed for fine American crafts. Through her active involvement with A.C.E. and its parent organization, the American Craft Council (ACC), she was instrumental in bringing contemporary crafts into the mainstream of American merchandising. Ross passed away unexpectedly in June 2010.

For 25 years, Handmade has offered buyers an extensive selection of handcrafted items across such categories as tabletop, ceramics, textiles, home décor, jewelry and apparel. Handmade is presented in two distinct and individually-juried categories:Handmade Designer Maker focuses on limited-production designer maker resources, andHandmade Global Design presents international craft resources with a focus on strong design, traditional techniques and quality workmanship. Criteria for acceptance into either category include uniqueness, originality, authenticity, and marketability.

Handmade at NYIGF runs Saturday, August 13, through Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800+ exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware.  Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected.  Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.