What is your current role and how did you become involved in the craft industry?
As publisher of Creative Leisure News, a business newsletter published twice monthly, I report news and try to give readers a historical context for it. Because I've been reporting on the industry for 27 years, I've seen numerous trends and businesses come and go. Recently I wrote an article about the similarities and differences between scrapbooking and counted cross stitch, the industry's hottest trend in the 1980s. I wrote it in hope that the scrapbook and paper craft companies will not repeat the mistakes made by the cross stitch businesses.
I started out in the industry in 1979 as assistant editor of a trade magazine, Profitable Craft Merchandising. I was promoted to editor and then took the position of associate publisher of Craftrends. In 1997, I started Creative Leisure News and served on the board of directors of ACCI and HIA, then on the ACCI/HIA merger task force, and now on the Craft and Hobby Association board.

What are the future plans for CLN?
I would like to expand my international coverage. I have subscribers in 20 countries and plan to report more on local issues for them. I find sharing both sides of a story a very rewarding aspect of my job and I will continue to do this.

How do you view the industry?
I love this industry! Our products and projects make consumers happy, save them money and give them a feeling of self-worth. Also, entrepreneurs are, to me, the most fascinating, interesting people in the world and there are plenty in this sector. It is one big family, we certainly fight and fuss amongst ourselves, which is why it's so important for me to present both sides of an issue, and give each a voice. There is no progress - or peace - unless honest communication takes place. This industry is full of wonderful individuals, in 27 years, I bet I've only met about a half dozen people I wouldn't invite to my house for dinner! I have covered industry events from Maastricht to Munich, and from London and Seoul, and I've met t1000s of people - I suppose I could write a book.

How has the market evolved in recent times?
There are really five major areas of development, the first is scrapbooking. The industry has periodically had a very hot trend, for example, decoupage, macrame, cross stitch and wearable art. But we've never had a trend last as long, or stay as strong, as scrapbooking. I have noted that many of the entrepreneurs who started retail and manufacturing businesses are now retiring or selling their companies and also that the US industry is currently swarming with investment companies, eager to buy manufacturing and retail operations.
Imports continue to become more dominant as everyone clamors for lower prices and, finally, the retail side of business continues to consolidate as chain stores become more powerful and demanding of vendors but, as has always been the case, the savvy independents do fine.

What are your predictions for growth and development in the coming months?
I would like to see all areas of the industry grow. As far as predictions go, I think we'll see continued interest in jewellery making, beading and wearable art. Scrapbooking is morphing into a more general paper crafting category, with the major challenge here being the digital revolution. We have to make certain consumers see the value of hard copy scrapbooks, rather than simply creating one on a computer and keeping it there.