Businesses in Edinburgh have criticised a recent report claiming sales of craft supplies have risen in the area, suggesting they are an inaccurate portrayal of how things really are.

Despite a number of the area's leading publications stating that companies specialising in stained glass, knitting, crochet and card making have seen a significant rise in their sales – something many attribute to the return of Kirstie Allsopp's highly publicised TV series, Kirstie's Homemade Home – some of the city's top craft stores have revealed things have been far from perfect.

Speaking to Craft Business, Carol Amato, owner of art and craft store Get Creative, says, “To be honest, I can't say we've noticed a rise in our sales; if anything, they're down on last year thanks to the horrendous weather and huge number of people now purchasing their supplies online. Unfortunately, the snow has had a devastating effect on businesses like ours and although many people might be making their Christmas gifts at home – something I'm sure programmes like Kirstie's Homemade Home have encouraged – the majority are making the most of the materials they already have at home, rather than purchasing anything new.”

She continues, “While there is definitely a lot more interest in crafts than there might have been two or three years ago, I wouldn't say this has been any more buoyant in Edinburgh than the rest of the UK, and there have actually been quite a few craft shops that have closed over the past year, which proves things certainly aren't as great as the reports seem to suggest.”

Speculating about the year ahead, Ms Amato adds, “I really don't know how things are going to be in 2011. At the moment, everyone seems to be struggling, even the larger suppliers, and very few companies seem to be bringing anything new to the market. As such, businesses like mine are having to focus on the lines they already have and think of new and exciting ways to keep people interested in crafts until the next big thing comes along. For now, all we can do is make the most of what we have and hope that something innovative hits the shelves soon.”

Emma Dennison, of papercraft store Stampers Grove, agrees the reports seem to be overly optimistic. “We certainly haven't noticed a rise in our sales and although I wouldn't say they're down on 2010, they definitely aren't much better either. Having said that, I do think there is more of an interest in crafts than there once was, but I wouldn't say that's had anything to do with Kirstie's show.”

However, Ms Dennison remains open minded about the year ahead. “Although it's been a challenging 12 months, we are feeling positive about 2011 and hope it will be a more prosperous time for us all.”

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