News & Press
Blog.
Stories, features, trends, and long-form articles from across the craft industry — the ideas and people behind the show.
The ideas behind the craft.
Crafting in 2026: what is actually happening in the craft industry
Joann is gone, 72% of US adults completed a craft this year, and the shops that sell them the materials are shrinking. What the numbers actually say about the trade going into 2026, plus the colours coming in 2027. Every figure sourced.
Read more →Why Houston? A Maker’s Guide to the 2026 Fall Show City
If you’ve never been to Houston, consider this your friendly nudge to start planning early. Let’s take a tour of why Houston is the perfect backdrop for our fall gathering.
Read more →Congratulations to the 2026 Golden Scissors Awards Winners!
Congratulations to the 2026 Golden Scissors Awards Winners!
Read more →How to Boost ROI from h+h americas: A Pre- and Post-Show Guide
Are you ready to attend the premier trade show for everyone who makes a living in crafts? Be prepared to hit the ground running—h+h americas is a massive show, with multiple opportunities for networking, education, shopping, business strategy, and socializing. It helps to come pr
Read more →Meet the State of the Industry Panelists for h+h americas 2026
State of the Industry Panel
Read more →Craft Retailer’s Checklist: Must-See Events at h+h americas 2026
There’s so much to do at h+h americas 2026—and you can do it all. Especially if you bring a trusted group of crafty confidantes!
Read more →h+h University for Creators and Teachers & Designers
We structured the new h+h University like a University experience, where students can mix and match courses for the ultimate interdisciplinary experience. The new h+h University acknowledges that in the craft industry, entrepreneurs often wear many hats. h+h University covers 5 c
Read more →h+h University for Brick-and-Mortar Shops, E-Commerce Sellers, and Sewing Machine Dealers
The new h+h University presents a holistic day of education structured like a University experience. Covering five tracks that address distinct craft business communities—Brick-and-Mortar Shops, E-Commerce Sellers, Creators, Designs/Teachers, and Sewing Machine Dealers—h+h Univer
Read more →Houston, Here We Come: Introducing the h+h americas Fall Edition
For decades, Fall has held a special kind of magic for the craft industry. It’s the season when makers return to their studios with renewed energy, when shops prepare for the holiday rush, and when the industry’s most exciting ideas start to take shape. The h+h americas Fall Edition is officially on and ready to […]
Read more →h+h University Revamped: Explore the New + Improved Education Program
h+h University Revamped: Explore the New + Improved Education Program
Read more →Ready To Maximize The h+h americas Experience? Explore Passes Now!
Ready To Maximize The h+h americas Experience? Explore Passes Now!
Read more →Shop Class Cards for h+h americas
Still searching for the perfect holiday gift for your favorite craft business? Want to show your LYS or LQS owner how much you appreciate them? Surprise them with a Class Card to h+h americas 2026!
Read more →Introducing the Color Palette for h+h americas 2026
The new color palette for h+h americas 2026 is here!
Read more →Exploring Creativity and Community with Amy Frazer on h+h Connect Podcast
Exploring Creativity and Community with Amy Frazer on h+h Connect Podcast
Read more →Apply for a Retailer Scholarship to h+h americas 2026
h+h americas has become the spring gathering for the crafts industry, uniting craft retailers, industry innovators, manufacturers, visionary designers, and passionate makers for an engaging, week-long experience. This inclusive event is dedicated to empowering the entire crafts c
Read more →h+h connect update – h+h americas 2025 content available now!
h+h connect has now been updated with video content from h+h americas 2025!
Read more →A Better h+h americas: Join the 2026 Conference Committee
Are you ready to make 2026 the best year for h+h americas so far?
Read more →Reflecting on Cosplay Creators at h+h americas 2025
h+h americas is incredibly proud to be one of the first and only craft industry events to openly embrace and seek to promote cosplay creators.
Read more →Look Back at h+h americas 2025
h+h americas 2025 was a smashing success by all metrics. The show boasted impressive increases in attendees, exhibitors, countries represented, square footage, and events and classes.
Read more →Embracing Creativity and Community at H+H Americas 2025
Embracing Creativity and Community at H+H Americas 2025
Read more →The Ultimate Guide to the h+h americas mobile app
h+h americas 2025 is our biggest show yet—packed with so much content, it’s literally impossible to do everything. It’s imperative to plan ahead and strategize your visit to ensure you attend the events that are of interest to you.
Read more →Learning Lab at h+h americas 2025
Are you ready to go hands-on at h+h americas? Learning Lab is for you!
Read more →Product Academy at h+h americas 2025
h+h americas 2025 may launch on May 7, but we encourage attendees to arrive early because the show really starts on Tuesday, May 6.
Read more →Introducing Heidi Kaisand: Behind the Scenes at H+H Americas
Introducing Heidi Kaisand: Behind the Scenes at H+H Americas
Read more →Definitive Guide to h+h americas 2025
We could write a novella-length treatise on all the different events, classes, and networking opportunities at h+h americas 2025. But no one wants to read that. Suffice it to say that h+h americas 2025 is practically bursting at the seams with content.
Read more →Retail Visual Dynamics: A Conversation with Sheena Burt
Retail Visual Dynamics: A Conversation with Sheena Burt
Read more →Keynote Sessions at h+h americas 2025
h+h americas 2025 includes three enlightening keynote sessions open to all attendees of the show. Each day of the show opens with a new session featuring top thought leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs from the crafts industry. Our keynote sessions offer insight into the
Read more →Industry Changes: An Interview with Brint on Crafting’s Future
Industry Changes: An Interview with Brint on Crafting’s Future
Read more →Business Classes at h+h americas 2025
Attendees to h+h americas have the unique opportunity to engage with leading educators and entrepreneurs in the crafts industry. With the purchase of a Full or Individual Business Conference Class ticket (learn about the differences between the two options here), attendees gain a
Read more →Full vs. Individual Business Conference Class
Full Business Conference Class vs. Individual Business Conference Class: which is right for me?
Read more →h+h americas 2025: Schedule Overview
Are you ready to schedule your time at h+h americas 2025? The show continues growing with multiple daily events to keep attendees engaged and happy. The top note we’ve received from previous shows is that it’s difficult to see and do everything h+h americas has to offer, so plann
Read more →Introducing the Voices Behind the h+h americas
Introducing the Voices Behind the h+h americas
Read more →Tips for How to Network Effectively at Trade Shows
Networking at a craft trade show like h+h americas is not just about making sales; it’s about building lasting relationships that can lead to significant business growth and opportunities. H+h americas provides a unique platform for craft businesses to connect with potential buye
Read more →h+h americas: A Launchpad for Creative Business
h+h americas: A Launchpad for Creative Business
Read more →Introducing h+h University
Attendees to h+h americas 2025 should prepare for an exciting evolution to the educational offerings at the show. Now approaching our fourth year, we’ve learned a lot about the scholastic needs of the craft industry. Each year invites another opportunity to refine the classes and
Read more →h+h americas Announces New Pavilion for Beads, Buttons, and Jewelry Crafting Supplies
h+h americas Announces New Pavilion for Beads, Buttons, and Jewelry Crafting Supplies
Read more →Download the FREE 2024 h+h americas Lookbook
h+h americas 2024 offered a wealth of creative insights and inspirations for attendees and exhibitors alike. We’re incredibly proud of the rich environment we’ve fostered for craft businesses, entrepreneurs, retailers, and creatives and continue to seek ways to expand our offerin
Read more →Lights, Camera, Connect: Crafting the Perfect Visual Identity with Gale Zucker
Lights, Camera, Connect: Crafting the Perfect Visual Identity with Gale Zucker
Read more →Educator Opportunities at h+h americas
h+h americas is excited to announce we’re increasing opportunities for educators to engage with the craft industry in 2025.
Read more →Help shape h+h americas: The Advisory Board, Sewing Dealers Summit, + Content Creator Program
As h+h americas grows, we continue seeking guidance from the crafting community to help shape the future of the show. The more our community participates in developing the show they want to attend, the closer we are to meeting the needs of all who make a living in crafts.
Read more →Magnetizing Success: The SewTites Journey and the Power of Trade Shows with Jessica and Jamie
Magnetizing Success: The SewTites Journey and the Power of Trade Shows with Jessica and Jamie
Read more →Are you ready for h+h americas 2025?
We’re less than a year from h+h americas 2025. While that may seem like a long time, it’s never too early to get excited and start planning for next year’s show!
Read more →Market Trends Unveiled: Consumer Insights from h+h americas Day Three
Market Trends Unveiled: Consumer Insights from h+h americas Day Three
Read more →Celebrating the Success of h+h americas 2024: A Record-Breaking Year for Creativity and Business
Celebrating the Success of h+h americas 2024: A Record-Breaking Year for Creativity and Business
Read more →Exclusive show content continues on h+h connect
The h+h americas 2024 show lives on through h+h connect!
Read more →Keynote Session with Amber Kemp Gertzel (h+h americas 2024 – Day 2)
Keynote Session with Amber Kemp Gertzel (h+h americas 2024 – Day 2)
Read more →Transforming Craft Retail: Insights from the State of the Industry Panel at h+h Americas 2024 (h+h americas 2024 – Day 1)
Transforming Craft Retail: Insights from the State of the Industry Panel at h+h Americas 2024 (h+h americas 2024 – Day 1)
Read more →h+h americas 2024: Recap and Aftershow Event
h+h americas 2024 cemented the show as the must-attend event for the craft industry. We’ve grown both our attendee and exhibitor audience year over year since launching in 2022, and created more educational and inspirational content and networking opportunities to help nurture cr
Read more →Artistic Experiences at h+h americas 2024
At its core, h+h americas is a celebration of artists, makers, crafters, and creators. Our mission is to unite the crafts industry to enable businesses, content creators, entrepreneurs, and crafters to network and forge lasting relationships. We also want to invigorate our commun
Read more →Unraveling Creativity: Alanna Wilcox’s Journey Through Fiber Arts and AI Innovation
Unraveling Creativity: Alanna Wilcox’s Journey Through Fiber Arts and AI Innovation
Read more →Main Stage Events, Keynotes, and Meetups at h+h americas 2024
h+h americas 2024 offers even more opportunities for networking, connections, education, and business growth than in previous years. This year’s show includes an all-star lineup of industry leaders hosting events on the main stage—all of which remain free for attendees! The main
Read more →Masterclasses + Business Classes at h+h americas 2024
h+h americas 2024 includes so many incredible resources for brands, creators, and businesses to expand their skill sets. Our lineup features some of the best minds in the craft industry to furnish h+h americas’ attendees with educational opportunities around marketing, online sel
Read more →Every customer counts – Cosplay
Every customer counts – Cosplay
Read more →Speaker Introductions
Speaker Introductions
Read more →Explore the Content Creator Summit + Learning Lab
The opportunities at h+h americas 2024 focus on establishing deeper connections with the crafts community and learning more about the innovative products and services available from craft brands, retailers, businesses, and entrepreneurs.
Read more →Sample It at h+h americas 2024
There are so many reasons to come to h+h americas 2024 a day early. New programmatic elements like Product Academy, the Content Creator Summit, Masterclasses, and Sample It now ALL occur on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. If you’re arriving on May 1, you’re missing huge opportunities to
Read more →Product Academy at h+h americas 2024
As mentioned in our program update, we’ve added an additional day of programming for h+h americas 2024. We’re encouraging attendees to arrive earlier than in previous years. Instead of arriving on May 1, prepare to arrive on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, for a full day of activities.
Read more →2024 Event Schedule
2024 Event Schedule
Read more →h+h americas 2024 Program Overview
It’s time to mark your calendars for h+h americas 2024 program!
Read more →Attention all creative souls, quilters, and small business owners! Featuring Heidi Kaisand & Darrin Stern #038
Attention all creative souls, quilters, and small business owners! Featuring Heidi Kaisand & Darrin Stern #038
Read more →Fiber & Fabric exibitors and attendees on h+h americas
Are you still wondering if h+h americas is the trade show event for your craft business? Now approaching our third year, h+h americas has already surpassed expectations for 2024. We’ve secured 30% more floor space to respond to new demand, and our program is evolving and expandin
Read more →In her own words Carole English of Trailhead Yarns
In her own words Carole English of Trailhead Yarns
Read more →Sponsor Companies Do Better at the h+h americas Show
h+h americas® (HHA) is the premier annual event for anyone who makes their living through crafts. Companies should employ diverse strategies to maximize their presence at this expansive gathering.
Read more →In her own words Audrey Moore of De Bondt B.V.
In her own words Audrey Moore of De Bondt B.V.
Read more →In his own words: Enis Hallacoglu of Alize Hand Knitting Yarn
In his own words: Enis Hallacoglu of Alize Hand Knitting Yarn
Read more →We Are Your Spring Event
We are so excited to announce h+h americas 2024 will be bigger and better than ever in its third year. Due to exhibitor demand we’ve added 30% more exhibitor space to the showroom floor. The Indie Untangled Pavilion will be larger in 2024 than in previous years—and we’re only one space away from completely selling […]
Read more →In her own words: Selene Dubois – We Are Knitters
In her own words: Selene Dubois – We Are Knitters
Read more →Dans ses propres mots Carole French Trailhead Yarns
Dans ses propres mots Carole French Trailhead Yarns
Read more →In his own words Jon Larson of Clover Needlescrafts Inc.
In his own words Jon Larson of Clover Needlescrafts Inc.
Read more →In his own words: Nelson Salsa @andoverfabrics
In his own words: Nelson Salsa @andoverfabrics
Read more →En sus propias palabras @MalabrigoYarn
En sus propias palabras @MalabrigoYarn
Read more →In their own words Malabrigo Yarns
In their own words Malabrigo Yarns
Read more →In her own words: Kathi Grupp of the Handweavers Guild of Americas
In her own words: Kathi Grupp of the Handweavers Guild of Americas
Read more →In ihren eigenen Worten Tamara Caldas of Neko Diane GmbH
In ihren eigenen Worten Tamara Caldas of Neko Diane GmbH
Read more →Welcome to the world (New Podcast)
Welcome to the world (New Podcast)
Read more →In her own words Tamara Caldas
In her own words Tamara Caldas
Read more →Introducing h+h americas Roundtable Events
Starting in October, h+h americas will host a monthly roundtable for the craft business community.
Read more →In her own words: Abby Glassenberg
In her own words: Abby Glassenberg
Read more →Where Women Create: h+h americas 2023 Highlights
Where Women Create: h+h americas 2023 Highlights
Read more →h+h americas is for you
We’re so excited for May 1-3, 2024, and celebrating our third anniversary with you, our amazing community! h+h americas is more than just a trade show, it’s a place where we can all connect, learn and grow together. Whether you’re a crafter, a designer, a retailer or a supplier,
Read more →America’s Best Craft Contest 2023 WINNERS!
America’s Best Craft Contest 2023 WINNERS!
Read more →Craftfocus August-September Review
Craftfocus August-September Review
Read more →Should You Attend H+H Americas? A Craft Trade Show Review by Arianne Foulks
Should You Attend H+H Americas? A Craft Trade Show Review by Arianne Foulks
Read more →h+h americas 2023 Infographic
h+h americas 2023 by the numbers. Download the PDF.
Read more →h+h americas Needs You
h+h americas has just wrapped up its sophomore year having proven its worth as the premier event uniting the crafts industry. The 2023 event boasted 263 exhibitors from 22 countries and more than 2,500 attendees from all 50 states, plus 41 countries around the world.
Read more →Log on to h+h connect
Have you logged on to h+h connect?
Read more →h+h americas 2023: Recap and Aftershow Events
h+h americas posted fantastic numbers for our sophomore show this year—and it isn’t over yet! Before we get into a breakdown of attendance, exhibitors, and 2023 offerings, we want to remind our attendees and exhibitors that the show continues all this week with our Digital Afters
Read more →Explore the Learning Lab + Fashion Boulevard
h+h americas continues to expand and evolve its offerings. In addition to an array of conference classes and speakers, main stage events, meetups, cosplay exhibit and self-guided tours, attendees and exhibitors can look forward to two additional event experiences: the Learning La
Read more →Fun Things to do at h+h americas 2023
h+h americas 2023 is just a few weeks away. If you haven’t registered yet or booked your travel, now is the time!
Read more →Cosplay Exhibit at h+h americas 2023
We’re excited to announce that h+h americas 2023 will feature a Cosplay Exhibit showcasing the handmade works of several incredible artists from the cosplay community!
Read more →Streamline Your Experience: Explore h+h connect
h+h america’s digital platform h+h connect is now live! We encourage all of our exhibitors and attendees to take advantage of h+h connect’s growing selection of features to streamline their show experience. Now is a great time to ensure you’re set up and ready to hit the ground r
Read more →A Look Back at h+h cologne 2023
h+h cologne 2023 wrapped last week boasting impressive results for the international crafting industry. As h+h cologne always precedes h+h americas, we like to take a look at the show overseas in anticipation of our show stateside.
Read more →Introducing the Craft + Create Zone!
In its second year, h+h americas 2023 aims to speak to and represent everyone who makes a living in crafts. The evolution towards universal representation continues apace, with one of the newest developments represented this year on the showroom floor.
Read more →Meetups Opportunities at h+h americas 2023
Meetups Opportunities at h+h americas 2023
Read more →Seminar of Success with Scott Fortunoff
h+h americas on SOS with Scott Fortunoff
Read more →Classes & Keynotes at h+h americas 2023
Last month, we divulged the new conference program structure for h+h americas 2023. Now, we’d like to take a closer look at the speakers, teachers, classes and sessions attendees and exhibitors can expect at the show in June.
Read more →Why Industry Trade Shows are Valuable for You and Your Retail Business
Why Industry Trade Shows are Valuable for You and Your Retail Business: PODCAST with Wendy Batten
Read more →The New Format for h+h americas’ Conference Program
The beauty of launching a new craft industry trade show is that we’re creating something from the ground up, which means we can curate the exact show we want.
Read more →Road to HHA23
Road to HHA23
Read more →The Benefits of a Booth at h+h americas
We’ve discussed all the incredible benefits of attending h+h americas. From gaining access to everyone who makes a living in crafting to the impressive global reach h+h americas provides to the long, practiced history of successful craft industry events koelnmesse enjoys, there a
Read more →2023: The Industry Looks Ahead
As we head into the holiday season, we’re starting to ponder 2023 and a new year for the industry. What’s on the horizon for crafts? Where should you, as a craft business, focus your efforts? This is the perfect time to look ahead and gauge where we are, where we want to be, and
Read more →Introducing Nadine Schwartz
As h+h americas prepares for its second show in 2023, we’re excited to announce that our team is expanding and shifting to include representatives from all corners of the crafting world. With our declaration to unite the crafting industry, we recognize the need to share focus acr
Read more →h+h americas: The Trade Show for Everyone in the Crafting Industry
If you’ve been following our channels, you know that h+h americas is expanding in 2023. Once billed as a show highlighting the soft crafts industry, from 2023 onward h+h americas will spotlight everyone in the crafting space. What does that mean? For a very quick refresher, you can check out our Future of h+h americas […]
Read more →h+h americas 2022 Infographic
h+h americas 2022 by the numbers. Download the PDF.
Read more →The Future of h+h americas
The inaugural h+h americas launched with great success last month. Thousands of attendees and exhibitors gathered in person for three days in Rosemont and then online for the entire week following the close of the convention for our Digital Aftershow. They forged new connections,
Read more →The Future of Fabric
The first h+h americas provided a feast for the senses. Attendees found gorgeous fabrics, fibers and tools around every corner. North America has never before had an opportunity to gather hundreds of international brands under one roof, and we’re still feeling the repercussions of the melting pot of crafts h+h americas created. We think we’ll […]
Read more →Highlights from the Digital Aftershow
The fun didn’t stop at h+h americas after the in-person event ended. From June 27-July 1, h+h connect hosted a slate of sessions and free classes as part of our Digital Aftershow.
Read more →Highlights from the first h+h americas!
The first h+h americas was a rousing success!
Read more →Key Features of the Digital Platform
Key Features of h+h connect
Read more →Choosing How to Attend: In Person or Virtual?
Choosing How to Attend h+h americas: Live or Virtual?
Read more →Sneak Peek of Sessions + Our New Events Page!
Sneak Peek of Sessions + Our New Events Page
Read more →A Look Back at h+h cologne
A Look Back at h+h cologne
Read more →h+h americas’ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives
H+h americas values the soft crafts community and is committed to working towards positive growth, especially in regards to our diversity, equity, & inclusion initiatives. With that as our driving force, we recognize that a large and diverse group of people comprises the crafting community. Crafting is a rich and creative enterprise because its patrons […]
Read more →Knit the Rainbow at h+h americas
We are thrilled to announce that Knit the Rainbow will be at h+h americas in June! June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, so it’s both timely and very important to us to acknowledge the contributions, struggles, and accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ members of the crafting community at h+h americas. What is Knit the Rainbow? Founder Austin […]
Read more →Podcast Episode #213: Jewell Washington
Episode #213 of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, they talk about building a community through knitting with Jewell Washington. Jewell Washington is the Chicago-based maker and entrepreneurial designer of Northknits. She learned to knit in college and launched Northknits in 2014. Jewell pursues simple living through her passion for DIY, pattern design, stacking her yarn […]
Read more →A First Look at h+h americas
Attendee registration is now open for h+h americas! We’re incredibly excited for the upcoming show in June. We’re welcoming new exhibitors every day (follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin for those announcements!), and it’s so thrilling to watch the conference program fill up with fascinating and informative panels and events. We want to encourage […]
Read more →Why Live Events Are Important
The last few years have been difficult for everyone. We’re venturing into our third year of near isolation, and the lack of interpersonal experiences weighs heavily on us all. That’s why we’re so excited for h+h Americas in June and why we prepared a quick primer on How To Attend Live Events During a Pandemic —because we can’t wait to see all of our crafty cohorts, and we want to do it as safely as possible.
Read more →How to Attend Live Events During a Pandemic
Living in uncertain times demands strategic planning. Life continues despite the ongoing pandemic, and h+h americas will land in Rosemont, IL, in June 2022, prepared to host a crafty community eager to reconnect with one another. It’s possible (and incredibly beneficial and essential!) to attend live events during the pandemic—it just requires a little planning […]
Read more →Craft Industry Alliance Podcast
Episode 208: A new trade show for the crafts industry.
Read more →Things to Do in Rosemont, IL – Entertainment + Culture
In our previous Things to Do blog, we discussed the very best places to eat and drink in Rosemont, Illinois. The beauty of h+h americas’ chosen location—the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center—is that it lies in the center of everything in Rosemont. Aside from the copious number of restaurants, pubs, and bars, Rosemont also offers lots of shopping, entertainment, and fun recreational activities.
Read more →Exhibitors FAQ
The world’s premier trade fair for handmade businesses, h+h cologne is coming to North America in 2022! We’re incredibly excited to combine the physical trade fair presence with a digital marketplace for a B2B trade show experience. h+h americas is open to anyone who makes a living in the soft crafts industry. The show will unite the fiber arts community and ignite the Chicagoland area each June, starting in 2022.
Read more →Things to do in Rosemont, IL – Dinner & Drinks
Dining and Drinks: the best Rosemont, IL has to offer! We chose Rosemont, Illinois, for the first h+h americas for a very good reason. Not only is it a short 5-minute jaunt to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, but its convention center—the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center—lies in the heart of a shopping, dining, and entertainment mecca.
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