Each craft industry trade show has a few stand-out motifs..recurring images that trend across multiple product lines and manufacturers. The past couple of shows, mustaches have been EVERYWHERE, and they haven't gone away yet. But I think we may be turing a corner. Gradually shaving off the old mustache trend, if you will. (Or maybe that's just my wishful thinking, because I've never really embraced the 'stache.)
I think glasses may be the next iteration of the hipster and photo booth influences that brought us the mustache. Spectacles were present on enough products to give me hope that the industry may be ready to look past the hackneyed handlebar to the next quirky craze.
I suspect we might also start seeing more lips and ties/bow ties as popular photo booth props continue to influence product motifs. Let's face it, no one loves a photo booth more than a scrapbooker.
Another hipster icon gaining popularity is the cassette tape. I wonder how long until CDs are considered charmingly retro. I may just have to yell at a kid to get off my lawn the day that happens.
Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages
Arrows and geotags are still going strong. While they speak to the pop culture of social media and location tagging, they are also universal and versatile enough to find their way onto just about any type of project, giving them some staying power. You can find a version of one or both of these images on just about every new product line released.
Dear Lizzy for American Crafts
Another pop culture trend that I believe is on the cusp is the old-timey clipart ethos of Someecards. I saw at least two examples of this type of artwork on paper products, and I expect we’ll see more at the winter show.
Any of these trends get your creative gears turning? And more importantly, are you ready for the proliferation of mustaches to be trimmed?
Coming up next: trends that are making a reappearance!
Previously: the chalkboard trend.