We paid a visit to PG Live and discovered that it was a very relaxed outing for the Greetings crowd in a good venue (The Business Design Centre in Islington, where the New Designers show will take place from June 29).
PG Live is a two-day event, which seems to be just the right amount of time for both exhibitors and buyers, and the Central London location is a real bonus. The atmosphere was congenial with all the usual suspects of the greetings trade and some good new designers/publishers on offer in the Spotlight section.
The Brighton design mafia seems to be growing steadily and there seemed to be more international visitors about than last year, demonstrating the investment made by show organiser Max Publishing. All in all a good day out with a free lunch.
One of the new exhibitors that caught our eye was Jules Miller Cards, who said that the show went really, really well, bringing distributors from “Australia, Norway, Finland, France and some interest from Canada… also we did pick up enquires from Paperchase and Fenicks,” Jules told us, “along with lots of small independent orders”.
Doochy also had some lovely ranges of different looks from children to older consumers and a great selection of journals in their Retro range. Caused quite a stir at the show!
First timer at last year’s show was Love Bessie, a super Eco brand with some great new button cards. The Owl is fun with a gentle “Twit” button. Who doesn’t know a twit who needs to be treated gently?!
Then there was the Brighton based Linoking, proving that this type of print does not have to be too pale and interesting. Very handmade but we like them. Wedding cards are gorgeous.
Images: Top row – Jules Miller, Doochy, Love Bessie, bottom row – Linoking, Jules Miller. Click on thumbnail to see full size image
