RHINEBECK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Individuals will have a chance to hone and showcase their creativity at the 2017 Country Living Fairs, thanks to the nation’s largest fabric and craft retailer. As a sponsor of all educational classes offered at the Fair’s regional events, JOANN is helping attendees learn and practice their skills through a wide variety of crafting classes, and is also sharing its booth with some talented creators.
“We’re glad to be sponsoring the educational opportunities across the 2017 Country Living Fair season, and bringing inspiration to all creative interests and skill levels,” said Chris DiTullio, senior vice president, marketing and omni-channel, JOANN. “Offering guidance, project ideas and helping people to use their hands, hearts and minds to create is our passion, and we are committed to doing just that at every class, at every event.”
Furthering its commitment to sharing inspiration, JOANN is dedicating featured space in its booth at each event to shine the spotlight on some of its customers and their own creations. Crafters submitted short videos of the handmade items they’d showcase at the show if given the opportunity, and what inspired them to create. The retailer has chosen to sponsor two individuals to attend the Rhinebeck Country Living Fair, opening today and running through June 4. The sponsored guests are:
- Dana Jones of Selah Signs, from Seaside, Oregon, who specializes in hand-painted wood signs. (www.selahsigns.com/)
- Jane Van Cleef of Hazel Village, from Brooklyn, New York, who will feature handcrafted soft toy animals. (www.hazelvillage.com)
“It's absolutely an honor to be here, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to share my handmade heart with the East Coast,” said Jones. “To me, being a maker is far more than using craft supplies to make something with your hands. It's using your skills to share your story with the world. We all have a story to tell, and there's always a human heart that needs to hear it. And when you buy something handmade, you're buying more than wood, paint, felt or ribbon... you're buying a small piece of a maker's heart.”
The Country Living Fairs bring the magazine’s content to life and give readers access to a unique shopping experience in four special outdoor settings across the country. Each Fair features 200+ vendors from more than 25 states, and is expected to draw more than 20,000 visitors from across the country. Vendors include antiques sellers, food purveyors, artists, furniture makers, crafters and more. Attendees also have the chance to meet Country Living editors and their special guests, attend cooking, crafting, and DIY demonstrations, book signings, sample locally-sourced, artisanal food, and shop the Country Living General Store.
Following the Rhinebeck event, two additional Country Living Fairs will be held in Columbus, Ohio (September 15-17) and Atlanta, Georgia (October 27-29). JOANN’s social contests for sponsorships to attend those events are expected to open in July.
“We’re happy to help our customers highlight what they’ve learned and what they love,” said DiTullio. “Each individual brings his or her own perspective to create something completely unique. That’s the beauty of creativity, and why we at JOANN also love what we do.”
For more on the Country Living Fair, visit www.countryliving.com/country-living-fair.
About JOANN
For nearly 75 years, JOANN has inspired creativity in the hearts, hands and minds of its customers. From a single storefront in Cleveland, Ohio, the nation’s leading fabric and craft retailer has grown to include more than 865 stores across 49 states, and is the only industry business to offer online orders. With the goal of helping every customer find her Happy Place, JOANN serves as a convenient single stop for all of the supplies, guidance and inspiration needed to achieve any project or passion. For store locations, project ideas and a full product offering, visit joann.com.
