Global glamour as cardies travel to view and present newness and delights
Eurovision was great, but the imminent PG Live show will involve far more countries as overseas distributors, retailers, and publishers bring their international vibes to the event.
With distributors and retailers coming to buy as well as the growing number of international exhibitors, the glitz and glamour of this significant global greeting card gathering can be seen in all its glory next week – it runs on Tuesday and Wednesday, 6-7 June, at London’s Business Design Centre.
Now in its 15th year, the 2023 PG Live has its largest contingent of overseas exhibitors to date, including Avanti, Designer Greetings, Fine Moments, Quilling Cards and Up With Paper, who will be making the trip across the Atlantic from the USA.
There’s also Greetings From Lowlands Studios travelling from The Netherlands, while Perleberg is all set for the journey from Germany. AB Cards will be coming across from Poland and Cozywood is looking forward to a return trip from Lithuania.
Meanwhile, P&G Cards, TrassaArt and Alljoy are hopping over from Ireland, Origamo and Cromo will be venturing from Italy, while the longest trek of all sees Simson Licensing popping up from Melbourne, Australia.
From Wilmette, Illinois, USA…Fine Moments, PG Live stand 426
Husband and wife team Jason and Hae Carberry started Fine Moments in 2005, primarily as an online provider of stationery designs, then three years ago they diversified into publishing contemporary greeting cards, giftwrappings and stationery for the general retail market and haven’t looked back since, as evidenced by their recent Louie award wins.
Your star turns?
“Since this is our first time exhibiting outside of the United States, I guess you could say that our entire portfolio is our launch. Our collection consists of modern greeting cards, gift bags, wine bags and mini pocket-sized notebooks.”
Hopes and dreams?
“Many of our colleagues and customers have suggested we do UK shows, and PG Live will be our first – we really don’t know what to expect! We’re excited to meet buyers, agents and distributors from the UK and beyond who find our line compelling and different. We’re hoping this show in the UK will be the first of many.”
Voting points for the UK?
“There is so much to love about London, we have been many times. We’re long-time admirers of the greeting card market, long before we even got into the wholesale greeting card space. We have three kids, our oldest currently attends university full time at University College London and our second oldest will also be attending university in London next year, at the University Of Greenwich. Needless to say, London is quickly becoming our second home.”
From Kaunas, Lithuania…Cozywood, PG Live stand 538
Vygintas Zmejauskas heads up Cozywood, which is gaining recognition for its wooden cards as well as its surprise paper cards. The company sees sustainability not as a luxury, but rather a necessity, so 5% of its profit is donated to replanting trees to protect the planet.
Your star turns?
“These wooden cards are truly extraordinary! We will also be showing our wooden folded greeting cards made of very thin and flexible wood. If you haven’t seen them before, you need to appreciate how good it feels to touch the surface of the wood. Most of the cards feature illustrations created by my wife.
“Our paper greeting cards include a surprise inside. As soon as you open the postcard, you will be surprised by a butterfly flying out. Our goal is to create products that will fill people’s lives with more cosiness, warmth, light and endless joy.”
Hopes and dreams?
“At the end of the first day of PG Live last year, after an intense day of meetings, I decided to take a break and so went to the BDC café on the second floor. While sipping my coffee I looked down on the hall, at the other exhibitors’ stands, and I thought about my future plans.
“I was then overwhelmed by a wave of gratitude and sweet joy as I remembered myself as a child, when I used to make greeting cards that I gave to my family to make them happy. And here I was many years later, my working career having taken me into the printing business which led to Cozywood and so our wooden cards were borne.
“I felt quite emotional realising that my childhood dream had become a reality, and here I was exhibiting at a global greeting card exhibition in London. So, it’s lovely to be exhibiting at PG Live again this year.
“My hopes and dreams for the show are for our lovingly crafted cards to reach UK buyers and make their hearts happy. And it would be great to find distributors or wholesalers.”
Voting points for the UK?
“I would love to revisit Cambridge, to walk the streets of the Old Town, the Market Square, and the King’s College buildings. I would also love to visit the magnificent cathedral in Ely. I have warm memories of visiting these wonderful places exactly 20 years ago and feel something of a magnet pull to go again.”
From Turin, Italy…Origamo, PG Live stand 527
Furio Ceciliato, the once-met-never-forgotten founder of Origamo, has taken the greeting card market in his homeland by storm with his inventive 3D pop-up and quilling card ranges, including a recent licensing agreement with the Van Gogh Museum. Having now also set up a base here, Origamo is looking forward to saying ciao to even more UK retailers.
Your star turns?
“We’re launching our Mini Flora Collection, a handmade greeting card that becomes a little gift thanks to the 3D pop-up bouquet inside. This will encompass eight different flowers, plus an official Van Gogh Museum edition. We will also be showing 16 brand new models of our Pop-up cards and our Quilling cards.”
Hopes and dreams?
“PG Live is always a fantastic opportunity not only for sales, but to meet people, create links and understand the market. I hope to meet many international customers too, like we did last year. I’m sure it will be an incredible event, thanks to the fantastic organisation as always!”
Voting points for the UK?
“I have a very deep link with London and the UK in general. I love the people, I love the culture, I love the attitude of being open to others and share experiences. I reckon I’m the only Italian who spent all his summer holidays – one whole month last July – in Brighton with my family!”
