ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., Nov. 7, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the industry's most prestigious service awards. Presented in three categories: the Meritorious Award of Honor, the Industry Achievement Award and the Special Recognition Award. All awards recognize exceptional contributions to the craft industry and the world.
The Meritorious Award is the highest honor the Association can bestow and acknowledges an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the Association and industry. This year's recipient is Mike Hartnett, Publisher of Creative Leisure Communications and Owner of Creative Leisure News for his service, dedication and commitment to both CHA and the craft industry. Mike's long track record of service to the industry includes serving on the Hobby Industry of America (HIA), ACCI and the CHA Board of Directors. Mike was one of the 6 members of the original Task Force charged with investigating the merger of ACCI and HIA. As publisher of Creative Leisure News he serves as an important source of information for the industry.
The CHA Industry Achievement Award is granted to a CHA member who has contributed to the growth and vitality of the craft and hobby industry as a whole. This year's Industry Achievement award recipient is Stacey Caron, Co-Founder and President of Spellbinders™ Paper Arts LLC. Stacey's vision has created many "firsts" in innovation that have contributed to and changed the craft industry. One of her notable inventions includes the Spellbinders Wizard™ Universal Craft Tool, a universal die cutting and embossing machine that was the first to accept dies from all manufacturers and enable crafters to emboss brass stencils for the first time without the need for a light box. One of Stacey's nominators stated: "I have personally seen her change designers lives, give hard-earned cash to crafting charities (as well as product) and raise the spirits of women everywhere who need to be creative." Stacey received the 2012 Enterprising Women of the Year award from Enterprising Women magazine that recognizes highly successful, entrepreneurial women leading fast-growing companies.
The CHA Special Recognition Award recognizes an individual or group for their extraordinary contribution positively showcasing the craft and hobby industry. This year recipient is Fusion Beads, Inc. from Seattle, Washington for their local and global philanthropic work. Fusion Beads, both a brick and mortar and internet business, believes strongly in charitable giving and has provided a portion of their proceeds to a variety of causes as well as been a consistent supporter of the Forgotten Children's Fund.
"A big round of applause for all our service awards winners. Their contributions to our industry and the world are a wonderful example of how we can all make a difference for the greater good." Says Andrej Suskavcevic, President and CEO, Craft and Hobby Association
The awards will be presented to the recipients or their representatives at the CHA 2013 Winter Convention & Trade Show in Anaheim, California on January 12, 2013. See www.craftandhobby.org for more information.
About the Craft & Hobby Association
The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is an international not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of craft products worldwide. For more about CHA, the value of membership, or its award-winning Conferences & Trade Shows, please visit www.craftandhobby.org.