It's no secret that crafting is extremely trendy and changes focus from year to year.  If you design, make or sell your crafts and/or supplies, it's important to stay on top of the trends and keep those sales coming in.

Here are the forecasted trends for the 2008 season, as detailed by craft professionals:

The "church bazaar" look is being replaced with the more professional high-end quality look and feel.  The focus is shifting towards simple, elegant items that are functional and fit the trend of a more simple and modern style.

The color pink is flowing from the fashion world into the home décor area. Other cheerful and bright colors are expected to follow. Home decor designers are taking a cue from the fashion colors and designs and incorporating them into their work.

The simple and conservative "preppy" look continues to gain in popularity.  Examples of this are reflected in small and simple motifs, embroidery, ribbon and monograms.

Shabby Chic is losing favor to a more modern look with more colors.    Home décor trends are showing a clean finished look which utilizes warmer tones that add more color and texture. The trend is moving away from the chipped peeling look that was so popular.

Beading embellishments are definitely the "in thing" and can be found in everything  from jewelry, to home décor, to fashion and accessories.

Paper crafts are shifting to more simple, elegant and modern designs.  Couples are opting for making wedding stationery, invitations,  thank you notes and place cards for their own personal touch.

Paper arts and scrapbooking continue to be hot in the craft world.  These are getting  more creative thanks to the advancement of many new products, supplies and tools. Handmade greeting cards are elegant and upscale and give attention to detail.

Metal crafts of all kinds are growing in popularity.  This includes items that are sculpted, punched and embossed.

Needlecrafts, knitting and crocheting continue to grow due to the elegant new yarns and fibers available on the market these days. Knitting is no longer just fashion statement or embellishment.  It  has found it's way into the home decor arena.   This is due in part to celebrities who have been making their interest in knitting known.

Decorative painting has emerged from being very traditional to more complex. Utilizing multiple materials on one paper is becoming all the rage.  For example, creating a unique decoupage design by combining paper, embellishments and decorative painting skills to design one artsy piece of work.

"Mixed Media Collage" is the new buzz term which replaces the term "Altered Art".  This term shows more staying power, is more upscale and it blurs the lines between crafts and fine art. This trend is expected to continue to grow as it is fueled by the paper crafting, embellishment, scrapbooking and collage trends that are becoming increasingly popular today.

The trendy products are all about self-indulgence, self-esteem, spirituality, communication, positive energy, beauty and everything women hold dear. The looks range from frilly and romantic to modern, playing up to the empowered women.

Consumers looking to express their individuality are influencing the
personalization and customization trend. Artisans can take can take advantage of ths hot trend.

Embellishments like beads, trims, ribbons, flowers, charms and buttons can be found on everything like mixed media collage, home accessories, paper crafts, jewelry, and apparel trends.

Quilting has moved to being more of an art form. Although quilts still adorn the bedroom, they have moved into all areas of home décor, wall art and paper crafting.

More sophisticated looks are emerging with styles being more urban, artsy and unique to the creator. The new direction doesn't follow a set or standard pattern.  This allows for a
lot of creativity on the part of the designer.

Faux decorative painting will be found on several different mediums, including wood, metal, glass, and ceramic.  Faux treatments have become easier to design due to the influx of
new products available on the market today.  Artisans are helping to influence this trend by developing new ideas to create new looks.

Art and craft designs are being fueled by a younger demographic, urban style, popular culture, world events, media trends, club culture, generational shifts and fashion.

Patterns like stripes and polka dots are everywhere. Stripes are a mix of narrow and wide lines, while polka dots are usually set on a solid color background. Stripes appear to use three to five colors, while the polka dots can be found in three to four colors.   Modern graphic prints are being joined with romantic and nostalgic prints to give designs a more modern flair.
 
The safari and lodge looks are fading in popularity.  More worldly, elegant and modern trends are the dominating force in crafts these days.

Fashion and home décor designs are using a mix of natural materials  and textures to create a modern look.
 

So......  what are you waiting for?  Get going on those trends and watch your sales multiply!

Note:  All art jewelry designs within this guide were designed and made by Wanda Eash of Two Crafty Mules.