City scrapbooking expo gets stamp of approval

By CAITLIN MCKAY

The New Zealand Stamping, Scrapbooking and Craft Expo (SENZ) at the Palmerston North Convention Centre attracted more than 2000 visitors at the weekend.
Cushla O’Connell of Montarga Rubber Stamps from Christchurch won the best display.

Her Parisian-themed exhibition displayed hundreds of handmade stamps and card ideas.

The former fine arts student said working for one of only three New Zealand stamp companies meant there was plenty of work on offer.

“I wanted an art job, while still earning a living.”

All stamp designs are drawn freehand, cut, and glued on to wood, Ms O’Connell said.

“They’re like little works of art.”

The weekend’s support had been overwhelming, she said.

Kiwiana stamps are the most popular.

SENZ director and marketer Fiona Caldwell was pleased with the numbers through the door, with many returning for more than one day.

“That’s not bad for a small place,” she said.

If Palmerston North won the bid in 2008 to hold the event, Arena Manawatu would be a better venue, Ms Caldwell said.

The upstairs and downstairs exhibits at the Convention Centre proved difficult for some enthusiasts.

Many had a look on the ground floor and thought that was all there was, Ms Caldwell said.

It was the fifth expo, the first for Palmerston North, which attracted 36 exhibitors from New Zealand and Australia, 550 pre-paid participants from around the country.

Many enthusiasts, who came along for the three days, turned it into a shopping trip too, Ms Caldwell said.

About 80 specialist classes ran over the weekend and were largely booked out.

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