Sassafras Closing Wholesale Operations

Sassafras (aka Sassafras Lass) has announced in an email to customers that they are ceasing the production of wholesale products. Instead, the company's ownership will focus on licensing opportunities for the company's designs.

The company is known for its unique signature style that can be described as graphic, retro, funky, and offbeat. They are also known for their three dimensional paper embellishments, mostly floral designs.

In the announcement, signed by owners Tim & Rebecca McAllister, the company explained:

Effective immediately Sassafras is changing direction. We will no longer be producing wholesale craft and hobby products.We believe strongly that in order to thrive we must purse our true passion, design. Moving forward we are putting our complete focus into the world of licensing art and design. We are thrilled at the potential for Sassafras designs to adorn all sorts of goods from fabric to children's apparel, party ware, as well as Sassafras paper crafting products via licensing. We will keep you updated.

Of course the emotions are bittersweet as we say goodbye to this chapter of Sassafras. We are truly grateful for your loyalty, enthusiasm, and friendship. You have been the driving force behind the last 8 years of our creative journey. We would have never grown the way we have both professionally and personally if it wasn't for you! Thank you so very much for keeping us constantly inspired!

The news of the shutdown of Sassafras's product production will be disappointing to their fans but not a huge shock to many in the industry. The company skipped exhibiting at the CHA Summer 2011 show in Chicago, and unlike most companies who stayed home, did not release new product lines either.

For those who want to get their favorite items before they are gone, Sassafras currently is running a large inventory clearance sale on their website, and some items are also available online through sites such as Scrapbook.com, Two Peas In A Bucket, A Walk Down Memory Lane, and Simon Says Stamp.

Update: Sassafras has hinted on their blog that they have lined up Studio Calico as a licensing partner to produce some product designs with.