Canvas Corp Acquires 7 Gypsies

Canvas Corp announced on Friday, December 9th, that it has acquired California-based 7gypsies from Ultra-Pro.

7gypsies, which was founded in 2001, had been part of Ultra-Pro since 2004. The company is known for its eclectic vintage style. Its bestselling signature products include the Binderie punch, printer trays, vintage image clear stamps, and paper tape.

Springdale, Arkansas-based Canvas Corp was founded in 2006 by Randy and Christine Meier. The Meiers had previously founded DMD Industries in the mid-1990's. (That company is now a property of ANW/Crestwood after being sold to them in February 2010 by the now bankrupt Westrim.) Canvas Corp sells products under the name Canvas Home Basics to the scrapbook, craft and home decor market. Although it produces popular patterned papers, the company is perhaps best known for creating products from materials besides paper: burlap, corrugated cardboard, and its namesake canvas.

“Our focus is to bring creative ideas and people back together,” said Christine Meier, Co-Founder of Canvas Corp. “and the fit could not be more perfect with the 7gypsies team, design esthetic and core philosophy.

Ultra-Pro's other scrapbooking brands, Chatterbox and Around the Block, were also included in the sale to Canvas Corp. Chatterbox was purchased by Ultra-Pro in 2007, and Around the Block was purchased in 2008. Both brands were retired in 2009. The inclusion of these brands in the Canvas Corp transaction divests Ultra-Pro of all their scrapbooking assets and returns the company to its core business creating protective storage items for collectibles such as baseball cards and sports memorabilia.

7gypsies' operations will be moving from California to Canvas Corps' headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. The 7gypsies sales office in Utah will remain open and their contact information will not change.