Archives: News
Woodstock Chimes Delivers An Abundance of Sparkle in its Gem Drop Chimes
Woodstock Chimes, a leading manufacturer of musically-tuned windchimes, combines sparkle and stunning color at an affordable price point, in its Gem Drop Chimes series. These versatile chimes are small in size, but grandiose in eye-catching appearance. Comprised of five different designs, Violet, Shamrock, Prism, Sapphire and Rose, each chime features colored crystal accents, like that of their namesakes. Colorful finished ash wood accents and four silver rods complete the look of these unique pieces.
SCOUT by Bungalow Introduces Spring 2013 Collection
SCOUT by Bungalow, a leading supplier of fashion and lifestyle bags, bins, insulated totes and travel accessories for consumers across the country has just premiered its spring/summer 2013 collection, a 98% brand-new line now available online at http://www.bungalowco.com/.
GLM Introduces Innovative Online Product Directory
NYNOW365, a new online product directory created by GLM, facilitates retailers’ searches for products and exhibitors at NY NOW®, the Market for Home & Lifestyle (formerly the New York International Gift Fair®). The image-based directory, available online at www.NYNOW365.com, allows exhibiting suppliers to create collections of products to showcase to retailers and other buyers registering and attending NY NOW.
“We have created NYNOW365 as part of GLM’s mission to improve efficiencies of product sourcing and distribution within the markets we serve,” said Charles G.
Eartha McClelland Returns to ICU Eyewear as Director of Sales
ICU Eyewear, a premier resource for designer reading glasses and fashion sunglasses, has announced the return of Eartha McClelland to the position of Director of Sales for the company’s thriving giftware division.
Returning to ICU after a two-year absence, McClelland will oversee sales efforts and will work with the ICU sales team at the major trade shows during the 2013 season. “I’m delighted to be back in the industry for which I feel so much passion.
Mother, Daughter to Open Home Goods Store in Downtown Norcross
Norcross, GA – Sometimes the similarities between a mother and daughter are uncanny.
Enter Sandra Brooks and Holly Isserstedt. The mother and daughter both grew up in Mississippi and left the state as adults. Brooks was a single mother most of her daughter’s life, and Isserstedt is now a single mom with two children living in Norcross.
While they’ve pursued separate careers, the two have worked together on and off, in Brooks’ own marketing company and side-by-side at coffee shops.
The Shop of Interest Brings Gallery and Craft Boutique Worlds Together
Glasgow, UK – Whether it’s the grandiose Gallery of Modern Art or the contemporary Trongate 103, the streets of Glasgow are sprinkled with art galleries.
At the same time there’s a liberal dusting of independent shops where you can find birthday, Mother’s Day and Easter gifts.
But what about a cross between the two – a quirky venue that is half gallery and half art boutique?
Madison Street Shoes to Open Women’s Clothing, Home Goods Shop in Forest Park
Forest Park, IL – A flurry of construction is taking place behind the giant Cat Woman posters on the storefront at 7423 Madison St in Forest Park.
Jayne Boutique, a woman’s apparel and home goods store, shares an owner with Madison Street Shoes and Craig’s Shoes in Berwyn.
Named after owner Craig Cohen’s feisty Arizona grandmother “Jayne,” the shop is scheduled to open late spring.
After opening one shop on Madison, Cohen has jumped into a second.
LA Textile Brimming With Well-Rounded Variety of Resources, New Trend Forum Partner, and New Show Hours For Spring/Summer 2014 Edition
The Los Angeles International Textile Show (LA TEXTILE) will be taking place Monday, February 25 – Wednesday, February 27, 2013 for Spring/Summer 2014 edition. Located at the California Market Center (CMC) since 1993, this edition of the Show features a number of new exhibitors for textile, design & production resources, and the return of the European Collections Pavilion and Lenzing Innovation Pavilion.
burton + BURTON Opens New Las Vegas Showroom with a Bang
Earlier this month, burton + BURTONTM celebrated the opening of its new 10,000 sq. ft. showroom in the Las Vegas Market Center (LVMC). On hand for the ceremonial ribbon cutting and congratulatory toast were company President and Founder Maxine Burton, CEO Bob Burton, General Manager Steve Casso, Account Excutive Michael Burton, and representatives from the LVMC.
Steve Casso, general manager at burton + BURTONTM, said, “We are so happy to be establishing a presence here in Las Vegas. We’ve worked hard the last few months to get ready, building the showroom out from scratch.
DesignWorks Investments Promotes Jessica Whitehead to Vice President of Specialty Sales
DesignWorks Investments, a private investment firm focused on expanding business opportunities for personal care and gift product companies, announced today the promotion of Jessica Whitehead to vice president of specialty sales.
Whitehead began working for DesignWorks’ portfolio companies Paddywax and Olivina Napa Valley in 2011.
Maria Stevens Goes From Beauty Queen to Boutique Dream With the Launch of Littlejohn Fashion Shop
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK – She was the Evening Mail’s golden girl of the eighties.
As the city’s beauty queen, Maria Stevens regularly appeared in the paper, especially when she took on the titles of Miss Aston Villa and Miss Birmingham City.
Now, at the age of 50, she graces our pages again, because she has moved from beauty queen to fulfil her boutique dream – opening an unusual fashion and gift shop in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Hoping Business Takes Off
Hughestown, PA – Duryea designer Sue Guzik has conquered the common impression that artists work in cluttered, unorganized spaces.
In her new studio, all of her supplies, the silverware, the china cups and bits of colored glass fit neatly in boxes along the warmly-lit wall.
Guzik, of Duryea, is now open for business selling her own upcycled interior decor designs in her shop, Fly Me Home – Handmade and Upcycled Decor, at the corner of Parsonage and New Streets in Hughestown.
Taking a Leap — Couple’s Faith-Based Gift Business Founded Taking on Big Risks
Marietta, GA – Glory Haus husband and wife team Trey and Molly Holm have learned a lifetime of lessons in the short time since they launched their faith-based gift business.
The native Texans met at the University of Texas before moving to Atlanta for Trey to attend seminary at Emory University. Molly, with a degree in interior design, landed a job as a designer for Home Depot’s first Expo Center.
Following seminary, Trey obtained a law degree and the two began a family.
Local Shops Hope to Boost Business With Locally Developed App
Bay Roberts, NL – Brandi Gosse, a photographer from Bay Roberts, has developed a smartphone app called Shop the Rock to allow shoppers in the province to search for deals at local retailers.
As a photographer, she has first-hand experience about how expensive advertising could be, so she came up with an idea to help local merchants get their company names out to consumers.
“I was just finding that some of the ways that are out there now were outside my budget,” Gosse said.
Novelty Handbags from BLT Boutique Can Liven Wardrobe
Palm Beach, FL – Bonnie Roseman’s BLT boutique in Via DeMario has a distinctive collection of purses made from magazines, books, board games and album covers.
Roseman said the handbags are fun, novelty items that can liven up a wardrobe. After recycled bags caught Roseman’s eye at an art fair, she found the best people working with the various materials to make items for her. Customers can choose from the store’s selection or bring in their own book or other item to create a one-of-a-kind bag.
Wood-N-Things Opens near Oakland’s Square
Oakland, IL – Longtime Oakland resident Bob Lee has opened his Wood-N-Things shop to showcase and sell crafts that he has made over the years through his wood working hobby.
Lee said his stock at Wood-N-Things, located at 2 E. Main St. near the town square, includes more than 150 wooden plaques on which he has used a router to etch various images and phrases.
Some of the etchings include imagery of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, comical sayings such as “Speak your mind but ride a fast horse,” and scriptures.
Midwest-CBK Welcomes Holiday and Gift Industry Expert Laurence Warden as Vice President of Sales
Midwest-CBK, LLC, national designer and manufacturer of holiday, gifts and home and outdoor décor, announced the addition of Laurence Warden as vice president of sales. With more than 25 years of experience in the holiday and gift industry, Warden is excited to return to Midwest-CBK where he began his career in the industry while in his native England.
“Midwest-CBK has an incredible legacy and played a lead role in creating the holiday and gift industry, built by outstanding, talented and passionate people who create extraordinary products,” says Warden.
Vera Welcomes New Licensee: Enesco, LLC
The Vera Company is proud to announce their newest licensing partnership with Enesco, LLC to produce a variety of gifts with the art of contemporary American artist Vera Neumann. Enesco is a global leader in the giftware, home and garden décor industries. They serve more than 44,000 customers worldwide and sell to a wide variety of specialty retailers as well as mass-market and direct mail retailers.
Company C Receives ARTS Award for Area Rugs
ART, the non-profit Accessories Resource Team, and the Dallas Market Center presented Company C with the ARTS Award for Area Rugs at its 24th annual gala held during the recent Total Home and Gift Market Show in Dallas, Texas. The ARTS Award program is the only international program in which retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives are celebrated by their peers for excellence in 25 different categories across the decorative home accessories industry.
Couple Have Faith in Moorpark’s Hearts of Jade Gift Shop
Moon Park, CA – A new gift shop on Moorpark’s historic High Street is a leap of faith and a matter of the heart for owners Chris and Sandy Johnson.
Housed in an old gas station building dating back to 1935, Hearts of Jade — Succulent Garden Art & Gift Shop opened Sept. 2, but seeds for the project were planted last spring. The Johnsons, both 55, are hoping to be a catalyst in the area’s goal of becoming a destination. More importantly, the quaint enterprise has given them a new lease on life.
The couple met 14 years ago.