Archives: News
PMI Adds Ne’Qwa Art to Canada’s Cross Border Sales Effective 1/1/13
Cross Border Sales Agency, Ltd., Canadian representatives for Precious Moments, Inc., has been appointed to also represent Ne’Qwa Art, the newest addition to the PMI family of brands.
Dozens of Educational Opportunities in Dallas this January
Dallas Market Center today announced that the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, being held Jan. 16-22, 2013, will offer dozens of educational opportunities for attendees.
Headliners that were previously announced include renowned Australian Chef, author and TV personality Curtis Stone and HGTV’s John Gidding.
Stone will return to The Culinary Stage for a product demonstration on Saturday, Jan. 19 at noon in the World Trade Center (WTC) Hall of Nations as part of a full schedule of demonstrations to celebrate Dallas’ expanding housewares marketplace.
Attendance Increase, Brisk Business Headline November 2012 Smoky Mountain Gift Show
The November 7-10, 2012 edition of the Smoky Mountain Gift Show recorded a 6% increase in attendance over the 2011 edition. As the second edition under the management of Urban Expositions, the show’s traffic, selection and services received positive feedback from buyers and exhibitors alike.
“The industry has taken notice of our efforts to re-establish the Smoky Mountain Gift Show as the premier product and service destination in the Smokies,” said Doug Miller, President, Urban Expositions.
Jellybean Opens New Atlanta Showroom
Jellybean® is delighted to announce the Grand Opening of their new showroom at Americasmart during the upcoming Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market from January 9th through 16th, 2013. Located in Building 2W on the 7th floor, number 787A, the new showroom will be designed to present the complete Jellybean® line to retailers by featuring category specific vignettes. Retailers will find fully stocked award winning Jellybean® rug fixtures featuring pet themes, coastal themes, garden themes and more.
2012 ESC Tight Squeeze Giveaway
ESC Trading Company, Inc. is celebrating the winter season with a fabulous giveaway. ESC will randomly draw three lucky buyers to win one of three personally signed Tight Squeeze characters designed by Lori Mitchell. Lori Mitchell is a top selling ESC artist with hand painted resin sculpted figures known for their whimsical charm. To be eligible winners must place an order for Lori Mitchell winter designs within the month of November and have Liked the ESC Facebook Page.
ESC is a family company celebrating 12 years of business in 2013.
A First for Kyocera Advanced Ceramics: New Kyocera 5-Piece Bamboo Knife Block Set
The new Kyocera 5-Piece Knife Block Set features a beautiful bamboo knife block filled with four of the most popular ceramic knives from its best-selling Revolution Series line: a 3-inch paring knife, 4.5-inch utility knife, 5.5-inch santoku and the 6-inch chef’s knife. This is the first countertop knife block set offered by Kyocera, the innovation leader in ceramic cutlery and kitchen tools.
“Consumers and retailers have been asking us for a complete knife block set that keeps ceramic cutlery in reach on the countertop for everyday use.
An American, Family Christmas Business is Closer Than You Think
As the holidays quickly approach, I would love to invite you to tour our studio, museum, and gallery in Sutton, MA. Vaillancourt Folk Art—started in 1984—is one of three of the last family-owned, American businesses left producing Christmas in the country.
Gift & Home Decor Leasing at Las Vegas Market Shows Unprecedented Momentum
An unprecedented level of leasing activity is creating a marked increase in home décor and gift resources for the Winter Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, January 28 – February 1, 2013.
Magnet Works to Launch New Division Called Studio M
Magnet Works, Ltd., a leading provider of indoor and outdoor home décor accessories, announced today that it will launch an all-new division, called Studio M, at the gift and home markets in Dallas and Atlanta this winter.
Studio M will debut with four diverse, artist-driven collections of home and garden products designed with artwork from four different artists – licensing veterans Susan Winget and Jennifer Brinley along with two artists new to licensing, Stephanie Burgess and Genevieve Gail.
Curt Todd, CEO of Magnet Works, described the launch of Studio M as a historic dev
Mayor, Merchants Promote Shop the Blocks and Small Business Saturday
Lincoln, NE – Mayor Chris Beutler, retailers and advocates encouraged shoppers to support locally owned businesses over the holidays, especially at two coming promotions:
• The Shop the Blocks Holiday Celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, produced by the Downtown Lincoln Association.
• The third annual “Small Business Saturday” on Nov.
Shopping Early? Shop Local
Lake Gaston, NC – The holiday shopping season may not “officially” kick off until Black Friday, but early bird shoppers are already out in force, perusing stores in search of those peerless gift items at impeccable prices.
Local merchants stand ready to serve, featuring Christmas inventories that are exclusive and unique, along with the added bonus that when shoppers do their holiday shopping locally, it strengthens the communities in which they live.
“The local businesses, particularly the ones right here around the lake, are all family-owned businesses, and everything stays
The Store at Mesa Arts Center Sells Unique, Affordable Gifts
Mesa, AZ – When it comes to finding distinctive gifts, I’ve long been a fan of gift shops inside arts and culture venues, such as Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Desert Botanical Garden and Heard Museum.
They’re great spots to find thoughtfully designed items you don’t see every place else.
But among these purveyors of uncommon wares, there’s one place to find even more distinguishing — not to mention handmade and local — goods: The Store at Mesa Arts Center.
Greeting Card Association Extends LOUIE Awards Deadline
The Greeting Card Association (GCA) today announced an extension of the 2012 LOUIE Awards entry deadline to December 12, 2012.
“A generous extension of nearly a month will provide ample opportunity for additional entrants, especially from those located in the Northeast who are still experiencing extenuating circumstances as the result of Hurricane Sandy,” said Monika Brandrup, LOUIE Chair.
L.A. Mart Announces New Hires to Marketing Division
L.A. Mart®, Southern California’s most comprehensive collection of fine regional and national showrooms available to the trade professional, today announces the new hires of James Wilson and Victoria Rhea Harding to its marketing team, effective immediately.
Both Wilson and Rhea Harding come to the L.A. Mart with decades of sales and customer service experience as well as deep knowledge of the gift and home industry.
Wilson comes to the L.A. Mart from J.T.A., Inc.
Live Nativity Returns to Byers’ Choice
Byers’ Choice, makers of the handcrafted Caroler figurines, is continuing its holiday season events with a live nativity for Bucks County-area fans this weekend, Saturday Nov. 17 through Sunday, Nov. 18.
Families of all ages are invited to the company’s Chalfont, Pa.
Karastan to Expand, Remodel AmericasMart Showroom
Karastan will expand and remodel its AmericasMart® flagship showroom to showcase a broader, deeper product mix in preparation for the Jan. 10-13 Atlanta International Area Rug Market® featuring the National Oriental Rug Show (NORS), Jan. 11-13.
The expansion will give Karastan, the long-time premier manufacturer of machine-made area rugs, more than 7,000 square feet of space in its existing location on Floor 3 of Building 1.
Stephanie Volo, Planet Dog’s Top Dog, Is Named One of Ten People Shaping the Future of Maine’s Economy
Planet Dog is proud to announce that Stephanie Volo, it’s Top Dog and President, has been named to the 2012 Mainebiz Next List as one of Maine’s most innovative and inspiring business leaders. The annual recognition by Maine’s leading business publication identifies ten people shaping the future of Maine’s economy.
Under Volo’s leadership, Planet Dog has evolved into an award-winning, globally recognized and socially responsible pet industry leader that has stayed true to its founding mission.
RPI, Cheezburger and the Madison Park Group Announce Strategic Partnership to Extend Brand Experiences
RPI (Reischling Press, Inc.) (www.rpiprint.com), a leader in make-on-demand, private-label personalized photo books, greeting cards and stationery products for mass and specialty retailers; The Madison Park Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor in the specialty stationery and gift industry; and Cheezburger, one of the largest humor destination sites in the world and No. 28 on The Wall Street Journal’s annual list of the top 50 U.S.