Archives: News
Graphic Designer’s New Apparel Launch Takes Her from Lay-Off to Luxury Gift Lounge
A Los Angeles-based graphic designer has launched a new line of artisan apparel that has reached the stars, literally, thanks to opportunities to gift celebrities and to be represented at the GBK 2012 Primetime Emmys Gift Lounge (September 21-22.)
The new “graphic-luxe” Rotem Limited Edition line by designer R. Jean Roth has been a work in progress this past year, resulting in an invitation to The Artisan Group, an exclusive, juried organization of crafters and designers whose mission is to introduce Hollywood to the best of the handcrafted movement.
Denver Mart Announces return of Ken Williams as Director of Event Sales and Operations
The Denver Mart is proud to announce that Ken Williams, Jr. is returning as director of event sales and operations for the facility. Williams comes back to the Denver Mart after a successful turn as the director of tradeshow sales for The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo.
A graduate of the University of Colorado with a degree in economics, Williams brings more than 20 years of experience in the meetings industry to his position at the Denver Mart.
Specialty Gift Shop Comes Home to Burr Ridge
Burr Ridge, IL – Just Ducky is new to Burr Ridge. But for owners Beverly and Lori Donofrio, it is like coming home again.
“I grew up here,” said Lori, a graduate of Hinsdale South High School.
Beverly lived in the village for 33 years and raised her children there.
The mother-daughter team opened their first store in 1986 in Darien. After opening a second store in Naperville in 2000 and moving the Darien store to Bolingbrook in 2007, the pair has decided to make Burr Ridge Village Center their upscale gift boutique’s one and only home.
QEH Unveils Renovated Gift Shop
Charlottetown, PE – A group of Queen Elizabeth Hospital auxiliary members, hospital directors and supporters gathered in the newly renovated Lillibet’s gift shop Monday for its grand reopening.
The hospital auxiliary is a volunteer organization with more than 200 active members and volunteers in charge of Lillibet’s gift shop and the Royal Pantry Eatery.
Through the years, their efforts have raised nearly $4 million for hospital equipment and services.
Don’t Let Store’s Name Fool You
Glenview, IL – Kathy and Roger Carlstrom were married on a Saturday and opened Country Classics on Monday. That was 31 years ago. Today, the store continues to thrive.
“There’s not really a store around here that sells what we sell, traditional, classic clothing that never goes out of style,” Kathy said.
Country Classics, located in Glen Oak Plaza on Waukegan Road, carries women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, gifts, jewelry, handbags and home goods. The store also sells two popular lines: Lily Pulitzer and Vera Bradley.
Tiffin Crafter Opens Business
Tiffin, OH – As a child, Angie Steinmetz took an interest in flowers and started on a journey that included making decorations for her home, setting up a booth the Y-Wives Extravaganza and other shows, working in a craft store, and making new friends with other artists and customers.
This past June, she opened her own gift shop, adjacent to her residence, at 204 Ohio Ave.
“My grandmother used to take me out in her back yard to pick lilies of the valley. She used to make things. She did sewing and painting. I can’t sew or paint, but I started doing flowers about 20 years ago.
Chandler Getting 2nd KatyBug Faye Boutique
Chandler, AZ – A women’s boutique, KatyBug Faye Boutique and Trunk Show, will open a second shop, in Casa Paloma, at 56th Street and Ray Road.
Doors open at 10 a.m. on Friday, and the first 50 shoppers will receive a $10 gift card to use that day. Throughout the weekend, the boutique, 7131 W.
Hip Boutique Opens Doors in S. Jamaica
Jamaica, NY – A new boutique and jewelry store on Sutphin Boulevard in South Jamaica doubles as a showcase for independent designers, and should be on the radar for anyone wanting to pick up some unique fashion accessories, as the name implies.
On Aug. 19, Rana Epps held the grand opening for Femme Unique, at 113-10 Sutphin Blvd., where entrepreneurs and designers mingled over wine and cheese in a sleek loft above the shop.
Epps wanted to create a venue for smaller companies that might not get exposure at any of the plentiful shopping centers around the borough.
Meet the Owner: Courtney Ebner and Avi Kravitz of Norman & Jules
Park Slope, NY – A young Park Slope couple, Courtney and Avi, had a very early surprise — their daughter Charley was born 15 weeks early.
In order to make sure their daughter had no developmental delays or challenges, they dedicated much of their time researching and found how toys and décor — especially ones that focus on developing the imagination and challenging a kid’s mind — can stimulate growth.
“Charley was born three-and-a-half-months early, so we spent a lot of time in the hospital — and for five-and-a-half months we researched child development,” said Co
Rosanna Bowles Announced As 2013 Go Red for Women Chair
It is with great pleasure that we announce Rosanna Bowles as the chair for the 2013 Go Red for Women Luncheon.
The American Heart Association faced a challenge in 2004: women were not paying attention to their heart health.
ACRE Las Vegas Changes Venue and Show Dates for 2013
After months of research,Wholesalecrafts.com, producers of the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE) shows, announces a change in venue and show dates for its seventh annual trade show in Las Vegas.
Next year’s ACRE Las Vegas show will now take place at the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa, Tuesday, April 30 – Thursday, May 2, 2013.
Based on the results of a recent survey conducted by Wholesalecrafts.com, an average of 82.5% of current and past ACRE Las Vegas artist exhibitors and retailer buyer attendees voted in favor of this move.
College Football Spirit has Come to Sacred Heart
Miramar, FL – Cooler temperatures and the tourists are gone — that surely means it’s time for college football again.
Everyone with a favorite team enjoys showing off their school spirit and its colors.
For the second year in a row, the gift shop at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast is featuring a large selection of college football items to help any football fanatic show the love.
I Love Local Shops: We’re Proud to Back Other Independents
Narborough, UK – Running a shop together was never in Sophie and Simon Edwards’ grand plan – it just happened that way.
The pair met at university and, after graduating, were pulling shifts at Sophie’s parents’ gallery shop in Narborough, when they realised they were pretty good at this business-running malarkey.
Some 20 years – and a marriage and two kids – later, the pair run award-winning gift shop Narborough Hall from the Grade II-listed building.
The Time is Ripe: New Watch Area at Ambiente 2013
Ambiente is the world’s leading trade fair for products for the home and furnishing, for the table, kitchen and household, and for gift ideas. The exhibits include high-grade home and furnishing accessories, trendy gift articles, fashion accessories and jewellery. Renowned for its range of costume and genuine jewellery, the Carat product segment will be supplemented by watches from 2013. Prominently located in the jewellery hall, the new watches area will contribute to the development of the broad range of products already to be seen at Ambiente.
Pink Bicycle Boutique in Olmsted Falls Serves Cancer Patients, Caregivers
Olmstead Falls, OH – Grand Pacific Junction in Olmsted Falls has a new specialty shop, The Pink Bicycle, which aims to be a one-stop shopping center for cancer patients and their caregivers.
Sept. 9 was the “cold opening” for the boutique. Among the items offered are designer headwear and scarves, non-abrasive soaps and body washes, pink camouflage backpacks, handheld electric fans and books of encouragement for survivors and family.
Picket Fence Opens Menlo Park Shop
Menlo Park, CA – The Picket Fence, a boutique home decor business, is now open in its newest location, 883 Santa Cruz Ave. in Menlo Park. Although the name might suggest artsy-crafty merchandise, the Picket Fence features elegant tableware, fine linens, home decor accents and gifts, and some gorgeous jewelry.
“There seemed to be a need for a greater selection of bedding and tabletop in the Silicon Valley,” says owner Lynn Simpson of Woodside. “Our goal is to fill in the missing pieces larger department stores have left out.”
Ms.
Crystal’s Candle Cottage Celebrates Five Years
Crystal Township, MI – It was a dislike for commuting that prompted Pamela Greenhoe to open her unique gift shop, Candle Cottage, in Crystal.
Located at 203 S. Main St., the shop offers a host of interesting items, including a complete line of candles handmade by Greenhoe herself.
The shop will soon celebrate its fifth year in business at the same location. Since opening, Greenhoe has seen a fairly steady increase in business as word of her distinctive gifts spread by advertising and word of mouth.
Irene and Co. Brings Boutique Clothing, Service to South Walton
South Walton, FL – Whether you’re a lover of Vera Bradley, sassy tops and dresses, or John Medeiros jewelry, Irene and Company Unique Boutique has an item to delight any South Walton client.
Irene Phillips, along with her husband, Ron, opened a new location for their Panama City Beach-based boutique in Miramar Beach Aug. 31.
The shop carries a wide variety of ladies clothing, designer John Medeiros jewelry, and one of the largest selections of Vera Bradley handbags and accessories in the southeastern U.S.
New Victoria Candy Store Offers Sweet Escape
Victoria, TX – Just off East Rio Grande Street, in a brick building flanked by wooden rainbow lollipops, sits a bit of Candy Land in Victoria.
Sweetie’s Candy Shop and More officially opened Aug. 21 at 1501 E. Red River St., Suite D, giving Crossroads residents a lifeline to all things sugar.
The endeavor began simple enough, owner Jamie Cortinas said. Although a nurse by trade, she said she was ready for something different. When her husband suggested she open a business all her own, candy seemed the way to go.
Samjin to Preview 2013 Papel Giftware Line at Mega Part 1
As its exclusive distributor for export worldwide, Samjin Co. Ltd. will exhibit the Papel Giftware range at the Mega Part 1 (Hong Kong Gift Show), October 20 – 23, 2012, at the Hong Kong Convention Center, Booth #5F-G5. More than 200 new designs have been added to the existing Classic assortment, bringing to total available designs for export to over 2,000.
Samjin Co. Ltd., established in 1986, has been shipping Papel Giftware to UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Israel, Malaysia and Egypt since the company was established.