Archives: News
The 12 Days of Christmas Celebrated in Exquisitely Detailed Springerle Cookie Molds, Ideal for Baking and Crafting
House on the Hill, known for its replica cookie molds in a variety of images, has debuted 14 new Springerle molds celebrating the holiday and winter season. Commissioned by House on the Hill owner Connie Meisinger, designed by Judy Jeske and originally hand-carved in fruit wood by Vince Marine, all residents of the Chicago area, the new cookie molds are replicated and hand-finished.
GLM Partners With Hand/Eye Fund For Artisan Resource Launch
Through an exclusive partnership with the HAND/EYE Fund, an independent, international organization which supports skilled artisans, GLM will extend the promotion of its summer 2012 launch of Artisan Resource™ to HAND/EYE Magazine’s global readership, which includes artisans, exporters, designers, artists, wholesalers and importers, retailers, and consumers interested in artisanal design.
Classy Art Bring HUGE Release to Vegas
Classy Art Wholesalers Inc. is proud to announce its summer release for the Las Vegas World Market Center. The release for this summer’s markets will consist of over 300 new items that are ready to ship immediately.
“We have found that our customers are always asking for new items, because they want to freshen up their showrooms. We have spent countless hours by our purchasing and design departments to provide our market with what they are asking for.
Mobbed in Bucksport: Cash-Conscious Crew Drops Big Bucks on Local Business
Bucksport, ME – A big-city plan for localized economic stimulus has come to little Bucksport.
About 30 shoppers amassed a “Cash Mob” on Friday evening at Bittersweet Gift Shop on U.S. Route 1 in Bucksport. They left with candles, statuettes, glasswork, jewelry and woodcraft — all produced in Maine. And they left their cold, hard cash.
It was likely more customers than the small gift shop usually sees in a day. Shop owner Carol Metthe said the recession has been rough on her nine-year-old business, which relocated from Main Street Bucksport last year.
Changes at A.T. Storrs Ltd.
Effective August 1, 2012, Mr. Andy Storrs will be stepping aside as President; Mr. Ian Storrs will now assume the role of President of A.T. Storrs Ltd.
Andy Storrs said, “It has been a fantastic 37 years and I still enjoy the industry very much.
Jedlinski Helps Make a Dream Come True for Two Children in Need
Bearing gift packages and colorful balloons, Shea, 7 year old with Cerebral Palsy and Ron Jedlinski, Founder of Roman, Inc. along with his wife Diane, presented Ava and Danielle, 5 year old best friends and spina bifida patients at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital with a Dream Come True. Both girls were thrilled to learn they will be visiting Orlando, Florida and the theme parks together with their families in August of this year.
“These children work so hard in combating their afflictions and they do it with determination and good spirit,” said Jedlinski.
The Girlfriend Gift Store
Petaluma, CA – Some entrepreneurs are born out of necessity.
A year ago, 56-year-old Lisa Lee found herself laid off from Woodlands Market, a Marin gourmet grocery store where she had spent more than a decade as a buyer.
Lee was shocked, but also realized she had long craved to parlay her retail experience into something new. And now opportunity was knocking.
Olivina Napa Valley Welcomes Fall with Two New Fragrance Lines
Napa Valley, Calif. – Olivina Napa Valley, an internationally recognized eco-friendly skincare company, announces the arrival of two new fragrances, Pomegranate and Orange & Clove, inspired by Napa Valley’s unrivaled harvest season.
“We are so thrilled to build on Olivina’s momentum with the release of two, delicious new fragrances,” said Susan Kenward, founder of Olivina Napa Valley.
Tervis® Launches Star Wars Drinkware
Venice, FL – Tervis® will fill their high quality insulated drinkware with the power of the Force as they launch a new collection of Star Wars-themed products, available online at tervis.com, at Tervis company stores, and at more than 5,000 retailers nationwide.
“Just as the Star Wars universe has grown, so has the selection of Tervis drinkware. It is truly an honor for Tervis to obtain a partnership with the most successful film series of all time,” says Rich Kaplan, Tervis President of Sales & Marketing, Chief Brand Officer.
Solana Beach Resident Brings Unique Style to New Shop at Del Mar Highlands Town Center
San Diego, CA – Let’s Go Home Decor & Gifts is bringing a funky new element to the Del Mar Highlands Town Center. The store, sandwiched in between Brazilia Skin Care and Pretty Please, specializes in unique and exotic home furnishings from around the world.
The shop features reclaimed wood tables filled with items such as ceramic animals from South Africa. Dangling chandeliers are made from materials like vintage teacups, green glass telegraph lights and door plates from a company in South Carolina.
I’m very colorful,” said owner Brenda Lurie.
All in the Family
Cresco, IA – “You Think It, We Make It!” is the theme of The Crafty Wood Shop, newly opened in downtown Cresco.
Located at 221 North Elm Street, The Crafty Wood Shop, opened June 23, offers customers original, hand-crafted home décor and custom-built wood furniture.
Co-owners of the store are father-daughter team Rick Buck and Crystal Stevenson. Buck builds the furniture and Stevenson works on crafts, specifically vinyl lettering on glass and plaques. Buck’s wife and Stevenson’s mother, Rochel, also creates plaques with vinyl lettering, and helps around the store.
Boutique Popcorn Store Celebrates the Art of Kernels on Lower East Side
Lower East Side, NY – Casual snackers, be warned — the owner of new popcorn shop on Orchard Streets uses terms like “a great canvas” to describe what many of us munch mindlessly in a darkened movie theater.
Self-described “snacking expert” Jean Tsai, who opened Pop Karma Monday at 95 Orchard St., prefers her artisanal kernels to be the star of the show — and healthy, too.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t addictive and tasty.
“I snack all the time,” said Tsai, 40.
It’s her years of first-hand snacking knowledge that led her to create specialty popcorn in exotic flavors that
Lucky Knot Anchors New Store on King Street
Alexandria, VA – Since 1985, Andrea Ploutis and her family have been a part of the retail business community in Alexandria. Like most boutique stores in Old Town, their new store The Lucky Knot is family-owned and operated.
“All of my family is employed working in the boutiques,” Ploutis said. “My granddaughter is 8 years old and she was working here all day. She loves it and was sorting clothes and wants to start working.”
The Lucky Knot is the third boutique store owned by Ploutis and her three daughters.
What’s In Store For You? California Gift Show Reveals New Trends and More
Los Angeles, CA – Summer isn’t the only thing bringing the heat to Los Angeles this year. The California Gift Show (CGS) is riding through this July with style and glam, delivering to one of the most fashionable cities in California the hottest products and trends emerging in today’s consumer market.
‘Shop Local – Buy Local’ Initiative Hopes to Change Community Mindset
Big Spring, PA – To foster support for local businesses in the Big Spring area, the Big Spring Economic Development Council (BSEDC) has adopted a “Shop Local – Buy Local” motto and urges residents to support local stores, restaurants, shops and services that, in turn, support the lifeblood of the community’s nonprofit organizations.
The initiative was approved at the July 17 BSEDC meeting.
Established two years ago, the BSEDC is an organization consisting of representatives from Newville, West Pennsboro and North Newtown townships.
Tenants and Exhibitors Renew Commitment to Las Vegas Market with Long-Term, Permanent Leases
In a show of confidence in the vitality of Las Vegas Market and the business opportunity it presents to furniture manufacturers, World Market Center Las Vegas today announced that 22 tenants have signed long-term, permanent leases in time for the 2012 Summer Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30 – Aug.
Welcome Home Brands Ramps Up Sales Opportunities With New Oven-Safe Paper Bakeware Merchandisers and Assortment Packs
White Plains, NY – As oven-safe paper bakeware expands into a category of consequence, Welcome Home Brands presents three new merchandisers, three new assortment packs and a new packaging option to help retailers take full advantage of this trend.
The new Welcome Home Brands merchandisers showcase a variety of sizes and styles in an easy-to-grab format, designed to increase impulse purchases and accelerate inventory turns. Perfectly sized for an endcap, they make the most of limited space, while capturing customer attention throughout the store.
Two Zoku® Products Win 2012 IDEA® Awards
Hoboken, NJ – The Zoku® Single Quick Pop® Maker and the Zoku® Chocolate Station are winners of the 2012 Bronze Award in the Kitchens category of the 2012 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA).
Whatever Saks™ Hit the Fashion Scene
Keene, NH – Whatever Saks™ are the latest fashion craze from Douglas Company’s Christine Clarke Collection. This unique new handbag style is totally cute and uber functional. There are four original styles in the collection.
Spiral Whatever Sak™ (pictured above) is created from spiral printed fabric in brilliant jewel tones of greens, gold, orange, blues, purples and pinks. The bag’s signature zipper is pretty in pink and coordinates with the single handle created from the same pink color fabric sprinkled with chocolate pindots.
Cuddle Me Babies Gift Shop Can Make You the Hit of the Baby Shower
New Lenox, IL – A home-based business owner and life-long crafter, Bonnie Norton, came up with an idea several years ago to really raise awareness about her craft skills.
The owner of Cuddle Me Babies Gift Shop, Norton said, “I used to go to trade shows looking for original pieces to sell,” at A Country Florist Gift Baskets and Crafts, which was located in the strip mall in the 300 block of W. Maple Street.
he florist shop is still in existence today, but Norton runs it along with Cuddle Me Babies Gift Shop from her home.