Archives: News
Haiti Quake Survivors Make, Sell Jewelry Line
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti – A year-and-a-half after Haiti’s massive earthquake, nearly 600,000 people are still living in tents.
The country’s unemployment rate stands at a whopping 40 percent. However, CBN News found on a recent visit to Haiti, a unique undertaking that’s providing jobs and hope to some of the people.
The Kado Boutique
The word “kado” is Creole for gift shop, and some think that is the perfect name for a Operation Blessing International project in Haiti.
Boyle Turns Hobby into a Sustainable Business
Duluth, MN – If you’re like most Minnesotans, you’ve probably got a few old wool socks and sweaters laying around that you don’t much think about.
For Duluth entrepreneur Melissa Boyle, your woolen trash is her treasure.
Boyle, 36, uses old woolen wear as well as recycled pop bottles to make mittens, slippers and cat toys for her home business, Marvelous Melissa. She sells her goods on the online crafts website etsy.com, as well as in local stores such as Art Dock, Sproutlings, Happy Space, Electric Fetus, the Green Mercantile and the Whole Foods Co-op.
7 W Home Fashions Market Week Draws Record Attendance
Hot on the heels of a recent series of successful markets, 7 W New York hosted a rewarding and productive Home Fashions Market, September 19-23. The building’s entire roster of top-notch home fashion suites were ready for attendees, with a wide range of products from elegant classic to cutting-edge chic.
According to Chris Collins, VP & President, 7 W New York, “Our Home Fashions Market Week was an extraordinary success! Once again, we endured very difficult financial news right in the middle of the market.
Trollbeads USA Introduces Limited Edition Skeleton Necklace
The Skeleton Necklace, from Trollbeads, the original bead and bracelet company since 1976, is now available for the first time ever in the United States. This limited edition work of art is handcrafted of the finest raw materials and is guaranteed to strike up a conversation.
The Skeleton necklace elegantly dangles in sterling silver with 18 carat gold decoration around its throat. The body is 5.7 inches in length with adjustable joints, allowing it to dangle eccentrically.
Ladybugs Scramble Squares Puzzle Receives “Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Children’s Products for 2011”
b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that its newest Scramble Squares® 9-piece puzzle, “Ladybugs,” has been named one of “Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Children’s Products for 2011” by The Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco.
In announcing these awards, noted child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Toy), Director of The Institute For Childhood Resources, founded in San Francisco in 1975, and a childhood specialist for over 40 years, said, “Dr.
September 2011 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show Records 21.4% Attendance Increase; Attracts Industry’s Premier Retailers
The September 20-23, 2011 edition of the Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show recorded a 21.4 % increase in attendance over the 2010 edition.
FedEx Pumps $1M into Small Business Economy in Support of Second Annual Small Business Saturday
Memphis, TN — FedEx Corp. FDX -0.38% is injecting $1 million into the small business economy of the United States with its support of Small Business Saturday 2011.
Anamalz Rule the Earth…And The Fall 2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
From the dawn of time until present day, the earth has been inhabited by creaturez large and small. Many of these creaturez were fierce and wild, until the animal-lovers at anamalz gathered them, tamed them and gave them to our children for safe (and fun!) keeping. Because they’ve done such an excellent job of domesticating everything from the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the Polar Bear to the Reindeer (okay, Santa helped with that one), the entire anamalz line has been awarded the extremely coveted and prestigious 2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award in the Best Toy category.
Jenny Hammons, George Kacic, and Brandwise To Receive Industry Awards —Leaders to be Honored at January 2012 Party for Life
Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that three industry leaders, Jenny Hammons, George Kacic, and Brandwise founders Todd and Jannetta Litzman, will be honored during Gift for Life’s 20th Annual Party for Life, taking place Sunday, January 29, 2012 in New York City.
Jenny Hammons will receive the Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award, which recognizes sustained philanthropic endeavors benefitting the industry. The Award is named for industry benefactor Bert Tonkin, president of Western Exhibitors.
The Gourmet Experience Announces High Profile Line Up of Celebrity Chefs and Local Culinary Stars
The Gourmet Experience, a cooking and entertaining showcase taking place this October 8-9, 2011 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, is pleased to announce an exciting line-up of celebrity chefs and local culinary stars set to headline this year’s three demonstration stages with culinary entertainment for the whole family.
Dress It Up with the Christine Clarke Collection from Douglas Company
Douglas Company is known for bringing smiles to the faces of children across the globe with their plush toys and lifestyle gift products, but now they are expanding their reach even farther by bringing style savvy young women into the mix with the Christine Clarke Collection while at the same time giving back. A portion of all proceeds from the Christine Clarke collection will go to support women’s causes worldwide.
Christine Clarke is the VP of Design at Douglas Company and has been designing children’s accessories for 33 years.
New Shop Offers Unique Clothing, Gifts for Women
New London, MN – The owners of The Happy Sol want their shop to appeal to all five senses, so their boutique has music playing and scented gifts to greet customers with a bit of perfume in the air.
The shop has gift items to please the eye and the soft touch of beautiful clothing.
And, “everybody gets a chocolate,” said co-owner Gina Lieser. “We wanted to have a bright, happy retail therapy experience.”
Douglas Company Welcomes Clifford the Big Red Dog
The New Hampshire-based plush toy and lifestyle gift creator Douglas Company recently signed a licensing agreement with Scholastic Media, to produce Clifford The Big Red Dog plush products.
Douglas Company, known for its detailed, quality plush, will produce and distribute a collection of playful plush dogs as well as popular fashion plush, such as the Sassy Pet Sak, for Scholastic’s well-known and beloved brand “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” The Douglas CLIFFORD collection will debut at the 2012 Winter Shows and the International Toy Fair in New York this February.
A Call to Life Sells Local, Handmade Items
Old Colorado City, CO – Finding local merchandise that suits your style, budget and morals can sometimes be a challenge. With all the retail stores that carry mystery fabrics made in Uzbekistan and local shops that carry a very specialized inventory, the search may seem futile.
A relatively new business in Old Colorado City called A Call to Life, though, deserves a visit for its focus on local entrepreneurs and unique items that are nearly impossible to find at big retailers.
“It’s been going very well,” said owner Laura Teeters about business since A Call to Life’s 2010 opening.
YOU! Boutiques Sells Distinctive Gifts
Richmond, VA – Interior designer Theresa Capps noticed a growing consumer demand for distinctive gifts and home accessories.
“Customers are looking for something unique across the board,” she said. “They want a conversation piece. I wanted to meet (those) needs.”
In October 2009, she opened YOU! Boutiques in the Short Pump Town Center in western Henrico County.
Country Mouse, City Smarts
Fairfield, CT – There’s nothing cheesy about this mouse, which has served as an anchor in the lower Greenfield Hill area for more than 30 years.
The Country Mouse, at 75 Hillside Road in the Greenfield Commons plaza, began baiting customers in the late 1970s with hostess gifts, home décor items and candles.
Making a Fresh Start at Hospital Gift Shop
Monroe, GA – With a new hospital campus set to open next year, the women in the Walton Regional Medical Center Auxiliary are looking to start anew with the move.
So, with fall bearing down on the area, the Blue Angels are looking to sell off excess merchandise in a clearance sale.
The event will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and continue until 4 p.m. at Healthworks, at 1401 W. Spring St.
“We’re going to have a little bit of everything,” said Linda Bright, president of the Auxiliary and manger of the gift shop.
After 30 Years, Poppy Still in Bloom
Columbia, MO – A place with personality.
That’s what Barbara McCormick and Mary Ebert set about creating in November 1981, exhibiting approximately 20 handcrafted art items out of a residential home.
Cookies Get Emmy Nod
Franklin Lakes, NJ – What would you do if the Emmy Awards called? Buy a gown, book a salon appointment, and get a massage? If you are Joel and Kim Ansh of Fatboy’s Cookie Dough, you start to bake the cookies.
Fair Lawn-based The Fatboy Cookie Company was contacted by Off TheWall Gifts to be included in gift bags distributed to attendees at the 32nd Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
Grandpa Bob’s Candy Store Takes Sweet Step into Past
Victor, NY – Once upon a time, a little boy would go to a small candy store in Rochester. The store was like a treasure chest to children — two big glass cases full of all kinds of penny candy, and a nickel or dime would buy the children an entire small bag of delights.
But the old lady who owned it was very crabby. And one day, she cheated the little boy out of his change. He never forgot how he felt.
Sixty years later, that same boy — now a grandfather — opened a candy store of his own in Victor.