Archives: News
Kennewick Store Goes Chic for Kids
Kennewick, WA – You won’t find Mickey Mouse characters on the clothing at Pipsqueaks.
Instead, owner Lisa Steele stocks her tiny Kennewick children’s boutique with what she describes as “shabby, chic, vintage-looking clothing.”
Steele’s primary line is Maisydaisy, one she began making and selling on the internet seven years ago.
“Not all my Maisydaisy designs are available on the website; too many people go to the internet looking for things to copy,” she said.
Christmasworld Trends 2012/13: Color is the Crucial Signal
With around six months still to go before the next Christmasworld from 27 to 31 January 2012, Messe Frankfurt has announced the new trends for the festive-decoration sector in 2012/13. Based on the current trends of the international fashion and design scene, the Christmasworld Trends show clearly today what will dominate in the coming season.
Summer Denver Gift Show Records an Increase in Retail Store Attendance
The recent semi-annual Denver Merchandise Mart Gift, Home, Jewelry & Resort Show, held August 25-30, posted a slight upswing in retail store attendance compared to a year ago. “Although the increase was small (3%), the swing was in the right direction, and we are pleased with that,” said Carol Hash, Gift Show Director. For the third year, the Show was held in conjunction with the Mart’s Denver Apparel & Accessory Market offering the attending store buyers a much applauded cross-over buying experience.
Fair Trade Organization Holds Annual Cranbrook Sale
Cranbrook, BC – On September 16 and 17, volunteers will invest in the lives of artisans around the world by selling exquisite hand-crafted gifts and home décor.
The Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Gift Sale, to be held a Knox Presbyterian Church – 2100 3rd Street South in Cranbrook – offers an opportunity for citizens in the East Kootenay to invest in their world by shopping fair trade.
New Gift Shop Gives
Amherst, NH – The grand opening of a new local gift shop next week will not only benefit the customers, but also organizations that help those in need.
The Gift Shoppe at Salzburg Square will be hosting their grand opening week Sept. 19–25 and give 10 percent of all proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association Mass/NH and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
“We are proud to be joining our grand opening with these two excellent organizations,” said shop owner Michael Spyridakis, who lost his mother to Alzheimer’s several years ago.
(Chocolate) Bombs Away!
Windsor, ONT – After a chocolate truffle recipe bombed, Diana Poirier thought that was that until everyone enjoyed dropping them in their coffee.
Her Coffee Bombs have been a hit ever since. They’ve boosted both the flavour of customers’ java and her home-based, e-commerce business selling chocolates. And she’s exploring retail sales in stores and restaurants.
Bombs away, as one might say for the stay-at-home wife and mom and her oneTwenty two Handcrafted Chocolates.
“It was a mistake,” Poirier said.
Planet Dog Delivers Tail Wagging Gifts That Give Back
Planet Dog’s holiday collection offers canine companions on shopping lists holiday-themed soft and squeaky toys and durable Orbee-Tuff® toys for dogs of all sizes and ages as well as a new, Classic Canine Stocking. The socially responsible pet industry leader is proud to offer shoppers high-quality, unique and meaningful gifts this holiday season.
Sit. Speak. Act.
Planet Dog is proud to donate 2% of every purchase to the Planet Dog Foundation (PDF) to support canine service programs nationwide.
Magnet Works Makes Major Organizational Changes to Prepare for Growth
Magnet Works, Ltd., a leading provider of indoor and outdoor home décor accessories, announced major personnel changes Tuesday – hiring Anne Brown as Director of Product Development and naming Tammy Hickel as Executive Vice President and General Manager.
“We’ve decided it’s time to take Magnet Works to the next level. Ann and Tammy have the industry experience, creativity, and focus to get us there,” said Curt Todd, CEO and co-founder of Magnet Works.
Since 2005, Tammy Hickel has been the VP of Sales and Marketing for Magnet Works.
Robert Schuler Assumes AMC National Housing Services Post
Robert D. Schuler has been appointed AMC officer in charge for all housing services, across all AmericasMart Atlanta markets and the AMC-managed LIGHTFAIR International trade show, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart Atlanta and its AMC, Inc.
Over/Under on the Number of Ways to Make Change for a Dollar The Line is 73
How confident are you in your answer? Would you be willing to bet on it? That’s the idea behind the exciting new Over Under Game. Oh, the answer—by the way—is over. There are 293 mathematical ways to make change for a dollar. So, would you have won?
The Over Under Game is based on a wager system most commonly used in sports betting. Eighteen-year-old Nicholas Kohler adapted over/under into a board game that could be played with friends.
The game challenges players to make their best guess at up to 200 zany questions.
New Boutique Opens in Carousel Village
Newtown, PA – If the vintage kiddie rides, artisan ice cream, pumpkin patch and antiques aren’t enough, there’s new reason to head over to Carousel Village in Wrightstown this fall.
It’s called Carousel Boutiques, a cute shop in the old stone farmhouse filled with an eclectic mix of home décor, clothing and accessories.
Holiday Market Expands its Merchants Row
Niagara Falls, NY – A Western New York fashion boutique has signed on to participate in the upcoming Holiday Market in downtown Niagara Falls.
Developer Mark Rivers announced Monday that Williamsville-based retailer Tony Walker & Co. will participate in the “merchant’s row” during the 36-day market which is scheduled to be held on Old Falls Street later this year.
Tony Walker & Co.’s “gift giving center” will feature boutiques from the retailer’s line of shops, including Tony Walker & Co. body and beauty, yoga life, jewelry, bootery and women’s and men’s shop.
Floral Designer’s Passion Is Business
Barrington, RI – Lois Coppolino wanted to be a set designer or a window dresser when she was a girl growing up in Barrington in the ’60s and early ’70s.
But in those decades, there wasn’t a clear cut career path for someone who may have been interested in something off the beaten path. So instead, she headed off to school at what was then Roger Williams College in Bristol to become an art teacher.
After graduating with a degree in art education, Coppolino substitute taught for a year before realizing there wasn’t a lot of work that was going to open up any time soon.
Made Here at Home on Circuit Avenue
Oak Bluffs, MA – Philip Tucker of Made Here On the Vineyard in Oak Bluffs had decisions to make two Saturdays ago when Hurricane Irene was breathing down his back. But he’s good at making decisions, and changed the date of Alena Grady’s show to this past Sunday. He’s especially pleased about his decision to move his craft shop and art gallery from Nevin Square in Edgartown to Circuit Avenue.
“Much better this year,” he says. “Of course, it’s our start-up year and all, but business has been better than in Edgartown.
New Apparel Store Promotes Rural Craftsmanship
India – As the name itself suggests Earthware aims at reviving Indian crafts and skills by bringing about a wide range of Natural and Handcrafted wearables under one roof.
The wearables at Earthwear are specially designed for modern Indian women with a rich traditional taste.
Earthwear aims at promoting rural craftsmanship and thus has on its shelves kurtas, shirts and tops with hand embroidered designs by the rural women of Bengal; skirts, shirts and tops with ethnic prints by artisans of Rajasthan and classic handwoven kurtas from Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
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Divas Accessorize With Dingo Bay’s Unique Jewelry
Bradenton, FL – Louise Taylor did not originally plan to make jewelry for a living.
“I was a bead hoarder,” confessed Taylor, who currently owns and operates her own custom jewelry company, Dingo Bay. “I would always end up breaking a necklace and keeping all of the beads. I had to do something with them.”
Growing up with three sisters, Taylor said that she was always the “practical, financial-minded one,” while her sister, Eliza, was the artistic one.
Taylor said she found her spot in the accounting business.
Dr. Toy Pronounces Citiblocs Little Builder Rattle Blocs One of This Year’s 10 Best Toys
It’s hard to astonish a doctor who has seen it all but CitiBlocs’ new “chunky” line of building blocks for little fingers has wowed Dr. Toy, noted child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. She’s just named CitiBlocs Little Builder Rattle Blocs to her 10 Best Toys of 2011 – the third honor she’s given the adorable set this year.
Toy industry experts have been watching CitiBlocs, makers of precision-cut planks, as they’ve racked up every toy award on the list — an impressive 38 awards in two years.
Gift & Home Buyers to Find an Expanded Array of Immediate Seasonal Products at the California Market Center During Fall Market
The California Market Center (CMC) will be hosting the CMC Gift & Home Market, September 18-20, 2011, Sunday-Tuesday, 9am to 6pm daily. The CMC’s extensive multitude of product spans multiple categories and provides retailers with limitless options for a fresh and creative merchandise mix.
Artisan House Introduces C. Jeré Lighting Collection at High Point
Artisan House, designers and crafters of unique, fine-quality metal sculptures for wall, floor and tabletop is re-introducing a collection of classic C. Jeré lighting designs from the 1970’s.
The 10 piece collection includes chandeliers, table lamps and floor lamps. Materials used include polished brass plated steel, chrome and brushed steel. Each hand-crafted piece is signed C. Jeré.
Original lamps have become collector’s items – selling for thousands of dollars at galleries and on internet auction sites.
Toys at the Intersection of Faith and Fun
Keeping kids entertained and quiet in church is no easy task. A 4-year-old just doesn’t have the attention span to sit still and listen quietly for 45 minutes. Instead of reaching for dress-up dolls or racecars to occupy little ones, why not give them faith-based toys that complement rather than diverge from the message of the service? The latest church-friendly products from Wee Believers® prove that faith can be fun, and quiet!