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GiftsWholesale.Com is not responsible for changes in show information or typographical errors. OmegaNet and GiftsWholesale.Com are not directly associated with any trade show. April 2010 For a full list of Trade Shows, go to GiftsWholesale.Com GiftsWholesale:
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As Earth day approaches April 22, the world is focused on the environmental disaster caused by
the Earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan. With the nuclear plant
disaster in the background, efforts toward conservation and recycling may appear dwarfed. However, those efforts
still make a difference when applied by conscientious manufacturers.
When it comes to cutting edge environmental concern and an obsession for recycling, Kenya may not be high on the list, but in that African nation there is a small manufacturing company that not only makes it's products from recycled materials, it also hires a number of artists who hand-make products from recycled glass, paper, wood, and metal. At Acacia Creations, in Nairobi, recycling is what they do. Local artisans are paid well to create jewelry, wooden tableware, and greeting cards. The greeting cards feature brightly colored designs made from recycled metal afixed to Water Hyacinth paper.
Speaking of greeting cards, Gina B. Designs' Eclectic Notes are printed with soy-based
inks on SMART Papers Feltweave® paper that is acid-free archival, FSC Certified and endorsed by
the Rain Forest Alliance. Recycled content is 30% post-consumer. All Gina B Products are
printed in Plymouth, Minnesota.
Calypso Studios Inc. of Richmond, Virginia, just introduced its new "It's a Wrap Bracelets" with beads made from the earth's natural elements of clay and shell. These wraps come in 6-8 different styles and show a real earthy look. All are hand strung on a waxed linen cord with Calypso's signature toggle clasp.
At AmericasMart in Atlanta, three of
four new and newly rebranded product centers celebrated Nature and environmental sustainability
during the January, 2011, Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. "Birding and
Backyard Nature" was a collection of outdoor products and themed gifts for birding and nature
enthusiasts. "Handmade Designs & Handmade Jewelry" was a juried collection featuring design-
oriented, handmade creations of glass, ceramics, fiber-art etc. "Global Designs" featured
artisan quality handmade crafts that reflected culturally meaningful designs that assist in the
economic and environmental sustainability of global communities with product classifications
such as Organic, Environmentally Friendly, Fair Trade, Purchase Positive Sustainable and Green.
indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
Aspen Bay Candles: It’s not hard to see why Aspen Bay Candles are simply better. Our candles are poured with a clean burning soy wax blend and use recycled materials wherever possible. We hand-pour all of our products in our factory in Mississippi. The result is a line of premium candles with quality you can see and most importantly smell.
Badash Crystal: Our 24% hand-cut lead crystal is produced in the finest factories in Europe by the same artisans that manufacture for Mikasa, Waterford, Lenox, and Sasaki. Every piece is individually and safely gift boxed. We offer superb quality and value for all your gift giving and/or personal pleasure.
Brownlow Gifts: Brownlow produces a full line of inspirational gifts for every occasion. You will find useful and attractive home decor gifts for the kitchen, bedrooms, study and all other rooms in the house. Brownlow is well known for gourmet products, journals, gifted paper items, photo albums, photo frames, decorative sentiment plaques, a variety of stationery, many different ceramic gifts as well as a large assortment of inspirational gift books. Most products are in coordinating themes that retailers can purchase in eye-catching countertopdisplay collections.
Calypso Studios is a Fashion Accessory & Gift Company that creates products that encompass a relaxed and vibrant lifestyle. We are constantly moving forward and challenging ourselves with new designs and accessories, creating beautiful pieces that everyone can enjoy. We are excited to bring more color and sparkle to any wardrobe in an array of new designs for the gift industry, including our new and extremely popular Comfort Crosses and Wrap Bracelets. Visit us online today at www.calypsostudiosinc.com to explore all of our new 2011 product!
CAMEOEZMarketplace.com: CAMEO EZ© member stores can now log into a site one time and place orders from several manufacturers. This is a newly introduced site, so check back often to see more lines. One Login – Multiple Shopping Carts – Easy Checkout.
Divinity Boutique is a gift company that is focused on trendy and fun gifts that feature inspirational verse and themes.
Don Mark Mi Pet Dancing Speaker - “THE HIT OF THE PARTY” These adorable Puppies and Kittens have a built-in speaker that plays music from your iPod / MP3 player or most any other music source. Our soft synthetic fur pets will dance to your music or press the left paw and just use the Mi Pet in speaker mode only. The arms are posable and the dance feature will automatically turn off after an hour or so to conserve battery life. Comes with one audio connection cable and uses 3 “AA” batteries (not included) plus features a 4.5v DC power jack for use without batteries (Adapter plug not included). MiPets come in four breeds and are beautifully gift boxed. Each pet measures approximately 12” tall.
Elegant Baby recognizes that today’s babies are stylish, and is committed to providing baby gifts featuring the very best design, quality, craftsmanship and tradition anywhere.
Europa Home decor including glass, candleholders and candles for garden, lodge, awards, gourmet food, sale items and more.
Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery products company featuring exceptional art and design. With an array of styles, variety of products and outstanding customer service, Gina B. Designs has "something for everyone." All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
The Heeney Company is a wholesale manufacturer and importer of floral and Christmas products. The company distributes, imports and or manufactures floral and Christmas arrangements, silk flowers, foliages and plants, dried materials, ribbons, candles and decorative accessories.
Hook Line Greetings offers the world's first patent-pending "Gift-in-Greet" Fishing Lure Cards. The company's unique and clever greeting cards contain an authentic hand-tied fishing lure as the "gift" that can be taken out for immediate fun and enjoyment. Just "release" the fishing lure from the card, tie on a line and go fish!
Highland Graphics: a leader in functional gift with decorative items for gift giving and kitchen. From our topselling Absorbastone coasters, to our decorative bamboo cutting boards, everything we manufacture is made in the USA. Our high quality plus competitive pricing lets our customers make higher margins. We feature licensed art, official collegiate products and have a full range of custom capabilities with low minimums.
Natural Life: Fashionable and fun treasures to share or keep! Whether you’re shopping for friends, family, baby or yourself, Natural Life has the perfect gift for you.
Nicole Brayden Gifts a bright and trendy collection of stationary and home decor products. Lots of fun colors and designs offered. Introducing new and exciting "Purse Pad" stationary assortments as well as the trendy Cheeky Chic collection.
Puzzle Pen The Puzzle Pen is the only erasable, retractable and refillable pen on the market. This product is a great, new break-thru for puzzlers. If your store has customers that play Crossword, Sudoku, KenKen, Kakuro, Magic Square, Acrostic, or any other word or number puzzle, this unique new Puzzle Pen will be a great hit in your store.
Saltbox is a Manhattan-based design studio known for its signature creations in canvas. Regularly featured in magazines such as Oprah, Self, People and Brides, the Saltbox collection is renowned for its alluring prints and colors and is well-loved for its sturdy construction and heavy weight, water resistant canvas.
Shade Tree Greetings' "Actual Pictures" are recognized as one of the best-selling greeting card lines in the industry. Nostalgic photographs and clever, funny verses make these cards a success. Go to our website to browse over 300 styles. GREAT introductory programs and free fixtures.
snoozies!® are not socks and they're not slippers - sort of a crossover between the two and that's why we call them "foot coverings"! snoozies!® are made with a brushed fleece exterior in colorful & fun printed patterns and then lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.
Spring Street is proud to offer the finest assortment of personal, home, and office accessories. Our extensive product lines are all theme oriented, from baby to bride and beyond. All of our gift items are hand epoxy enameled and adorned with faux jewel encrusted motifs. Many of our designs are inspired from the famed Soho district of New York City where the very real Spring Street is located.
Sunbelt
Marketing Group , Inc. Licensed functional and decorative giftware for the home and tailored for the men's market, i.e. (clocks, signs, coat/key racks, salt and pepper shakers, bottle openers, shelves, picture frames, games key chains and more). Licenses include Coca-Cola, General Motors, Pepsi-Cola, Farmall Tractors, Shelby and the Shelby Ford Mustang and Dodge. Product mediums include wood, polyresin, and glass and mixed mediums.
Sunset Vista Designs Inc.: offers you extra margin opportunities, and sells thru at retail. They offer innovative designs, in proven products, with space saving merchandising solutions, and attractive package deals that all add value to the quality products we offer. Many say this is the “best ever” line of innovative gift, garden, and home décor.
Talkin' Trash Gifts: Harmless Nonsense for Every Occasion. Bring Smiles, Laughter and Sales to your location. Brightly Colored and Artfully Embellished Bar and Guest Towels. Clever Wine Bags, Hilarious and Functional Totes and Cosmetic bags. Humorous Baby Onsies. Fine Quality Gifts that are Priced to sell. The perfect pick-up gift for every occasion. Order yours today and let the fun begin.
Tripar International Inc.: Tripar International is your source for both displays and decorative accessories. Our extensive product line includes a wide assortment of easels, risers, ornament stands, plate racks, mirrors, jewelry displays, and unique display pieces. We are also an excellent source for wine accessories, wall décor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands. We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.
Wellspring brings art and organization to everyday life with products in fashion, organization, and home. Check out quick ship items for the holidays that retail under $10- Flip Notes, great lightweight pill boxes and compacts, Auto Notes, lens cleaners and more! Also beautiful curios, scarves, wristlets, and pillows. All great gifts to ship now.
YMC Toys provides a variety of over 5,000 Toys, Novelty, Die Cast Modes, General Merchandise, Home/Gift Items, Licensed Plush, and Party Favors. With the support of over 50 factories all across China, YMC has supported business since 1988, with quality products at the lowest price. Quality is the foundation of our products and all we do and represent. It's reflected in the way we do business. It's demonstrated in the way we treat individuals.
Dear friends,
More than ever before, consumers want to feel like they receive a deal. I am reminded often.
At the end of each speaking engagement, many of the audience members want to purchase one of my books to have as a keepsake or to gift to others. At $10.00 each, people will predictably purchase 1-3 books. I can expect a $10.00-30.00 sale per transaction.
A few years ago, I decided to run a test. Would people spend $50.00 if I offered them an incentive of a free book? So I posted a sign: $10.00 each or 6 books for $50.00. Suddenly, my backroom book sales grew exponentially! People were inspired to purchase six books so they could receive the deal. What I lose on profit margin, I make up for in volume. I now offer volume discounts in my store on select products and I’m rarely disappointed. More importantly, the customer leaves with a warm fuzzy feeling and I’ve moved more inventory off the shelf.
Today, we are competing with mass merchants with seemingly unlimited marketing budgets and a consumer base who expects more and more value. For independent retailers, every advertising and promotional dollar counts. Posting a sign featuring a special offer to help inspire a multiple purchase is about as easy and as inexpensive as it gets.
Take votive candles or small personal care products that often sell for around $4.00. Why not offer a special of 3 for $10.00? What a great way to inspire customers to fall in love with the product and become loyal to the brand—in a larger size! Consider offering volume discounts on larger ticket items too. A $35.00 sale could quickly turn into a $100.00 sale if you offer a price incentive. After all, wouldn’t that framed print look fabulous when grouped in three’s?
We need to use every tool we can today to maintain the competitive advantage. What products are you willing to offer a volume discount on? Why not chose a few today and see what happens. Like me, maybe you’ll be surprised too!
Here’s to a hearty and prosperous spring,
Truly,
Cheryl
~ Cheryl Karpen is president of Gently Spoken. a retailer and a manufacturer, Cheryl is best known for authoring the Eat Your Peas Collection, a series of 21 gift books that begin with a promise. Visit Cheryl at gentlyspoken.com and cherylkarpen@aol.com./em>
Umbra has announced a soft-window-category partnership with Peking Handicraft. Peking Handicraft, producer of hand-crafted textiles, will license a new soft window collection under the Umbra brand.
"Peking Handicraft is well known for cutting-edge embellishment and attention to detail, providing tremendous value for our consumers, all at affordable prices. We believe this partnership is a perfect fit," said Kaela Forker, VP business development, Umbra.
"We have always admired the Umbra brand. We believe we share the same vision for our consumers and retailers and cannot wait to introduce this new soft window collection into the marketplace," said Mark Grand, Peking Handicraft president.
