Chicago

By John Parris Frantz -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 4/1/2001

In a soft economy, soft money deserves to be saved in a soft piggy bank from Princess Soft Toys, the new plush manufacturer at Bette C., suite 14-103 in the Chicago Merchandise Mart (CMM). New from Peggy Karr Glass, the fused glass serveware and functional artwork manufacturer, are an 18" oval plate and a Christmas tree shape. Also new from Peggy Karr are ten new patterns, including geranium, morning glory, daffodil, and Father Christmas. Lighten-Up Gifts is a greeting card and gift all in one. Each card gets a pewter piece that can hold balloons, incense sticks, or mini 2" candles.

The Christmas Early Buy Program is well under way at Bolender & Gausewitz (B & G), CMM 1551, and gift shops are busy securing their discount, freight, and dating opportunities for Christmas 2001. B & G has 13 new Christmas themes this year, with the three most unique being: Glacier Mist's icy white and silver colors; Royal Plum's purples and plums with frosted touches of mint greens and silver; and Vintage Elegance's nostalgic lace, soft colors, crystal beading, and Victorian accents. B & G is introducing more accent furniture and accessories, such as this year's new wire and lattice chairs, tables, and plant stands.

An electrifying introduction of lamps is at Ira Jones, CMM 1546. Park Imports & Designs, the soft goods and tabletop people, has added lamps, many of which have cloth shades that match other textiles in the line.

Buy that Blasted Art at Mac McNeill & Associates, CMM 14-105. Blasted Art is a new look in tabletop; it offers a combination of sand-blasted frosting and clear glass that form patterns and words describing the item's function. Country Lane Candles is not your typical beeswax candle line; it features many styles, including iridescence, glitter, surface patterning, and other unique treatments. Each candle's cellophane-and-ribbon giftwrap makes the product very saleable in both small gift shops and large department stores. Remember Zim's the Elves Themselves, the Christmas elves in whimsical scenes? Now there are The Woodland Elves, a lodge look with the elves in earth-tone fabrics and woodsy scenes.

Mainly Baskets has more than just baskets at Casa Bella, CMM 1578. There are new chairs, tables, and other furniture pieces featuring wicker and sea grass in green, chocolate, chestnut, and other finishes. Also see Mainly Baskets'wire cachepots and planters. The Tyndale division of Frederick Cooper Lighting has added new Raymond Waites styles. And never before in the Midwest is the Arte Italica line of Italian tabletop pewter, ceramic, and glass.

Bramble Co. moved from its CMM 1511 showroom and will now be represented in the CMM's 12th floor market suites, which are open during both major and mini markets.

Buy'em by the bucket! Tea Lites by Colonial of Cape Cod at Duncan & Co., CMM 15-133, now come in small buckets that consumers can buy at a great value. Also new is the Flower Power line of picture frames made of faux flowers imitating sunflowers, daisies, etc. The flowers'petals are bendable and can be configured in many creative ways to frame a photograph or work of art. Dover House just introduced eight new fireplace screens with small cups to hold candles.

The best collections of animal figurines come from Country Artists at Excelsior Marketing, CMM 1559. Known for more than 100 resin birds in floral settings with hardwood bases, Country Artists keeps adding other collections, such as: Tuskers, a line of 24 resin elephants; Best Selling Dogs, dozens of dog breeds in 18" sizes; Best In Show, 24 different 6" dogs; and Best Selling Cats.