Short Takes
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 10/1/2000
Ceramics & Table Settings
This fall, New York-based Sakura unveils a collection of tabletop pieces inspired by the soft pastel art of Challis & Roos. The collection will include everyday and seasonal lines in both stoneware and melamine. Highlights include the "Rainbow Sun" melamine pattern. Sakura's future plans include Challis & Roos flatware, barware, and wooden accessories.
Artist Marsha McCarthy has signed a deal with Cast Art Industries to create a line of home accessory products. McCarthy's work, which consists of warm folksy images and inscriptions engraved on clay, will be adapted by the Corona, CA, company for a range of items, including figurines, vases, trinket boxes, candleholders, and trays. The line, which Cast Art is planning to launch in January 2001 at the Atlanta gift market, will focus specifically on McCarthy's cat-themed art.
A Plug for Plush
Gund has introduced two new lines of licensed goods. The first, based on Nickelodeon's popular and irreverent animated series Rugrats, includes beanbag and 10" plush versions of Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, and the gang. The items in the Rugrats Classics line range in price from $6 to $15. The second line is based on the Rambling Ted character, first introduced on greeting cards in the U.K. The intrepid bear, below, and his companion Rambling Rose will be transformed into 12" and 15" plush dolls ($15-$25 each), six different beanbags ($7 each), and 12 resin figurines ($10-$25 each). Gund, Edison, NJ. (732) 248-1500.
Learning Curve has introduced the Noddy Soft Toy collection, a group of plush items based on the Noddy classic book series. The elfin fellow, a hit with generations of children in the U.K. and the U.S., now has his own TV series on PBS. Included in the line are 8" and 14" Noddy figures ($8.99 and $19.99, respectively), an 8" Tessie Bear ($8.99), and an 8" Bumpy Dog ($8.99). Learning Curve, Chicago. (800) 704-8697.
Chime In
Toland Enterprises has introduced decorative windchimes bearing the artwork of artists such as Warren Kimble (right), Michal Sparks, and Challis & Roos. Each features a roughly 8"x11" fade-resistant polyester cylinder, under which hang five chimes. These ArtChimes are 24" long. $22. Toland Ents., Mandeville, LA. (800) 989-6287.
Lions on Parade
Eden introduces a new product line inspired by the PBS children's series Between the Lions. The show, which teaches basic reading skills to children aged 4 to 7, focuses on four lion puppets who preside over a magic library. The Eden line, which ranges in price from $10 to $35, includes plush versions of Theo, Cleo, Leona, and Lionel; beanbag versions with bookmarks; a magnetic play set; and other toys. Sure to be a hit with parents who want to give their kids educational encouragement. Eden LLC, New York. (212) 947-4400.
Buy This Show
Brand Licensing London, the licensing trade show being held in the U.K. this month, October 25-26, was acquired by Advanstar Communications Inc., the organizer of the annual Licensing International convention in New York. Diane Stone, group show director for Advanstar, explained that the company has been looking for a European outlet for some time. "It is our goal to create successful events to meet the needs of our customers in the global licensing industry," she said.
All prices retail
