Short Takes
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 11/1/2000
Two Mice and a Bear
Retailers looking for a personal care line with a little added zing can turn to the Ally McBealisms body, bath, and home care items. Drawing inspiration from the hip TV series about mousy Ally and her wacky coworkers, the line includes vividly titled products like "I have a great imaginary world, but sometimes I need things to happen for real" Bath Soak. Stylishly packaged in pale blue and white, the products range from $6 to $30. Upper Canada Soap and Candle Makers, Mississauga, ON, Canada. (800) 548-4097.
As a further enhancement for the bathroom, try simply irresistible Smiling Stuart toothbrush holder. Part of a line of winning collectibles based on Stuart Little of movie fame, the 4" piece shows pajama-clad Stuart examining himself in a mirror and holding aloft a giant toothbrush. Rings for two real toothbrushes are attached. $24.95. Alexander Doll Company, New York. (212) 283-5900.
Another much beloved literary character, Winnie the Pooh, comes to life in two plaques from Santa Barbara Ceramic Design. The two Classic Pooh items depict the thoughtful bear engaged in his favorite pastime: eating honey. The 5-3/8"x 4¼" oval door plaque, $18, is the perfect sign for a baby's bedroom, reading, "New little ones are the sweetest to meet." The 6"x9" rectangular home plaque with leather cord, $20, reads, "You're the sweetest little one." Santa Barbara Ceramic Design, Santa Barbara, CA. (800) 933-2529.
Artists' Corner
Opportunity Knocks has introduced a line of school supplies featuring the bright, bold artwork of Jody Winger. Called "School Is Cool," the collection includes folders (69¢-99¢), packs of six pencils ($1.99 per pack), theme books ($1.49), and memo pads (99¢). The products are aimed at junior high kids and high schoolers, and include mottoes like "Bee yourself" and "I follow my own star." Opportunity Knocks, Delray Beach, FL. (561) 498-1277.
Through their company, Scanlan's Windows to the World, photographers John and Debora Scanlan have signed a licensing deal with Portal Publications. The agreement will place the Scanlans' evocative pictures of the Old World on art prints, posters, cards, and calendars. The first products, released in January, will be a line of cards, several matted prints, a calendar, and ten different posters. Featured artwork will include the photo "Roman Numerals," shown.
Riding High
Last month at High Point, As You Like It unveiled a line of lighting and accessories under the Thomas Kinkade Home Brand. Drawing on Kinkade's light-filled paintings to create a cottage feel, the lamps feature images of sleighs, lighthouses, gates, cabins, and fence posts. $150-$700. As You Like It Inc., High Point, NC. (336) 431-7123.
Another new licensed line at High Point was the Sun Country Style Collection, introduced by Garcia Imports in collaboration with interior designer and author Patricia Hart McMillan. Inspired by McMillan's books Sun Country Elegant and Sun Country Style, the 200-piece upscale furniture and accessory collection includes an antiqued iron coffee table topped with a marble mosaic of an American quilt pattern, and a gilded iron console and matching mirror with a Morning Glory vine pattern. $115-$1,720. Garcia Imports, High Point, NC. (800) 346-8811.
All prices retail
