Short Takes
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 12/1/2000
Girls' Club
The heroines of classic children's literature are alighting on all sorts of charming products these days. The irresistible felt board playsets from Learning Curve include several devoted to everyone's favorite Parisienne, Madeline. One new entry, the $20 Madeline Ice Skating Playboard, includes felt renderings of Madeline and her friend Pepito, an ice rink, and the Eiffel Tower. Array the playsets in two straight lines, and watch the sales pile up. Learning Curve, Chicago. (800) 704-8697.
Madeline also graces a six-piece children's dinnerware set from Selandia. The winsome set includes a vinyl placemat, a handled cup, a spoon and fork, a plate, and a bowl depicting Miss Clavel and the 12 little girls at dinner. Selandia also makes a six-piece dinnerware set for another literary favorite, Curious George. $21.99 per set. Selandia, Spokane, WA. (800) 331-1089.
Another spunky young heroine, Eloise, is featured on new furniture pieces and home furnishings from The Essex Collection. Eloise dances poutily across the My Darling Porcelain Dining Set; four hooked wool rugs; several needlepoint pillows with "Eloise pink" fringe; and a sweet painted wood furniture collection that includes a scalloped round dining table, a demi-lune table, an armchair, a side chair, two stepstools, and a toy chest. The Eloise pieces range in price from $50 to $350. The Essex Collection, Gloucester, MA. (800) 377-1416.
Artists Corner
Department 56 is planning to unveil a new line of decorative ornaments licensed by Bob Timberlake at the Atlanta gift market next month. Drawing inspiration from antiques and decorative objects collected by the artist over the years, Department 56 will produce holiday ornaments in wood, glass, and tin. The Bob Timberlake collection will include water globes; bookends; ceramic items; and Santa-themed cloth figures, tree skirts, and garlands.
Andrews McMeel Publishing has signed a deal to distribute calendars and books based on the work of photographer Anne Geddes in North America. As North American co-publisher, Andrews McMeel will deal in Geddes' famous and distinctive images of rosy-cheeked babies and other whimsical subjects.
Friendly Neighborhood Frog
The Bradford Group has signed a deal with The Jim Henson Company to create a new line of collectibles based on the Muppets. Starting next month, Bradford will release figurines, plates, water globes, ornaments, and themed dolls bearing the likenesses of Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, and the gang.
Light Is All You Need
For a truly distinctive lighting touch, check out the Yellow Submarine Ichiban Lamp from Vandor. With its textured yellow paper filtering a soft glow, the 13½"x15¼"x9" lamp pays tribute to The Beatles'" Yellow Submarine." Perfect for Beatles nuts and aesthetes alike. Suggested retail price between $55.99 and $69.99. Vandor, Salt Lake City. (800) 755-5966.
All prices retail
