Chicago
John Parris Frantz -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2001
Who wouldn't love whimsical elephant figurines called Chubby Charmers that are dressed and depicted in human situations. The Chubby Charmers come from All God's Children and are now at Bowen & Associates, showroom 1520 of the Chicago Merchandise Mart (CMM). Waterford Crystal's Gift and Collectible selections now include the Marquis Collection more affordable crystal ornaments such as Snoopy/Peanuts, Baby's First Christmas, and others.
See Slick and Blizzy, the two wild and crazy Snow Buddies at the Encore Group, CMM 15-121. The live characters will charm you in the newly expanded and redesigned showroom full of display and design ideas. Snow Buddies is also showing limited releases for 2001. And just in are 12 all-season Snow Buddies that sell year-round, and from the Snowville maternity ward are eight Baby Buddies from the Snow Buddies collection. Encore's Express Presentation division now has the Harry Potter license for ceramics. See Harry Potter on mugs, cookie jars, magnets, and other items.
Get funky with Funktional Art the hand-painted ceramic tabletop and accessories line at Caroline Carlson, CMM 14-100, which has well.a funky look. Six patterns make up this line that includes picture frames, teapots, and an unusual ceramic wine caddie complete with wine cork toppers. Laura's Design is a contemporary hand-painted collection of glassware, barware, table settings, serveware, and accessories such as boxes and votives. The 13-piece line comes in 12 patterns including fall and Christmas themes.
It's the same place, but a different floor for Yankee Candle, which relocated from the 12th floor to CMM 1518 and debuts its 1,800-square-feet of showroom at this month's gift market. Introductions will include new aromatherapy Aroma Formula collection and Frosted Favorites frosted jar candles. Opting for a larger space is an example of the growth Yankee Candle has mounted in the last couple of years by going in-house with factory showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago, according to Andrew McClure, Yankee's director of wholesale sales. The larger space allows the candle specialty firm to show its hundreds of SKUs of candles, plus offer innovative and state-of-the-art display ideas to retailers.
Ice Lights, the next generation of Christmas lighting, are now available from Kurt S. Adler/Santa's World, CMM 1486. Following in the footsteps of the successful Icicle Lights, Ice Lights shine brightly whether it's night or day.
The Zedi Home division of Four Hands, CMM 1590, added three new seating groupings imported from Indonesia. The groupings include chairs, sofas, ottomans, etc. Some pieces are made of tightly woven sea grass and teak combinations or the broader weave of water hyacinth and teak combos. There are also new dining buffet tables, a small-scale TV cabinet, and half-round console tables added to the Indian Furniture Collection in the Raj.
Crystal Clear goes contemporary in a big way with its the addition of modern shapes in over 100 items in its CMM 1523 showroom. Crystal Clear had contemporary cuts before, but nothing like the smooth, lined shapes that are now featured in serving pieces, bowls, vases, and candlesticks; the latter feature accent touches of translucent gold, frost, green, ruby, or blue.
Buy and sell candles in bulk from Jande Candles, which offers an unbeatable price. Available at Bette C. & Co., CMM 14-103, Jande sells tapers in six colors for $1 apiece. Retailers can sell them right out of the cardboard box to make the collection of six colors look like a special volume purchase. These candles burn for 14 hours and don't drip.
The jewelry collection of the Russian czars is appearing at Chicago's Field Museum, and replicas from two original Faberge pieces in the 140-piece display are for sale at Ganshorn & Associates, CMM 15-100. Ganshorn also has Heritage Irish Crystal, the only crystal that's 100-percent manufactured in Waterford, Ireland. Founded by former Waterford executive, Joe Williams, the line is made by many former Waterford artisans. Leeber Ltd., the serving accessories company, introduces the Ribbon & Rose pattern. Get a taste of Ofnah Crystal's six new, handmade wine-tasting stems. From the Scottish county of Caithness come Caithness Glass artform paperweights. Encased in the clear glass paperweights are beautiful glass rod millifiori and other designs that have been developed over nearly 40 years. The Stars & Stripes paperweight has a novel patriotic design with wavy red and white with stars. The Symphony division of Reuge Music Boxes introduces new musical gifts such as the 20" high, 10" diameter carousel with resin horses and a 28-note movement. If 36-note movements are too pricey, maybe Reuge Music's new 22-note movement will sing a happier tune for you.
Go right to the source for your baskets. Asian Craft, CMM 1544, is an eight-month-old company that has a hand in every aspect of basket production from growing its own willow on Chinese farms to weaving, assembling, and now selling from its new showrooms in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and soon, in Dallas. The huge selection, much of which is shown in the 1,300-square-foot showroom, includes a collection of more than 300 three-piece basket sets, 50 groupings of furniture, and over 500 SKUs of gift and home accessories, such as picture frames, mirrors, and other accents. Although the line has a high-end appearance, it is sold in the medium price-point range.
See the latest trends in gift packaging such as hot-selling organdy bags, at Bags & Bows, CMM 1593. The bags, which come in three sizes and six colors, make a perfect wrapping for wine bottles, CDs, and candles. The new trend in shopping bags is personalized clear-frosted versions. There are three styles and five transparent colors that, when personalized with logos and/or names, give an elite touch. Also new are custom-printed tissue and ribbon.
Get passionate about spring with the Passions of Spring collection from H.C. Accents, CMM 1561. The collection includes plush bunnies and linen pillows embroidered with the inscription "passion." H.C. Accents' Smokey Home Collection has pillows, hooked pillows, rugs, and tablemats. The Heart of America collection features the colors mustard, red, and cream. Other new items include natural iron and rusted iron lanterns, votives, bird feeders, and bistro chairs, all featuring hand-forging. Also new is an 18-piece addition to the area rug collection with new high country, art modern, and patriotic themes.
