Short Takes
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2001
Fun and Games
It has been said that classical music can stimulate a child's (or an unborn child's) brain and improve early development. Genius Products Inc. offers a collection of CDs to try to do just that. There are five series available in the Baby Genius collection: classical, featuring music from Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach; vocal, which is made up of songs and nursery rhymes; instrumental/relaxation; and Christmas. There is also a video series that is filmed and animated to classical music. The CDs run about 50 minutes; the video about 40 minutes. $9.99 each. Genius Products Inc., San Diego. (858) 793-8840. #559
The Broadway Kids Sing America features the voices of young performers (ages 11-16) that have appeared on Broadway, television, or in the movies. There are 12 songs on the CD, including "Amazing Grace," and "California Dreamin'." Also available as a cassette. $15.98 for the CD; $9.98 for the tape. Lightyear Entertainment, New York. (212) 563-4610. #560
The Super Bright Scooter Light is a flashing red LED strobe light made to fit on the popular scooters seen all over. The light features a reflective lens even when the strobe light isn't turned on. It can also be attached to a bicycle. $3. Clegg Industries, Torrance, CA. (310) 225-3800. #561
The MagniMarble 'Scope Kit allows children to make a Teleidoscope (a telescope and kaleidoscope rolled into one). The kit comes with three plastic mirrors, a magnifying lens, a plastic marble, washable glitter paints, a sponge brush, a KaleidoTop, KaleidoDisks, an activity booklet, a MagniMarble tube, and instructions. $11. Gemini Kaleidoscopes, Zelienople, PA. (724) 452-8700. #562
Parents have always had a tough time trying to get their kids to take a bath. Help your customers out by offering a line of tub toys to lure little ones into the bathtub. With just a wave of the Tub Tints Magic Color Wand, a child can change the water's color. Comes with two jars of Tub Tints water coloring tablets. $9.99. Also available is the Tub Tints Surprise Bath Book that teaches children reading skills through color recognition, $6.99; and the Tub Tints Submarine, a wind-up toy, $9.99. Equity Marketing, Los Angeles. (800) TUB-FUNN. #564
It's not just getting kids to take a bath that has most parents going crazy. Try keeping kids occupied on a long car ride. The Kids Console is an all-purpose tote that holds anything your child may want to take along for the ride. The console has two food trays (with a dry-erase surface on the reverse), two cup holders, and a deep storage area. Comes with a collapsible handle and a built-in seat belt clasp. $24.95. Hoppy-Hopkins Mfg., Emporia, KS. (800) 524-1458. #565
The Table Topper is perfect for parents who are worried about germs on restaurant tables. The disposable plastic mat features two adhesive strips to hold the mat in place. Comes in two designs: zoo animal and farm animal. About $3. Neat Solutions Inc., Miami. (888) 888-4779. #566
Go To Your Room!
That phrase may soon be retired because of all the fun furniture out there for kids. For girls, there is a new line of hand-painted wood furniture that is part of the Classic Eloise Collection. The line includes a round table, an armchair, a side chair, and a toy chest. $50-$350. The Essex House, Gloucester, MA. (800) 377-1416. #567
Adults may have just caught on to the safari look, but kids knew the look was hot all along. The new collection of hand-painted children's furniture from ZooLoose features a table and nine chairs shaped like animals, including an elephant, kangaroo, penguin, lamb, frog, cow, giraffe, hippopotamus, and panda. $149. ZooLoose, Elk Grove Village, IL. (847) 734-9400. #568
Homefires offers children's rugs in a variety of designs, including teddy bears, puppies, and kittens. The rugs are 100 percent hand-dyed wool. $60-$65. Homefires, Atlanta. (800) 782-1198. #570
There is a new line of kid's chairs from Comfort Research. These poof pet and fruit chairs, similar to bean bag chairs, are filled with soft urethane foam. They are available in a number of styles including Charlotte the Spider, Tommy the Turtle, Larry the Ladybug, and an apple, pear, orange, and banana. About $44. Comfort Research, Grand Rapids, MI. (877) 226-2926. #569
Welcome to Babyland
Babies need to rest their tiny heads somewhere, so why not on a hand-embroidered pillowcase? There are eight applique pillows with hand-embroidered designs, including flower pots, tulips, bows, and stars, as well as four hand-embroidered designs: bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and barn animals. 100 percent cotton. 12"x6". $40-$50. Nilaya, Seattle. (800) 208-4266. #571
The Hugs & Honies collection comes in pink and blue. Included in the new line are frames, switchplate covers, and lamps. $10-$52. Geo. Z. Lefton Co., Chicago. (800) 938-1800. #573 There are a number of new accessories for baby from House of Hatten. Included in the spring 2001 line are bunny bookends, a bunny lamp, a frog lamp, a set of frog and snail bookends, and other goodies for the newborn. House of Hatten Inc., Georgetown, TX. (800) 5-HATTEN. #572
Stacy Wong and Kerri Lee are two designers working in tandem to produce clocks, banks, bookends, letter magnets, nightlights, blocks, step-stools, "do not disturb" signs, and growth charts in natural wood. Prices range from $7.50-$75. Kerri Lee, San Jose, CA. (408) 295-6295; and Stacy Wong, Manhattan Beach, CA. (310) 796-0905. #574
Who wants a rocking horse, when you can have a rocking dragon, goose, swan, pony, or dinosaur? Put one of these eye-catching rockers in your store window and watch the people come in. The velvet seat can be removed for cleaning. $450. Heirlooms of Tomorrow, Grand Junction, CO. (800) 449-6778. #575
Little girls love ballet and all things associated with it, especially the costumes. Appeal to the younger set with le ballerina, a 12"x8" necklace holder made of frosted resin. The pedestal stand holds either a purple or a rose strapless ballet gown molded on shoulders, perfect for displaying jewelry! $55. Bam Bam Designs, Pasadena, CA. (323) 469-0028. #576
Marching monkeys and dancing elephants in tutus can adorn the walls. Deep wallpaper borders add a splash of color and whimsy to walls. Designed by Sally Daley these colorful figures are titled Shall We Dance? and Hup 2,3,4. Mississippi Household Goods, Bettendorf, IA. (319) 355-1957. #577
Hip leather footwear for newborns and kids up to 3 years old comes in a rainbow of colors. Moccasin-style shoes in the Kidmoc line range from traditional tan to animal prints and many styles in between. Leatherwise, Santa Cruz, CA (800) 959-3560 #578
For the Dogs
Customers are always searching for the perfect gift. If the recipient is a pet owner, PeTalk just might be it. Owners can record a message to their pet and set it to play back every one to four hours. $29.95. VoicePals L.L.C., Chicago. (888) 543-PETS. #579
The Town Bag and Bed is a black nylon bag large enough to hold an 18-lb. dog. The inside is quilted nylon. With zippers on all sides, it opens up to become a bed. $24.95. Animal Wrappers, Hollywood, FL. (888) 327-7896. #580
The Bettie is a new three-pronged dog toy that just may replace the Frisbee. The Bettie is made from nontoxic rubber and can be used to play catch or tug-of-war. Comes in five two-color designs. $20. Otis and Claude Inc., San Francisco. (415) 777-9506. #581
CraZy Pet disposable cameras feature photo captions that print right onto pictures, with slogans like "Love Me, Love My CraZy Cat" Five captions per camera, 20 exposures. The packaging features cartoon animals from the CraZy Pet shampoo line. $14.99. Fucini Productions, W. Bloomfield, MI. (248) 788-9155. #582
New and Noteworthy
Stocking tableware for your store? Consider Ellen Blonder's 14" Herb Bouquet Collection. The plate, featuring four bouquets of flowers, makes an ideal anniversary gift. $65. Garden clocks are also available. Santa Barbara Ceramic Design, Santa Barbara, CA. (805) 966-3883. #584
Cast Art recently introduced Et-Cetera, a new home decor division featuring the licensed work of artist Marsha McCarthy. The line includes more than 250 designs. Cast Art Industries, Corona, CA. (909) 371-3025. #583
All prices retail
