Short Takes
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2001
New Year's Inspiration
Just in time for the January resolution season, Andrews McMeel has introduced "You Go Girl! Winning the Woman's Way." The 150-page hardcover journal is designed to inspire young girls to feel confident and bold. Included are bits of advice and quotes from outstanding female athletes and coaches, as well as thought-provoking questions about competition, victory, and overcoming obstacles. $19.99. A companion page-a-day calendar is also available. $10.95. Andrews McMeel Publishing, Kansas City, MO. (816) 932-6700.
Another offering that celebrates women is the Blessings gift collection from C.R. Gibson. Based on the pretty, playful images of artist Karla Dornacher, the line deals with the bonds of motherhood, sisterhood, and friendship. The Blessings collection includes three styles of boxed notes, two journals, a brag book, a ribbon notepad, and three gift bags, and ranges in price from $1.85 to $8.95. C.R. Gibson, Nashville, TN. (800) 251-4000.
For the Home
Enesco's Home Gallery division introduced a line of dragonfly and butterfly tabletop accessories by Daniel De La Cruz. Christened the Arpeggio collection, it blends recycled glass with tin tracery bearing a rusted, age-worn look. Featured items include the Arpeggio Butterfly Candleholder (shown on page 176), $29.50/set of two; the Arpeggio Butterfly Sconce, $33; and the Arpeggio Butterfly Ice Bucket, $44/set of two. Enesco Corp., Itasca, IL. (630) 875-5300.
Drink and Be Mary
Debuting this month is a new collection of potable gourmet gifts bearing the licensed artwork of Mary Engelbreit. From Brownlow, the new line includes apple cider wassail, iced and heated tea, lemonade, coffee, and cocoa. A gift pack of 20 tea sachets retails for $4.99. The company plans to offer seasonally themed point-of-purchase displays to support the Mary Engelbreit beverages. Brownlow, Fort Worth, TX. (817) 831-3831.
At High Point in October, CJC Inc. unveiled the first fruits of a licensing agreement to produce bedding products for The Ernest Hemingway Collection. Over time, CJC plans to introduce shams, bolsters, duvets, bed skirts, and throws, in colors that will coordinate with the five "lifestyle groups" in the Hemingway Collection: Key West, Ketchum, Havana, Kenya, and Paris. In addition, the bedding will match beds produced for the collection by other manufacturers. A variety of price points will be featured, as will fabrics ranging from cotton to silk and velvet.
Sakura debuted a new line of tableware bearing the designs of David Carter Brown. The David Carter Brown Collection includes country-themed wares in six patterns: Apple Orchard (below), Pleasant Valley, Patchwork Hearts, Log Cabin, Checkerboard Farm, and By the Sea. The offerings include plates, bowls, mugs, glassware, and hollowware pieces. A 20-piece dinnerware set is $69.99, and accessory items range from about $5.99 to $29.99. Halloween and holiday line extensions will be unveiled at the International Housewares Show in Chicago this month. Sakura, New York. (212) 683-4000.
Licensing Deals
Mattel Inc. signed an agreement with Disney Consumer Products under which it will create dolls, games and puzzles, and preschool and plush toys bearing the likenesses of Disney characters like Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and Cinderella. The Mattel Girls division plans to develop collector and fashion dolls of such beloved Disney heroines as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella, while the Mattel Games and Puzzles division will build on the stable of Disney characters in other ways.
All prices retail
