Catalogs
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 2/1/2001
Gifts and Accents
Classic toys overflow the pages of the Toy Works catalog. It's a full 29 pages of bright aprons, placemats, pillows, tote bags, doormats, caps, and doorstops. Lesley Anne Ivory cats look up winsomely from pillow and draft stoppers; pouches from Sark display encouraging and inspirational sentiments; and Dr. Seuss tote bags, backpacks, and pencil cases feature familiar characters. Other favorite characters such as Babar, Curious George, Raggedy Ann and Andy, and Peter Rabbit round out the classic toys. The Toy Works, Middle Falls, NY. (800) 237-9566.
Looking for something to complement a display of dinnerware? Look no further than the City Limit catalog. Designed for ease of use, the catalog comes as a series of pull-out slips featuring one product per leaf and packaged in an envelope. The Stories catalog features "color, fun, and function," including brightly painted stainless steel sugar pots, "happy face" chopsticks, and glassware with model cars instead of stems. Other offerings include a rainbow palate of paperweights featuring Buddha and Ganesh, candy-colored glycerin soaps, desk accessories, and much more. City Limit, New York. (800) 743-0131.
Enesco's Home Gallery 78-page catalog features the photographs of Harvey Edwards, the paintings of Julia Cairnes, Betsy Cameron's artfully tinted prints, flower art from Rosemary Weller, inspirational prints and glass music boxes from Thomas Kinkade and Mary Engelbreit, angel music boxes from Sandra Kuck and Lisa Jane, and many attractive other stained glass and metal accessories. Enesco Corp., Itasca, IL. (800) 4-ENESCO.
In search of Santa? Try Possible Dreams' 178-page Holiday Collection, with Santa traditions from every culture. The Festive Filigree section features angels with carved baroque wings, as well as delicately detailed sleds, with or without Santa. The Flights of Fancy section celebrates the history of human flight and Christmas, with Santa circling the globe in a plane or spacecraft, and Santas on non-traditional mounts such as chickens, dogs, and pigs are also featured in this product-packed catalog. Possible Dreams, Foxboro, MA. (800) 782-8837.
Meyda Tiffany offers lighting fixtures in the Tiffany stained glass tradition, including chandeliers, wall sconces, light bars, pendant fixtures, flush-mount ceiling lights, funlite fixtures for fans, and smaller shades for fans. Also available are full-sized fireplace screens, both folding and single-piece, and windows with designs by Frank Lloyd Wright. Table lamps and coordinating tables feature metal accents and nature themes. Floor lamps and lighted statuary round out the line. Bases for all lamps can be mixed and matched with shades. Meyda Tiffany, Yorkville, NY. (800) 651-3453.
Stationery
The selection of journals in the 31-page Pamela Barsky wholesale catalog illustrates simplicity of design. The slogans that mark this line are inventive, funny, and sometimes very truthful. The catalog also showcases vintage-fabric accents on notecard sets and binder-style agenda books. Novelty journals that feature two themes, such as fantasy and reality, provide a good gift ideas for journal-keepers who also write fiction. Photo albums bear wit and wisdom with popular catchphrases. Other items include sketchbooks, travel diaries, photo boxes, and fill-in-the-blank journals for events like wine tastings, auditions, and film viewing. Pamela Barsky Wholesale, Los Angeles. (323) 469-2420.
Natural themes in shades of taupe, rust, pumpkin, and jade highlight the fall collection from Paperproducts Design. The 39-page catalog hosts an array of paper goods in styles ranging from Oriental-inspired napkins in bamboo and kyoto leaves, to zebra-patterned facial tissues. Sniffs purse-sized paper tissues are available in many designs for many holidays and other occasions. Paperproducts Design, Novato, CA. (800) 6-SNIFFS for Sniffs, or (800) 370-9998 for all other orders.
The Marian Heath Greeting Card catalog is 148 pages of scriptural cards, decorative and humorous birthday cards, game cards for children of all ages from Joy Maire, and a line of flower- and animal-themed get well cards, decorated with foil and embossing. Special lines include Comfort, Cheer, and Encouragement-all geared to help others on days that are special, but not occasions. Monogrammed notecards with flower and calligraphy accents come in a notecard spinner and additional display units are available for all styles. Marian Heath Greeting Cards Inc., Wareham, MA. (800) 7-MARIAN.
Spinning wheel in a box? Sock puppets? Paint an inflatable chair? If these sound like good products for your children's line, then check out the Curiosity Kits catalog. From a sew-your-own-tooth-fairy pillow to make-your-own-soap, rubber stamps, or kaleidoscope kits, here are gift ideas that appeal to parents and children alike. There is also information on workshops, staff training, instructions for making display models, and details about the Curiosity Kit Adventure club, which encourages kids to try more than one kit, and generates repeat business for your store. Curiosity Kits, Hunt Valley, MD. (410) 584-2605.
Plush
Eden's Classics Now & Then 100-page catalog has a variety of options for play with some favorite licensed characters. Denizens of Babar's world and Beatrix Potter's English countryside, along with Madeline, Paddington Bear, Corduroy, and Pat the Bunny make up a children's classics section, and newer favorites like Blue of Blue's Clues, the Teletubbies and The Snowman can populate the toy sections of your store. Many styles are available in infant-safe crib toys and as musicals. Eden, New York. (800) 443-4275. www.edentoys.com
Dakin has a lot of new product to share with your customers in its 22-page catalog. From the Lou Rankin Friends collection there are the gift-boxed Earth Mother and cubs, limited to 7,500 pieces. Other Friends include the koala, a shitzu dog, horses, owl, polar bear, otter, bunny, sheepdog, St. Bernard, cat, panda, raccoon, elephant, hippo, lion, frog, alligator, turtle, and many more. Dakin Artist Collection, Woodland Hills, CA. (800) 777-6900.
The latest news from Muffy is available in the 30-page North American Bear catalog. Muffy and Hoppy, along with Lulu the puppy, have new styles. Accessories include Muffy-sized wheelbarrow, gazebo, tea set, and clothes and shoes, including complete ballet gear. Offerings in the gift section include giant beanbag furniture, in a variety of shapes and styles. North American Bear Co., Chicago. (312) 329-0200.
Garden Accessories
Want an armillary sundial for your store's lawn? Or a large celestial topiary sphere on an elegant stand? Iron trellis gates are a perfect addition to your garden displays, and will be popular with rose and grape growers. Other items include a full line of bells, which come with a free display stand when you order an assortment. Windchimes and whimsical garden art featuring squirrels and corn cobs are another good reason to check out this 24-page catalog. Rome Industries, Peoria, IL. (800) 818-7603.
More than 100 new products and ten new categories are highlighted in the 72-page color catalog from Michael Gordon Innovations. Animal shapes spout water from carved garden sprinklers, and animal ground peekers look up from the grass or from behind shrubbery. Jungle stands can be decorative outdoors or in, or serve as seats for youngsters. Animals also hold hoses, serve as planters, and hold welcoming signs. Also notable are mirror-ball fountains. Michael Gordon Innovations, Spokane, WA. (800) 928-4886.
Bored with square flags? Toland introduces SkyScapes in the their latest catalog, featuring cat shapes, frog shapes, and seasonal shapes, including a flag that for a red-hot Fourth of July that combines patriotism and hot peppers. Flowerpots of varying sorts, seasonal, holiday, and everyday patterns are also available in addition to Toland's standard line of brightly colored flags and decorative mats. Toland, Mandeville, LA. (800) 989-6287.
There's a whole palate of patinas in the new 145-page catalog from Hen-Feathers. There are new bells, benches, hose holders, iron planters, and urns. Miniature conservatories are also new, along with new vases, topiary holders, and fruit arrangers. There are garden statues, baskets, birdbaths, and more. Hen-Feathers Corp., King of Prussia, PA. (800) 282-1910.
Gourmet
Perugina eggs are an Easter favorite, and this year they have their own spiral-bound catalog with 8 pages of wrappings for this perennial favorite, which comes in 5-oz. child size, or 8.5-oz. and 16-oz. full sizes. Lilac and rose garden designs, as well as the gold-foil classic design are available. As well as Ore Liete cookies, After Eight mints, and other Nestle favorites. Nestle USA, Glendale, CA. (800) 223-0039.
Decorative Accessories
Atlantis may have sunk into the sea, but the style remains, and the classical look is just one of several new lines in the 60-page catalog from etc. by Cast Art. Monterey California style features varnished woods and painted purple tulips, Marsha McCarthy's curvy cats grace the pages as bookends and candleholders. The Tuscany line features frames bedecked with grapes, and Centurion emphasizes the gothic greens. Peacock feathers highlight the clocks and frames in the line of the same name, and adorn candles as well, and Light in the Window has whimsically painted birdhouses. Etc., Corona, CA. (800) 932-3020.
There are four new catalogs from United Design, including the Framology & More frame catalog with 138 pages, the Chronology clocks catalog, 30 pages, and Spiritual Harvest inspirational giftware catalog, 15 pp. All of these catalogs nicely supplement the 178-page general decorative accessories catalog. Decorative accessories range from hall fountains, to driftwood desk accents, to rubber ducky picture frames. United Design Corp., Noble, OK. (800) 727-4883.
Tabletop
Shake up your tabletop displays with new pewter offerings with accents in glass, and brightly painted wood. A tremendous array of dishes, platters, salt and pepper shakers, pitchers, flatware, clocks, bowls, jugs, bottle rings, candle sticks, ceiling chandeliers, vases and more are available in the 16-page catalog. Siam Lotus Pewter Co. Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand. (662) 3317141-3.
There's more than dishes and silverware on today's well-dressed table. Take a look in the catalog from Golden Holidays for ideas. Consider accents in silk, satin, and embossed velvets. And there are tablecloths, napkins, table runners, wine carriers, and more, in a variety of patterned and solid fabrics. Smaller drawstring bags are also offered to hold small gifts, like CDs, small candles, and jewelry. 19 pp. Golden Holidays, Duarte, CA. (877) 962-7443.
Store Design
Walls + Forms Inc. of Dallas unveils a Simplicity in Design full-color catalog featuring easy-to-assemble displays and related products. Featured products include a three tier card and paper display, pre-designed pre-fit perimeter wall displays that can be shipped knockdown, counters and kiosks with pre-assembled retail merchandising unit, and more. Call for details or a catalog. Walls + Forms, Dallas. (972) 980-7320.
