Short Takes

Keep it on ice with an instant cooler for wine and other similar sized bottles. Rapid Ice Wine Cooler available in silver, chills wine within five minutes and keeps it chilled for three hours. $9.99. Also available are a can-cooler, $8.99, and water coolers with seasonal art, $21.99. Prices are for sets of two, except for the wine cooler. Free 48-page wine books are available for promotions. Vacu Vin USA, Inc., Novato, CA. (415) 382-1241.

#549

Captivating coasters are the cornerstone of a line that includes themes like the Great Outdoors, Country Americana, and Botanicals. Thirsty coasters, cut from absorbent sandstone, also feature two new textures: Cinnabar and Goldenstone, as well as folk art from Diane Pedersen, and nautical designs from Christian Riese Lassen. $5.50–$27. Thirstystone, Tucson, AZ. (800) 829-6888.

#553

Hosting a wine tasting? Highlight three- and four-piece wine sets for the connoisseur along with wine and cheese in your store. The three-piece set includes a silverplated corkscrew and two wine thermometers. The four-piece set includes a T-shaped corkscrew and a bottle opener. Gift-boxed and tarnish-resistant. $29, and $35 respectively. Wolf Designs, Malibu, CA. (866) BUY-WOLF.

#550

Peacock, which features purple- and dark blue-hued vases in sophisticated designs is one of seven new lines from The Lyon Company. Other new offerings include Olives de Provence, Royal Sahara, and Fall Fruit. Lyon Home Gallery, Salt Lake City. (801) 972-2888.

#551

Want product that you can cross merchandise with Americana? The American Mug comes with a choice of peach tea or lemonade in raspberry or kiwi-strawberry flavors, and will fit nicely in summer or fall gift baskets. Beverage mix makes six to eight servings. About $8. Jenny's Country Kitchen, Lincoln, NE. (800) 357-3497.

#552

Illuminate your customers' lives with keychain lights that are powerful enough to help them find the keyhole, or the keys. Handy LED J-Light offers a shock-proof bulb with 1,000 hours of use and four batteries. $20. Also available is the OptiClock, an illuminated travel alarm clock with a built-in magnifying glass to help examine maps, medicine bottles, or a hotel Bible. It features a snooze alarm and comes in a travel pouch with batteries. $30. Zelco Inds., Mount Vernon, NY. (800) 431-2486.

#554

Nautical themes are popular with the boating set. Consider an elegant shadowbox design featuring detailed nautical accessories and boat replicas for your sea-faring customers, or landlubbers who enjoy nautical art. 17¾"x13¾". $80. Penco Inds., New Beford, MA. (508) 999-6484.

#555

Classic telephones are a collectible favorite with historical significance. Punch keys replace classical dials in functional replicas of more than 20 wall and table phones spanning the years from 1882–1920. Call for prices. Paramount Classic Collections, Cerritos, CA. (562) 924-2960.

#556

Detailed resin and wood sculptures accented with 1930s fashion will be a big hit with resort customers or fashion mavens. Bathing beauties of both sexes in classic swimsuits are a perfect ornament to candlesticks, $42 and $70; frames $44; vases $68; and bookends, $82. America Retold, New York. (212) 366-6010.

#559

Football enthusiasts can bring the game into the house with a 6" sterling silver football paperweight that recreates the texture of an authentic NFL pigskin. The ball sits in an attached silver base for display ease. $170. J. Reed & Sons, Long Island City, NY. (888) 925-GIFT.

#557

Animal track tiles come in eight styles, including squirrel, coyote, deer, black bear, bison, rabbit, raccoon, and blue heron. Hand-glazed and fired twice, these 6"x6" tiles can be hung individually or in groups. About $30 each. Chase Gifts, Kirbyville, OH. (417) 348-0843.

#561

G.O.L.F. (God Offers Love and Forgiveness) is a line of golf accessories honoring the late golfer Payne Stewart. Golf bags, shirts, hats, mugs, and more offer a reminder that humanity is not alone in the universe. Most items in the line are black with the red, gold, and white G.O.L.F. logo. $5–$31. Lesco Corp., Lansing, MI. (888) 995-3994.

#563

Looking for gifts for men? Santa Barbara Ceramic Designs offers up giftware featuring the Challis and Roos design "Running Free," featuring the rising sun, and symbols of cowboy life. The design is featured on mugs, key keepers, and clocks. Clock, $35. Santa Barbara Ceramic Design, Santa Barbara, CA. (800) 933-2529.

#567

Nuts and steel make up the Carpenter sculpture, the latest in a line of abstract designs for the male market. The 7"x8" statue depicts a standing carpenter at his bench with detailed miniature tools hanging from a rack. $58. Comes with a certificate of authenticity. H&K Steel Sculptures, Randolph, NJ. (973) 895-8951.

#568

All prices retail