New contest from Midwest-CBK, Colonial Candles

TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH MIDWEST-CBK AND COLONIAL CANDLE’S “PASSPORT TO SUCCESS” CONTEST AND EVENTS 

press release

Pack your suitcase and prepare to travel the world! Midwest-CBK and Colonial Candle invite retailers to enter its first “Passport to Success” sweepstakes and events during winter 2012 markets. Two winners will be chosen to receive their choice of a trip to romantic Paris, France, or a relaxing tropical getaway to Nassau, Bahamas.

To enter, retailers simply visit any Midwest-CBK and Colonial Candle showroom during winter markets, request a passport from a company representative, and visit designated destination themes throughout the showroom to have their passport stamped. No purchase is necessary to enter or to win.

Retailers can enter the “Passport to Success” sweepstakes in any Midwest-CBK showroom during the winter market show time periods. Midwest-CBK showrooms are located in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Seattle. In addition, retailers are invited to join Midwest-CBK and Colonial Candle to celebrate and enjoy food, cocktails, music and entertainment inspired by Paris and the Caribbean during upcoming winter markets including:

• Atlanta, Building One, Suite 16A7: Friday, Jan. 13 and Saturday, Jan. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Seattle, Suite 133 & 134: Friday, Jan. 13 from 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 27 from 3 to 7 p.m.
•  Dallas, Suite 407 & 409: Friday, Jan. 20 from 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 21 from 3 to 6 p.m.
•  Chicago, Suite 13-155 & 13-152: Saturday, Jan. 21 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Las Vegas, Building C, Suite 999: Monday, Jan. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Each prize includes round-trip air transportation for winner and one guest to their choice of Paris, France or Nassau, Bahamas, plus four nights double occupancy hotel accommodation and transfers for an approximate retail value of $5,000 for each prize package. Two prize winners will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received during the winter markets. The drawing will be conducted and winners will be notified and announced in mid-February.

For more information or to view contest rules, visit www.mwcbk.com/t-passporttosuccess.aspx or call 800-394-4225.

About Midwest-CBK
Midwest-CBK, a national design leader in holiday, gifts for home, garden and giving, is proud to bring independent retailers more Design, Style and Sparkle than ever before, through exclusive designs and best-selling formats. New introductions feature excellent prices and terms designed to boost your margins; an experienced, dedicated sales team to assist you at the store level; award-winning display ideas; a drop ship program to provide incremental décor sales; website providing 24/7 access to account history and online ordering.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Midwest-CBK parent company MVP Group International designs, manufactures and markets an extensive line of holiday, seasonal and everyday gifts and decor, and candles and home fragrance products under the Colonial Candle® brand.

Please call 800-394-4225, visit www.mwcbk.com or contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager for more information, to request a catalog or to locate a showroom near you.

Decorating ideas to warm up every room in an apartment

The following was submitted by Apartment Finder.

President of Apartment Finder, Marcia Bollinger, offers the following low-cost but high-impact solutions to warming up every room in your apartment:

In the living room

·         Get some candles or potpourri in the scents of the season. Think spicy, rustic, with a hint or cinnamon, nutmeg, or citrus. Just be careful not to have too many scents, or you’ll be overpowered with fragrance.

·         Replace lightweight, summery curtains with warmer, heavier drapes in a color that suits the season, such as burgundy, orange, green, gold, or brown.

·         Add pillows and throws to the couch and chair – think rich, warm fabrics such as chenille and cashmere.

·         Even swap out wall decorations – take down the beach print and hang a painting of a cozy cottage.

In the kitchen

·         Add candles with delicious scents – such as freshly-baked cookies - to warm up the kitchen.

·         Add textures such as a throw rug, slipcovers on your barstools, or some thick placemats and linen napkins with decorative napkin rings.

In the dining room

·         Find a warm tablecloth in a deep red, teal, gold, or green. If you can’t find a tablecloth, try using a blanket. 

·         Make a centerpiece for the table: find a rich-hued charger, place a pillar candle in the center, and surround the candle with pinecones or cranberries.

·         Add small throw pillows to your dining room chairs.

In the bedroom

·         Trade your lightweight spread for a thick down comforter. Add several extra blankets in complementary colors and load up the bed with plenty of pillows.

·         Swap lightweight curtains for thick, warm curtains in here, as well.

·         Think natural and add rattan, wicker, and wood decorations.

·         Swap out your summer wardrobe for your winter one. If you don’t have a lot of storage space, utilize the space under the bed. Plastic bins that slide under your bed are perfect for storing lightweight shoes and clothing. Or, make your own using wooden boxes – just attach a caster to each corner.

In the bathroom: Don’t forget this space!

·         Add sink-your-toes-into-them rugs, a thick, warm bathrobe, fuzzy slippers, scented lotions, candles, towels and wash cloths in rich, warm tones and maybe even a towel warmer!

·         Switch to a fabric shower curtain.

·         If you are allowed to paint, this little space is the perfect place to add some warm color to the walls.

Now curl up with a fuzzy blanket and a mug of hot cocoa to enjoy your warm, cozy retreat! For even more information, inspiration and discussion on apartment living, décor and hunting, visit Apartment Finder’s blog, The APT.

Transitional furniture to see at Atlanta, Vegas shows

Massoud creative director Ronna Griest will showcase her newest color stories during the upcoming Winter 2012 Gift and Home Markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

SOFA IN ORIENTALIA WHITE

First shown at the autumn High Point furniture market, her persimmon/papaya/mango and pewter/flax/zinc stories are reflected on many of the upholstered furniture company’s newest designs on view in the Ambella Home Showroom, space 14A-2 at AmericasMart Atlanta and in the Dillon-Wells showroom, space A120 at the World Market Center.

SETTEE IN PARSON FLAX

"With our newest designs, I looked to clean, transitional lines to reflect a sense of understated, simple elegance,” explains Griest. “For color, I focused on a grey family of zinc, pewter and flax tones to create a natural story and bright persimmon, mango and papaya hues to reflect a warm, rich color story."

Wine rack displays bottles as 'art'

A wine rack from Pack & Rack in Sweden is a made of solid oak and steel. The set is treated with cold-pressed linseed-oil in order to bring out the natural veining, luster and beauty of the material.

Premium candle fragrances debut at Atlanta gift show

The Marrakesh collection

Colonial Candle is introducing three new collections for everyday and holiday.

The Collection by Colonial Candle is the name of a new luxury fragrance collection. The line features three-wick 16-ounce candles available in five exclusive scents. The trend-driven fragrances include Gardenia and Peony, Red Currant and Quince, White Jasmine and Freesia, Seagrass and Papyrus and Ebonywood and Nectarine.

Featuring contemporary color glass containers with a four-color foil logo, each candle is packaged in a gift box. Fragrances include:

• Gardenia and Peony: A sophisticated floral bouquet of fresh bergamot, Tahitian gardenia, and pink peony petals.
• White Jasmine and Freesia: A soothing blend of delicate jasmine and sweet freesia wrapped in sheer musk.
• Seagrass and Papyrus: A sensual medley of sea salted greens, wild vetiver, and oceanic moss.
• Red Currant and Quince: An intriguing aroma of ripe red currant blended with pure sun-blushed quince and lush greens.
• Ebonywood and Nectarine: A luxurious creation of juicy peach nectar and apricot with a touch of ebonywood warmth.

The new Destinations fragrance collection is said to be "evocative of renowned locations across the globe, including the luxurious island getaway of St. Barths, the summertime bliss of Cape Cod, and the allure of exotic Marrakesh."

The St. Barths Spring Collection consists of four fragrances called Topaz Waters, Cocoa Plum, Coral Hibiscus and Melon Mojito. Cape Cod Summer and Marrakesh are other collections in the Destinations collection.

A fall and holiday collection has 10 fragrances.

The fall and holiday collection

Each of these three Destinations segments includes four exclusive fragrances designed to transport you to each destination. All Destinations fragrances are available in 22-ounce, 8-ounce and 3.5-ounce signature oval jars, as well as glass votives.
 

These new collections will debut in showrooms across the country during winter 2012 markets, with delivery available starting in March.

The Atlanta showroom

Chicago, Minneapolis showrooms carry new lines

DNA announced a roster of new lines available at The Chicago Market Living and Giving, (Jan. 19-25) and the Minneapolis Gift Show (Jan. 20-24). The lines are:

• Art Studio Company (IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, SD, WI) 
• Fig Designs (IL, IN, MN, ND, SD, WI) 
• Lug (MI, IN, IL, WI) 
• Nisha Designs (IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, SD, WI) 
• Novo Beads (IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, SD, WI) 
• Root Candles (IL, IN)
• Signature Tumblers (IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, SD, WI) 
• Skidders (IL, IN, MI) 
• Up With Paper (IL, IN, MI) 
• Westland Giftware Inc (IL, IN, MI)

"We're always looking for new trends to meet the consumer demand and we continually add to the product lines and categories that DNA offers," says Dennis Nemcek, president, DNA. "By adding new vendors to our already-strong roster of companies, we make sure that we always deliver the best-of-the-best to our buyers," Nemcek continues.

New bedding in transitional styles

The outdoor apparel manufacturer Woolrich Inc. showed five new bedding collections at the autumn market in High Point. The ensembles combine fresh palettes with traditional styles, all inspired by Woolrich archives. A six-piece queen set includes two Euro shams, two standard shams, duvet and bed skirt. Woolrich also exhibited new decorative pillows.

The ensembles are named Bear Creek, Tyoga River, Shady Grove, Grand Canyon and Allegheny Forest.

Teak branches form a Haystack lamp

Groovystuff's additions to its Antares lighting collection include the 52-inch-tall Haystack Lamp, a unique shadow floor lamp inspired by farmers of the Midwest.

"The Haystack shadow lamp was inspired by the hand bailing techniques of the mid century farmer and is designed specifically to take the grittiness of the old organic movement and soften that earth-crunchy look into a more elegant and sophisticated product," says president Chris Bruning.

Sustainably harvested teak branches provide the framework for the Haystack Lamp and low wattage lighting illuminates the lamp with twig shadowing. The flat, lacquer finish, and unique hourglass shape of the Haystack Lamp give the piece a modern and sophisticated look.

See the lamp and other new additions to the Antares lighting collection at the following market in January 2012:

• Americas Mart, Atlanta,  January 13-17, 2012, Groovystuff University Hall of Innovation and Job Creation, Building 1, 7th Floor, Showroom # H12-18 
• Dallas Market Center, January 18-24, 2012, Groovystuff University Hall of Innovation and Job Creation, Showroom # 6642 
• Las Vegas World Market, Las Vegas, January 30 – February 3, 2012, Showroom # B-146 

Smart details in youth furniture

The Smartstuff line of youth furniture offers what the maker calls "an innovative combination of great styling, better construction, strategic pricing and game-changing smart features not currently found in youth furniture."

Smartstuff is available from Universal Furniture International Inc.At the autumn 2011 High Point Market, Universal introduced four collections, called Classics 4.0, Freestyle, Gabriella and RoughHouse.

Shown below are some of special features and options available. 

The Snake Light is built into the bed to allow for ease of use when more light is needed.

 The Flip Top Desks are patented and provide extra electrical outlets for charging capabilities.

 The Nightstand-in-the-Sky attaches to any bed or bunk for extra shelf space.

30+ new handmade exhibitors at NY gift show

NYIGF’S HANDMADE WELCOMES 30+ NEWCOMERS TO WINTER MARKET 

Press release 

WHITE PLAINS, NY, December 2, 2011... Based on their innovative design ideas, some 30+ craft artisans and global suppliers have been accepted to exhibit in the winter 2012 edition of Handmade® at New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). The Fair showcases 475 artisans and suppliers of handcrafts in two distinct sections -- Handmade Designer Maker and Handmade Global Design – which are categorized by process and provenance.

“Inspired design is one of the main criteria for acceptance into Handmade, and these newest participants have all shown new and innovative ideas in form and function,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Whether they work with metal, textiles or ceramics, these artisans are exploring exciting new boundaries.”

Handmade Designer Maker, located in Javits Center North, will showcase 340 limited-production makers across all categories and media resources from around the world. Newcomers to the winter 2012 edition of Handmade Designer Maker include 17 artisans newly accepted by the selection committee, along with several other artisans returning to Handmade following a hiatus from the New York market:

• AIDAI (felt and silk scarves); 
• Atlantic Art Glass (jewelry and decorative accessories); 
• Bonnie Neil (wood and textile home décor); 
• CHART metalworks (metal jewelry); 
• Chikahisa Studio (stone and metal jewelry); 
• Ecka & Pecka (greeting cards); 
• Feutre Couture (eco-friendly felt accessories); 
• Fleet Objects (ceramics, lighting and home accessories); 
• Frankie Slaughter (textile personal accessories); 
• Heather Guidero Jewelry (metal jewelry); 
• Jean-Pierre Weill Studio (framed wall art); 
• Jeanine Payer (metal jewelry with inscribed poetry); 
• Michael Vincent Michaud (metal jewelry); 
• Myfriendroze (metal jewelry); 
• Pretty Snappy Designs (aprons); 
• Pyrrha Design Inc. (metal jewelry); 
• Raging Bowl Pottery (porcelain serving ware); 
• Peg & Awl (recycled leather, wood and paper home décor and gifts); S
• tick Candles (beeswax candles); 
• Tasha McKelvey LLC (ceramic tableware); and 
• The Candi Factory (apparel and undergarments).

Judges for Handmade Designer Maker included Elizabeth Garvin of Elizabeth Garvin; Ellen Corsell of the Heron American Craft Gallery; Gail Garcia of Dinner-ware.com; Justin Thomas of Ugone & Thomas; and Matt Jaros of The Glass Onion.

Handmade Global Design will welcome seven newcomers to its collection of 135 import resources with a focus on good design, traditional craftsmanship and community. Companies accepted to the winter NYIGF are:

• Africa Now! (product lines from several West African suppliers); 
• Global Goods Partners (personal accessories, home décor and stationery from Asia, Africa and Americas); 
• MAKAUA SA de CV (baskets made in Mexico); 
• Modelli Creations (home accessories and furnishings from India); and 
• Snow Leopard Trust (felt toys, accessories and home décor made in Central Asia ).

In addition, a contingent of Bolivian companies, featuring fine alpaca, leather and wood products, will be introduced by Fundacion Nuevo Norte-Walisuma during the winter 2012 market.

Judges for Handmade Global Design included Alden Smith of Aid to Artisans; Colvin English of ByHand Consulting; Ellen Dorsch of Creative Women; Jasperdean Kobes of Bamboula Ltd.; Leslie Mittelberg of Swahili Imports; and Phyllis Woods of Tribalinks.

Beyond exhibits, NYIGF will offer craft retailers numerous educational seminars and informal round table discussions on timely business topics. Bruce Baker, retail columnist for The Crafts Report, will present two sessions at the Javits Center on Saturday, January 28. During “Dynamic Sales & Customer Service,” retailers will learn how to increase customer loyalty and repeat business through the four phases of a sale. In his second session, “Show and Sell! Visual Merchandising & Display,” Baker will provide tips for increasing sales through in-store signage, product placement and visual merchandising. Tickets for these sessions are $20 in advance and $25 onsite, or $30 in advance and $40 onsite for both.

NYIGF also will continue its partnership with CRAFT (Craft Retailers and Artists for Tomorrow) to produce free “CRAFT Power Hour” roundtables for craft retailers on January 29, 30 and 31. The series of nine interactive sessions will be lead by veteran craft retailers and artists who will share their tips for business success. The topics will cover social media, websites and e-newsletters, public relations strategies and in-store events. Information and registration for these events is available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

For more than 25 years, Handmade has offered buyers an extensive selection of handcrafted items across such categories as tabletop, ceramics, textiles, home décor, jewelry and apparel. Handmade at NYIGF features 475 artisans from 40 American states and 14 countries worldwide. The winter edition takes place Saturday, January 28, through Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center .NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800+ exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. The winter market takes place Saturday, January 28, through Thursday, February 2, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.