Fashion

Street Style to Store Success!

It’s seen on runways, campuses, streets and online. Funky glitter patches decorate jeans, jackets, purses, shoes and hats. But trends come and go faster than you can click ‘like’ on a post, leading to the question–how to know which trends to trust?

  • Trending: individuality
    No one wants to blend in–our clothes, accessories and decor all help us express who we are, and who we want to be. Trends that help you to customize your style to suit your mood are ones that will have staying power.
  • Trending: broad appeal
    Patches aren’t just for kids or teens–this style has been adopted by women (and guys) of every age. Supermodels and celebrities show off their embellished denim, while high-end designers decorate leather coats and purses with the look.
  • Trending: easy to adopt
    Not everyone will buy the $800 designer wallet or the $2500 jacket, but we can adorn a favorite jean jacket with lipstick and pizza slices and have fun!

We’ve made it easy for retailers to ride this fun instant style trend with KABOOM! stick on/ iron-on patches in a huge range of themes and designs like junk food, happy hour, girly girl, music, western and must-have large initials. Pre-decorated totes and cosmetic bags are available, along with do-it-yourself sequin bags, key rings and cool pop-art inspired scarves.

February 24, 2017 by
Most Wanted

LED CANDLES: THE NEW BEAUTY OF CANDLELIGHT

LED candles have transformed the gift industry, providing new options for customers and retailers alike, but as in any fast-growing category, what looks like an apple-to apple comparison between brands can end up being apple-to-lemons.
We’ve been exploring this category for 5 years, and been in intense development of our new LuxuryLite™ brand for over 2 years. We wanted to ensure we offer more for less–premium design and performance at a great price. We believe we’ve accomplished just that.

Our patent-pending realistic flickering flame creates a beautiful ambiance, and has a warm, rich, deep glow that exactly mimics a glowing flame. We work with a top of the line premium wax, to capture that soft, welcoming elegance. And our pillars use larger C or D batteries, offering a superior 500 to 1000 hours of light–among the longest in the industry. Every candles has a built-in 5 hour timer for set-and-forget convenience once your party begins. The optional remote control works with all LuxuryLite candles, and makes it easy to create instant ambiance.
We created an outdoor/indoor resin line, perfect for garden parties, beach weddings, cafes, balconies, docks and decks. Folks love being outdoors, and happily invest time, money and creativity designing easy entertaining spaces. Our weather-wand-water resistant pillars and votives have an IPX4 rating, among the highest in the industry, meaning that they withstand more water and heat exposure and can be safely used outdoors.

An elegant range of candle holders suits every decor style, and adds to customer interest.

LED candles are such a smart, safe innovation–perfect around children, for residences, near draperies or soft furnishings–and we’re sure that our new LuxuryLite collection is the best value available.

February 10, 2017 by
Most Wanted

SHARI JENKINS SPEAKS TO OUR INNER COWGIRL

Fun. Sassy. A little risqué. Shari Jenkins is delighted to have her work described this way. This Montana-raised cowgirl is a self-taught digital collage artist, and her work speaks to vibrant, fun-loving women with attitude–sound familiar? Women LOVE her wit and cheeky response to the roller-coaster of life. Shari’s designs layer antique photos with flowers, vintage buttons, jewelry, door knobs–the ephemera of daily life. There is so much to discover in every design. By incorporating these into popular ‘girlfriend’ gifts like make-up bags, trays, plaques, pill boxes and the like, we encourage impulse sales, and multiple purchase… because each Shari Jenkins creation is perfect for a different friend!

October 27, 2016 by
Fashion

What’s Trending for Spring 2017?

Why did we pick these great pieces, all found in our Spring 2017 catalog, to star in our recent retailer eblast? Because they all represent the top trends that your customers will be looking for. They’re easy to wear, offer an instant splash of style and smiles, and…they fit!

Yes, fringe is still our fave! Here, you see it on easy-wearing cross body bags. Note the colors–these neutrals look cool and chic after deep winter colors. The surprise details are the clasps and trim.

Scarves are a woman’s go-to wardrobe essential: they’re mood-changers and style boosters. We love the tribal/global weave and impact of the black/white story here, while the popular bird motif isn’t just trending in home decor. It looks feminine, soft and yet chic too.

Watches are back for spring, even if you don’t rely on them to tell time anymore. This subtle neutral is accented with multi banding and important textures. And the jewelry….clean and delicate, not fussy or dainty. Mix polished stones and metals for an updated vintage vibe that’s right off the runway.

September 26, 2016 by
Most Wanted

Who’s your Family?

No matter how a family shifts, grows and changes, we know that it is still the glue that keeps our feet on the ground and lifts up our spirits. Extended families, single parent families, nurses, friends who are like siblings: despite (or maybe because of) the challenges and re-thinks in modern society, families still want to say, “This is what we think a family is. Let’s celebrate us!”
We’ve created gifts that let your customers do just that, in themes that are as diverse as a family. Some shoppers love to laugh at their own craziness. Some want to honor their roots. Some want to look forward with hope. Some are just starting out; some are shrinking.
There’s no one time or season to celebrate family; these are popular right through the year. We incorporate current trends and themes into our collections, because these pieces are designed to be on display, in homes, offices and dorms.
Our definition of family may change; our love of it never does.

September 25, 2016 by
Gift Guides

‘WE DO!’

We love a wedding, and have always carried great bridal gifts and accessories. But for 2017, we have created several amazing new lines, each special, each with a different vibe.
How do we begin? Like any happy couple, with a vision.
Airy, fresh, a wash of modern romance, our Watercolor Wedding series is designed in 2 color palettes that work together or stand alone. Sweet and pretty pieces appeal to a wide range of ages, and work with most color themes.
Love’s Garden is a casual and joyful mix of rustic, handcrafted and bright florals–again, in 2 key colors that mix and match and add bright accents to more timeless wedding looks.
After the design themes are presented, discussed and approved, the work begins to translate concept to reality–just like every couple starts designing their wedding day.
It’s kinda cool to see how our new designs ‘bloom’ and evolve–take a look!

August 19, 2016 by