Thursday, March 29, 2012

Two Leading Giftware Companies Come Together - Roman Acquires Alexa's Angels

Roman Inc. has completed its purchase of Alexa's Angels, the popular inspirational jewelry and gift company. Alexa's Angels is known for its innovative and stylish designs that inspire.

Roman acquired all assets of Alexa's Angels, a privately held company located in Windsor, Colorado. Alexa's Angels has developed several branded collections, including: Prayer Box Bracelets, Many Hearts One Family, posi+ivi+y, Keep An Angel in Your Corner and Bandazzles. Alexa's Angels will continue to operate as usual, and their complete product offering will be sold in Roman showrooms nationwide, in addition to rep agencies where Roman is represented.

For the past several months, Dan Loughman and Beth Lang have had numerous conversations regarding their businesses and how they fit overall within the Gift Industry. Both felt that the industry continues to change, and the right strategic partnerships can benefit individual companies, retailers and the industry as a whole.

"Roman and Alexa's Angels' complementary product lines and core competencies made perfect sense for this collaboration," says Loughman. "I believe Roman can have a positive influence on Alexa's Angels' overall business, and Beth and her Angels can help Roman and Cottage Garden through their product development and marketing skills. At the end of day, we have a stronger, more robust company with a wide range of product offerings and strategic brain power."

For addition information about Roman, visit roman.com. For additional information about Alexa's Angels, visit alexas-angels.com.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Curations Doubles Space For April High Point Market With New Market Square Showroom

Curations Limited, a producer of vintage-inspired case goods, upholstery and accent furniture, is moving to a larger showroom in Market Square 90 for the April High Point Market, April 21-26.
The company, which had been showing at 225 S. Elm St., is doubling its space with the new 7,256-square-foot showroom. The additional space will enable Curations to showcase its three gallery presentations so that retailers can better see how the line would work in their stores, said Eleonora Stefantsova, CEO. 

In addition to using the showroom for market, Curations plans to move its U.S. office to Market Square as well, Stefantsova adds. "This will enable our staff to be surrounded by our furnishings in the same settings as retailers have on their own floors. We'll be able to answer questions faster and more accurately."

At the April market, Curations will introduce a new collection of tables, benches and bookshelves with solid-oak tops and metal legs as well as new solid-oak case goods. And to make product ordering easier for retailers and consumers, the company is rolling out a number of new technology tools, including a website update and iPad applications.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Abundance of Resources Greet Buyers at 2012 International Home + Housewares Show

Nearly 2,000 exhibitors — more than 500 new — with 30 percent from outside the U.S. could be found at this week's 2012 International Home + Housewares Show. On display at the show, which closed on Tuesday, were thousands of housewares and homegoods products for every room in the house, apartment or condo — and outdoor living too.

Besides products, the show provides educational opportunities for retailers to learn about trends and ideas to help their businesses grow. One of the highlights once again was international color expert Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, whose prescience on color trends influences housewares designers and suppliers everywhere. She presented Pantone's color palette for 2013. Consumers want the practical and the novel to blend these days, which leads to the magic of sales, she says.

Giftware News was there as well. Here's a sample of what we saw.


A first-time exhibitor at the show, Sferra offers linen napkins in a multitude of colors.

Tervis presents colorful drinkware, which offers its traditional properties, in a variety of shapes and choices.

New design and color choices are displayed by Candle Warmers.

Monday, March 12, 2012

March's Digital Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

Welcome to March's digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.

GGD March Cover
This Month's Featured Content:
• Catch The Spirit
• HomeFashion Combining Colors
• Finishing Touches
• Wall Decor
• Flower Power
• Top It Off
• Elegant Gifts
• Gourmet Gifts
• Grilling & Chilling
• Calendar
• And More...

New Feature:
Now Viewable on Ipads

Please Note:

GGD Digital requires NO special downloads or applications to view in its entirety.

Please click HERE to begin reading now!

We hope you enjoy this issue and all future digital issues of GGD. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and feedback Here.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

JAIPUR Wins Area Rugs Category at 23rd Annual ARTS Award

The Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team (ART), the trade association representing the decorative accessories industry, recently awarded JAIPUR in the Manufacturer Area Rugs category at the 23rd annual ARTS Awards. This award is judged based on company philosophy, product development, merchandising, customer relations and community service.
This marks the third major recognition for JAIPUR this year. The company also received recent nods in the handmade rug category at the Magnificent Carpet Awards at AmericasMart during Atlanta Market and “Best Modern Design” at Domotex in Hannover, Germany.
“The ARTS award is such a prestigious honor for us because it recognizes not only excellence in design but the broader scope that encompasses branding, manufacturing processes and the social initiatives of our Jaipur Rugs Foundation,” said Jason Moody, Creative Director for JAIPUR.
“This award means so much coming directly from our peers in the decorative accessories industry. This kind of recognition along with the other design awards we’ve recently received are a wonderful start the year,” said Asha Chaudhary, CEO of JAIPUR. “Perhaps more than our products, I’m pleased to see the life-changing programs we’ve developed through the Jaipur Rugs Foundation being recognized.” 
Held yearly during the January Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, the ARTS Awards are the premiere awards program dedicated to the home decorative accessories industry. There are 26 categories recognized for manufacturer, retailer, product designer, sales representative, rising star, green design and academy of achievement.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Upbeat Atmosphere, Enthusiastic Buyers at 2012 Buyers Market of American Craft

"Although, we don't have numbers until we compare our pre-registration with on-site statistics, I can tell you that retailers were more upbeat than they have been in six to seven years," says Wendy Rosen, CEO and president of the Rosen Group, the producer of the Buyers Market of American Craft. "They were buying confidently from their mainstream resources and also they were more confident about large, one of a kind investment pieces.

"Most retailers reported sales increases of 20 percent-plus for the last quarter and that continued through January and Valentine's Day. No doubt the mild weather throughout the northeast contributed to the improved sales, but it seems that the good mood was felt by retailers across the entire country."

"For our 30th Anniversary show this year, we made a point of recruiting a strong mix of new and longtime exhibitors," reports Jean Thompson, the company's director of marketing and public relations. "Our mission is not to dwell in the past, but we recognize the contributions that have been made in the industry by artists and makers whose work has become the bread-and-butter for many galleries and stores. At the same time, we want to welcome new designers, new artists, new creators who have a different aesthetic and fresh approaches to contemporary gift ware. Our roster included more than 120 new exhibitors.

"We witnessed an unexpectedly strong surge of buying during the Jewelry Preview event on Friday night, featuring our premier jewelry designers who work in gold, silver, gemstones and pearls," she continues. "Several reported they were approaching sold-out status after the four-hour event. One jewelry artist told us he took orders that would keep him making new pieces through July. This set the tone for our entire show. There were artists reporting that they had signed orders with 20, 30 and even 40 new galleries or retailers."

Giftware News was there as well. Here's a sample of what we saw. 


Julie Shaw (left), owner of Julie Shaw Designs, was invited to take part in the ribbon cutting marking the show's 30th Anniversary. Her jewelry design business exhibited during Buyers Market's first year, and has stayed with the show through to the present. Rebecca Mercado (center), show director, Buyers Market of American Craft, is marking her first show as the show director. Wendy Rosen is President and CEO of The Rosen Group, producer of the Buyers Market of American Craft.

Wendy Costa Studio displays retro vinyl bags

A selection of Excessary Handbags

Jewelry from BirdQueen Designs

Melanie Anderson, owner and designer of Koochi Ku, displays her collections

Whimsical glass from Kliszewski

Hat and scarves from B. Felt

A selection of home décor pieces from ugone & Thomas