The Biz

After all the Christmas shopping is done, the wrapping begins! Most of us traditionally surround each gift with tissue and a box, cut wrapping paper just the right size, fold here, tape there, and top with a name tag, ribbon, and bow. All that time and effort are quickly undone when Christmas morning frenzy makes the paper fly. Sadly, when the unwrapping is done, the bulk of packaging overflows trash bins and makes its way to the landfills. It seems like such a waste, literally! That’s exactly the sentiment Adrienne Johns experienced after a family Christmas a few years back, and thus ellaWrap was created.

Creating bunches of fun and funky notecards, calendars and T-shirts, Two Sisters Designs touts the unique tagline, “a monkey for the people.” What does it mean? One theory suggests that these two grown-up siblings monkeyed around with art and graphics until they produced a family of products that make people go bananas! There’s a third sister swinging in this family tree too. She confides that before they were drawn to graphic design, one of her two sisters was a curly-haired girl scout while the other was a tomboy bouncing around the basketball court. Monkeyshines run in the family!

2 Red Hens, designers of diaper bags and a whole lot more, continue to hatch a henhouse full of color-coordinated bags, totes, bibs, burp cloths and vintage dolls. Bags are available in a range of sizes in eight fabrics with contrasting trims. Lay your plans now to add bags from 2 Red Hens to your retail house, and be sure to check out their new collection of vintage dolls too, made from recycled clothing and sweaters. They won’t be cooped up for long, as they are fast sellers!

Who’s not ready to ring in new business? Let’s get started on a better tomorrow with a hope chest full of great children’s products! Resolve to buy both new and tried-and-true lines. The Giggle Guide® is ringing the bell, sounding off about terrific products to help celebrate new business. Move forward with Best of Chums for gift-ready baby wear, Groovy Holidays for party ware, Tegu for green building blocks, and Sassafras for food and baking goods that little kitchen helpers love. These are just a few of the manufacturers you’ll find in The Guide that can help you attract more attention than noise-makers on New Year’s Eve!

Come Early and Shop the L.A. Mart Showrooms January 18-24 with Temps at the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. Mart

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 15, 2010) – The California Gift Show the destination for world class lines and the latest trends and resources exclusive to the West Coast this January, Tuesday, January 18 – Monday, January 24, 2011. The largest gift show on the West Coast boasts a week of special events, workshops and unparalleled product that West Coast buyers won’t see anywhere else.

Contact: LA Mart / (213) 763-5817
The Chicago Market Presents Susan Casey, Editor-In-Chief of O, The Oprah Magazine

CHICAGO (December 13, 2010) –The Chicago Market: Living and Giving® is proud to announce that Susan Casey, Editor-In-Chief of O, The Oprah Magazine will lead the keynote presentation at this year’s January Market, on Monday, January 24, 2011.

Contact: The Chicago Market / (312) 527-7600

Time to celebrate, it’s the holiday season! Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve parties make the month of December a favorite time for consumers and sellers alike. Retailers can look to The Giggle Guide® to find special yuletide products that stand apart from the rest. Your customers will love dressing their children in luxurious clothing from Australian designer Minihaha and Hiawatha Pty LTD; decorating their gifts and homes with festive wrappings and goods from The Gift Wrap Company; cooking up scrumptious recipes from a Handstand Kids cookbook; and providing lively entertainment with a Box of Questions from The Box Girls.

CHICAGO (December 14, 2010) – MMPI is pleased to welcome Nancy Michael as Senior Marketing and Strategy Director for the Gift & Home Décor industry, effective January 3, 2011. In her new role, Michael will be based in Chicago working directly with Trisha Schultz, Marketing Director and the entire Chicago Market team, as well as coordinating and leveraging marketing activity across all three locations; Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.

Contact: The Chicago Market / (312) 527-7600

Santa Barbara, CA (December 8, 2010) – Noodle Head, Inc. has launched Planet Pawparazzi (www.planetpawparazzi.com), a unique virtual playground, based on its top-selling Pawparazzi ® collectible toy line.

Pawparazzi pets are a cast of miniature plush dogs & cats with celebrity personalities mimicking the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Launched in 2006, Pawparazzi has a loyal following among girls ages 4-11, engaging them in a glamorous, imaginative world of fashion and fun.

Contact: Susan DeCoste / (805) 962-3084

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