NYIGF Preview: Cause for Celebrating Creativity, Humor and Good Deeds

The New York International Gift Fair(NYIGF) will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Piers in New York City from January 28 to February 2. The NYIGF is produced twice annually by George Little Management, LLC and is open to the trade only, drawing 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and 85 countries. The NYIGF is host to 2,800 exhibiting companies showcasing the very best lines across the home, lifestyle and gift spectrum organized into ten targeted product divisions.

The Baby & Child division presents a collection of innovative, functional and fun products for babies, toddlers, kids and their families. Select exhibitors will be recognized for excellence in four categories –– toy, decor, gear and apparel –– along with one overall “Blogger’s Best” distinction. Winners and finalists are selected by a panel of editors from trade media and kid-centric blogs and websites based on product innovation, design and style.

As a preview, The Giggle Guide^® showcases a few of the brands to see, including The Ellie Rose, Artterro, Inmate Tease, and Schoolbags for Kids.

The Ellie Rose Celebrates Hand-Made Traditions

Saunde Briggs felt the urge to dust off her sewing machine after the birth of her daughter Ellie. The sewing machine, a graduation gift from her parents 12 years earlier, had not been getting much use but as she dusted, the memories of her mother teaching her to sew, colorful fabrics and familiar sounds came flooding back. Saunde started sewing bibs and burp cloths in gorgeous fabrics for Ellie, and it was not long before the other mothers at play group were placing orders. Ellie Rose soon landed in upscale baby boutiques and stores along the East Coast.

The Ellie Rose will feature its Spring/Summer 2012 collection at the NYIGF. With bibs, dresses, ties, and burp cloths all “made to match,” siblings can step out in style. Bibs feature two pearl snaps at the closure; bibs and burp cloths are made with beautiful designer fabrics and have a chenille back for easy clean up. Showcasing three dress styles; the reversible Celia, Ellie Tie Back and Tessa dress are made to get extra wear time. With adjustable straps they can be used for a dress one year and a tunic the next. The Perry Tie is better than a clip-on, but just as easy! These ties are great for weddings, holidays and family photos.

For more information, visit www.theellierose.com and stop by and see them at booth 5233.

Artterro Re-imagines Eco Arts 7 Crafts Kits

Artterro Eco Art Kits was started by Forrest Espinoza and Jennifer Conn, two artists and mothers from Madison, Wisconsin. Their inspiration for starting Artterro came from their belief that everyone is born creative and that creating something by hand brings satisfaction and joy at any age.

Artterro has been re-imagining arts and crafts kit since 2008, with a focus on the artistic process rather than step-by-step craft projects. Artterro will be debuting their line of eco art kids at the NYIGF. Artterro’s art kits are bursting with gorgeous, natural materials like real wool felt and handmade, recycled paper. Each kit offers a fresh, fun project, including needle-felted portraits, wire and bead sculptures and decoupage jewelry.

In addition to exhibiting in the curated Baby & Child division, two Artterro kits will be featured in the SustainAbility display, a juried exhibit and competition for the Eco Choice Award for the most innovative eco-friendly gifts of the year.

The Art Journal Kit offers a unique way for budding artists to explore their creativity through art journaling, with drawing and (100% recycled) collage papers, helpful tips and abundant inspiration. The kit appeals to a wide age range of beginner artists, boys and girls alike.

The Wool Felt Bug Kit has all the colorful wool felt needed to make one-of-a-kind, creepy crawly bugs. Ribbons and beads are perfect for eyes, antennae and wings. As a bonus project, the box turns into a frame for the finished artwork.

Explore the next generation of art kits from Artterro at www.artterro.com, and visit them at the gift fair, in booth 5517.

”Juvenile Delinquents” Capture Most-Wanted Attention

Husband and wife team Glenn and Wendy Rosenbloom of Wilmington, North Carolina launched Inmate Tease, a humorous adult clothing line in 2008. Believing humor can be found in every aspect of life, Inmate Tease branched out and started a children’s division called, Juvenile Delinquents in 2011.

Their designs capture crime with a little bit of a twist, as the offenses aren’t punishable by law, but instead a swift sentence of laughter! The one-pieces, tees and bibs feature a mini-perp and teddy bear accomplice as they participate in daily baby happenings or, as Rosenbloom has translated them, into felon activities.

Creative word play describes everyday events such as “Resisting Arrest” (crying in a crib) or “Underage Drinking” (enjoying a bottle); these babies are no angels. The rompers add adult humor to the lives of parents who may find it easy to slip into baby talk as a daily form of communication.

Debuting at NYIGF are new “Partners in Crime” designs, geared toward twins and siblings. For more information, visit www.inmatetease.com and stop by for a laugh at booth 5045.

Schoolbags for Kids is an Easy Way to Help Children

Luis Garcia spent 20 years as a creative director in corporate America, but “something was missing.” He found that “something” after embarking on a four-month trip through some of the world’s poorest countries and volunteering in their schools and orphanages. The children Luis met each shared one thing in common: the need for basic school supplies. Luis came to find that over 101 million children worldwide do not attend school, most because their families are unable to afford tuition, supplies and uniforms. Determined to address this need, Luis partnered with entrepreneur Kalon Gutierrez, to create Schoolbags for Kids which is built upon a “One Here. One There™” mission of social responsibility. For every schoolbag purchased, another schoolbag filled with supplies is donated to a child in need.

Schoolbags for Kids’ Signature Collection bag is available in three sizes and six colors. Featuring a unique horizontal design that keeps supplies within easy reach, the schoolbag opens to a main compartment with plenty of space for books, binders and a laptop or tablet. Schoolbags for Kids will be at the NYIGF with the launch of the first edition of their Artist Series, featuring the work of Jacob Thomas, a renowned illustrator whose pieces have been featured in New York Magazine, Spin, Esquire, the Washington Post, Harvard Business Review and Rolling Stone. Jacob’s dimensional illustration brings to life the letters and numbers this magical tree grows as it reaches towards the sky.

The Learning Tree School Bag is 15” wide x 6” deep x 12” high. Made with coated 600 denier polyester and rubber base, the bag comes in blue and pink. The bag has many great features; including an iPad/laptop pocket, lunch money holder on the left strap, printable ID holder on the right strap, pocket for lunch, padded topside carrying handle, and easy-to-grab beehive rubber zip pulls.

To learn more, visit www.schoolbagsforkids.com. Be part of the solution at booth 5047.