Gift Shopping Extends Past the Holidays at AmericasMart in Atlanta

AmericasMart is the juggernaut behind the popular Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. AmericasMart offers a convenient and accommodating venue for exhibitors, with over 4,000 permanent showrooms available, along with temporary exhibits. The first Atlanta show of the year is on now through January 16, 2013. Here are a few must-see recommendations: Choose Friendship, Hotline to God, Sister Chic and Moonjar.

Choose Friendship: Weaving a Better World

Friendship bracelets are colorful patterned jewelry that look great, but can leave wearers feeling like they’re all thumbs. Inventor and founder of Choose Friendship David Crorey can relate –– after spending time with his granddaughters, he hit upon a simpler way to create fun projects that can be swapped with friends. The My Friendship Bracelet Maker solves the awkward problem of traditional hand-woven bracelets. Compact and easy to carry, the Maker comes with pre-cut jewel-toned threads and instructions.

Tweens enjoy the My Ribbon Barrette Maker, which comes complete with ribbons, beads, instructions, and barrettes. The My Circle of Creativity kit is perfect for creating tube bracelets (Kumihimo, a kind of popular Japanese braid) as well as lanyards. The set comes with Kumihimo key cards, a lanyard insert, a bracelet loom, and several trays for project parts. Hundreds of shareable pieces are kept organized in a small, simple carry-all with everything needed for hours of fun.

Making attractive, fun craft products is part of Choose Friendship’s mission: “We are also very dedicated to giving back and inspiring others to choose friendship,” adds Business Development Manager Jena Smart. The company team has helped support important social issues, too, including diabetes, breast cancer, and bullying.

Stock up on socially-conscious fun at www.myfbm.com

Hotline to God: Words of Comfort for a Troubled World

Life can be fast moving, filled with challenges and woes. What can bring comfort and peace of mind in the midst of difficulties? How about a direct hotline to God (prayer)? The company Hotline to God has developed a series of products that make it easy to pick up some of the verses from the world’s perennial best seller.

Inspiration for the scripture phone came after a particular event in the inventor Chuck Stein’s life. The original Hotline to God boasts over 20 different verses from the Bible. Each verse on the phone speaks to the heart, giving hope and comfort to those in need. Popular verses, like John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13:4 are mixed up with a few lesser known ones, like a verse from First Peter about putting all your cares on God because He cares for you.

The new Story Stix™ is targeted towards small children. Each educational toy features six colorfully illustrated panels that tell one of the important stories from the Bible. When the child presses on a panel, part of the pre-recorded story can be heard. Hotline to God also has pre-recorded key chains with hopeful messages from scripture.

Bring the hope and comfort from scripture to your customers at www.hotlinetogodstore.com

Sister Chic: Real Solutions for Real Families

Anyone who has traveled with small children knows exactly what is going to happen to the binkie, the bottle or favorite toy –– it’s going to be decorating the car floor to the soundtrack of loud squeals. Now, families have a solution to this problem: the Dropper Stopper.

The award-winning Dropper Stopper (available in a wide range of colors and styles) is a boon for busy parents and caregivers. It’s a band that can be easily looped around toys or cups, making the inevitable retrieval from unknown parts a breeze. “We put a lot of time and energy into developing items that are unique gifts but also solve needs as a parent,” enthuses Meredith LaMirande, owner of Sister Chic and co-developer of the Dropper Stopper.

Other family-friendly products are the fashionable Tushy Totes. Coming in at a slim 8”x 4”x 2” (they expand!), these fashionable and functional clutches are perfect for holding just a few necessities. The easy-to-clean interior stores a few diapers and a small packet of wipes.

Customers will appreciate the convenience and problem-solving products from www.shop.dropperstopper.com

Moonjar: Makes Cents Out of Saving

Using money wisely is a good habit, in boom times and recessions. The tough part is teaching money management. Moonjar is a company devoted to educating children about fiscal responsibility. Its flagship product, the Moonjar, helps kids save and think about how they will spend their money. Divided into three sections (Sharing, Spending, Saving), this tin bank is a great way for kids to visualize cash usage.

Other takes on the classic bank include the International Moneybox and the Moonjar Family Kit. The International version boasts the same body style as the classic version, but is decorated with languages from around the world. The Moonjar Family Kit includes everything a family needs to start money management lessons, including a lesson plan, Moneybox, and two books.

The award-winning book Noom & Raj Start a Business: The ABCs of Money is a fun way to engage little ones in the basics of economics (a CD version of the story is also available).

Customers will appreciate the easy-to-follow money lessons with the products from www.moonjar.com