AmericasMart Wows Buyers

The January Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market was a resounding hit for buyers and sellers who gathered from around the globe. Buyers from every U.S. state and 75 countries attended. The Children’s World is one of the fastest growing categories; in addition to a floor of permanent exhibitors, approximately 100 other vendors participated as temporary exhibitors. For twenty-six exhibitors, it was an exciting first appearance at AmericasMart. Energy was high as showrooms wrote orders for immediate delivery as well as the Fall 2013 season. Many buyers invested their time to get the full scoop on new lines, in addition to more familiar brands.

All things kid related were covered at this major market, including apparel, shoes, keepsakes, gifts, bedding, home furnishings and lots more. Among the lines that caught attention from The Giggle Guide^® were Improv Electronics, Mungi Bands, Bling 2o and mimivail.

Boogie Board: Save a Tree with a Tablet for Kids

For parents who want their kids to enjoy the tablet experience without handing over their own, expensive device, the Boogie Board eWriter from Improv Electronics is the answer. This tree and environmental-friendly item replaces memo pads, notebooks and sticky notes with a writing surface that feels like a pen or pencil and paper.

Boogie Board has a contemporary metallic look that is available with red, blue and graphite accents. It’s easy to hold with a soft-touch back and has a tapered stylus that doubles as a kickstand so it can be viewed horizontally — a boon when leaving a note on the kitchen counter. Built-in magnets let families mount it on the fridge or any other metal surface and its light weight make it easy for kids to tote.

The original Boogie Board tablet has an 8.5-inch writing surface (measured diagonally), and the Boogie Board 10.5 tablet has a 10.5-inch writing surface (measured diagonally) — nearly 50% larger than the original model.

The newest version of Boogie Board has been redesigned to feature three new models: a pink daisy design, guy-appealing camouflage pattern and sporty soccer look. With the Boogie Board, Kids can write, draw, play Tic-Tac-Toe, solve math problems or practice writing. Thin and durable, with a shatterproof writing surface, shoppers will delight in a tablet at a reasonable price that’s fun for young children.

Boogie Board contains no lead, mercury or other heavy metals, so it is safe around the house and around youngsters. It is fully compatible with Windows and MAC operating systems, as well as other popular, techy systems, including Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Images on Boogie Board can even be projected onto another screen.

Write to your heart’s delight: www.improvelectronics.com

Mungi Bands are Made for Wear and Trade

Hotter than hot, cooler than an ice cube — that’s the buzz on Mungi Bands: silicone bracelets with an embedded magnet that sports kids’ colors on a wrist bracelet, an anklet, as earrings, or on metal surfaces.

Not only can these bands be worn, they can also hold up pictures or papers, giving rooms and lockers a personalized touch. Some kids use them to decorate stuffed animals; others to personalize backpacks; and still others to make a unique belt.

These accessories come in a host of designs, sold three to a pack, such as Rock Star, Shark Attack, 50s Pink and Hot Boards, as well as the colors of many NFL teams. The magnets have been carefully tested to be sure they are strong enough to stay attached to one another, but not so strong as to pinch soft skin. A great party favor, Mungi Bands in designs with pirate skulls, spider webs and guitars appeal to guys, so this playful accessory is great for both boys and girls.

Collecting and exchanging bands adds value appeal, and the bands have also won praise from The National Parenting Center, Parent Tested Parent Approved, Tillywig Toy Awards, Family Review Center and a 5-star rating from What The Stuff.

Make sales a snap, with lots of personality from www.mungibands.com

Bling 2o Goggles Shimmer for Swimmers

To delight young swimmers and those who shop for them, nothing is more fun than swim goggles from Bling 2o. This new line features silicone straps and comes bedecked with acrylic, shiny rhinestones to win the hearts of girlie girls from little ones to tweens. Girls love a little glitz, and these goggles use it subtly enough to shimmer for the swimmer.

Goggles are available in solid black, marshmallow, bubblegum, blue Hawaii, lemonade and green apple, as well as designs with swirls like black-and-white cookie, shine, cotton candy, purple haze and aquamarine.

The packaging is a clear Bling 2o case marked with “This goggle belongs to __________” so the swimmer can mark her own pair and know there won’t be a mix-up at the pool or camp.

The only novelty water goggle tweaked with forty-two rhinestones sparkling on the frame, they earned the silver in the “gift heat” at AmericasMart. So that young ladies don’t have all the fun, a line targeting boys will launch next year.

Get in the swim at www.bling2o.com

Classic Girls’ Dresses Spread a World of Good

For gorgeous children’s dresses with classic silhouettes that impart a timeless quality, take a look at mimivail. These clothes are for the young at heart and embrace the joy of a girl’s early years. In a cute twist, each dress comes with a colorful, matching bracelet handcrafted by women in Jinja, Uganda that supports the empowerment of local artisans and their children.

The pink wool Isabelle dress is made of imported Scottish wool with a long inverted pleat down the center front, topped off with three felt novelty buttons. Crisp pink piping around the cuffs, clear round buttons down the center back, and crisp white cuffs trimmed with pink piping complete the look.

Emi is another winner in navy twill, crafted from a cotton and polyester mix from France. This delight sports two inverted front pleats, a single inverted back pleat and a double row of white cross stitches. It’s an everyday, any day delight with a cute Peter-pan collar and white piping on the sleeves.

Beautiful craftsmanship in an A-line makes Ruby a great special occasion dress made of thick boiled wool with a white pique Peter-Pan collar and a scarlet Pima poplin lining. A fuzzy wool brooch below the front lapel and charming pearl buttons marching down the back spell perfection.

These are elegant dresses that wear brilliantly and make girls look and feel special: www.mimivail.com