"Made In USA" Helps Economy and Jobs
A couple of years ago, we ran the first annual "Made in USA" issue of Gift and Home Retailer News in response to concerns about impurities such as lead which were being discovered in products imported into the United States, especially from China. Today, concern about quality is still high, but concerns about the nation's economy and unemployment have also underlined the need to support products made in the USA. As an indication of this, the Fox Television affiliate station in Orlando, Florida, recently featured a new website devoted to showcasing US manufacturers, MadeInUSA.com. After only a month online, the site had registered more than 350,000 US manufacturers.
And so we continue our tradition of featuring "Made in USA" product lines.
MugWorld's emphasis on Made In USA has led them to bring jobs back from China.
In a reversal of the conventional wisdom, Mug World is bringing jobs back from China to the USA. Since January of 2009, 52 new jobs have been created by the Gainesville, Texas company. "MugWorld’s sales are up 41%," says Jim Ivins of MugWorld. "MugWorld, Inc. is a Texas corporation with headquarters, manufacturing and distribution located in Gainesville." MugWorld’s lineup consists of over 8,000 models - collegiate, military, American wildlife, pets, Southwest and custom. MugWorld’s "100% Made in America" 15-ounce and 11-ounce mugs are commercial grade, high-temperature fired, vitreous and restaurant quality. They are decorated via Dye Sublimation with "full color graphics". All mugs are microwave and dishwasher safe and have a comfortable, four-finger "C" shaped handle. Mug World's website will soon have wholesale ordering available.
Based in one of the oldest cities of the Deep South, Custom Wood Gifts by Shelia celebrates 30 years in business this year. "Over the years we've had opportunities to take production overseas," says James Ware, president and chief operating officer. "But our underlying strategy has remained to create a unique and high quality gift item that is designed and produced in the USA and contributes to our local economy in Charleston, South Carolina." Formerly known as "Shelia's", the company re-organized in November 2003 and adopted an operating name that made it easier for gift buyers to locate and identify the company. Besides a change in name, the company adopted a blueprint for success by opening their desirable custom design creation program up to all individual stores. This change allowed individual locations throughout the world to create their own custom replica to sell in their marketplace, creating a truly unique gift item to sell in their area, and has become a life-line for many store owners seeking a unique product to offer in their marketplace during these tough economic times.
Located northeast of Jackson, Mississippi, Starkville has a population of just over 21,000 and is the home of Aspen Bay Candles, which has been hand pouring candles since 1990. "Some of the very same highly-skilled candle makers have been pouring since the company’s early days," says Tom Havens, sales director. "Aspen Bay is always looking to improve on their already good products and tossing around ideas for new and innovative designs." Many of Aspen Bay’s candles are hand poured into mouth blown glass jars made just for Aspen Bay using recycled glass water bottles. These fragrant pieces of art are topped with lids made of recycled steel. In 2009, Aspen Bay introduced its Reserve Collection. The beautiful glass jars are filled with the very best of the wax available and topped with ornamental steel lids. "This collection shows the very best of Aspen Bay’s candle making skills," Havens says.
Upstream from Pittsburgh, in the rolling hills of Freeport, Pennsylvania, skilled craftsmen have created the aluminum and pewter products of the Statesmetal Gift Ware line for 25 years. Carson Home Accents, as the company is known today, customizes the available plates, tankards, mugs, wind chimes, putting cups, ornaments or any specialized item in a sand-casting manufacturing process. The aluminum sand castings can be personalized by applying a custom designs, seal, or logos with a two or three dimensional crest. The castings are then finished to emulate real pewter. Statesmetal is non-toxic, oven and dishwasher safe, and won't break, crack or chip easily.
DHR & Company, a Sales Agency located in Atlanta, Georgia, which has had a website with OmegaNet, publisher of this newsletter, since 1999, represents a number of US manufacturers among their mainly home decor and housewares lines.
For instance, Lampe Avenue is formulated in Texas. The company makes fragrance fuels for lampes and reeds in over 50 fragrances, plus Earth-friendly detergents and Paraben-free lotions and housekeeping products in a variety of fragrances. For over 50 years, J & R Unique has made fabric-laminate trays, serveware, and table and bath accessories in the Queens borough of New York City. Not far from the bustle of New York City is the village of Goshen, NY, where F. G. Galassi makes fine Italian wood moulding, picture frames, clocks, gift & poker boxes, framed magnets & ornaments.
Two DHR vendors manufacture in Birmingham, Alabama: Morgan Jewelry Designs makes individually designed jewelry in sterling and gold; Tiny Kingdom Creations produces hand-painted pottery, baby sets, frames, crosses, banks, etc. Pennsylvania is home to Byers' Choice, which makes handcrafted carolers and kindles and other figures of the traditions of christmas. Creative Embroidery makes monogrammed travel mugs, koozies, key fobs, lunch totes and towels in Raleigh, NC.
Other made-in-USA lines represented by DHR include Beaucoup Designs (jewelry) and Up Country (pet products), both of Rhode Island, Candle Scene of Texas, and Ashbury Collection (monogrammed soaps).
Featuring signature black illustrations on white china, The Dish manufacturers its city and state tabletop lines in the US and a tea towel line in South Georgia. The Dish works with select artists and designers to create exclusive pieces that celebrate the landmarks and events.
The West Coast is not without USA manufacturers. Since 1992, The skin care lines of Kiss Me in the Garden products have been made completely in the USA, in the company's factory in Northridge, California; starting with the raw ingredients, all the way through to the finishing touches which can include pearls, sea shells and a free custom label. Absolutely everything is done "in-house". The factory makes over 100 items and a dozen fragrances, with something to please everyone. "We have very reasonable prices and low minimums," says Karen Mandell, founder and president. "We can only do this because we have no middle man."
ZodiacDog.com of Costa Mesa, California, is a collection of Zodiac Dog Clothing and accessories; Dog Shirts, Dog Bandanas, Dog Leashes, Dog Collars and Dog Harnesses all made in the U.S.A. ZodiacDog.com specializes in pet apparel and pet clothing uniquely defined by each Zodiac sign. "Just as people have zodiac signs, so do our pets," says Dean Duet. "Each sign has its own unique set of characteristics and traits so that their people and others who meet them will know a little more about their personality, traits, and what makes them tick, lick or wag!"
"Pupper Weights" and "Kitty Weights" are trademarked names for a unique gift item for the pet lover. These bean bag sculptures or paper weights are hand made in the Fiddler's Elbow factory in upstate NY. To create each design the artist has to paint the dog or cat in such a way that when the illustration is silk-screened onto fabric and sewn together the artwork perfectly lines up to create a life like sculpture. Each weight is then stuffed with polyfil and weighted with plastic pellets creating a useful but distinctive gift. "Our Signature Product is available in kittens and puppies with over 30 breeds to choose from and can be displayed in our convenient counter top display," says Judy Pate, founder. "Fiddler's Elbow has been designing and manufacturing hand printed gifts for over 36 years proudly bringing licensed art to life."
New Humor Manufacturing has a 40-year history in Dallas, Texas, producing cute and fun products for the gift, embroidery and souvenir store, including bath wraps, pillow cases, totes & accessories, aprons and Christmas stockings."We are a proud famliy business that started in 1969 and now produces great textiles items," says Jayson Minsky of New Humor.
Gina B. Designs is a designer and publisher of Greeting Cards and Stationery/Gift products since 1984. All of the company's products are produced in the U.S.A. Every item in the line is printed locally, assembled and packaged at the company's facility in Plymouth, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.
To fill an untapped niche, Gently Spoken of Minnesota produced books and greetings printed in the USA. The company is introducing "Just gotta tell you..." is a mailable memento the recipient will want to keep. At 16 pages, it's more than a card but not quite a book. Perfect for recessionary times, this more-than-a-card allows consumers to show their love without breaking the bank. Generously sized at 8.375" x 5.5" with a die-cut window and ellipses, it's printed in the USA on FSC-certified recycled paper. Thanks to a new Aqueous "soft touch" process, the cover paper is so soft it actually feels like a peach, and readers find themselves compelled to caress a card. "Just gotta tell you..." is available in 12 styles, including customer favorites "I believe in you" and "we'll be friends forever".
Talkin' Trash Gifts features brightly colored and embellished bar and guest towels. clever wine bags, funny and functional totes and cosmetic bags, humorous baby onesies, made in Conway, Arkansas. Recent product introductions includ Chalkboard Flower Pots where people can create their own greeting with bright colored chalk (included) on these embellished 6" Chalkboard flower pots.
Several Made-in-USA manufacturers have new websites with OmegaNet: Greenhill Music, Headdress, Kencraft, Persimmon Press, Philospots, Robicheaux's Candy, Shade Tree Greetings, Shelley Kyle, and Three Kings Gifts
Other OmegaNet Inc. clients that manufacture and/or assemble at least some of their products in the United States include Applelicious, Borealis Press, Brownlow Gift (gourmet line), Camille Beckman, Channel Craft, Coast Lamp Manufacturing, Crown Mulling Spices, Designs By Beverly, Frankoma Pottery, Gently Spoken, The Greeting Place, Havelka, Heart Gifts by Theresa, Jeane's Things, Northridge Gardens, The Professionals, Sassy's, Scentennials, Servants' Heart, Stephers Inc., Suzy's Zoo, and Wellspring. These and many other US manufacturers show that it's still possible to maintain quality and create jobs, even in a difficult economy.
Featured Vendors in GiftsWholesale.Com
indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
Aspen Bay Candles: The
best candles on the market--a result of our continual and diligent application
of superior candle science. Take a moment to visit our unique high quality
line of candles. Once you have
experienced the superb fragrances and long burn times, we
are sure you will be back again and again.
Brownlow Gifts: Brownlow produces a full line of inspirational gifts for every occasion. You will find useful and attractive home decor gifts for the kitchen, bedrooms, study and all other rooms in the house. Brownlow is well known for gourmet products, journals, gifted paper items, photo albums, photo frames, decorative sentiment plaques, a variety of stationery, many different ceramic gifts as well as a large assortment of inspirational gift books. Most products are in coordinating themes that retailers can purchase in eye-catching countertop display collections.
Don Mark Lifelike puppies & kittens that actually breathe. These adorable pets offer a real pet ownership experience without the work or expense. Perfect petzzz -------the ultimate pet. We now offer 30 breeds of puppies and kittens to choose from. Visit our web site to see our entire line of petzzz plus over 180 other unique gifts and gadgets.
Europa Home decor including glass, candleholders and candles for garden, lodge and more.
Gina B. Designs Many of our retailers tell us that their customers come in and purchase Gina B. cards by the hand-full. The colorful art and simple verse make it a line that has something for everyone at a great price-point. Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery company featuring exceptional art and design. All products are made in the U.S.A.
Highland Graphics: A leader in functional gift with decorative items for gift giving and kitchen. From our top selling Absorbastone coasters, to our decorative bamboo cutting boards, everything we manufacture is made in the USA. Our high quality plus competitive pricing lets our customers make higher margins. We feature licensed art, official collegiate products and have a full range of custom capabilities with low minimums.
Mud Pie: Mud Pie
products are now featured in three catalogs: Mud Pie Baby, Mud Pie Gift, and Mud
Pie Pet. It has always been our goal to offer innovative giftware that's
affordably priced and adorably packaged.
Natural Life: Fashionable and fun treasures to share or keep! Whether you’re shopping for friends, family, baby or yourself, Natural Life has the perfect gift for you.
Peking Handicraft, Inc. is a global manufacturer and wholesaler specializing in home textiles decorative accessories and gift items.
The company expertise in sourcing, manufacturing and brand development are second to none.
Peking’s variety of products consists of renowned designer collections as well as exciting designs from their in-house design studio. Both are trend right and of exceptional quality and value.
With over three decades in the home textiles and gift arena, Peking is proven to be a company that you can trust today and in the future.
Regal Art & Gift: Offering unique & colorful Metal Garden Décor, Home Décor and Gifts. Garden items include: 3-D Garden Décor, Garden Stakes, Wind Chimes and Welcome Signs. Home items include: Wall Art, Wall Hooks, Candleholders, Ornaments, Boxes and Photo Frames. Popular themes include: Garden Bugs, Birds, Frogs, Tropical, Coastal, Fish, Suns & Celestial, Southwest, Western, Crosses, Americana, Country, Halloween, Harvest & Holiday
Sample House
Take a look at our unique collection of original design gift bags, tissue paper and home to the 2-second wrap. We have a complete selection of Take-Out-Cartons solids and prints, tissue, bags, wraphia and more.
Shade Tree Greetings' "Actual Pictures" are recognized as one of the best-selling greeting card lines in the industry. Nostalgic photographs and clever, funny verses make these cards a success. Go to our website to browse over 300 styles. GREAT introductory programs and free fixtures.
Spring Street is proud to offer the finest assortment of personal, home, and office accessories. Our extensive product lines are all theme oriented, from baby to bride and beyond. All of our gift items are hand epoxy enameled and adorned with faux jewel encrusted motifs. Many of our designs are inspired from the famed Soho district of New York City where the very real Spring Street is located.
Sunset Vista Designs: From the same creative team that brought you Care and Wonder Company; We're back with a fresh new line of the latest in home and garden decor.
Tripar International Inc.: Tripar International is your source for both displays and decorative accessories. Our extensive product line includes a wide assortment of easels, risers, ornament stands, plate racks, mirrors, jewelry displays, and unique display pieces. We are also an excellent source for wine accessories, wall décor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands.
We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.
Wellspring: Stationery products that
help keep you organized by giving you fashion with function--wherever you are in
your home, office, or on the go. Includes: Pencil Pads®, Auto Notes™, Flip
Notes, Wiggle Pens™, note cards, note pads, and recipe books.
In this issue:
