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Getting Greener For 45 Years
April is Environmental Awareness Month and April 22 is Earth Day, an annual event first proposed in 1969 at a UNESCO conference in San Francisco. The first celebration of the UN's Earth Day was March 21, 1970. U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson held an Earth Day a month later and so, April has been the month for Earth Day in the U.S.
Since the 1960s and 1970s, great strides have been made toward cleaner air and water as consciousness has been raised toward "Green" practices, and, while some areas of the world lag behind, the United States has cleaned up its act considerably in the past 45 years.
Once a year, this newsletter reviews products and vendors who manufacture products that are environmentally conscious and/or use manufacturing methods and materials that are "Green".
For example, Under Stella's Umbrella features the Bellemonde line of handbags and luggage in Scotch Grain Faux Suede that has received the stamp of approval of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The line includes everything from a water bottle carrier to large rolling duffles.
Emphasizing "Reuse, Reduce, Recycle", while providing work for people in the Third World, Goods 4 U Global is a sales agency representing a variety of lines such as Bridge For Africa, which makes bowls, cups, coasters and other items like jewelry from beads and wire. The designs are distinctively colorfully African. Acacia Creations is another line represented by Goods 4 U Global, which recycles paper and glass in creating products such as jewelry, ornaments and journals. G4UG also represents Circa Asia, where the products produced by their artisans include bamboo tabletop and candle holders. America get in on the act with "Eco-chic" soda can tab jewelry from Ann-Made, which is a gold-level recipient of the Green America Seal of Approval for social and environmental responsibility.
For over 40 years, Fiddler's Elbow of New York State has been using water-based inks in printing on their textile products. The company formulates its own colors from organic pigments. The company strives to "be green" both in the manufacturing process and in bringing products to the marketplace with minimal packaging.
Calypso Studios creates earth-friendly fashion jewelry specializing in clay, glass, shell and fabrics. Calypso also has a line of reusable bags called "SHOP (Start Helping Our Planet) Totes". The Maryland-based company has, in six years, seen its products available in more than 2,500 retail locations across the U.S.
If you are looking for bath and body products that are earth friendly, look to Kiss Me In The Garden. The 20-year-old company produces everything in its Southern California plant, from raw ingredients to the finished product, using shea butter, natural oils, comfrey, vitamin E and other natural botanicals. They don't test on animals and are paraben free.
In January, NY NOW (Formerly New York International Gift Fair) awarded several vendors with the 2014 Eco-Choice Awards, honoring "Green" products in three categories. The winner in the "Most Innovative" category was Delight London (UK) for its Ruffle necklace made from biodegradable natural rubber. Winner of "Most Sensitive Use of Materials" was Shupaca Alpaca Clothing and Accessories (San Diego) for its hypo-allergenic handmade alpaca blankets. "Most Sellable" was aMano Fair Trade (also San Diego) for its coffee bag computer case handmade in Guatemala.
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Featured Vendors
 indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
 AHS Lighting Has been providing affordable lamps and lamp shades for over 40 years. We offer gift & home accent lamps and shades. Our sales and customer service department will exceed your expectations with timely delivery and friendly service. You can create your own lamp with our mix & match program.
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 All For Giving offers a unique assortment of gifts and accessories for the home, office, and the wine enthusiast. We strive to provide our customers with high quality yet affordable products to make that perfect gift for someone special.
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 Badash Crystal : Our broad selection of mouth blown tabletop and decorative accessories from around the world will surely meet your needs. Every piece is individually and safely boxed. We offer superb quality and value for all your gift giving, bridal and/or personal pleasure.
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 Bridge Brands Chocolate was created to provide chocolate lovers with gourmet-quality, superbly packaged chocolate at a non-gourmet price. Since debuting in 1999, our chocolates have become a favorite with San Francisco locals and visitors alike.
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 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.
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 Camille Beckman is known worldwide for the quality of their fine creams and lotions. For the past 18 years, this 'Made in America' product has been rated #1 in the personal care industry and continues to offer formulas based on rich and wholesome ingredients, blending small batches and using hand-crafted, old-fashioned methods that create a difference you can feel! Being that personal care products are an indispensable item for many gift shops, Camille Beckman is a natural choice because of their 27 years of service to the locally owned gift industry.
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 Clarissa Tumblers: The Clarissa Tumblers' motto is: There's no order that's too big or too small - we do them all! Our customers are our priority and enjoy receiving our services to provide them with quality custom and personalized tumblers for their weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, golf tournaments, family reunions, custom brand marketing, and more. Clarissa Tumblers is passionate about tumblers, and knows that their tumblers are second to none, and pride themselves on their superior customer service.
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 Coast Lamp Manufacturing was established and incorporated in the state of Florida in 1955. Now, a North Carolina Corporation since 1975, located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. We are a family owned and operated company. Our product is UL/ULC listed and approved and made in the USA. Customer satisfaction and a long lasting relationship are our goals. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
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 Custom Wood Gifts (formerly Sheila's) offers an assortment of architectural and specialty gift items for the home, office, or your next event. Each replica is made in the USA using a unique process to match the original design and customer specification.
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 Desden offers the most unique wholesale collegiate licensed gifts! Shop the company's totes, aprons, iphone cases and accessories. Choose from the collection of Made in the USA items, Chevron patterns, or blank totes for monograming!
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 Divinity Boutique is a gift company that is focused on trendy and fun gifts that feature inspirational verse and themes.
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 Elegant Baby Elegant Baby® understands that babies deserve style just as fresh as they are! Our marvelous collection of baby products is full of bold colors and spectacular designs. From traditional to contemporary, today's baby gift is sure to become tomorrow's treasure. Products ranging from My First Rubber Ducky to My First Baby Bible, My First Baby Blankie, My First Baby Jeans to the iconic silver spoon, Elegant Baby is where style meets tradition.
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 Europa Home decorincluding glass, candleholders and candles for garden, lodge, awards, gourmet food, sale items and more.
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 FoneFace features fun, colorful, stretchable smart phone covers, "created by a kid for kids". Christian "Crash" Sanchez was a high school freshman when he created the fun covers many with an animal theme.
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 Flair Hair : Need a spikey flair to your day? Flair Hair is the answer! You can wear Flair Hair Visors anywhere. The comfortable adjustable bandanas and visors with hair are great for golfing, fishing, riding your motorcycle, hiking in the mountains and anything else you can think of. No matter where you go, our hats with hair ensure you will be the life of the party. Whether you want to sport the blonde colored hair you grew up with, or throw in a change-up with brown, black, or gray; people will notice!
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 Fortune Keeper : Have you ever opened a fortune cookie, had a powerful connection to the message inside, and wanted to hold on to it for inspiration? Do you have other inspirational messages or pictures that you would love to wear? Welcome to FortuneKeeper - Beautifully designed necklaces, keychains and bracelets to safely store your prized fortunes, quotes, mantras, prayers, pictures or affirmations.
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 Galt International is a family owned and managed company with its Headquarters in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. We also maintain fully staffed buying offices in China to oversee our procurement efforts there. Started in 1996, Galt International continues to grow as a major provider to the gift and decorative accessories markets in the United States and Latin America.
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 Gently Spoken: Our dream is to touch a million hearts with words of affirmation and encouragement. Thanks to YOU, our dream is becoming a reality. PEAS are changing hearts and lives! Turn the pages and you'll discover why. Featuring the "Eat Your Peas" books.
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 GetSassy's has fun, colorful, cool, hip gifts that are sure to bring a smile to everyones face! From flour sack towels to baby and toddler t-shirts, koozies, wooden memo holders and linens, Get Sassys designs make shopping fun!
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 Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery products company featuring exceptional art and design. With an array of styles, variety of products and outstanding customer service, Gina B. Designs has "something for everyone." All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
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 Grow-A-Head™ by Sourcing International has "grown" from their original collections that grow hair/grass when watered to include lines of fun "Finger Loopz", Confetti Chains, "Braidlets" and Banks in creative shapes, plus licensed Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer collectibles.
 Highland Graphics : a leader in functional gift with decorative items for gift giving and kitchen. From our topselling 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.
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 JTP Wholesale : JTP Wholesale is a wholesale website offering monogrammed bathroom tissue, coasters and a line of t-shirts for the young and old: Future Jock t-shirts and onesies and X-Jock adult t-shirts.
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 Julia Knight : Designer Julia Knight creates bowls and trays, glassware and serving pieces with meticulous patterns and shapes, color and hue.
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 Leslie Handpainted Glass : Leslie Hand Painted Glass is Proudly Painting in Portland Oregon USA
Specializing in Custom & Regionally Specific Designs - Personalized Wedding & Bridal Parties - Corporate Gifts & Events.
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 Luvali Convertibles features "all things reversible or convertible", including women's and children's clothing, hats, handbags, handheld electronics cases and more.
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 Malibu Creations collection of affordably chic home décor will turn your decorating daydreams into reality with fun and stylish designs inspired by the warm colors of sun-kissed beaches, the refreshing comforts of mountainside resorts, and the vibrance of today's active lifestyle. Malibu Creations believes you should be able to decorate and redecorate your home as inspiration strikes, and with the company's smart prices, you don't have to miss out on a single design trend you love. Live your life in affordable luxury as you spend time with family and friends in your beautifully decorated home, enjoying an evening of dining on the patio or just relaxing in a cozy, sunny nook in the living room.
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 Mya Grace features unique jewelry, keychains, watches and snaps. Mya Grace donates a portion of our profits to childrens cancer research.
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 Nicole Brayden Gifts : a bright and trendy collection of stationary and home decorproducts. Lots of fun colors and designs offered. Introducing new and exciting "Purse Pad" stationary assortments as well as the trendy Cheeky Chic collection.
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 Nissan Edutainment: "VIPO Adventures of the Flying Dog" is an exciting 3D animation in seven languages - English, Spanish, French, Italian, Hebrew, Portuguese and Russian (User Defined)- aimed at young audiences and their families. VIPO, a cuddly cute dog, learns how to use his exceptionally long ears to fly! Together with his friends, Henry the stork and Betty the toy cat, VIPO sets out from his home in Vipoland to explore the world. Along the way, they learn about new places and cultures in many exciting fun-filled adventures.
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 Obersee (formerly O3 USA) : Founded on principles of creativity, functionality and a funky spirit, O3 USA strives strive to offer products that are unique, stylish, and, most importantly, cool. From kids' backpacks and luggage with integrated coolers, to fun accessories for the family, we hope you find what you are looking for with us here at O3!
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 "Optari" comes from the Latin word "optare" (pronounced "optari"), which means "to desire." Our goal is to develop products that are fun, colorful, useful, and, most of all, that people desire. Featuring Spikeletz Glow Bandz, Spikeletz Penz, Spikeletz Journals and Mini Journals, Bracelets & Earrings.
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 Pure Factory Naturals: With over a decade of experience in natural skin care, PUREfactory Naturals delivers a fresh and fun approach with a modern and sincere take on skin care. Our commitment speaks loud and clear: natural is best and simplicity is beautiful.
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 Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.: All Jazzed Up™ Fashion Accessories for Fall & Spring. A wide range of Giftware for the Home & Garden. Visit our website for New Products & Specials.
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 snoozies!® are not socks and they're not slippers - sort of a crossover between the two and that's why we call them "foot coverings"! snoozies!® are made with a brushed fleece exterior in colorful & fun printed patterns and then lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.
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 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.
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 Stupell Industries : one of America's premier suppliers of handcrafted decorative accessories for upscale homes and offices. In business for over 30 years, our line includes a wide variety of baby products, kitchen and bathroom plaques, wall hangings, faux windows, picture frames, and other unique decorative objects. We are constantly enlarging and updating our product offering to keep abreast of the latest trends and styles in the fast-paced home decorative market.
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 Sunbelt
Marketing Group, Inc. Licensed and non-licensed products tailored for the men's market. Items include both functional and decorative giftware for the home, i.e. wall décor, clocks, shelves, coat and key racks, etc. Licenses include Coca-Cola, General Motors, Ford, Carroll Shelby, Farmall, John Wayne and Elvis Presley. Product mediums include wood, resin, ceramic, glass and mixed mediums. Sunbeltgifts recently developed its own line of gifts for the aviation market and acts as a contract manufacturer.
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 Sunday Greetings
is a greeting card company that started when Brenda Kellman made a homemade birthday card for her husband Alan. Brenda's photography is on the cover of the company's greeting cards for every occasion.
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 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 decor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands. We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.
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 Under Stella's Umbrella features long-time favorites Bellemonde and Finewhines, plus newer lines like Whispers, as well as Garden Party, The Born Identities, and Pewter-A-Peel. Products range from luggage to tabletop to baby products.
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 Wellspring makes functional products with fresh designs for companies that sell gifts. Great fun and cute personal accessories designed for the purse, stationery designed for organization and Flip Notes- the best-selling slim notepad consistently ranked by retailers as a top 10 in sell through. Perfect 4th quarter pick up gifts at under $10 retail- a sweet spot with today's consumer. Now with collegiate logos! www.WellspringGift.com.
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 White Mountain Puzzles is ahead of the pack when it comes to puzzles with educational content. Why not learn something while doing a puzzle? If you love to travel, why not put together an entertaining birds eye view of KEY WEST, MARTHA'S VINEYARD, BOSTON or NEW ENGLAND? Or work on a puzzle of states like MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, OHIO, VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA or GEORGIA? Or learn something about PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY or THE CIVIL WAR? These challenging projects take artists like DAVID HARRISON WRIGHT, DEB MARCONI, GARY TORISSI, and MAUREEN RUPPRECHT months to create.
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 Wild Habitat Lin Mfg & Design (Wild Habitat) is located in Logan, UT, and is a manufacturer of hosiery and apparel. BAMBOO Loungewear and MICROFIBER Seamless Cami/boyshort are new additions to their collection. Other items that are part of their Wild Habitat Collection are: Baby Booties, Plush Hats, Backpack Buddy's, and over 100 designs of socks.
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 WOW Window Posters , for Halloween and Holidays, are brilliantly colored, backlit plastic window posters that illuminate with your household lamps to delight all people who pass by! They fit big and small windows alike, and quickly decorate your home by transforming your windows into an incredible display of holiday art!
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 Zingz And Thingz : Located in Santa Monica, California, Zingz & Thingz proudly offers more than 700 products to retailers. The company's merchandise strengths are in our wide selection of affordable and fun Garden Decor items and our continually expanding Lighting collection. Discover Zingz And Thingz' extensive collection of fun and functional products today and put a little zing in your life.
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 Not Just a Catch Phrase
Dear friends,
Organic isn't just a catch phrase for healthy eating.
The popularity of occasional stores, junk bonanzas, and juried antique and craft shows featuring products made of recycled and restored materials is an ever increasing trend. The crowds these events draw and the revenue raised are often jaw-dropping; especially to a traditional brick and mortar retailer.
Furniture made of old timbers and distressed wood. Jewelry made with vintage charms and antique gems. Recycled paper greeting cards. Wall and table art made of metal scrap and bottlecaps. Hand-painted and engraved stones. Lavender infused candles. Hand-woven textiles.
Luscious soaps and potions made with garden herbs.
Using materials from Mother Earth, today's consumers can't get enough of the real thing.
Moreover, an increasing number of USA manufacturers are putting their dollars where their
conscious lies. Along with the Made in the USA movement, the tendrils of going "green" is
sprouting a huge crop of ingenuity and inspiration.
Sure, global manufacturing has many advantages: attractive pricing, advanced technology, not to mention another 6.5 billion people strong of creativity. Yet, there's nothing like having aproduct grown in your own back yard, even though your 'backyard' might be the entire USA.
Won't you give "green" products more consideration?
1) Ask all manufacturers what their products are made of and where they are made. Let them
know you care.
2) Create an area in your store devoted entirely to 'green' products. Make sure your signage touts organic or green made.
3) Next time a local artist, author, or craftsperson comes knocking on your door, keep an open mind. Consider the popularity of the online artist community, www.Etsy.com. Sitting in studios, cottages and workshops, there's assuredly a community of "imagineers" and crafts people in your community who'd love to have their products featured on your shelves. Consider putting a shout-out. After all, you're counting on your customers to buy local. How
about you, too?
4) Manufacturers that create "green" products may be sacrificing optimal margins and profits, yet,their conscience compels them to go organic. Show them you support their efforts by giving their products a chance to flourish and grow in your store.
Here's to a healthy, happy, and hearty spring season.
Wishing you peas and plenty of joy,
Cheryl Karpen
As a speaker, author and product developer, Cheryl Karpen thrives on telling stories that inspire the heart and mind. With nearly a million gift books sold, her self-publishing company, Gently Spoken, is best known for the Eat Your Peas Collection (www.gentlyspoken.com). Cheryl can be reached at 877-224-7886 or at cherylkarpen@aol.com.
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Quick Industry News
PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS
Grow-A-Head Add Some Spice to Your Life
April 10. 2014 - Signal Hill, CA:
When Sourcing International says these products are green, they mean it literally! Grow A Head™ Herbs DIY garden kits add green to everything you cook. Five adorable styles of character poly-resin pots in the shape of a carrot, potato, onion, tomato or corn grow delicious herbs for your table. Comes complete with growing medium, seed and a recipe for each individual herb. Grow your sales with Grow A Head™ Herbs.
New (or New Look) Wholesale Websites
 NMR Distribution, "Purveyors of Pop Culture", features lines of licensed merchandise from Marvel, Fender, Pink Floyd, Elvis, DC Comics, The Beatles and many more on their new wholesale CAMEO EZ© website.
 AM PM Kids! features tried and true products, like "Tubby" Hooded Towels, as well as original products, such as the newest "Burper and a Bauble," plus an array of bibs, monogramable gift items, burp pads, and a line of exclusively designed laminated products made proudly in the USA.
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