GIFT AND HOME RETAILER NEWS
A Service of GiftsWholesale.Com & OmegaNet Inc.

October 2017

 
Annual Made In USA Special Issue

Made In USA Front And Center
for Federal Jobs Emphasis

An LPG Greetings worker puts Life Lines Collection 
plaques through a foiling machine and then a final 
cleaning before packing and shipping. LPG Greetings
Life Lines Collection is made entirely in Wisconsin 
using designs by American artists.
An LPG Greetings worker puts Life Lines Collection plaques through a foiling machine and then a final cleaning before packing and shipping. LPG Greetings Life Lines Collection is made entirely in Wisconsin using designs by American artists.
During the summer the White House launched a three-week “Made in America” emphasis to highlight the president’s focus on creating jobs. Companies large and small from every state in the Union featured their products as President Trump emphasized the need to roll back regulations that encourage manufacturers to move overseas.

This newsletter features “Made in USA” product lines every October, believing that it is important for the economic health of the country to continue making things in the USA. Below is a sampling of CAMEO EZ© product lines Made in USA*.

A worker uses a drill during the manufacture of an Imagine Design product. The company uses it's Minnesota-based manufacturing operation to provide jobs and teach job skills for people with barriers to employment.
A worker uses a drill during the manufacture of an Imagine Design product. The company uses it's Minnesota-based manufacturing operation to provide jobs and teach job skills for people with barriers to employment.
LPG Greetings’ Life Lines Collection of plaques is carefully handcrafted in the company's Walworth, Wisconsin studios. The designs by American artists go through a ten-step process: cutting locally sourced wood to size, printing, laminating and trimming each design, each print is carefully placed on the wood. After lamination, the product goes through the foiling machine FOUR times so that each side is edged and foiled with a black, green or blue edge. The back is then routed so that the plaque is ready to hang. Finally, each plaque is cleaned, quality checked, stickered with a MADE IN USA sticker and bagged.

Originally founded in 1986 as a giftware business, Imagine Design was acquired in 2008 by AccessAbility, Inc., a Minneapolis, Minnesota nonprofit to serve as a social enterprise providing transitional work and training for people who have barriers to employment. The individuals from the community who work on the Imagine Design business line gain transferable skills in production, inventory, merchandising, customer service and more. Imagine Design home décor and gift items are made using the finest quality materials combined with its own unique designs of media, depth and embellishments. The result is a fun and inspirational gift line that also has a great mission!

Abbey prepares to ship out Tangico orders from Pontiac, 
Michigan.
Abbey prepares to ship out Tangico orders from Pontiac, Michigan. "Our customers include retail buyers, field reps, promotional distributors and end-consumers," says Sue Kinch of Tangico. "We do the same thing every day: Orders In--Orders Out--Have Fun!"
“We’ve outgrown the kitchen but we’re still happy,” said Jennifer Garrison, Director of Operations of Tangico, formerly KitchenHappy, of Pontiac Michigan. Tangico is the maker of Snapi, the single-handed server. Sue Kinch, president, joined the company in 2013 determined to deliver customizable Made in the USA products offering low minimum order requirements, no set up fees, quick turnaround and a contagious sense of fun. In addition to its flagship product Snapi and wine stoppers, Tangico now offers wall-mounted bottle openers, key holders, coasters, cutting boards, Christmas ornaments, magnets and shelf sitters.

Grandparent Gift Company Written on My Heart
Grandparent Gift Company’s “Written on My Heart” line is Made in USA. At left is a lead-free pewter heart being cut and at right is a finished product.
Whether real wood frames, uniquely made glass gifts or handmade pewter, Atlanta, Georgia based The Grandparent Gift Co. continues to create and manufacture products made and/or assembled in the USA that delight and inspire customers with one-of-kind sentiments and heartfelt gifts. One of the company's newest lines for the Holidays features their heirloom quality pewter photo ornaments for new baby, first grandchild and bereavement. The 2.5x5, 100% lead free pewter ornaments are paired with a beautiful sentiment and gift boxed, ready for giving. Pewter is also the spotlight of another of the company's new American made line called "Written on My Heart". Written on my heart is a collection of US made frames and pewter heart-shaped ornaments celebrating the life of departed loved ones, including Mom, Dad, Sister and Friend.

Eleven-year-old Elana Barrett is dwarfed by the 
Heidelberg printing press in the Rochester, NY, facility 
where her “HuggyBox” note cards are produced.
Eleven-year-old Elena Barrett is dwarfed by the Heidelberg printing press in the Rochester, NY, facility where her “HuggyBox” note cards are produced.
HuggyBox is unusual in that the company was started by an 11-year-old adopted child. When she was five, Elena Barrett's father left a note under her pillow when he went on a business trip. The note wished her a good night's sleep and included the word "Huggy". It told her if she squeezed the note really tight and she would feel his hug come through the paper.

JTP Wholesale makes its monogrammed coasters and bathroom tissue in the USA
JTP Wholesale makes its monogrammed coasters and bathroom tissue in the USA
From this experience HuggyBox was born. The note cards are for sending "virtual hugs", allowing people to stay connected. HuggyBox makes it's products in Rochester, New York with soy-based inks on 100% recycled mixed source materials. HuggyBox is also a Proud Partner of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. A portion of each HuggyBox sold goes to the foundation to find families for children in foster care.

Hallandale, Florida is home to JTP Wholesale, which markets a variety of product lines, but the company's monogrammed coasters and unique monogrammed bathroom tissue are both Made in USA. The bathroom tissue is available as single rolls or in a gift-boxed set. The company also has bathroom tissue in a variety of other patterns like Christmas and Birthday.

The vendors above are just the beginning. Below in "Featured Vendors" you will find Made In USA vendors, indicated by the red, white and blue backgrounds. And there are more:

  • All For Giving
  • Ata Boy
  • Bay Pottery
  • Billy Joe Homewares
  • Betsy Drake Interiors
  • Blair Cedar
  • Candle Cottage
  • Channel Craft
  • Coast Lamp Manufacturing
  • The Cookbook Company
  • Crown Mulling Spice
  • Designs by Beverly
  • The Dish
  • ER Sales
  • Ergo Candle
  • FlashPoint Candle
  • Gently Spoken
  • Golden Hill Studio
  • The Greeting Place
  • Heart Gifts
  • Highland Graphics
  • Jeane's Things
  • Kiss Me In The Garden
  • MikWright
  • My Town Art
  • NMR Distribution
  • Northridge Gardens
  • Next Innovations
  • Oatmeal Studios
  • Pocket Plus
  • Prissy Plates
  • The Professionals
  • PUREFactory Naturals
  • Robicheaux Candy
  • San Francisco Chocolate
  • Sassy's
  • Sassy Stuff
  • Scandical
  • Seeds of Happiness
  • Shade Tree Greetings
  • Spiker
  • Stephanie Dawn
  • Stephers, Inc.
  • Sunday Greetings
  • Three Kings Gifts
  • Toland Home Garden
  • Unpossible Cuts
  • Unwined Candles
  • White Mountain Puzzles

*For the purposes of this newsletter, "Made In USA" can include products assembled in the US, products where some components are made in the US or products entirely made in the US.

Quick Industry News

USMadeWholesale.com Home PageUSMadeWholesale.com, OmegaNet's portal website that showcases Made In USA products year round, has a brand new look. The site continues to feature product lines that are Made in USA both through banner ads and vendor lists that have been given a facelift with new, larger images. Vendors can be searched by general category. The site will still feature news from the Gift & Home Retailer newsletter.

 
 

EZ Ribbon indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.

Ala Carte Alice‘s mission is simple: to provide the best products and service to their customers and use the freshest ingredients that they can find. Alice Wooten takes great pride in her company, their commitment to customer service and in the products they sell. Ala Carte Alice’s products include savory sauces, red dog rubs, glazes, relishes and jams. Black and Blue Bacon, Creme Brulee and Sante Fe are just some of the yummy cheese balls Alice offers. In addition, there are mouth watering desserts, party dips and awesome entrees. You have go to try Ala Carte Alice for an excellent cullinary experience!
Aloha Farms brings the tastes and scents of Hawaii to you. The site features Kona Coffee and Kona Green Coffee, Hawaiian honey, Hawaiian Treats like dried fruit, candy and macadamia nuts, plus Coffee scented candles and soap.
AMMA JO Collections include CrossBody Bags, Wallets, Shoulder Bags, Clutches and Duffles with unique designs. The designs will add a vibrant pop of color to your customers' collection! The AMMA JO brand is all about dreams come true and bringing color to life! After a 15 year corporate career, Amma Jo launched her dream with just one handbag and $100! If you are ever in Pennsylvania, come and visit her showroom downtown Harrisburg, PA. Amma Jo works to educate and empower other women and build a collection of brands that we nurture and we look forward to introducing those collections to you over the years!
Bandilac features custom, hand-crafted, laser engraved gifts and accessories, made in USA. In addition to its own designs, the company welcomes Custom and Private Label projects. With your logo, artwork or other image, Bandilac will create a personalized, custom product. With great price points, low setup charges and fast turnaround, Bandilac's Custom program provides great branding and promotional opportunities for your business.
Candles and Quotes' 100% All Natural All Soy Candles are made by "The Soy Sisters". They pour each and every candle by hand and use only Essential Oils to fragrance their candles, which are candles are 100% Eco-Friendly. Each candle comes with a beautiful quote, that is either meaningful, funny or down right crazy. If you don't see what you like ask "The Soy Sisters" and they will make it for you. They personalize all of our candles so your own uniqueness and quirky personality can be put on a candle. So watch what you say because it may wind up on a candle!

cinda b® was created by Altlant designer Cinda Boomershine. Cinda's love for color and a passion for design, inspired her to launch her own back and accessory line. cinda b® tastefully blends solid colors with modern prints. Poly/nylon fabrics make cindab bags uniquely lightweight yet durable, water and stain resistant, and machine washable.

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.

Artist Renee Rubach creates beautiful greeting cards and gift enclosure cards for all occassions. Early on, she became interested in creating greeting cards, both the designs and message. She absolutely loves creating products that people can enjoy and use.

Drew DeRose's lines run from tabletop to decorative figurines and include candle holders, cannisters and cookie jars. All products are colorful and original. The company has a creative staff that designs merchandise for Drew DeRose Designs.

GetSassys 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!

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.

Miko is recognized as on of the world's leading manufacturers of sentimental gifts. Whether it is for Mom, Sister, A Loved One, Your Aunt, Your Guardian Angel or whomever, there tasteful gifts send beautiful messages to beautiful people. Economically priced with great retail appeal they are just the thing for special occassions or just to say I'm thinking of you.
Holiday Fried Pecans' rise in popularity can be attributed to its first treat a salty, sweet 100% certified Louisiana fried pecan that is guaranteed to satisfy the most demanding of cravings. These great tasting pecans that have less fat & calories than raw pecans are a perfect addition to any store. Lightly sweet, Lightly salty and great on Salads, Sweet Potatoes, Ice Cream, Cheese Cake or as a snack. Holiday Fried Pecans...a curious and delicious flashed-fried Louisiana Pecan that's great for corporate gifts givers, retail locations, cooking, baking or solo-snacking!
Huggy Box is a great alternative when greeting cards just don't say enough. Sending virtual hugs allows everyone to stay connected. Huggy Box is a Proud Partner of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. A portion of each HuggyBox sold goes to the foundation to find families for children in foster care.
Isa's Naturals is a forward thinking personal-care products company. Our products include therapeutic bath salts, body cleansers and moisturizers. At Isa's, we draw our inspiration from Ethnobotany - the relationship between people and plants.

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.

Red Carpet Studios, Ltd. features All Jazzed Up Fashion Accessories for Fall & Spring. A wide range of Giftware for the Home & Garden. Visit our website for New Products & Specials.

Richard E. Bishop features Men's gifts like glass and mug sets, decanter sets, and "Tipsy Wine Glasses". Also the company features a variety of old-book-themed photo albums, binders and storage boxes.

Sincere Surroundings offers home decor and gifts that can be personalized with different colors, sizes, names, dates, locations, anniversaries and more. If your customers are constantly on the look-out for that one piece they just have to have, it can be found here – inside Sincere Surroundings.

Smile Drinkware provides custom tumblers to major brand manufacturers and also provides hundreds of unique exclusive tumbler designs to retailers and consumers. Provides high-end, top-quality insulated tumblers.

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.

SOi Essentials is a Northern California based company that offers an array of richly scented candles to enhance your overall wellness. SOi Candles are hand-poured in the USA using 100% All Natural Food Grade Kosher Soy Oil, that burns cleaner and up to 40% longer than paraffin based, wax or soy blend candles. The company's candles are made with 100% cotton lead free wicks, are soot-free and do not emit harmful toxins (such as Benzene) into your home or the environment.

Star Home features tabletop and home decor for specialty retailer, catalog and online marketers, the hospitality trade and more. Star Home's designers look to all corners of the world to gather inspiration for this ever-growing market. This inspiration is then turned into real-life, high-quality products by artisan craftsmen.

Stephers Inc. greeting cards featuring 100% Dead Sea Bath salts, funny sea characters, and a little 'BE HAPPY' meditation to lift your spirits ~ LIFE CHANGING SEA SALTS right in your very own tub! SPA CARDS. "TRANSFORMING HUMANITY ONE BATH AT A TIME".

Sunset Vista Designs offers you extra margin opportunities, and sells thru at retail. They offer innovative designs, in proven products, with space saving merchandising solutions, and attractive package deals that all add value to the quality products we offer. Many say this is the "best ever" line of innovative gift, garden, and home decor.
Treasures From Greece's mission is to introduce you and make you embrace the Mediterranean way of eating through Greece’s traditional but also contemporary way of food processing and superior aesthetic values. The company's vision is not only to make you eat like the Mediterranean people but also make you embrace the healthy, gleeful way of living and enjoy every aspect of it!

White Mountain 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.

 

CAMEO EZ© is the B2B e-commerce system developed by OmegaNet Inc., publisher of this newsletter, for use by retailers in ordering inventory for their stores. A partial list of CAMEO EZ sites can be found at the company's portals such as www.giftswholesale.com, www.accessorieswholesale.com, www.apparelwholesale.biz, www.decorwholesale.com, www.usmadewholesale.com, www.toyswholesale.com and www.usmadewholesale.com. A complete list of sites is available in the "Directory" on www.CAMEOEZ.com.