Biden Signs $1.9 Trillion Stimulus
Without $15 Minimum Wage
On Thursday, Mar. 11, President Biden signed the $1.9 Trillion stimulus bill that had been debated for several weeks. The United States Senate narrowly passed the bill on Saturday, Mar. 6, after defeating an amendment to boost the Federal minimum wage to $15 per hour over several years, a requirement that would have impacted small, independent retailers (source). Some questioned its presence in the bill because it was not a budget item, but a mandate for private business.
On the previous Friday night, Senators defeated 58-42 Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' amendment to increase the minimum wage (source).
Promoted as a COVID-19 relief package, the House of Representatives had passed a version of the bill earlier that included the minimum wage provision. The House will now vote to approve the bill with Senate changes before it goes to President Biden for signature.
Known as the American Rescue Plan, the package authorizes $1,400 checks to low- and middle-income Americans, adds new child tax benefits, boosts unemployment payments and more.
The votes in both houses were along party lines, with Democrats supporting the bill and Republicans voting against it. Republicans cited many provision unrelated to COVID-19, as well as the resulting increase in the national debt, as reasons for opposing it. In the Senate, the vote was 50 in favor to 49.
Some of the provisions questioned by lawmakers included billions to Pakistan, Cambodia, Nepal, Burma, Ukraine and Sudan, the creation of a Women's History Museum and American Latino Museum as part of the Smithosonian, $40 million for the Kennedy Center and something about "The Succession or Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama" (source).
The minimum wage provision would have raised the Federal minimum wage from the current $7.25 per hour to $15.00 per hour over a period of years. Several states have instituted minimum wage requirements higher than the Federal minimum, which hasn't increased since 2009, but none are currently at $15.00. The closest is California, with $14.00, increased by $1.00 as of January 1 of this year (source), but 22 states have minimum wage rates matching the current Federal rate of $7.25 (source).
That almost half of US states have low minimum wages highlights the fact that economic levels from one state to the next can vary greatly and that is why many have argued a high Federal minimum wage would hurt low-income workers by limiting the number of jobs available. Others argue that $15 per hour is not high enough.
Quick Industry News
NEW WHOLESALE WEBSITES
Kai Pua has a brand new CAMEO EZ© B2B mobile-friendly website. Kai Pua Art Studio and Gallery in Lahaina, Hawaii on the island of Maui features oil paintings by Anna Keay, glass by John Lindquist, Daniel Lindquist, and Sean Price. In Hawaiian, "Kai" means ocean, and "Pua" means flower, so Kai Pua is where the ocean meets the flowers.... Amazing glass becomes sea life in the hands of our talented owner/artist John Lindquist and his colleagues. The walls are graced with tropical flowers brought to life by owner/artist Anna Keay.
Catherine Lillywhites has added a CAMEO EZ© B2B website for Canadian buyers. From the very beginnings with decorative products that Catherine Lillywhite crafted herself by hand, up until now, with a unique and eclectic mixture of holiday items, gifts, decorative and personal accessories she has created an extremely attractive, one stop shopping experience for all the retailers that are her friends and followers. She was at the forefront of the move to introduce personal accessories to the gift market.
Featured Vendors
indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
Ala Carte Alice
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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!
Cameo Glass®
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Cameo Glass products are variously called Glass Prints, Glass Photo-Frames, Photos on Glass, or Glass Photo-Gifts. Simply put: the company takes your customer's photos and reproduces them to a range of functional Glass Products for display and use at home. Your customers' pictures are fused into glass, creating translucent, vibrant photo-displays which can be viewed from both sides and are vibrant in color. The result: an elegant, yet striking display of beautiful photography and great memories!
Christ Visions®
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Clark Francoies has been working in the arts from the age of 5 and brings over 50 years of knowledge and experience with the color palate. He was trained in California at Pratt college in fine arts and in Germany on mixing custom hair colors for salon owners and cosmetologists becoming a color specialist. Although Clark uses many mediums, he is mostly painting in oils at this time and is now based in Kona, Hawaii. Clark is excited to share with you his passion for art. Gods nature and His word are the things that most inspire Clark in his work.
cinda b®
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cinda b® was created by Atlanta 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.
Doles Orchard
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Based in Maine, Doles Orchard specializes in Custom Woodworking and Laser Engraving Services. The company is dedicated to high quality craftsmanship, timely delivery and customer service. Products include advent calendars, children's creative play, gift boxes, ornaments and more.
Drew DeRose
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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.
Fancy That Gift & Décor
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Fancy That Gift & Decor, Inc. celebrated its 18th anniversary in August, 2019. Owners, Steve and Carmen Mendelson, have used their experience in gift and home decor to build a company that takes pride in providing quality Coastal Decor products and service with the highest levels of integrity always at the forefront.
Fhasso
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Brazil-based Fhasso features distinctive, artistic pet beds made in Viet Nam out of bamboo.
First & Main
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Since 1993, the goal of First & Main has been to create imaginative, sumptuously soft plush characters with the versatility and value endorsed by our retail partners. Attention to detail in the facial expressions, special features,and textured materials has been our trademark.
Freeheart
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Founded in 2011, Freeheart is based in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida. Freeheart is committed to delivering the absolute best quality and innovation on the market. Freeheart thermal insulated drinkware is Made in the USA and keeps drinks cold & hot, has reduced sweating, and is dishwasher safe.
Gina B. Designs
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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.
Global Quest
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Global Quest provides quality unique patent and TM registered stainless steel product brands for your home, kitchen, and dining. Including stainless steel wine glasses, mechanical beer bottle openers, beer insulators, vintage metal ice trays, wine cooler buckets, and crown cake toppers.
Gracefully Designs
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Valerie Bailey (Val Bailey Designs) designs creative and colorful Bible tabs to enhance Bible journaling. These colorful Bible tabs make it easy to locate the books of the Bible so you can spend more time reading and journaling and less time searching!
Green Rhino
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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.
Hawaii Bee Company
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Hawaii Bee Company is a family owned and operated business located on the Big Island of Hawaii. The company produces Award winning raw honey, and raw honey comb.
Hilson Gallery
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Hilson Gallery, based in Spokane, WA, features the colorful art of Sandra Hilson on a variety of products, such as large and small handbags, tote bags and face masks.
Holiday Fried Pecans
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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!
Hot Ruby
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Hot Ruby is the perfect addition to your mug on a cozy evening. Unlike typical cider, Hot Ruby's family recipe marries cranberry and citrus juices with an exquisite blend of spices. Add your favorite spirits for a special treat! Hot Ruby is certain you will find comfort in every heated or iced cup of Hot Ruby, time and time again.
Huggy Box
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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.
Innovative Technology Products Corp.
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Innovative Technology Products Corp. is a 2017 start-up enterprise of engineers and scientists, who have committed themselves to utilize their creativity, design and other capacities to develop and /or redefine versatile reusable household helpers and other everyday consumer products. Innovative's motto “AVOID PLASTIC – USE SILICONE” is a first step. It is the company's contribution to protect open ocean waters from plastics pollution. Adopting and supporting it means buying reusable silicone products rather than conventional one-way plastic products; thus, you contribute to and also become part of our community and campaign to “SAVE OUR PLANET”.
Jillson Roberts
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Jillson & Roberts was founded with the idea of providing premium quality fashion-oriented gift wrap and accessories, along with superior service, to retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada. We have the commitment to be environmentally sensitive!
JTP Wholesale
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JTP Wholesale is a wholesale website offering monogrammed coasters, IcyBags, and Keeping It Positive affirming sheets and pillowcases.
Kai Pua
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Floral oil paintings of Hawaiian flowers, blown glass sculpture and jewelry, handcrafted in Maui, Hawaii.
Lins Lace
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Lins Lace is a major importer of the finest hand embroidery products, like beddings, cushion covers, chair covers, baby clothings, baby accessories, guest towels, handkerchiefs, rugs, table linens, and more, for over 25 years.
Magnolia Lane Collection
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At Magnolia Lane, our desire is to produce gifts that become part of celebrations, memories, and family treasures. Our licensed tailgating products, Christmas line, The South collection, and outdoor decor will enhance and compliment every occasion! We are proud of what we do and are ever grateful and dedicated to our customers.
Maha CBD
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Maha CBD features the healing properties of CBD oil. “Maha” is an ancient Sanskrit word that can be translated to mean greatness, strength, and abundance. It is the qualities we seek to embody at Maha CBD. Our CBD products are made from organic, natural hemp grown under sunlight, not a heat lamp. Processed and bottled here in the USA, we take pride to ensure the meaning of “Maha” is exemplified in every step of the process. Before any of our products are sold, we make sure a third party that determines quality and accuracy tests them. We take quality seriously— our third party testing makes sure no bias impacts the quality of our products.
Nature's Retreat
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Maryland-based Nature's Retreat features several lines inclucing Aromatherapy Jewelry, Chakra Jewelry, Crystal Healing Bags, Essential Oils and Healing and Smudge.
Neon Nightlife
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Neon Nightlife's glowing products are the perfect ice breaker for singles or the stuff the younger ones fight over. Regardless of where you are you'll be drawing tons of attention to your group. Our products are eye catchers in bars, clubs, concerts, electric glow runs, LED parties, Halloween and anywhere that crowds congregate. Most products come with a battery pack that controls different strobe modes.
Pat Pearlman Designs
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Since 1971, Pat Pearlman has been designing jewelry.
Her work has been influenced by the delicacy and sensuality of Art Nouveau, and the fascinating shapes and variety of the earth’s inhabitants. Her images exemplify her love of nature and gemstones, and her interest in symbolism and simplicity.
Pure Factory Naturals
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Pure Factory Naturals collections, including Flip Flop Foot Repair,Splash. The collection includes lip balm, foot repair, body lotion, hand cream, solid lotion bar, salt glow, skin repair.
Pure Mana Hawaii
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Pure Mana Hawaii Founders Sue Mandini and Kollette Stith bring the wisdom of living close to the land and in harmony with nature's rhythms to the marketplace in their luxury skincare line. Built from the ground up, the brand features wild harvested ingredients and a synergy of raw, wild macadamia nut oil and green coffee bean oil, grown on their family's certified organic farm, Mahina Mele in Hawaii.
Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.
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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.
Rudolph and Me
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Joe and Sue Brielmann have taken their combined experience of over 28 years in personalized products and design to create one of the fastest growing cart businesses in the country. Their creative ability, attention to detail, and the highest standards for quality and customer support, are among the reasons Rudolph and Me has experienced such huge growth.
Sanis Enterprises
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Sanis Enterprises offers a large selection of elegant and stylish, quality desk clocks, the latest styles in fashion watches, executive gifts, credit card cases and multi tools, just to name a few. Gifts that celebrate life’s special moments.
Sincere Surroundings
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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
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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.
Snazzy & Company
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Snazzy and Company's sea-glass jewelry uses mostly recycled glass and the metals the company selects are environmentally friendly. Founder Anna Shaw researches and designs every charm herself and continues to use local help to assemble and create her jewelry. "Because Life is not Black and White."
SOi Essentials
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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
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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.
Studio B Inc.
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Your Place for 1,000’s of Unique Licensed Posters, Art, Stickers & Collector Pins. An industry leader for over 30 years with the best collection of Music, Movies, Nostalgia, Comics, Art, Anime, Blacklight, Landscapes, etc… Products are available for Resale in Stores, Online, Colleges, Conventions & Anywhere you exhibit!
Sunset Vista Designs
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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.
Sweetsmith Candy Company
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The Alberta, Canada company was founded by Dannah Davies in the summer of 2012, recognizing the need for allergen friendly, delicious treats; she decided to take the opportunity to both pursue her passion for experimental cooking, and provide the much-needed reprieve from the uninspiring sweets available to those with wheat, soy, dairy and egg sensitivities.
Ted Dailey Jewelry
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Award winning artist, Ted Dailey, incorporates a variety of materials with his silver and gold vermeil jewelry: South Pacific shells, high quality gemstones and Hawaiian Koa wood. Each unique piece of his jewelry is skillfully designed in the heart of Hawaii, reflects his 40+ years of enjoying life on the Big Island and is handmade on the exotic island of Bali.
Tizo Design
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Lines include Tizo and Siena frames in a variety of styles and colors plus elegant candleholders from tea lights to pillar candles. The site also features boxes and trays in a variety of materials.
Vi Bella:
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We are excited to offer you gorgeous fashion accessories with a purpose that your shoppers are sure to love. When you become a wholesale partner with Vi Bella, you provide a product that will connect your customers with a deeper cause; providing ethical employment to our Artisan teams in Haiti and Mexico.
Vintage Girl:
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Inspirational stationery and home decor, featuring the work of owner-artist Michelle DeFillipo. Michelle uses her love of inspirational words, vintage paper, architecture and color to inspire and uplift. Her artwork expresses a range of sentiments from the sincere appreciation of a true friend to self motivation for each day.
White Elephant
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White Elephant has been in the wholesale business for more than 25 years, with a promise of best quality products and prices for their customers. The company's home decor is exclusive, designed and handmade by their own carvers with love and care. White Elephant offers a wide variety of products and there is something for everyone.
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.
Christina's World®
KraftWorks
Whimsy Me 
Wild Hare Designs
