Holiday And Special Occasion | Welcome to FGmarket Buzz

TRICK OR TREAT

August 16, 2006 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

There is no TRICK in ringing up Halloween sales when you TREAT your customers to an exciting array of Halloween products. You can coordinate Halloween costumes, decorations, and party ideas that will appeal not only to the young, but to the young at heart.

Halloween is the second biggest shopping holiday for retailers, generating more than Six Billion Dollars in Sales! According to a survey by the International Mass Retail Association, approximately 82% of all Americans purchase costumes, masks, games, decorations and candy, along with other items for Halloween. FG Market has highlighted a few vendors that have a variety of Halloween costumes, party, and decorating ideas.
According to Robert J. Verdisco, President of International Mass Retail Association, “Halloween is becoming as much a holiday for adults as it is for children.” The Ancient Egyptian Collection has costumes, jewelry and party favors for Halloween and for other types of parties as well. Why not suggest to the adventuresome shopper the unique Egyptian-inspired treasures from the Ancient Egyptian Collection?
For an unforgettable evening, host a Halloween Party with an Egyptian theme. Make a dramatic entrance wearing an exotic Egyptian costume and the replica jewelry from King Tut’s Tomb. Then, carry out the theme with Egyptian decorations such as genuine Egyptian Papyrus Paintings. And for just one night, slip the surly bonds of earth, when wearing the Ancient Egyptian Collection’s newest creation, the mythological ISIS WINGS. Why? Because Inside Every Woman Is a Goddess Waiting To Fly!

Choosing a line of Halloween costumes for young children is important. The award-winning company, BDay Parties furnishes fun and functional clothes that provide hours of imaginary play. Set the stage for fun BOO, not disappointed, BOO HOO! Young children enjoy emulating their favorite characters. What fun to arrive at a Halloween party dressed as a cowboy or cowgirl, a pirate, a knight or a princess (Our Reversible Princess Costume is a winner of the 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award).
Bday Parties LLC is the manufacturer of wholesale Dress up Buddies Wholesale Dress up Costumes and accessories, and Par T Buddies wholesale unstuffed animal kits. These ‘make your own’ teddy bear or animal kits are great for gifts, crafts, parties or any special occasion. The wholesale party favors and dress up accessories are based on popular childhood party themes. You will find the perfect product for your retail store when selling costumes, accessories, party favors and gifts by Bday Parties.
Customers will find whimsical plush toys for the upcoming Halloween season, when they shop from the First & Main product line. Each of their plush pieces is stitched with love. Discover exciting and captivating plush products for every gift occasion. Check out First & Main and its wholesale collection of teddy bears and plush animal lines, along with their unusual, and appealing plush product characters.

Here are just a few of the plush products from First & Main. Pumpkin Pals are festive fall and Halloween decorative gift items. Start a collection of these charming plush toys with quirky attitudes to match. Names such as Candy Monster, Frankie, Batso, Bando and Esmeralda add to the fun of these wholesale plush pals that are all dressed up in festive costumes featuring satin, vinyl, and felt accents.
Petal Pushers are just the right additions to Halloween flowers and gifts. Cute, plush teddy bears are hugging floral vases that make two perfects gifts in one. The All Occasion Characters are excellent just because gifts and these everyday plush gift selections stimulate impulse purchases and produce great add-on sales.
Consumer trends indicate that Halloween is the third largest party occasion, after New Years and The Super Bowl. When customers are looking for the right decorations for their Halloween party, you can recommend PARTY DECO. Whether hosting a small group or a large gathering, PARTY DECO has a full selection of party supplies.

PARTY DECO provides Table Centerpieces, Hanging Fountains, Balloon Weights, Coin and Star Fountains, Centerpiece Sprays, Wire Garland, Pull Out Garland, Curtains, Fringe & Skirting, Columns & Windsocks, Drop Fringes, Confetti, Streamers, Closeouts, and Hardware. After viewing the outstanding selection of party products from PARTY DECO, even the most “party-challenged” will be inspired by the great Halloween decorations and Halloween party ideas.
As Halloween becomes more popular, consumers begin shopping earlier. Research indicates that 20% of consumers will have started their Halloween shopping by the end of September. Another 20% will begin shopping in early October. By mid-October, 21% of customers will be shopping, and 12% will do last-minute shopping.
Wholesalers and retailers can coordinate Halloween costumes, indoor and outdoor decorations, party themes and party favors for this rapidly growing market. With billions of dollars in sales, Halloween offers a tremendous opportunity for you to Listen to The Cash Register Ring. Browse through the featured product lines from these and many other Halloween and Party Suppliers listed on FGMarket.com to help make your fall season successful.

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

June 2, 2006 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

It’s nearly time for Independence Day – that annual summertime holiday when everyone feels just a little more patriotic than usual, and the color combination of red, white and blue becomes, temporarily, fashionable. It’s also a time when a lot of folks decorate with flags and banners and such, go on a picnic, march in a parade, or have a big community celebration.
You’ll want to be ready with a stock of patriotic-themed decorations and other festive merchandise to help get the party going (and the cash register ringing!), so we’ve gathered a few vendors from the extensive FG Market listings to help make your Fourth-of-July buying easier, more convenient, and more successful!
What would Independence Day be without red, white and blue bunting draped from every balcony, window ledge and viewing stand? The place to get it is AllStates Flag Co., whose company motto is, “helping you lower the costs of raising your flag.” AllState has bunting in several patriotic styles and in a tremendous variety of sizes. It’s sold in sections, so you can get just what you need to decorate, for example, your storefront. But their real strength is in flags. They carry American flags in every size, every style, and every sort of material, from the small, hand-held ones you wave at parades to the gigantic flags that are hung in public buildings.

Allstates is proud to offer the highest quality and longest lasting indoor and outdoor U.S. flags available, which go well beyond Federal Government specifications. In addition to American flags, they also stock the flags of all the U.S. states and Canadian provinces as well as an excellent selection of flags from around the world. Their website is a wealth of information about flag history and etiquette, and a source of answers to frequently asked questions pertaining to the U.S. Flag Code.
For other creative representations of Old Glory, first check out the elegant beauty of the Stained Glass Flag from Glass Graphic Imaging. New technology allows GGI the ability to make this design by screen printing, using special techniques and processes, and assuring that, just like traditional stained glass, it will last virtually forever.

If the rustic, “down-home” look is more your approach, then take a look at the primitive style American flag signs at Blackwater Folk Art. Hand-painted on recycled tin, these flags have the rural charm of a country cottage. They’re available in two sizes, and the smaller one bears the phrase “God Bless America, Land That I Love” hand-lettered on bottom portion.
Generate a lot of attention-grabbing excitement with the wind-catching products from Super Quality Groups, Inc.. Under the very appropriate heading of “Patriotic Wind Magic”, you’ll find spinning flowers, wind socks, wind wheels in single, double and triple versions, spiral wind twisters, sun catcher balls – even the American Eagle in two wind-driven versions. Animation of any kind always captures the interest of shoppers.

Create a window display of these items with a fan or two blowing from “off stage”, and passersby will stop to see what all the activity is about. Everyone in your neighborhood will want one or more of these imaginative products for their lawns or gardens, and Super Quality Groups’ excellent prices will allow you to stock plenty of them in inventory. The old-fashioned weathervane is soon to become obsolete as these spinning wind-catchers point the way to profits!
Appropriately named All-American Balloon Supply has literally everything in the way of patriotic and Fourth of July themed balloons and related supplies, including dozens of choices in both latex and foil balloons in all shapes and sizes. Standouts include the 3-foot diameter clear latex balloon with glow-in-the-dark stars all around it, the clear bubble balloon with fireworks all around the outside and 3-dimensional, inflated stars with the American flag motif on the inside, and the large scale, 45″ horizontal Patriotic Shooting Star and 33″ tall Uncle Sam Hat shapes.

In addition to all the usual balloon and helium-related supplies, All-American also carries hats, balloon weights, star cut-outs, gift bags, patriotic print ribbon, and specialty star top-printed latex balloons for columns and arches; everything needed to produce a high-flying and spirited Fourth of July party!
And finally, ring up those impulse sales with a display of LED flashing magnetic Body Pins from D.C. Creations. With all sorts of patriotic themes to choose from, like a map of the U.S.A., Uncle Sam’s hat, an American flag, a heart, a ribbon, a dove, and more items decorated with stars and stripes, these clever, inexpensive pins actually attach by means of a small but powerful magnet placed inside the clothes or behind the lapel. Turn clockwise to make them come on; counterclockwise turns them off – no clothing is ever damaged.

With magnets placed behind the earlobes, the pins can even become fun earrings! Young women of all ages will enjoy wearing these patriotic pins during the holiday time. Be sure to display them close to the cash register.
These are just some of the patriotic products available from the many fine vendors at FG Market.com. For more ideas, visit the Patriotic listings under the Holiday and Special Occasion heading on the FG Market web pages.

It’s just like making a trip to Market without ever leaving your shop … and soon it will be “stars and stripes forever” at your store, just in time for Independence Day!

Fathers Day Finds

May 5, 2006 by FGmarket 1 Comment

With Fathers Day fast approaching – June 18th this year – you’ll want to be sure you have the merchandise on hand that will help your customers find the perfect gift for that guy who’s always “so hard to buy for”. Fortunately, we’ve already done some of the shopping for you.

From books and framed artwork to novelty candles and masculine skin care products, we’ve got the goods! The vendors listed on FGMarket’s Fathers Day Holiday and Special Occasion pages are full of great gift ideas, sure to please dear ol’ Dad. To discover the particulars, keep reading…
For starters, Workman Publishing Company is a publisher that’s always around big ideas. Specializing in books, calendars, and popular trends, Workman has a commitment to publishing them with a mixture of care and innovation. Perhaps more telling is the fact that over two-thirds of all the books they’ve published in the last twenty-eight years are still in print, with a fair share of titles that have topped the one million mark. Their Top Ten Gift Ideas for Dads include such books as “Me and My Dad” (dozens of touching testimonies about dads straight from their kids) and “Famous Last Words” (a collection of the notable parting statements of well-known individuals).

More great books for dads can be found at Willow Creek Press. Among their Father’s Day suggestions are several titles geared toward the outdoorsman, including “Eat Like a Wild Man”, a collection of some of the wildest, most delicious wild game and fish recipes that Sports Afield magazine has published over the last 110 years.
Another good choice is the endearing “Just Dads”, a unique gift book that combines engaging and interesting male animal parenting photographs with insightful fatherhood quotations. Willow Creek Press is dedicated to providing retailers with quality books, calendars and greeting cards at competitive discounts with fast and flawless customer service.

Dads who like to fish, or are simply outdoor enthusiasts, will appreciate the clever Fly Candles from Brookins. These high-quality, clear gel candles feature a variety of authentic fishing flies and their leader lines, hand-tied by creative anglers, “floating” in a river-bottom scene of rocks and gravel, all contained within an apothecary-type glass jar.
A gel candle will burn roughly three times longer than a comparable, traditional paraffin wax candle. Available in two sizes and a number of natural scents that are reminiscent of the great outdoors, such as “Tall Timber” and “Montana Sage”, when the Fly Gel Candle is lit in a dark room, the river scene comes alive as if the suns rays were casting down on the rocks below.

A wide variety of Fathers Day gifts, including books about how to clean and cook the fish you’ve just caught, can be found at MistCo, Inc.. Mistco’s line focuses on a strong nature, wildlife and water life theme, offering an extensive selection of quality gift items, souvenirs, novelties, and of course books which encompass these subjects.
Highlights include painted metal candle holders with wildlife themes, beautiful pewter or wood picture frames, heavy cast-aluminum paper weights and memo holders, and wine accessories, such as corkscrews and bottle stoppers. In order to keep up with ever-changing trends, Mistco is continually adding new items to the line, giving retailers fresh, new ideas and merchandise that uniquely blends current styles into their nature themes.

Dads who work with their hands, tend their gardens, play tennis, ride their bicycles, or spend a lot of time outdoors need to pay special attention to their skin with products specifically for masculine skin care needs.
Awakening Mineral Therapies For Healthy Skin is the formulator of unique, proprietary, mineral-rich skin care products for active hands, feet and skin. Their concentrated, non-sticky, non-greasy creams and lotions require just a single drop to treat both hands. They are made with essential oils and botanical extracts, ingredients reported to have beneficial impact on the health of skin, and are loaded with minerals from the Dead Sea, including potassium, a natural hydrator, and magnesium, a natural anti-allergen for all skin types. Awakening Hands is a serious, ultra-potent, moisture therapy for hard working hands, with a subtle aroma of ginger with cinnamon & myrrh. Awakening Skin is an ideal four-season health maintenance regimen for all skin exposed to the elements, including the face, and has an understated aroma of the Rose of Sharon. These and their other fine products are packaged in a variety of sizes and formats.

More great gift ideas come from Colorfair, whose website offers a large body of artwork in a wide range of sizes, pricing and subject matter. These beautiful framed prints are rich with themes of nature and wildlife, sea coasts, waterfronts and lighthouses, golf, travel, and the Old West.
Colorfair has two in-house artists that do artist remarques (hand-painted extensions of the original scene) on the mats and frames of pictures, resulting in unique and fascinating presentations. This allows the retailer to sell original artwork without the expense of an entire original piece. Any of these upscale works of art could be a wonderful, decorative addition to a wall in Dad’s office or den.

And finally, at the very least, a charming Fathers Day greeting card may be just the thing that your customer needs.
You’ll find some excellent choices among the Passages line of cards from Cardthartic. With poetic photographic images on the front, accompanied by simple but sincere messages inside, there is something for everyone in this tasteful collection. Cardthartic’s motto, “honor your emotions”, comes through in every card they produce.

You’re sure to discover more outstanding gift ideas among the listings on FGMarket’s Fathers Day Holiday and Special Occasion pages, so take a look. But don’t delay! That special day when we honor the men who have contributed so much to our lives is just a few weeks away, and you’ll want to be ready when their sons and daughters come looking for “just the right thing”.

Special Gifts for Special Moms part 3 of 3

April 21, 2006 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

This newsletter is the third and final installment of our series featuring some of the wonderful Mother’s Day Holiday and Special Occasion gift vendors listed on FGMarket.com.

For almost half a century, Fitz and Floyd has been recognized as the undisputed leader in the design and manufacture of hand-painted ceramic giftware and unique home decor collectibles. Their suggestions for Mother’s Day include the Flora & Fauna Collection, featuring a garden of bright flowers, white rabbits and tasty vegetables embellishing platters, pitchers, plates, a pair of salt and pepper shakers, and other tableware and figurines. The Garden Rhapsody series includes decorative pieces such as a pillar candle holder, a vase, a lidded box, and a small or large basket among other items, rendered in pastel-colored flowers, bunnies and ducklings.
Another collection, Old World Rabbits, includes a canape plate in the form of a flower-filled basket, a teapot shaped like an elegant lady hare dressed in Tyrolean attire, a similar lady rabbit posed as a candle stick, and a beautiful cookie jar, also shaped like a basket of flowers being visited by a delicate butterfly. Often quite elegant, sometimes whimsical, Fitz and Floyd is always a prized and treasured gift, destined to become a family heirloom.

You’ll find country cottage-inspired gifts at Classic Cottage Charm, where ‘shabby-chic’ is the order of the day. Their decorative wall signs, hand-painted in a variety of colors and design motifs, feature warm sentiments like “Welcome”, “Home Sweet Home”, and “Practice Happiness”. The pink-striped “Queen Mom” sign might just be a hot seller for Mother’s Day!
Adorable Cottage Birdhouses are available in two sizes and an array of colors and can be used indoors or out. The darling six-inch Candle Sticks come in six different color and design patterns. Framed Cottage Prints are copies from the artists’ hand-painted original artwork, one of which bears a poem entitled Mother: “I’ve got a sweetheart, and I would have no other. She’s more than all the world to me, because her name is ‘Mother'”. Irresistible!

For more home, garden and patio gifts, take a look at the delightful merchandise offered by Georgetown Home and Garden. Their stained glass Sun Catches are lively and colorful, featuring design themes like frogs, fairies, mermaids, flamingoes, parrots and other characters. Frogs and fairies also form the basis of their line of copper and stained glass Garden Stakes. Whimsical metal sculpture planters are created in the shapes of dogs, cats, angels, old farm vehicles, even a four-piece train set, and are designed to hold standard-sized grower pots. The clever products created by the artisans at Georgetown have a sense of humor and heart, and they’re sure to appeal to moms everywhere.

One could say that the items offered by Cranberry Barn are both home- and heart-warming. Moms will love their nostalgic collection of homey Jar Candles, in a variety of shapes and sizes. Poured in classic apothecary jars, rustic mason or jelly jars with wooden lids, or 1940-style glass “kitchen” boxes, these candles are loaded with personality. Choose from among dozens of enticing and original scents, like “Basil & Nectarine”, “Bayberry & Twigs”, “Granny’s Kitchen”, and “Canadian Wilderness”.
Their unique 25-watt electric warmers are made of perforated tin in several styles, evoking Americana-style craftsmanship and perfect for slowly melting the little one-ounce MudPies, which are designed to add fragrance to the home. Cranberry Barn also produces a line of fragranced rosehip potpourri with aromas like “Buttery Maple”, “Coffee Cake & Spice”, and “Cinnamon Medley”. These blends come packaged in a clear cello bag labeled with old brown paper bag stock and tied with a homespun rag.
As you can readily see, the vendors of FGMarket have a wonderful selection of Mother’s Day gift ideas. And we’ve barely scratched the surface. You’ll find even more great ideas and outstanding suppliers among the Mothers Day Holiday & Special Occasion suppliers listed on the FGMarket website. Each of them is eager to help you meet the needs of your Mother’s Day shoppers. It couldn’t be easier!
Every mom really is special, and every mother’s child wants to let that special woman know just how much she is truly loved with a distinctive and inspired Mother’s Day gift. Be the source of that gift this year. Do your shopping at FGMarket and make your mama proud!

Special Gifts for Special Moms, part 1 of 3

March 26, 2006 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

Well, whose mom isn’t special? With Mother’s Day approaching soon – May 14th this year – your customers will be looking for unique cards and gifts for that special woman who means so much to them. It’s time to stock your store with the kinds of appealing merchandise that will allow them to find just the right thing, and FGMarket is ready to help you satisfy their needs. We’ve gathered together a sampling from our roster of exceptional vendors who can supply you with merchandise that will delight your customers and set you apart from the crowd. Special moms deserve special gifts, and you can find them right here.
A charming line of cards is available from Buffalo Gals, Inc. Their distinctive, beautiful cards feature Victorian, art deco, and art nouveau designs, literary quotations, and heartfelt greetings. Reviving the style of artwork that was found on postcards and in children’s books at the turn of the last century, the cards evoke a sweet sense of femininity and nostalgia. In addition to several Mother’s Day selections, the company also produces blank note cards that may be sold individually or in boxes of ten. You can feel good about your purchase from Buffalo Gals; ten percent of profits is donated to charities that support primary education, women’s health, and parenting skills.

Blue Turtle Studio is another company with a conscience, supporting animal welfare and environmental causes with a portion of their profits. Their handmade cards are truly beautiful! Designs are cut from the artist’s original or laser prints of her large abstract watercolor paintings. The images are then placed on handmade paper, many styles of which have a variety of flower and plant inclusions. No two are exactly alike. A range of acrylic display units, including counter top, wall mounted, and freestanding models, is available as well.
Blue Turtle Studio also produces an exquisite line of jewelry. Artist/owner Allison Thibos has designed most of the settings that bear her abstract watercolors, creating a new, unique line of “watercolor gems” set in sterling silver. When customers see this jewelry, they can’t believe that some of the stones are actually watercolors covered with a glass-like resin to preserve them, and to make them shine and shimmer like real stones. Select from pendants and necklaces, pins, earrings, bracelets and watches, or complete jewelry sets.

Angels are a common motif among the pewter pins, charms and other jewelry offered by Chelsea International. Angels are popular collectibles, too, and for Mother’s Day, Chelsea has designed a sweet little angel pin. She’s clutching a heart between her hands, and the word “MOM” is engraved across the bottom of her skirt. The pin is affixed to a pink-toned card that bears a lovely “thank you” verse addressed to “a special Mom”. Angels of all sorts dominate the line, but other pins and charms feature whimsical animals, flowers, sports themes, crosses and more.
It can often be difficult to find a gift for a fashion-conscious mom. Styles come and go so fast. But whatever her taste in clothing, the gorgeous, hand-dyed silk scarves created by K.A.T.’s Silks are sure to delight her. They really are exquisite! The beauty of silk is that it is warm when the weather is cool and cool when it is warm.

All silk designs created by K.A.T.’s are treated to be washed and dried. No dry-cleaning required! K.A.T.’s silks are created in a mixed medium process, which combines batik, French painting, and marbling. Various floral or foliage motifs, among other patterns, are set against abstract backgrounds in a wide variety of colors or stripe combinations. All scarves will be packaged in plastic cylindrical tubes for shipment in a box. They are steamed and ready for display. No matter what type of store you have, these beautiful and versatile scarves are sure sellers.
For more information, watch for part 2 of FGMarket’s newsletter series featuring more great gift ideas for Mother’s Day.
Find these and other fine wholesalers and suppliers of Mother’s Day gift items in our FGMarket Mothers Day Holiday and Special Occasion vendors’ category.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail – Jewelry, Candy & Other Gift Ideas for Easter

February 22, 2006 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

As promised, this newsletter features jewelry, Easter candy and chocolates, as well as other wonderful gift ideas for Easter and Springtime from a few of the excellent wholesale companies and suppliers listed on FGMarket.com!
Of course, more than just eggs may be tucked into an Easter basket. Inexpensive jewelry makes a nice gift and is always popular as an impulse purchase. Many women like to wear themed jewelry during holiday seasons. A delightful line of hand-painted pins and magnets is available from Pins by Joanie. Bunnies, butterflies, spring flowers and other motifs are rendered in a cute, folk art style using acrylic paints on a wood backing. Many items are available in gift sets, which allow the purchaser to keep one and give the others away. Take a look also at the unique art charm jewelry offered by Anne Garrison Designs, featuring vintage photo and postcard images and light-hearted sentiments that may be worn on a bracelet or a pendant. The old-fashioned bunnies and chicks are nothing short of … charming!
Rounding out the holiday jewelry selection are the very reasonably priced earrings, necklaces and chokers from Becky’s Collection . Here you’ll find an extensive line of Easter themed gift items ranging from whimsical to religious. Be sure to see the really cute stretch bracelets with Easter motifs at very affordable prices you can pass on to customers.

As traditional as the Easter bunny, Easter eggs, daffodils and Easter lilies, what Easter gift basket would be complete without an assortment of jelly beans, chocolate-covered bunnies or other Easter candy favorites that are popular among the young and young-at-heart! Arndt’s Fudgery, LLC makes their famous homemade fudge fresh everyday in a variety of sizes and packages that make ideal add-on gifts for holidays. They offer fudge by the pound, fudge gift baskets in 1 ½ lb. or 2 ½ lb. sizes, 16 oz. and 32 oz. fudge gift tins, as well as their 8 oz. Fudge Easter Bunny and 12 oz. Fudge Easter Egg, both available in either chocolate or peanut butter fudge flavors. Choose any of Arndt’s quality fudge items to add a touch of homemade gourmet goodness to the Easter gift baskets you create this year!
Another unique candy supplier, Scripture Candy, offers a wide variety of popular sweet treats packaged in special wrappers that have prayers and Bible scriptures imprinted on them. The company’s founding principle, “Reach The World One Piece At A Time,” has been the basis for their unique candy packaging concept since the company’s inception in 1996. A candy line for Easter features their Jelly Bean Prayer Bottle, filled with assorted jelly bean candies and a special message explaining what each jelly bean color represents. Jelly beans are also available in individual packs with religious sentiments on the wrapper. Other eye-catching sweet treats include their Scripture Pops, sold in a 60-count bucket of 10 different colors and flavors like Watermelon, Bubble Gum, Hawaiian Punch, Cherry and Sour Apple, as well as their smaller Faith Pops, available in 6 oz. bags or 80 count jars.

For many people, it is the original, inspirational message of Easter that has the most meaning, and for those customers you’ll find a wide selection of gifts at Abbey Press. Featuring a large variety of wall hangings, figurines, plaques, light catchers, prayer cards and the like, Abbey is fully supplied to help you serve the Christian market. New products this year include a resin “Crown of Thorns” Lenten wreath with candles, as well as a tastefully framed print of the stirring “Hang it on The Cross” poem.
We’ve just begun to uncover all the Easter treasures waiting at FGMarket. But, contrary to popular advice, we’ve gathered all the “eggs” into one basket (so to speak) by bringing together a wealth of products under the same virtual roof. Be sure to visit all of the fine FGMarket vendors listed under the Easter Holiday and Special Occasion heading to discover all you’ll need to fill your own basket and generate a successful Easter selling season. Remember, it won’t be long before Peter Cottontail is on his way … so hop to it!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail – Easter Plush Animals, Eggs & Baskets

February 20, 2006 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

Though there’s still snow on the ground in some parts of the country, others are already beginning to see flowers on the forsythias and crocus blooms pushing up from the warming soil, all of which means that spring is soon to arrive – even for those areas where the seasons don’t really change. And with spring comes the celebration of Easter; April 16th this year, to be exact. It’s a time for new shoes and new hats, colored eggs and chocolate bunnies. For many, it’s a time of faithful reflection. For retailers, the Easter season presents a fresh opportunity for sales as customers awaken from a sort of winter hibernation of their own and begin looking for the gifts, decorations, and other things they’ll want to help commemorate this special time of year. Since the Easter Bunny can’t do it all by himself, you’ll want to get a jump on the holiday by stocking some of the outstanding products available from FGMarket’s extensive listings of vendors.

What would Easter be without a bunny (or some other gentle little creature) to cuddle?! Fortunately you’ll never have to think about the answer to that question with an ample supply of plush animals from Douglas Cuddle Toys, Inc. In business for 50 years now, Douglas is known in the gift and toy industry for their plush dogs, cats and horses with endearing expressions, unique gestures and irresistible softness. More recently, their line has expanded to feature fun and functional plush decor and accessory items. For Easter, there are bunnies named Cotton, Hickory Nut, Dutch Boy and Peach Fuzz (among others), a chick named Butter, a lamb named Dandelion, and ducklings named Sunny and Slicker, each created with the same extraordinary cuddle-ability the company is famous for. A line of colorful pastel bunnies rounds out the Easter selection, as well as a new Lil’ Nugget Sassy Pet Sak rabbit with greenish fur and orange ears named Carrot Patch, tucked into a little handbag decorated with carrots.
For rabbits in a larger scale, check out the ones at Ditz Designs. Their Standing Rabbit, available in brown or gray, is a towering 44 inches tall. He’s available natural or dressed as the Easter Bunny in a top hat and a purple vest and bow tie, carrying a basket with eggs. What a great character for a window display! There’s also a smaller, chubby-cheeked bunny in the line named, appropriately, Hugs. At 20 inches long, Hugs is also available in either gray or brown. It is the fine attention to detail that adds to the realism of these rabbits and makes them so appealing.

Even though Christmas has just passed, there are some folks who just can’t get enough of tree decorating. In fact, it’s become quite popular in many areas to decorate an Easter Tree, which might be a leafless, living shrub or tree in the front yard or a dried or artificial one indoors. In any case, an Easter Tree needs ornaments, and there are some beautiful ones to be had from Arreola Designs. Choose from among several dozen different Easter and spring motifs, hand-painted on real eggs which are suspended by a loop of satin ribbon. Arreola also has a couple of exquisite blown glass, egg-shaped ornaments, hand-decorated in floral motifs. These are undoubtedly better left hung on the indoor tree.
Eggs are such an integral part of Easter, being so symbolic as they are of the renewal of life. Originally Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. In medieval times, eggs were traditionally given at Easter to the servants. In Germany, eggs were given to children along with other Easter gifts. Different cultures have developed different ways of decorating Easter eggs, some quite elaborately. Poles and Ukrainians, for example, traditionally embellish their eggs in the distinctive manner called pysanki. Melted beeswax is applied to the fresh white egg. It is then dipped in successive baths of dye. After each dip wax is painted over the area where the preceding color is to remain. Eventually a complex pattern of lines and colors emerges into a work of art. Pysanki eggs are a masterpiece of skill and workmanship.
Handmade faux eggs which are extremely realistic in size, weight and texture are available from Clay Concepts. Sold by the dozen, they range from goose egg through hen’s egg to bird egg in size and are lifelike in color. The bird eggs are also available with a natural speckled surface. For Easter, the hen eggs can be had in an assortment of pastel colors. These make great display props, and the naturalistic ones are good year-round sellers as kitchen decor and craft items.
If you’ve got eggs, you’re going to need a basket to put them in, and Baskets, Containers & More lists more than 40 styles of Easter baskets on their website, all of them at excellent prices. The selection includes pot covers, handled baskets, fruit baskets, bun baskets, fireside baskets, trellis baskets and more. Many are available painted in bright Easter pastels. Others are white-painted or natural. If you can’t find a useful Easter basket here, you’re just not looking hard enough!
For more information, watch for our upcoming newsletter, Here Comes Peter Cottontail – Jewelry, Candy, and Other Gift Ideas for Easter, part two of FGMarket’s newsletter series featuring some great gift ideas just in time for Easter and Springtime. Find these and other fine wholesalers and suppliers of Easter gift items in our FGMarket Easter Holiday and Special Occasion vendors’ category.

Valentines Day Is On Its Way – Jewelry and Other Gift Ideas

January 9, 2006 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

Jewelry and romantic collectibles are very popular gift choices for Valentines Day, and this occasion presents a great opportunity for selling these keepsakes, even if they’re not part of your usual product mix. In this newsletter issue, FGMarket.com showcases some excellent places to find hand-crafted jewelry, out-of-the-ordinary gift assortments, and Valentine’s Day treasures that customers will fall in love with. They’ll even enjoy adding to their own personal collections.
Messages of Love Jewelry carries a sparkling line of bejeweled bracelets, earrings, bookmarks and watch chains. Handcrafted with genuine Swarovski crystal beads, high-quality silver beads from Bali, freshwater pearls and other semi-precious gems, each item in the line is a special treasure. What’s more, each piece of jewelry is accompanied by a special message that helps the giver communicate his or her feelings toward the recipient.

More exquisitely crafted jewelry is available from The Glass Cafe, whose unique rings and pendants are sure to satisfy your visual appetite. They’re definitely worth a look! Delicate heart-shaped pendants come with a 16″ or 18″ choker in a variety of colors and treatments. Glass ‘Sparkle’ hearts (in the cooler colors) are manufactured with silver leaf, while the warmer-hued ‘Twinkle’ versions incorporate gold leaf. Their limited-edition heart rings are all accented with gold leaf. This product line is getting great reviews wherever it’s seen, and minimum order requirements are low enough that you can get into it without a big commitment in inventory.

Bryson Studios is a company that creates silver charms, bracelets, and new this year, gemstone necklaces, all cleverly packaged in handcrafted paper purses. The whimsical charms are 100% sterling silver and are accompanied by clever and witty fortunes, printed on vellum strips and attached to each charm with a ribbon. Each fortune is unique to the charm style; the umbrella, for instance, carries the message, “You will be showered with love.” Charms are sold individually packaged in one of three purse styles. The Valentine Collection features vivid red purses, each of which includes the choice of a silver charm (the ‘Cupid’ charm might be a good choice here). Other uses for the charm-within-a-purse include hanging it on a bottle of wine or champagne, tying it onto a gift-wrapped package, or affixing it to a greeting card. Bryson also offers a retail counter top display rack, which makes for easier sales.

More great Valentines Day gift ideas can be found at Our Name is Mud, manufacturers of ceramic ware such as over-size mugs, cereal bowls, picture frames, platters, etc. All of this company’s products are hand-painted, lead free, non-toxic, and dishwasher and microwave safe. Their sense of humor is visible in products like the Cereal Bowl for Lovers; terms of endearment like “Sweetie,” “Honey” and “Baby” encircle the rim, whereas inside the bottom of the bowl is a “Let’s go back to bed” message that’s revealed once all the cereal has been eaten. Also, especially suited for Valentines Day is the red, heart-shaped ceramic box, which says “I love you …” on the top, and “from the bottom of my heart” on the inside bottom. One more item that stands out (though not particularly romantic) is the scornful, yet entertaining “Ex-Boyfriends in Hell” votive candle holder.

Gift shops can find a selection of keepsake items at AE Wholesale, an importer that is able to offer a wide variety of merchandise at reasonable prices. One of their heart-shaped satin boxes (sold as a nested set of three) makes a lovely container for a special gift. Their gorgeous cut glass rose is beautifully detailed, right down to the leaves and thorns on the stem. They also have a modestly priced, double panel, hinged glass plaque that has the look of stained glass and carries an inspiring message of love. And their paired, frosted glass swan candle holder is a romantic gift that symbolizes so much.
Florists and gift basket makers can benefit from the products offered by Baskets, Containers and More. This is a great source of Valentine-themed merchandise, including white-painted baskets embellished with red hearts, glass and plastic vases and other vessels for fresh flowers, and heart-shaped ceramic containers that could be used by florists to create in-house special arrangements for the holiday. A plastic, heart-shaped box could be used to fill with candy and tuck into a gift basket.

We’ve hardly scratched the surface of all the Valentines Day goodies out there. You’ll find more quality vendors and even more products when you visit the Valentines Day Holiday & Special Occasion category at FGMarket.com.
Do it now; you don’t want to be caught with your quiver empty when it comes time to help Cupid fire one of his arrows of love! Let your shop be the destination for those who are seeking just the right thing to delight their heart’s desire.

Valentines Day Is On Its Way – Balloon Gift Ideas

November 29, 2005 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

Wonderful Valentines Day balloons, new balloon gift items, and unique valentine balloon ideas are featured in today’s newsletter, showcasing products from just a few of the excellent wholesale companies listed on FGMarket.com!
Balloons are another easy add-on sale that can be highly profitable. Your sales staff ought to suggest one or two of them with everything they sell, reminding your customers that they’ve got great visual impact. Fun and festive balloons are available from Hico Balloons, who carry a full line of everyday latex and foil balloons as well as all the accessories – such as ribbon, balloon sticks, weights, helium valves, air inflators, etc. – that go with them.

Their ‘Seasonal Promotions’ pages are updated monthly, so you’ll be able to check back for Valentines Day features, like the 18-inch one sided Valentine mylar patterns, 18-inch two sided Valentine mylar patterns, 36-inch Valentine mylar patterns, Valentines latex balloons, and other Valentine vases, accessories, and gifts.

For more inflatable ideas, visit the website of Betallic, one of the most innovative balloon manufacturers in the industry. Their outstanding line encompasses the new ‘Holographic’ designs, giving foil balloons that extra bit of sparkle.
Some of their latest products – just in time for Valentines Day – are the ‘Google-Eyes’ balloons. These 21-inch, heart-shaped balloons feature a variety of characters with those wiggly eyes that seem to move when you shake them. The dancing peanut declares “I’m Nuts About You” (what else could he say?). The cutest one may be the Boston terrier with the lipstick smudge on his forehead and the caption “Love At First Sight.”

Betallic also has a unique assortment of ceramic floral containers, mugs, picture frames, plush, and candy items that make it easy to create beautiful coordinating arrangements. Remember, Betallic products are only sold through local distributors, many of whom are listed on their website.

One of the most exciting products to hit the balloon industry is the amazing wrinkle-free Bubble Balloon from T K Innovations. These crystal clear balloons are intended to be inflated well past the “wrinkle stage” that would be recommended for most foil balloons. Many of the designs have smaller balloons of various sizes and shapes inserted within them, giving them a unique three-dimensional look.
For Valentines Day, TK offers a cluster of variously-sized red foil hearts floating within a clear bubble that’s printed with a “Happy Valentines Day” message. Or, select a bouncing inflated teddy bear inside a balloon that’s embellished with hearts, X’s and O’s.

Several patented inventions are the secret behind TK’s unique Bubble Balloons, which will last inflated from three to five weeks. No special equipment is needed. The company’s website features a video that explains how it’s all done.

Find these and other fine wholesalers and suppliers of Valentine’s Day gift items in our FGMarket Valentines Day Holiday & Special Occasion vendors’ category.

Valentines Day Is On Its Way – Plush Gift Ideas

November 10, 2005 by FGmarket Leave a Comment

As promised, today’s newsletter features wonderful Valentines Day teddy bears, stuffed animals, and plush gift items from just a few of the excellent wholesale companies listed on FGMarket.com!
Speaking of teddy bears, there are probably more plush animals sold at Valentines Day than during Christmas. According to their manufacturers, the bears at First & Main, Inc. have been “stitched with love.” Their Angel Bears sport cupid-like wings and wear dainty floral necklaces and headbands (cleverly draped over one ear). ‘Minky’ is an old-fashioned style teddy bear constructed of soft faux mink material, making him perfect for cuddling. ‘Tucker’ is a little shaggier, a little plumper, and wears an appropriately red bow around his neck. ‘Delaney’ is a white bear with a soft pink snout and a burgundy bow, make him an ideal Valentines Day messenger. First & Main offers an entire menagerie of bears, stuffed animals, and other plush characters – even people – designed especially for the holiday, as well as for year-round sales.

Another excellent source for Valentines Day stuffed animals and plush, Fiesta Toy Company has a website with several pages of whimsical critters that are dedicated to the occasion. From a wide range of bears, gorillas, puppies, tigers and other plush fauna, their 9″ Sitting Polka-Dot Frog has got to be the star! His big, floppy feet keep him balanced as he stretches his arms as wide as he can to reveal the words, “I love you THIS MUCH!” emblazoned on his belly. He’s irresistible, and he’s only one of a large selection of plush valentine creatures at Fiesta. A few noteworthy standouts include the floppy-eared, Assorted Comical Puppies, each dragging a string of hearts in his mouth, as well as the cuddly 9.5″ Sitting Bears, holding heart-shaped Valentine Gift Boxes that can be used to contain a special, personal Valentine’s Day surprise. Did someone say “diamond ring?” For flower shops and florists, Fiesta has a fun, loveable assortment of Vase Huggers – bears, monkeys, pandas and puppies – whose arms can easily slide over a valentines bud vase of roses. What a great, eye-catching way to upgrade an otherwise ordinary sale!

Retailers can enjoy special pricing on quantity purchases for Valentine’s Day and everyday, at Anico Plush. Browse their Everyday product section to find a vast array of plush bears in all shapes, sizes, colors and species, any of which could be easily spruced up for the holiday. ‘Minky Bear’ is especially soft, as his name implies, and he’s available in standing or lying down versions. Their Valentine 2006 collection features an assortment of adorable bears and puppies, appropriately decked out in pinks and reds with hats, ribbons, and heart accents. One especially cute shaggy white 11″ bear, with red nose and ears, carries a red heart that reads “XO XO.” There’s no mistaking that message!
Balloons are another easy add-on sale which can be highly profitable, but those important details will have to wait… Soon to come is FGMarket’s Valentines Day Is On Its Way – Balloon Gift Ideas. In part three of our series, we will showcase Valentines Day balloon gifts and products, as well as some of the latest design innovations in Valentine’s Day balloons and balloon accessories, specials on valentine balloon packages, valentine gift promotions, etc.
More quality Valentines Day gift vendors are easy to find in the Holiday and Special Occasion category at FGMarket.com!

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