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.