We arrived on Thursday, January 8 in the afternoon, took the Marta from the airport, grabbed a quick sandwich and immediately started our search for fabulous gift items. Let's just say the afternoon was not very fruitful. Although we were finding new showrooms to shop, the items we were in search of, Wedding, Anniversary, Girlfriend, Birthday, and Baby Gift items just weren't good enough or different enough for my customers. Leaving the market Thursday evening we were a little frustrated, however did manage to find a few very adorable baby gifts for boys and girls along with a couple fun items for "Tweens".
Over dinner at Legal Seafood (very yummy), we planned our agenda for the next day, the first being a stop over to the never ending Building 3; our first stop was Bombay Duck and Santa Barbara, two very chic and hip companies. Bombay Duck, based in London, England offers fabulous gifts for all occasions. Just wait until you see the blingy letter key rings! They are a great size, high quality, and will be available very soon, later this month in the store. I also picked some really cute charm bracelets and charms that will be perfect for birthday gifts, and priced $15 and under.
Moving over to Santa Barbara, I couldn't resist the new Lolita Sundae Bowl, "Eating for Two", the perfect gift for a friend or family member that is expecting a little one. I had to add a "New Mommy" Wine Glass as well - that was just too cute! We found a few other classy and fun items and moved back to Building 2 starting at the very top, the 18th Floor.
I knew my favorite vendor showrooms would surely add or expand on their product line-up, and I was not disappointed. The photobox frames I carry in the store were shown with new sayings, sizes, colors and patterns. And you will absolutely love the new wine glass coasters and new matching wine bags. They are bright colors, and in new patterns and design shapes. My favorite is Zori, a japanese sandal; it's very fun!
For those that have ordered the personalized plaques in the past for Wedding and Baby Gifts, you will be delighted when you see the new personalized frames. They are 12" X 12" and hold a 4" X 6" photo and also have a keyhole for hanging. Along with the popular pair of chairs background for Weddings, and the traditional baby pink/brown, blue/brown for Baby, they also have special frames for a dog and cat and a very classy one for weddings. These are true keepsakes!
After walking through several other showrooms on the 18th Floor we finally made our way down to 17 about 4:30pm. I'm not quite sure where all the time went, but we had to get a move on as we still needed to look for home accessories and holiday. Two's Company, who was celebrating their 40th Anniversary offered some truly unique items with lots of glitter and bling - pens, rings, nail files; all the fun items that you would love as a gift! After a couple other stops we made our way over to the West Wing to CC to see all the introductions. All I can say is "wow" to several of the items, particularly glass bottles, furniture pieces and a couple clocks - all very different, and I know they are sure to please customers! A couple other stops, including Sadek and Vera Bradley and we were done for the night - exhausted, feet throbbing and in need of a cocktail! Needless to say we ended up at Legal Seafood again (convenient that it's connected to our hotel) and partook in delicious calamari, salad and soup with some wine of course! After planning for the final day at market, I couldn't wait to get back to the room and get a good night's rest.
Early Saturday morning, the first stop was the Uttermost Showroom to view the new product additions to their already fabulous line of products. As I expected I saw beautiful new pictures and mirrors, and had no issue putting together an order. We moved directly over to Building 2 and started our search for Holiday even though I can honestly say I really would prefer not to; I've had enough holiday over the last couple months. Through talking with other buyers and a referral from a vendor we headed over to Building 1, Floor 19 and could not believe what we were walking into; a mobbed showroom! I hadn't seen a showroom that packed since my first market in Atlanta in July of 2007. That sparked my curiosity, and suddenly Holiday shopping was in full gear; both Halloween and Christmas. All I can say is glitter, glitter and more glitter along with bronzey pumpkins, jeweled mistletoes, and lots of owls and birch bark! I absolutely love everything I purchased and am so excited for the upcoming holiday season! Unfortunately, one of my very talented girlfriends, my silent buyer that I counsel with over products and purchases, had to return to Detroit snow and all for her son's Swimming Banquet.
My mom and me must have been in the right holiday mode because our next showroom stop that we made was another big hit! Again we discovered a new vendor with high quality products at value pricing. Their ornaments are beautiful, and not like everyone else's. Two artists, Mandy Bagwell and Carole Jean were also in this showroom signing their own ornaments that they produce for this company. One whimsical and the other hand carved wood ornaments and figurines. I swear we were in this showroom almost two hours! Again, we were running out of time and still had so many more places to go and see.
On our way back over to Bldg 2 West we walked by a showroom that looked very interesting plus everyone was wearing decorated paper bag hats! Stray Dog Designs offered all kinds of very cool and unique high quality furniture, lamps and accessories with a twist. We found out that one of the employees had made all the hats, embellishments and all, and every buyer that walked in received a hat - you'll see the picture below of me and this "artist". I told her she should sell these for a living for parties!
Ok, back on track and headed for Momo Panache to see what new glassware they may have. Those that have purchased Momo know the quality of their glassware along with their fun and festive designs. Let me say that their new "Happy Hour" collection has to be the coolest thing I have ever seen; cordial glasses, shooters and wine stops all in one - how awesome! Even better, the packaging - a bright colored "Happy Hour" box and matching condi bowls and plates. Look for these and their new "Special Moments" Wine Glasses and Bud Vases in the store soon. These make very classy and exquisite gifts for weddings, anniversaries, graduations and birthdays.
Last stop was Demdaco or so we thought. Frames of different styles and textures were what attracted me to their showroom initially, however my favorite item was the canvas covered pictures by Kelly Rae Roberts. The more I looked and read the sayings on them the more I fell in love with them. They are so unique - I felt they connected with me, and I would definitely choose of these as a gift. I can't wait for my customers to see them!
With 15 minutes to spare before the Market close on Saturday we decided to make one more stop and visit Enesco. It was worth our while. I've always liked the Jim Shore collections for the holidays, and they had plenty of them. Bronze figurines are what caught my eye though. Stylish girls with names in dresses with an attitude - that's all I'll say for now!
With Mom exhausted, we headed back for the evening trying to figure out how we could fit in another hour or so on Sunday morning before our departure back to snowy Detroit Metro. I spent the next hour recapping the day's purchases and showroom visits and mapping out the final leg on Sunday. I had a plan - kids gifts and tweens and knew just where I wanted to go.
Arrival at the market started at 8:30am even though the showrooms didn't officially open until 9:00am. Luckily our first stop at 225 Unlimited was open. We quickly put our order in and headed over to Building 3 to check out gift items for Tweens and Kids heading off to college. RIU and the Mainstreet Collection had some cool items; monogram everything, lap desks, beach towel sets, and shower caddy's. On our way out we also spotted a bright colorful showroom with lots of baby signs, clocks, letters, blocks and more all with little sayings and all with glitter accents - so cute!
I can say our trip was a success, but it's getting more difficult to find distinctive gifts. Momo Panache, Demdaco, Murval, Two's Company and 225 Unlimited were very refreshing - lots of great items to choose from! Two more days would have been wonderful. Next market I'm definitely adding an extra day to my agenda.
Can't wait for all the new merchandise to roll in. Some new items will arrive as early as next week!
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Twenty Five Ladies arrived last night for our first ever "Decorating Your Mantel & Island" for the Holidays" Evening. I always struggle with what to do with with my own mantel and island for the holidays and every day.
We were definitely in for a treat with Faith McMillen, local South Lyon Designer with over 30 years in the Design industry. Faith began her career teaching Design and then held numerous jobs, including working for Ethan Allen and several other design firms before venturing off on her own as an independent Design Consultant. The fabulous thing about Faith is she is not in it to sell items, she loves designing and wants to help clients turn their house into a home they absolutely love to come home to. And, no doubt from all the discussion last night she did just that. Between us both we were able to pull together numerous mantel and island displays, as you can see from the pictures below.
It was a wonderful treat, and based on the overwhelming response a second date is scheduled for November 20 for those unable to secure a reservation for our first night. If interested please contact http://sue@grandetrunkehome.com or call Grande Trunke Home at 248 446-6040.
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I had the privilege of attending the Las Vegas World Market last week with approximately 12,000 other buyers to see first hand all the latest products, specifically furniture and home accessories.
Not only did I find some great pieces and accessories, but I also watched Rod Stewart perform live at the Las Vegas World Market Pavilion - very cool!
He sounded like the same old Rod Stewart that I listened to as a kid and looked fantastic for 65! Check out the picture below and I'm sure you'll agree.
This was a real treat.
Our first day at the LV World Market, my mom and me weaved through buildings A, B & C like banshies! There was so much to see.
Each building has approximately 14 floors, and we were on the move in search of Antique Furniture reproductions and unique accessories for your homes.
"Reclaimed" Wood seemed to be everywhere - it's the latest new trend in furniture. It can be a very modern looking or transitional.
It's appearance is like an old worn piece of wood that has been left outside to fade and dry - maybe that's why they call it "Reclaimed".
They are using this wood as top surface pieces on consoles, tables and more. I've included a couple pictures below for you to view. They are even making bedroom and kitchen sets with this wood.
After seeing it all day long for three days straight, I have to admit it really grows on you and you don't have to worry about it being scratched or damaged. It's very durable!
We also, by accident, found a very unique showroom that sold hand carved and painted leather wrapped furniture or leather inserted into the wood pieces.
It was absolutely beautiful. One piece, a teal console with hand painted brown accents was incredible. I am still very tempted to order this piece in red.
I have attached pictures of the teal one.
So, you're probably asking what did I purchase? A large black console with a crackle finish in brown/tan accents. Again, no worries about it being scratched.
Mr. Wade Wooten, the man who hand paints and finishes all the pieces he sells was in the showroom and he walked me from piece to piece explaining the process.
I was impressed with the quality and am considering other pieces as well, but will wait for the reaction from all of you.
The black console should be arriving within the next four weeks.
Another manufacturer, AFD also had beautiful pieces with the antique look we all love, available in Linen and Black.
The manufacturer of the furniture was also in the showroom, and he explained the 23 step process from carving, priming, painting, staining, etc.
The company has been in business over 20 years and I was very comfortable purchasing a couple pieces, one in Linen with the dark stained Cherry Top and another in Black with a Cherry Top.
This company also had a couple different Media Center Consoles that were gorgeous. We know how hard they are to find, at least attractive ones.
I have a catalog if anyone is interested.
Guildmaster is also on my top 10 list in terms of awesome furniture pieces.
I found a beautiful buffet with a Toile pattern.
It's tall enough, but not too wide so it won't take up a lot of space yet it will hold, plates, glassware, or whatever else your heart desires.
This is a build to order piece and will arrive in the store sometime in October.
Art Work and Accessories- we hit it big! The new Art we found is from a company out of Canada. The pictures are unique in that they are not your typical framed pictures.
Instead they are shadow boxes, stretched canvas with metallic hints, decorative glass overlays and more. Just wait until you see them - you will fall in love with them like we did.
Again, they are made to order so I expect I will have them in the store in mid September. I have included a few pictures, but they just don't do the art justice.
This company is recognized globally for their fashion-forward art dιcor products. Their collections are diverse to provide you with many choices,
from timeless classics and traditional styling to more contemporary, updated modern looks.
I can't wait to get these!
Accessories - many, many accessories! When we first stepped into this showroom we were about to turn around based on their cheesy Easter decorated showroom window,
but as we wandered further into the showroom we soon discovered a lot of really cool and different home decor accessories.
Our favorites were the frames, canister sets, wall clocks, faux leather trunks and decorative glass bottles. All of these items were so different from anything I've seen in the past.
Through conversation with Robert Wang, one of the Company's reps we found out that this company is out of Tennessee and has been in business since 2001; a relatively newer comer to the industry.
They prides themselves on their designs. Each item and collection are carefully conceived from a combination of current and forecasted trends,
functionality, and price. From what I can see from visiting their showroom, they are ahead of the curve.
Most of the items I purchased I have not seen anywhere else before - a great thing!
I absolutely love being on the cutting edge.
Our last day at market we did manage to get into one of the major rug manufacturers, Feizy. They had so many different designs and types of rugs.
This is something I want to look into for the future. I personally have a very difficult time finding an attractive rug for the foyer, backdoor, etc.
This company had a wonderful program where they actually have small samples of the rugs for their retailers vs. having to carry racks of rugs.
We also browsed other furniture showrooms seeing more "reclaimed wood" and still lots of metal accessories in bronzes and browns.
By Thursday, I must say we were ready to head back home. Our legs and feet were tired and the Vegas heat was hot - 115 degrees the day we left! Until next market.......
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