Trend Watch

Dead Heads

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:01:00 GMT

As Hispanic communities continue to grow in the United States, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is moving toward the mainstream. This celebratory festival occurs on the two days after Halloween, but it is actually distinct in nature. Not morbid or macabre, the holiday is instead a fun, family-based celebration of life and death, a time to honor lost relatives with flowers, favorite foods and treats, even trinkets and toys. The motifs are colorful, with painted skulls featuring bright floral designs and fantasy elements, and skeletons dressed in whimsical attire.

Dia De Los Muertos Banner

HomArt
888-346-6278
www.homart.com

Embroidered Skull Coin Purses

Tesoros Trading Co.
512-447-7500
www.tesoros.com

Fearless Reminder Necklace

Dogeared Jewels & Gifts
310-846-4444
www.dogearedwholesale.com

Day of the Dead Skull Coaster Set

Frenzy Art Studio, Inc.
512-809-8722
www.frenzyart.com

Catrina Skull Tabletop

Katherine’s Collection
800-524-4387
www.katherinescollection.com

Day of the Dead Corkscrew

Kikkerland Design, Inc.
212-678-2250
www.kikkerland.com

Kiddie Play Pack Dia de los Muertos

Oré Originals
800-367-2675
www.oreoriginals.com

Emerald City

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:36:00 GMT

The verdant hue heating up home decor, gifts and fashion this year is a shade of green that has been described as “lively, radiant and lush.” Emerald—Pantone’s Color of the Year—is a color that works across a wide variety of designs. It is the color of cool, calming natures and the color of brilliant gemstones. Pantone says Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, and is a powerful and universally appealing tone that translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.

Boxwood Abby Collection

C & F Enterprises, Inc.
888-889-9868
www.cnfei.com

Javabloom Wallet

Bella Taylor / VHC Brands
888-334-3099
www.mybellataylor.com

Aladdin Green Brilliant Acrylic Flatware

Vietri, Inc.
800-277-5933
www.vietri.com

Glass Bunny Ornaments

The Whitehurst Company
585-473-4790
www.thewhitehurstcompany.com

Burundi Ceramics

HomArt
888-346-6278
www.homart.com

Emerald Kameleon JewelPops

JewelPop, Inc.
866-431-4484
www.jewelpop.com

Soft Touch Emerald Green Chevron Manicure Set

Manual Woodworkers & Weavers
800-542-3139
www.manualww.com

Glass Candleholder

Melrose International
800-282-2144
www.melroseintl.com

Green Embroidered Vintage Patchwork Bag

Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.
877-985-0405
www.rcsgifts.com

Mustache Madness

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:46:00 GMT

What do Tom Selleck, Ron Burgundy and Yosemite Sam have in common? They all rock a killer ’stache. And no matter whether you prefer the Fu Manchu, the Dali or the Handlebar, mustaches seem to be growing on everyone—and everything! Retailers can join the fun by celebrating the national or international Fake Mustache Day, or save the ’staches to support Movember, a campaign encouraging men to grow out their lip sweaters during November to raise awareness for men’s health issues.

Mustache Wall Coat Rack

Kalalou
800-249-4229
www.kalalou.com

Smart Stache Flask

Liquid Courage Flasks
888-959-2870
www.liquidcourageflasks.com

Typestache Poster

Old Tom Foolery
612-354-2691
www.oldtomfoolery.com

Gold 'Stache iPhone Case

Zero Gravity
www.touchzerogravity.com

Mustache Mug

Bread and Badger
www.breadandbadger.com

The Mustache Bottle Opener Keychain

The Mustache Bottle Opener
585-802 7390
www.mustachebottleopener.com

Moustache Lip Balm

NPW-USA, Inc.
800-400-0692
www.npw-usa.com

Mustache Collection Tumblers

Tervis Tumbler
866-392-1964
www.tervis.com

Mustaches and Lips on Sticks

Whisker Works
www.whiskerworks.com

Bots Are Big!

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:07:00 GMT

Rosey, Johnny 5, C-3PO, WALL-E, Robot B-9—robots have been a part of popular culture for years. Now, they are a major design trend in children’s toys and apparel. But it doesn’t stop there. We’re also seeing robot themes appearing on jewelry, handbags, clothing and desk accessories. There’s even a Robot Hall of Fame at Carnegie Mellon University. The future is here!

Robot Love Card

Calypso Cards
888-203-7327
www.calypsocards.com

Volitron Drink Insulator

Freaker
910-399-3988
www.freakerusa.com

Robot Square Plate Set

French Bull
212-317-9646
www.frenchbull.com

Robot Pencil Sharpener

Kikkerland Design Inc.
212-678-2250
www.kikkerland.com

Robot USB Hub

Kito Design
800-669-6280
www.kitodesign.com

Purple Robot Travel Mug

Lantern Press
206-229-6435
www.lanternpress.com

Robot Wall Clock

Galison/Mudpuppy
800-670-7441
www.galison.com

Mr. Robot Notepad

Spitfire Girl
323-912-1977
www.spitfiregirl.com

Clickety Robot Pens

Streamline
845-268-1000
www.streamlinenyc.com

Robot Doodle Journal

Studio Oh!
888-757-0801
www.studiooh.com

Rivet Alarm Clock

TokyoBay
800-653-1771
www.tokyobaytrade.com

Cubebot Toy

Areaware
800-783-5683
www.areaware.com

Robot Magnets, Chip DeskBot and MemoBots

Design Ideas, Ltd.
800-426-6394
www.designideas.net

Robot Rock & Roll Band Lamp

Lamp-In-A-Box
310-838-8844
www.lampinabox.com

Robot Kids Organic T-Shirt

Lunacy Design
917-406-3139
www.lunacydesign.com

Cuddle-Bots

Laid Back Kids / Oak Patch Gifts
800-824-2374
www.oakpatchgifts.com

Sirens of the Sea

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:14:00 GMT

Trends don’t just materialize out of the sky, or in the case of today’s mermaid popularity, out of the sea. Trends swim through different areas, evolving in unusual ways, catching a wave here and there, until all of a sudden, they come crashing ashore. This year, spring fashion runways shimmered with glistening mermaid-themed designs; New York rapper Azealia Banks hosted several mermaid balls; and Discovery Channel’s faux documentary “Mermaids: The Body Found” caused such a stir that it prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to release a statement emphatically stating that mermaids do not exist. For trend-lovers, mermaids’ legitimacy doesn’t matter. Mermaids make great design elements.

Mermaid Appliqué Pillow

C & F Enterprises
888-889-9868
www.cnfei.com

Mermaid Braided Rug

Capitol Earth Rugs
800-562-1885
www.earthrugs.com

Handcarved Mango Wood Mermaid

Creative Co-Op, Inc.
866-323-2264
www.creativecoop.com

Mermaid Wooden Tray

Fancy That Gifts & Decor
336-273-7515
www.fancythatgift.com

Beadworx Mermaid

Grass Roots Creations
727-944-5944
www.grassrootscreations.com

Nauticals Collection Mermaid Pillow

Kevin O'Brien Studio
215-923-6378
www.kevinobrienstudio.com

Mermaid Tales Book Box

Ohio Wholesale, Inc.
877-745-5050
www.ohiowholesale.com

Always a Shell Paper Cutting

Primitives by Kathy, Inc.
866-295-2849
www.primitivesbykathy.com

Mermaid Swimming Sign

Slippin' Southern
slippinsouthern@gmail.com
www.shoptrumanpony.com

Mermaid Tumbler

Tervis Tumbler
866-392-1964
www.tervis.com

Mermaid with Dolphin

YTC Summit International Inc.
888-764-2846
www.ytcsummitwholesale.com

Mermaid Indoor/Outdoor Pillow

Betsy Drake Interiors
252-756-9111
www.betsydrake.com

Ceramic Mermaid Bookends

Kalalou
800-249-4229
www.kalalou.com

Magical Mermaid Metal Box Art

Meissenburg Designs
877-974-7446
www.meissenburgdesigns.com

Greeting Card and Magnet

Potluck Press
877-818-5500
www.potluckpress.com

Mermaid Lamp with Sea Lamp Shade

Quintana Roo, LLC
866-847-3770
www.quintanaroousa.com

Amazing Ikat

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:54:00 GMT

Pattern has been exploding on the scene for the last couple of years with everything from polka dots and stripes to intricate minglings of color, texture and hue. What’s the newest pattern to catch hold? Ikat! You may not know it by name, but you’ve surely seen this exotic diamond-patterned safari motif. Having its roots in many cultures, the design is one of the oldest techniques for decorating textiles. Technically, it’s a process in which the threads are dyed separately before the weaving occurs. Appearing on the catwalks since 2007, the design has now blossomed into the gift and decor world.

Ikat Blue Album

Rag & Bone Bindery
401-728-0762
www.ragandbone.com

Melamine Dinner and Salad Plates

C.R. Gibson
800-243-6004
www.crgibson.com

Tangerine Ikat Jetsetter Cosmetic Case

Mud Pie
800-998-1633
www.mud-pie.com

Noir Mugs

Paparté
800-346-3461
www.paparte.com

Ikat Shopping Bags

Shamrock Gift Wrap & Accessories
800-334-8982
www.shamrockwraps.com

Ikat Pencil Cup, Sticky Note Cube, Monarch Notes and Lined Notebook

Susy Jack
617-869-3755
www.susyjack.com

Tangerine Tango!

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:33:00 GMT

Pantone sure created a buzz when it named this orange hue—Tangerine Tango—its 2012 Color of the Year. What has been called “a spirited reddish orange” has certainly provided vim to the marketplace. Tangerine Tango calls out to consumers and says, “Hey, look at me!” It grabs attention, yet is seductive and sophisticated at the same time. And as you can see, designers have latched on to this color, bringing the bright hue to springtime designs and warm fall looks in a variety of products.

Fridge Flower

A.I. Paper Design
800-414-1654
www.aipaper.com

Sweetheart Vases

Burton & Burton
800-241-2094
www.burtonandburton.com

Bird Song Collection

CR Gibson
800-243-6004
www.crgibsondealer.com

Petals Dessert Plate and Bowl

Grasslands Road / Amscan, Inc.
800-444-8887
www.grasslandsroad.com

Apricot Mint Candles

Colonial Candle / Midwest-CBK
800-394-4225
www.colonialcandle.com

Tangerine Stripe Paper Braided Hat

Mud Pie
800-998-1633
www.mud-pie.com

Brushed Floral Shopping Bag and Gift Wrap

Nashville Wraps
800-547-9727
www.nashvillewraps.com

Ruffle Tote Bag

Natural Life
800-884-3856
www.naturallife.com

Up, Up and Away

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:23:00 GMT

Here’s a hot trend—hot-air balloons! These old-fashioned means of transportation are whimsical, adventurous and nostalgic all at the same time. Like many popular motifs, there are elements of other trends at play. Hot-air balloons fill a small part of the larger vintage trend encompassing the gift world, and the bright circus colors demonstrate the vivid hues we’re seeing in this year’s spring palette. This is one trend that will be reaching the stars.

Hot Air Balloon Charm

Grandmother's Buttons
800-580-6941
www.grandmothersbuttons.com

Hot Air Balloon Matches

HomArt
888-346-6278
www.homart.com

Engagement Card

Smudge Ink
617-242-8228
www.smudgeink.com

Hot Air Balloon Decals

WallCandy Arts
888-527-0521
www.wallcandyarts.com

Hot Air Balloons Birthday Card

Kate & Birdie Paper Co.
866-320-5390
www.kateandbirdie.com

Hot Air Balloons Garden Flag

Magnet Works, Ltd.
800-886-3121
www.magnetworks.com

Panorama iPad Sleeve

Now Designs, Inc.
866-253-9001
www.nowdesigns.net

Eighty Days Hummingbird Feeder

Parasol
877-748-6637
www.parasolgarden.com

Gold Foil Book Boxes

Punch Studio
310-390-9900
www.punchstudio.com

Fashion Floral Hot Air Balloon Wedding Card

Rock Scissor Paper
818-361-1142
www.rockscissorpaper.com

Crazy for Chevron

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:19:00 GMT

It’s hard to miss a bright pattern that demands attention. Fashion designer Missoni introduced its famous chevron stripe in 1953, and the design has recently seen a major resurgence, thanks in part to Target’s door-busting introduction of a Missoni line last year. What started off as just a unique pattern with blasting colors has now expanded to appearing on more than just clothing. Now, you can find this distinctive design on stationery, pillows, floor mats, duffle bags and luggage tags, and with its booming popularity, there will be much more to come.

Cabo Slobo Wonder Bib

Bella Tunno
704-972-8866
www.bellatunno.com

Chevron Bowls

Coton Colors
850-383-1111
www.coton-colors.com

Flame Stitch Bag

Elum
800-536-3586
www.elumdesigns.com

Chevron Fashion Trapezoid Bottle Bag

The Gift Wrap Company
800-443-4429
www.giftwrapcompany.com

Tall Chevron Vase

Imax Worldwide Home
800-882-4629
www.imaxcorp.com

Ziggy Boxed Thank You Notes

Iota / C.R. Gibson
800-243-6004
www.everyiota.com

Ivory Weave Elastic Bracelet

MeraVic
800-637-2842
www.meravic.com

Recycled Sari Hand-Embroidered Pillow

Shiraleah
866-503-9765
www.shiraleah.com

Ziggy Floor Mat

French Bull
212-317-9646
www.frenchbull.com

Zig Zag Pillows

Peking Handicraft, Inc.
800-872-6888
www.pkhc.com

Fold-Over Notecards

Preston Paper, LLC
913-909-1917
www.prestonpaper.com

Good Times Luggage Tag

Santa Barbara Design Studio
800-933-2529
www.sbdswholesale.com

Malibu Duffel

Toss Designs
415-721-1037
www.tossdesigns.com

World Traveler

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:55:00 GMT

Maps are one of the tools that shaped civilization, and even today, they continue to arouse curiosity and a sense of adventure. Long a favorite of DIY decorators, map graphics now can be found on tableware, home accents, textiles and even wallpaper. And they cross a variety of categories: Sepia tones impart a vintage feel. Blue water brings to mind coastal looks. Regional images attract local fans. But all of these designs share a common thread—they let people explore the world from the comfort of their own home.

Barbados Map Pillow

C&F Enterprises, Inc.
888-889-9868
www.cnfei.com

Map Paperweight

Designs Combined, Inc.
800-806-4709
www.shopdci.com

Boston 1899 Antique Map Cufflinks

DLK Designs, LLC
904-333-9968
www.dlkdesignsmapjewelry.com

Explorer Mighty Wallet

Dynomighty Design
212-431-3005
www.dynomighty.com

Maps of the World Trays

Two's Company
800-896-7266
www.twoscompany.com

World Map Wall Clock

Creative Co-Op
866-323-2264
www.creativecoop.com

Square Trivet

Lake Art / Hindostone Products
877-540-6706
www.lakeartonline.com

State Towels

Moda Home / United Notions
800-527-9447
www.modahome.com

European Souvenir Tray

Rosanna, Inc.
866-767-2662
www.rosannainc.com

Map Photomat

Screencraft Tileworks
401-427-2818
www.screencrafttileworks.com