"Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain" (Ps. 119:35-36, NIV).

Let us know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

June 3
Market Wednesday
AmericasMart Atlanta
Atlanta, Ga.
800-ATL-MART (285-6278)
www.americasmart.com

June 24-30
Holiday & Home Expo/Total Home & Gift Market
Dallas Market Center
Dallas
800-DAL-MKTS (325-6587)
www.dallasmarketcenter.com

Voting ends soon in 2009 Retailers Choice Awards

Retailers, there are two days left to name your favorite gifts of the year, in Christian Retailing's 2009 Retailers Choice Awards. This is your opportunity to vote for the gifts and other products that you believe made the greatest impact on your life and the lives of your staff and customers.

Voting also puts you in line to win hundreds of dollars' worth of nominated products, absolutely free-to sell in your store, distribute or keep for yourself. You could win products such as inspirational mugs from DaySpring or God's Girlz dolls from Kerusso. Winners will be selected at random from participating stores.

This year, 36 companies-including gift suppliers-have nominated more than 250 products, campaigns and suppliers in 30 categories. All products entered were released in 2008.

Voting is open to any store owner, manager, staff member or volunteer, who can vote just once. To vote, go to the Retailers Choice Awards Web site, www.retailerschoiceawards.com, and click on the link to the ballot.

In voting, you are asked to judge the nominations based on the impact they had on your staff and customers, including their ability to speak to people's hearts and emotions, open people's minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christlike living.

Voting closes Friday, May 29. E-mail any questions to Managing Editor Christine Johnson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

‘CHRISTIAN RETAILING' ON TWITTER: Keep up with the latest news of the Christian products industry, comment on industry issues, track what others are doing and saying-follow Christian Retailing magazine on Twitter. Go to http://twitter.com/ChristianRetail.

"Take a good look around your house, or take a trip to a used furniture store, and collect a piece or two that will give your gift department a more ‘homey' feel.
"This can be achieved with a hutch, baker's rack, kitchen island or desk. Keep in mind that smaller pieces work better. A piece with drawers and doors that can be left open provides added display space."
Michelle Amster, president, Integra Interactive (Emphasizing Gifts: Making the most of your display space, Inspirational Gift Trends, March 9, 2009)

1. Fish With Cross Emblem, large (Dicksons) $4
2. Plain Fish Emblem, small (Dicksons) $2
3. Fish With Cross Emblem, small (Dicksons) $2
4. Jesus Fish Emblem, large (Dicksons) $4
5. Plain Fish Emblem, large (Dicksons) $4
6. Jesus Fish Emblem, small (Dicksons) $2
7. Fish With Cross Auto Emblem (W.O.W. Products) $3.99
8. Tribal Fish Emblem, large (Dicksons) $4
9. Praise God Music Notes (Dicksons) $4
10. Angel With Faith Star Shine Chime (Dicksons) $5

List based on sales data for April 1-30, 2009, provided by Christian Books & More Gold and used with permission.

See our Top 100 Gifts list in the June 8 issue of the Inspirational Gift Trends magazine.

Carlton Garborg, president, Ellie Claire Gift & Paper Expressions

In this day of Facebook and Twitter, do people still want to journal on paper?
"Our generation is writing more than any generation since the invention of the feather pen. People use Twitter and Facebook as tools to foster and develop relationships with others. People use journals as tools to develop a relationship with their core being, and in our inspirational market, with God.

Spirit & Truth's Silhouette rings

California-based Spirit & Truth Christian Jewelry Designs is releasing its "Silhouette" ring collection next month.

With the new rings, Spirit & Truth is aiming "to ‘spell out' the truth (the letters on these rings stand out) and tie it into Scripture," said designer Gary Rovarino.

The rings fit into the current Spirit & Truth counter ring display. For more information or to order, call 661-373-5378, or visit www.kingdomwear.com.

The Sack Lunch Apron reads:
"Jesus fed 5,000 with a kid's sack lunch!
Mark 6:38-44
Just imagine what he could do with your life!
You should meet the chef!"

The design is also available on a T-shirt, priced at $14.99, M-XL; $15.99 2XL. The apron, just introduced for Father's Day, retails for $15.99.

For more information, visit www.livingepistles.com or call 800-294-8637.