"For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,
and as a garden cascades with blossoms,
So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom
and puts praise on display before the nations"
(Is. 61:11, The Message)

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You told us:
"Every day I need to tell myself that we are here because God put us here. He put us here, and if He wants us here, we will make it and thrive. I think we have to stop falling into the trap that the media has placed out there. Oh sure, the economy is down and things don't look good for jobs. However, God made us and He owns it all anyway. I know it can sound a bit ‘rose-colored glasses,' but He did say we would be set apart, and right now we have to look as if we are."

Marie Prickett
Owner
Logos of Northern Kentucky
Alexandria, Ky.

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

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

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"This generation connects with a ‘story.' A simple item becomes significant when the user knows the story behind it, so if your product has a story, find a clear, clean way to let the customer know."
Margaret Feinberg, author of Twentysomething (Thomas Nelson)

(Marketing to Millennials: New-look gifts needed for the Gen-Y Group by Rhonda Sholar, Inspirational Gift Trends, June 8, 2009)

1. So Thankful for You Mom bookmark (Dicksons) $1
2. Zebrite highlighter (G.T. Luscombe Co.) $1.99, yellow, pink, green, blue
3. Standard Old and New Testament Bible tabs (Dicksons) $5.75, gold, silver
4. Graduate bookmark (Dicksons) $1
5. I Am the Vine, 18K bookmark (Dicksons) $1
6. Rainbow Old and New Testament Bible tabs (Dicksons) $5.75
7. Bible Dry Highlighter (G.T. Luscombe Co.) $3.29, yellow, pink, blue
8. Bible Dry Liter Retractable (Dicksons) 89 cents, yellow, multicolor
9. Man of God bookmark (Dicksons) $1
10. Smile God Loves You pencil (Dicksons) 25 cents

List based on sales data for May 1-31, 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.

With Father's Day approaching, what types of products are not-to-miss?
"Thomas Nelson this year has released two new NIV camouflage Bibles that have been a huge hit with men. Of course, B&H's The Sportsman's Bible and Bardin Marsee's waterproof Bibles are also great sellers. P. Graham Dunn has some very nice outdoor-themed art as well. Christian Outdoorsman has three father-child T-shirt designs we must mention-Huntin' Buddies, Fishin' Buddies and Pardners. They are best-sellers of ours at all times, but especially during this season."

Each BookArt beaded bookmark is made of copper, brass and nickel and is packaged in a 2-3/4-by-6-inch vinyl sleeve with a hole at the top for hanging. Suggested retail price is $5.95 each.

Evangel Arts is bringing its scripture-engraved belt buckles to the inspirational gifts market this month.

The buckles' designs are "heavily influenced by the rich art and culture of the American Southwest," said designer Mike Jones, who has "a passion for design that immediately has relevance and resonates with the person who is considering buying the item."