‘The Shack' giftware to come

Publisher Windblown Media hopes to finalize licensees soon, with T-shirts and stationery likely to be among the items tied in to the best-selling novel by William P. Young. 

Original plans to release products in time for last Christmas were shelved to make sure that only those that helped further the message of the book were approved, said Windblown Media Publisher Brad Cummings.

"We are excited that The Shack is becoming iconic of an encounter with God, but we didn't want to just put an icon of The Shack on whatever we could," he said."We want them to be things that are in sync with what we are doing."

Under consideration are T-shirts, note cards and greeting cards featuring art from a planned gift edition of the book.

Kerusso introduces Kidz Light House

The junior version of the Light House Apparel Center holds 100 children's T-shirts, sizes from 3T to Youth Large. The new apparel unit shows 10 T-shirt designs faced out for maximum visibility.

Learn more about the Kidz Light House in the July 6, 2009, issue of Christian Retailing magazine.

Vicki Page, owner, Art of the Spirit
www.artofthespirit.net

What's new in Christian tableware today? "You see brighter and trendy designs."

What should retailers be aware of in displaying tableware? "When displaying a product line of one vendor, make sure it is all together and not scattered throughout the store. This way a customer can see what items they may want to purchase in the future."

How can Christian retailers attract buyers interested in these products? "Many people like a decorative gift as well as a functional gift. In the store, have food displayed on a plate or fruit in a bowl. If there is a popular Bible study in the area, look to see if there is a verse in your ceramic line that ties in, and display the tableware and Bible study together. Suggest these items as gifts for the study leader."

In these tough economic times, has product pricing changed much? "Pricing may not have changed as much as offering new pieces with a lower price point so that shoppers will have a broader price range from which to choose."

What is one of Art of the Spirit's most popular products at this time? "For 2009 our ‘Dragonfly Collection' has sold very well."

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.

Does your company have a new gift product coming out soon that you would like thousands of subscribers to know about? Do you have some news the inspirational gift market would be interested in knowing? Contact Managing Editor Christine Johnson with your news at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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

July 8-15
The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market
AmericasMart Atlanta
Atlanta, Ga.
404-220-3000
www.americasmart.com

July 12-15
International Christian Retail Show
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, Colo.
800-252-1950
www.christianretailshow.com

July 19-22
Philadelphia Gift Show
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
Oaks, Pa.
678-285-EXPO (3976)
www.urban-expo.com

July 25-28
Orlando Gift Show
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, Fla.
678-285-EXPO (3976)
www.urban-expo.com

Aug. 1-3
Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philadelphia
800-432-7238
www.AmericanCraft.com/BMAC

Aug. 9-12
Canadian Gift and Tableware Association Fall 2009 Gift Show
Toronto International Centre and the Toronto Congress Centre
Toronto, Canada
800-611-6100
www.cgta.org

Aug. 13-18
Denver Gift, Home, Jewelry and Resort Show
Denver Merchandise Mart
Denver, Colo.
800-289-6278
www.denvermart.com

Please share your thoughts with our readers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

(Eph. 2:8-10, NIV)