"This is our most extensive release of new designs in quite some time," said Rob LeClair, the company's founder and president. "The last few years have been somewhat of a 'bear market' for the plush industry, but over the past few months, we've seen an increased demand for our products.

"In the current economic environment, the under-$10 gift category has become significant for many retailers. These new bears fall right into that category and are some of the best we've ever produced."

The "Beary Special" line includes new designs in HolyBears' "Family Blessings" and "Community Bears" series, such as A Special Mom (7-93028-60020-7), A Special Teacher (-095-5) and A Special Friend (-185-3). The launch also includes redesigns of some of HolyBears' most popular styles such as I Love You (-005-4), Too Blessed to Be Stressed (-230-0), Jesus Loves Me (UPC not available) and the I Love Jesus HolyLamb (UPC not available). More "Beary Special" bears will be released early next year. All are retail-priced at $8.95 each.

The bears are about 9 inches and feature HolyBears embroidery on the chest and its trademarked "halo" on the footpad. Each polybagged bear comes with the HolyBears eartag and a hangtag with scripture.

There is no minimum order, and discounts and free shipping will be offered, depending on quantities ordered. For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call 877-922-BEARS (3277) or visit www.holybears.com.

After five years of developing the most popular Christian posters in the industry, Slingshot Publishing—formerly known as World Christian Posters—has changed its name and is expanding its product offerings for the youth demographic. The company recently introduced eight new product lines in time for the Christmas season.

Slingshot Publishing President Mike Clark aims to help fill a market niche in gifts for pre-teen to young adults. Using designs that speak to the culture of Generation Y, those born in the '80s and '90s, the company hires young designers and licenses designs from popular youth-oriented companies such as NOTW, Gardenfire and Inherit the Mirth and from music artists like Relient K, Skillet, Red, Underoath, and Casting Crowns.

Among the products just launched are Christian-themed laptop skins, for which the company has seen great demand. The removable stickers for the top lid of laptops have exploded in popularity in the general market. While the retail average for such a product is $20 to $30, Slingshot's suggested retail price is $12.99.

Modeled after the general market brand Fathead's sports figure decals, Slingshot's 8-by-12-inch vinyl decals are removable and can be used on walls, lockers, binders and mirrors. They feature such designs as iPray and God's Girl, and retail for $6.99 each.

New contemporary-style tumblers include I Love Jesus A Latte and the Make a Joyful Noise guitar design. The tumblers have a spill-resistant flip-top lid. In the general market, these sell for $12-20, but Slingshot's retail price is $11.99.

Slingshot also now offers 24-by-36-inch poster art on a canvas with a number of framing options with or without glass. The framed art—for churches, homes or offices—retails for $40 to $65.

Modeling the general market youth trend of putting three popular buttons on a merchandising card, Slingshot's Button Packs retail for $3.99 each.

Magnets and stickers featuring the company's top designs retail for $2.49 each. Retailers might suggest the 2.5-by-5-inch magnets to students for their lockers or college-dorm refrigerators or the 3.5-by-6-inch stickers for skateboards, binders and cases.

Slingshot, the Bible Bookcase is a wooden puzzle that enables users to learn the books of the Bible. Available in a pine or oak finish, the puzzle retails for $49.99.

For more information, call 705-739-6277, or visit www.slingshotpublishing.com/catalogue. Stores may mention this article and receive an additional discount on first orders.

The new line, featuring stylish graphics, includes three design themes on spiral notebooks ($2.49), composition notebooks ($2.99), three-ring binders ($4.99), portfolios (99 cents) and pencil pouches with inside mesh pockets ($3.99).

"Back-to-school is the second-largest shopping season after Christmas," said Brenda Turner, director of communications for DaySpring. "This season is also the largest opportunity companies have to influence future generations' buying patterns. We want to supply them with functional and Scripture-based products they use year-round.'

"The designs appeal to a broad consumer base and reflect the style of today's Christian youth," said Jennifer Moore, product manager at DaySpring. Appropriate for ages 8-18, there are "selections in feminine, masculine and what we call 'Big Kid,' a fun and colorful theme."

The Scripture used on the products is kid-friendly with an emphasis on one-word truth, Moore added.

"Christian youth want inspirational products that can assist them in witnessing and expressing their faith," Turner said. "Boldness is a trend in Christian teen faith-sharing, and these products are also a permissible religious expression in public schools."

For more information, go to www.dayspring.com. To order, call 800-944-8000.

The Bonair Daydreams company launched its "Bonair Daydreams" frameable greeting card line at the International Christian Retail Show in July. Designed to appeal to men and women, the cards have everyday and special occasion themes.

The cards have inspirational sayings reflecting God's glory, and feature black and white photography that captures everyday life. One card featuring a child playing in the snow bears the Henry Ward Beecher saying, "The thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessing."

Teamed with a card, a 5-by-7-inch thin black frame—available on the display unit—allows the customer to purchase a complete gift item in the $10 range. Frames can be displayed with a wall mount or table easel. The cards can also be purchased on their own, for $2.95 each.

The Conroe, Texas-based marketing company also offers its own Trinity Set jewelry, which released last month. The set includes a two-tone necklace and earrings, which are not sold separately and together retail for $29.99.

As its name reveals, the jewelry is designed to reflect the nature of the God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The set is accompanied by a card explaining the correlation between the three rings, or circles, on the necklace and the "never-ending circle of love from The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit."

To order, call Servant Marketing at 800-811-5392.

Things Not Seen Clothing & Accessories has expanded its product line, and announced the launch of "Moral Art by TNS," a higher-end boutique line that features distinct shirt styles, fabrics, foiling in many different colors, rhinestoning, studding and more.

With the launch of "Moral Art," Things Not Seen (TNS) aims to show that Christian clothing is mainstream and doesn't need to take a back seat to secular fashion. "Moral Art" features upgraded TNS designs as well as new designs only available in the "Moral Art" line. The designs are available in unisex and women’s offerings, with retail pricing starting at $21.99.

The company is also expanding its current product lines—and lowering its wholesale and retail costs. Things Not Seen Clothing & Accessories unisex short-sleeve shirts have been reduced to $14.99, and its women's short-sleeve T-shirts are now $15.99, intended to make pricing easier for stores with flat rates. Long-sleeve offerings in the same line are $18.99.

Many new designs were launched recently at the International Christian Retail Show and include Sanctified, Saved and the Cross With Wings design. The company will continue its expansion by adding more women's and unisex designs.

In addition, the company offers a jewelry line with unique products ranging from $4.95 to $19.95, and with several of the pieces made in-house. A variety of necklaces, bracelets and earrings, including the Nail Cross Necklace ($7.95) and Drop Cross Earrings ($7.95), are available.

The newest addition to the company's products is a decal line. Made from six-year, high-grade vinyl, original decal designs feature several images from the company's shirt art, plus many new images. The decals—which encourage the expression of one's faith on vehicles, walls and elsewhere—are retail-priced from $3.95 to $6.95.

TNS products are available through Dove Sales, a unit of the Omco/LaSalle Co. of South Bend, Ind., by calling 800-253-8144; by contacting Things Not Seen Clothing & Accessories at 480-774-0110; or by calling TOLA Sales Group of Port Isabel, Texas, at 866-374-2091. For more information, visit the company's Web site, www.tnsclothing.com.

Robert Taylor is CEO of Things Not Seen Clothing & Accessories.

VeggieTales has teamed up with Jibbitz—owned by the Crocs company that has sold more than 100 million shoe charms—to create Bob & Larry Jibbitz charms and Jibbitz shoes, which are available through New Day Christian Distributors. Veggie Jibbitz were introduced at July's International Christian Retail Show.

"Jibbitz has designed a more kid-friendly shoe, removing the holes in the toes, at a more parent-friendly retail, while keeping the same quality material to make the shoe," said Joanna Price, director, marketing & promotions, New Day Christian Distributors. "The Veggie shoe is made by Jibbitz out of Crocs material with the blessing of Crocs company."

Unlined Veggie Jibbitz clogs, which retail for $14.99, are available in children's sizes, 6/7 to 12/13, in red, green, blue and black. But for those in colder climates, lined Bob Jibbitz clogs and lined Larry Jibbitz clogs come in black only and will retail for $5 more, at $19.99. The clogs are retailing at about half the price of other Crocs shoes.

Each shoe comes with two VeggieTales charms. Four additional VeggieTales Jibbitz shoe charm designs are sold separately: Bob & Larry, Jr. & French Peas, Bob 3-D Eyes and Mouth and Larry 3-D Eyes and Mouth. Jibbitz charms come in 10 packs of two each, with a cost to the retailer of $15, and stores are free to set their own retail price.

For more information or to order Veggie Jibbitz products, go to www.newdaychristian.com, or call 800-251-3633.