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I don’t know about where you live but here in the northeast it’s been a rather chilly spring. So why not hurry along that lovely feeling of warmer days, more colorful gardens and brighter skies with a few of these simple indoor decorations that will chase away the gray outdoors.

Start with a couple of wooden silhouette trees that come in different sizes, all including a base.

Then trim them with a set of finches, flower blossoms or leaves.

The tiny wood pieces are stained in lovely colors and pre-strung, making them easy to hang on the tree branches. Each box includes 24 (2 of each color). You can hang a whole set on a larger tree, or be selective with your color choices on a smaller one, and change them out seasonally or when the mood strikes you. They are also very pretty tied onto gifts or scattered around a buffet table.

And if you want to add a few critters to complete the scene then what better than these mini woodland creatures available in foxes, rabbits, owls or squirrels? The squirrel even comes in a large version. They are all made from two pieces of wood that slot together; so simple, but so fun. A great way to welcome wildlife into your house, without all the mess!

So don’t be sad about the drizzle and chill outdoors; create your own spring, even if it has to be inside the house.

(By the way the manufacturer makes similar holiday decorations that we usually get in shortly after Labor Day. Last year they looked like this. This year there will still be penguins, as well as trees, and all kinds of other beautiful decorations, so check back in the fall. They’ll be on our website in the Fall and Winter category.)

Keep An Open Door With Simple Wedge Doorstops

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Sian Robertson

Stop those slamming doors with these seemingly simple wedge doorstops. Seemingly simple because in fact the wedge has been cut on both sides allowing for gradations from 1/10th of an inch to 1.7″. Gap under the door too big? No problem; just turn the doorstop on its side for an even bigger wedge.

And when it’s not in use simply loop the stretchy colorful cord over any door handle, then it’s always right there when you need it. They come in a rainbow of colors and each one is boxed making it a great housewarming, hostess or stocking stuffer gift. Who can’t use a doorstop? The clean design in walnut wood will accent any decor and fit well in both contemporary and traditional settings. And the tiny splash of color adds a little individuality to each one.

Oooh. Which to choose? Maybe one of each.

One for each door in the house!

New York, New Vendors, New Products, New Finds

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Sian Robertson

We skipped the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) last year to go to Americasmart in Atlanta because you just need to go to the giant, enormous, huge metropolis that is the Atlanta gift show once every 5 or 6 years to see the vendors who simply don’t exhibit anywhere else. But the break just made us appreciate the New York gift show all the more. It’s (mostly at least) good quality, well designed products in a very easily navigated, and definitely not overwhelmingly large, show. The small, individual booths make it really easy to find stuff that is right for our store, rather than the huge showrooms in Atlanta where you kind of have to go in every one because they represent so many different lines and the line that is right for you might not be immediately visible.

NYIGF also has a really good handmade section so, even though we had just been to ACRE Orlando which is entirely handmade, we headed there first, and we were not disappointed.

Our first find was these really gorgeous one of a kind reclaimed wood belt buckles made by Margie Criner in Chicago. Lovely shapes, smooth finishes and beautiful colors with the natural grains shining through. A very unique addition to our belt buckle selection.

We also found these clocks and pins made in the UK by Kim Ellwood and Mike Abbott. (Yes, there are even some artists from Europe and elsewhere that come to NYIGF.) They are hand screened stainless steel and they are the most exquisite, delightful, beautifully made little things; they’ll put a smile on your face for sure. The pins come with stands so they can be displayed when you are not wearing them; and the wheels on the clocks actually turn – adorable. Inspired by the wild landscape and magical coastline of north Cornwall, the fanciful designs and whimsical shapes are decorated in bright colors, which just adds to the fun of them. But they are so much more than clocks and pins; they are little pieces of art. Hands down our absolutely most favorite find of the show.

Another handmade item we found are these earrings and necklaces made by Taina Hartman. She uses stainless steel layered over stained wood to create striking yet simple jewelry. There are several colors and several designs, making many lovely combinations. I especially like how the steel layer swings freely in front of the wood. Gives them an extra sense of movement.

There were lots of other good finds in the other sections of NYIGF too. These wallets are very cool. Made of soft leather, lined in different muted colors, they fold up to a very compact size. A great accessory for either men or women.

And the perfect accessory for kids? These adorable backpacks that are the perfect size for pre-schoolers. With adjustable straps and inner mesh pockets and lots of designs to choose from, they are both fun and functional. And they are made from eco-sponge neoprene which is a washable, cushioning, insulating fabric. How cool is that?

Nick and I are big Charley Harper fans so we were immediately drawn to these 3D replicas from his wonderful 2D art works. Some are made of wood, others of felt; and they all perfectly capture the aesthetic of the man that used to say that when he painted birds he would ‘count the wings, not the feathers’. They can stand on a table top or be wall mounted. Either way they are a lovely addition to any decor.

These dog coasters will be going in ‘Jack’s corner’ this summer. Simple silhouette designs, subtle colors and funny phrases make them the perfect pick up gift, especially for your pet sitter. And if it’s kitties that are close to your heart don’t worry, we ordered some of them too.

As well as new products we also got to see several of our existing vendors and check out the new designs they have for 2013:

Like these dog rope toys in blue kangaroo and lime green lizard (which will also be in ‘Jack’s Corner’) and this kids lunch bag and silverware with cars, trucks and bicycles racing all over it.

These wall bricks are vases that mount right on the wall and are great for little plants or fresh cut flowers. (Mix them up with the wall dots we already carry and write your own morse code message!) And this was our favorite new design of the flat packed, self assemble bird houses that we’ve had for a couple of years now. So cheerful.

Making a big difference in a room for not a lot of money, time or effort is no easy task. Peel and stick wall decals to the rescue. There were loads of new designs to choose from this year and we got lots of them – these are just a few. And even easier are window decals, which can be seen from the outside too. These were such a hit for us last year that we really expanded the line for 2013. Expect to have dozens to choose from next time you are in the store. These poppies were one of our favorites.

Last but not least was these gorgeous trees and ornaments and snowflakes for the holidays (if you can think that far ahead!). If you’ve been to i d or swell247.com anytime after September during the last few years you will probably remember the different trees, reindeer, penguins, etc. we’ve been carrying, and once again the company that makes them has come out with great new designs for this year. Made of stained wood they are just the most lovely, simple holiday decorations you’ve ever seen.

So… A very productive few days. Lots of things ordered and lots of exciting ideas for 2013. New finds, new products, new vendors; must be New York!

ACRE Orlando: The Best In American Made Crafts

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Sian Robertson

It’s January. It’s freezing in Provincetown. Which makes us feel all the more guilty about our friends who are looking after Jack while we are in warm and sunny Florida. But it’s not all fun and games – we are here again for ACRE Orlando, the relatively new wholesale show that features American artists and craftspeople that want their products to be in stores like ours. And we found plenty of products that we would like to have in our store.

Our first find was Barbie Levy who makes fabulous jewelry with sterling silver wire and brightly colored glass beads. What’s so cool is that the wire is all one piece that she twists and bends, threading the beads on as she goes. Each necklace or pair of earrings is a one of a kind creation as the artist chooses the bead combinations based on what she feels like making that day. I loved these. I really loved them, especially the earrings. So much that I got an extra pair for myself!

We also found Karen Holtkamp, who makes all kinds of cool things in glass. We especially liked these city nightlights. Interesting shapes and lovely color combinations combine to make fun skylines and city views. And they look just as good turned off as on, which is important in a nightlight because a lot of the time you are looking at it it is turned off.

Karen also makes these bookmarks – a piece of metal that slips between the pages and a decorative glass bauble that hangs down the spine. No two are quite the same and we think at a retail price of around $20 they will be a perfect pick me up gift. And don’t worry about the durability; the firing process makes them surprisingly strong.

We already sell a number of vases but these really caught our eye and we just had to add them to the mix. They are made by Christine McGrath and she sandwiches fabric between two pieces of glass which are then soldered together and a glass vase is attached to the back. There are three shapes of vases and she uses tons of different fabrics, in all kinds of different patterns and colors. Perfect for id, don’t you think?

As well as finding several new lines we also saw some of the people we had found at ACRE Orlando over the past couple of years and were able to see what they had that was new.

One of our most successful new lines last year was Xovivo jewelry and Michael Choi has been very busy coming up with new designs and new ways to use the super soft Italian resin that comes in so many great colors. We picked up lovely rings in sterling silver with interchangeable pieces of resin for those who like to mix and match and co-ordinate their look. And we also ordered these adjustable bracelets that are a piece of the resin with a sterling silver decorative design that doubles as the clasp. They are really lovely and very comfortable to wear. In fact I’m thinking that I might need to get one of those pale blue ones for myself.

Chart Metalworks, whose nautical chart and map jewelry we picked up at ACRE Orlando last year, has several new designs including this rope bracelet that adjusts to fit pretty much any size wrist and comes in a few different rope colors. And in addition to the bronze settings that we carried last year, they have started making almost all their pieces in pewter, which gives us a new look, and a slightly lower price point – something for everyone. (Sorry the picture isn’t great – all the more reason to stop by the store to see them in person.)

Tripp Gregson, who makes the fish from old license plates and street signs that have hung outside our store for the last couple of seasons, was an ACRE Orlando find in 2011 and he has fast become one of our best selling artists. This year we are adding these ferocious piranhas to the sharks, turtles, lobsters, fish and other sea creatures that will be swimming their way to Provincetown in the spring.

And last, but definitely not least, another line that we displayed outdoors were the daisy and bird fused glass plant stakes that added such a punch of color to the area right in front of the store. Kristi Thorndike-Kent has several new designs available so we added bees, ladybugs, butterflies, cats and dogs to the mix. So fun in a planter or out in the garden.

ACRE Orlando is a fairly small show but there is a lot (and I mean a lot) of great stuff to see and order so it takes a full day; and after 7 hours on our feet we felt much like this service dog that we ran into several times during the day.

So we felt we had earned these.

Ahhh! Nothing says Florida like something fruity in a fancy glass. And we’ll try not think of those back home who are probably sipping hot cocoa and watching the snowflakes right about now. Of course our next stop is the New York Gift Show where temperatures are much the same as in Provincetown, so we don’t feel too bad.

Leather And Aluminum Bracelets: Stylish Materials Meet Modern Design

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Sian Robertson

One of the very best new lines we got this year was this fantastic selection of leather and aluminum bracelets that we found at ACRE Orlando, a wholesale show made up entirely of handmade American products. They are designed by Michael Choi and excellently crafted by him and his team of artisans at his studio in Virginia. They are really modern and contemporary, looking equally good on either men or women, and we have sold plenty to both. Several of the designs are off center, giving them an asymmetric but balanced look. Actually they all feel very balanced. There’s something very intentional about each twist of the wire, each position of a dot, each placement of a line. It’s hard to explain but it really adds to the look and feel of the bracelets.

I love the combination of materials. Stitched black leather is laid over a 1″ band of super soft gray Italian resin, which makes the bracelets really comfortable to wear. Each one is embellished with hammered aluminum in dots and lines that give them a sophisticated, yet decidedly badass, look. Perfect for the person who wants to look tough and stylish at the same time! And really, who doesn’t want that? They have double snap clasps that not only look cool but are designed to be heavier than the decorative part so the bracelet doesn’t spin around the wrist and the clasp always stays on the underside; which of course means that the best looking part is always visible. Genius!

The bracelets come in four sizes (which is great because people come in lots of sizes too and it sucks when someone really loves something but it’s just not available in their size).

Michael has been busy recently designing new bracelets, with a similar contemporary aesthetic but in some new materials, which I can’t wait to see at ACRE Orlando this January; and something tells me you’ll be able to see them at id in Provincetown and Swell247.com pretty soon after that. Watch this space, as they say.