Midwest-CBK

Design, Style, Sparkle! It's what we do every day at Midwest-CBK!

2012-02-22T10:30:00.005-06:00

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Color My Garden Bright

2012-01-16T11:17:00.000-06:00

We just arrived back from a fantastic Atlanta Gift show where we met with so many of our retailers. Everyone was upbeat and optimistic about the outlook for 2012. There was a buzz in the air and buyers are ready to freshen up and brighten up their merchandise going into Spring. Our "Color My Garden" collection was well received - the perfect yard decor and gift collection for the the "yard artist". Lively, bright and colorful - this collection was popular and deemed on trend for the coming season. This collection is available to view at our our showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, Chicago and Minneapolis or you can order at http://www.mwcbk.com/

It's the 2012 Winter Market Season!

2012-01-05T08:38:00.000-06:00

We've worked for over 12 months on our new 2012 collections and the time to show them off to our fabulous retail partners is finally here! We can't be more excited. Our showrooms are bustling and full of activity and over the weekend we'll put the finishing touches on every tree, display, wall and shelf. Some of the hottest trends this year are artfully interpreted in our collections - from traditional nostalgic to vintage french and ombre - we've taken style and design trends hot off the runways and right out of high in interior design houses and translated them for the holiday, gift and garden markets. Colors like trendy fashion colors of oranges, pinks and yellows to warm metallics like ultra-hot copper, bronze and champagne gold to super trendy cobalt and azure blue. We look forward to hosting our retailers as they gear up for a successful and profitable 2012! Clink this link to see the new collection now!

NEW! 2012 Wonderlights From Midwest-CBK

2011-12-27T11:00:00.000-06:00

Capture the light, magic and motion of the holidays with these fun and whimsical LED light characters and icons. Every year when our talented design crew sits down to design and develop a new Wonderlight collections I am truly amazed by their creativity and innovation year over year. This year we've introduced new rotating elements, projection graphics, new finishes, detailing and materials. Combined with our experience in character design - the result is magical! We've also reduced them in size and created brand new lapel pins and magnets - the perfect stocking stuffer and mini-gift! Retailers - the full collection will be showcased at the January 2012 Winter Markets and is also available to order NOW through your Sales Account Manager or online http://www.mwcbk.com/ - product is ready to ship starting March 2012.

Happy Holidays To You!

2011-12-22T09:38:00.000-06:00

Celebrating traditions and making memories with family and friends is the hallmark of the Christmas season. It is also a time to thank those who have shared in your successes, inspired you with new ideas and challenges as well as giving and sharing with those less fornutate. At Midwest-CBK we love nothing more than working on seasonal and holiday decor and gifts because we cherish those values and love the magic of this season - so from our family to yours - we thank you for your business and we wish you and yours a very happy holidays and a happy new year!

Wild, Wild West!

2011-12-14T17:14:00.000-06:00

I had the opportunity to visit Austin, Texas a few weeks ago. What a fun, vibrant and welcoming town. People were very nice – and we had fun walking the city and visiting retailers, restaurants and a few musical venues as well. While a true Texas college town – home of the University of Texas, Austin was rich in western history, style and culture. The city was starting to decorate for the holidays. What was truly refreshing was the mix of styles – part Tex-Mex, part country-rustic and a splash of elegant refinement. When we were back in the office we created this wreath display to try and match the vibe we picked up from our retail research. Elegant and festive with the right about of western influence.http://www.mwcbk.com/

Bottle Stoppers Add Style to Any Party

2011-12-07T16:00:00.000-06:00

Bottle stoppers make great hostess gifts but we sometimes wonder if people really use them since any great bottle of wine goes pretty fast – at least from our experience. After some debate and sharing observations from a string of recent holiday parties – the answer is a resounding “yes”! Our light up bottle stoppers perched on open bottles of wine on a party table or bar area adds a great sense of style with festive colors, shimmer and shine. They are eye-catching, colorful and even a bit funny. So next time you see them at your local gift or wine shop – buy a couple and keep them on hand as gifts or for your own entertaining. Retailers - shop www.mwcbk.com today and have them in time for New Year’s parties.

Fresh Vintage Style

2011-12-01T13:13:00.000-06:00

Hello, we are just back from a two week round of holiday open house events at our retail partners across the country. Our specialty, gift and garden center stores have transformed from everyday merchandise centers to a magical, winter wonderland of great ideas for decorating and gift giving. Every year I am amazed at how quickly these stores turn over their displays and create warm and inviting spaces that put you in the holiday spirit the minute you walk through the door. This year, one recurring trend that was clearly evident in all the stores I visited and from diplays I saw was elegant vintage Christmas themes. Now this isn't retro or old fashioned by any means - it's a bit nostalgic but more "inspired by" cherished holidays gone by. This "new" vintage style borrows style, design, color, materials and techniques from times past but is re-invented to feel right at home today. From chunky glitter, to pastel colors and slight distressing, these vintage style elements make each figurine, ornament and decorative accessory an instant collectible. The photo featured here is our Vintage Collection which you can find at retail right now www.mwcbk.com and as you can see it creates a stunning tablescape and blends well in a traditional and contemporary room settings.

What Year Is It?

2011-11-15T08:25:00.000-06:00

What year is it? This may sound like a crazy question to ask. Well, as Trend Manager here at Midwest-CBK, I can tell you it’s not. Check out the view from my desk – truly – this is organized!

After reading this blog post – you may find yourself asking “What year is it?” too. November is a very busy month at Midwest-CBK – it’s when the seasons collide. You have to look deeper than just the approaching 2011 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to see what I am talking about. We are at the peak of our business cycles, where three seasons of product development and design cycles converge. Picture this . . . our 2011 holiday and gift collections just hit the retail market and we are busy helping our specialty, gift and garden center retailers promote their Holiday Open Houses. At the same time – my ROCKSTAR marketing team just finished sending our 2012 Holiday, Halloween and Gift catalogs to the printer (almost like Vogue’s September issue we are at 625 pages). Yes, I said 2012 Holiday, Halloween and Gift. . . those collections hit the gift marts in January and we are busy preparing to showcase and present our new collections to retailers at showrooms across the country. Now, you may be thinking this doesn’t sound too complicated but here is where it gets tricky. . . layer on top of all that I just described - we are also busy looking at incoming product samples for Spring and Easter 2013 . . .2013!

So when you hear the question “what year is it?” from one of our staffers it sounds completely normal!

http://www.mwcbk.com/

One-of-a-Kind Ornament Display

2011-10-20T08:07:00.000-05:00

Create a dramatic and eye-catching focal point in your store, on a mantel or as table centerpiece with this creative display idea. Take your favorite decorated and embellished Christmas ornaments and finials and set them on top of an arrangement of vintage glass bottles. Mix and match styles and colors to create a display as unique as you!http://www.mwcbk.com/

Entertaining At Home

2011-10-10T14:25:00.000-05:00

As fall settles in and the last leaves rain down from the trees, we enter the season of holiday entertaining. From fall festivals to holiday celebrations, more and more people are entertaining at home. From small intimate gatherings to large scale "Martha Stewart" worthy events. Every year, at Midwest-CBK, we work hard to create hostess gifts for this very reason. Something small and affordable, yet elegant and refined to give to your gracious hosts. Our wide range of wine ware and accessories are perfect for entertaining or gift giving. From bottle stoppers, bottle holders, serveware and home decor accents - there is something for everyone. http://www.mwcbk.com/

Share Your Midwest-CBK Halloween Displays

2011-10-07T10:01:00.001-05:00

It is one of our favorite times of the year - the leaves are falling, the sun is shining on cool mornings and Halloween will soon be here. We love the fun and spooky Halloween collections we launched this year and are so excited to see them creatively displayed in all our gift, specialty and garden retailers. Please share your Midwest-CBK Halloween decorations displayed in your store or home! Post photos on our FB page www.facebook.com/midwest-cbknow through October 31st . We just may send you a little trick or treat!

Mini-Shimmers Make Great Gifts!

2011-10-03T14:33:00.000-05:00

http://www.mwcbk.com/

Mini-shimmers may be tiny but they bring delight and smiles to anyone who receives them. These pocket-sized treasures make great affordable stocking stuffers, gifts for teachers, daycare givers and for school classmates. Mini-shimmers light-up and change colors, sparkling when light hits the glitter. Retailers - mini-shimmers are also perfect impulse items when merchandised on your store counters.

Now through October 31st, 2011 receive 10% Off Midwest-CBK Wonderlights, Mini-Shimmers and Genuine Monkeez and Friends (TM) with qualifying purchase. Take advantage of these savings - call your Account Manager today for details!

Nature's Soul

2011-09-27T07:58:00.004-05:00

Nature's Soul is a heartfelt and inspirational gift collection from Midwest-CBK. This collection was inspired by the love of art and craftsmanship shared by father and daughter. Barbara Musch, a longtime designer at our company has always been inspired by her father's metal work and the contrast between the beauty of the piece and the roughness of the material. From this contrast - Nature's Soul was born. Nature's Soul gifts and accessories make great holiday gifts for those you love, for someone who needs comfort or to celebrate faith. Ask your gift retailer about Nature's Soul from Midwest-CBK. Retailers - in-stock and ready to ship in time for holiday sales. http://www.mwcbk.com/

Vintage French Bistro Set

2011-09-21T07:37:00.000-05:00

http://www.mwcbk.com/Enjoy the romance of Parisienne bistros without leaving home with this chic bistro set from Midwest-CBK. Perfect for patio, porch or a sunroom. Enjoy a croissant and a café au lait and you'll feel like you are sitting on the Champs de Lysee. Retailers - in-stock and ready to ship at http://www.mwcbk.com/

The Vintage French Collection

2011-09-20T08:09:00.002-05:00

Introducing, Midwest-CBK's Vintage French collection - ooh la la, c'est tres chic. We were fortunate to travel to Paris earlier this year to hunt down the latest trends in color, design and style for this collection. What a great city to be inspired by - the sights, sounds, food and even architecture brought a wealth of ideas to our Design and Product Development teams. Taking cues from cakes stands in legendary pastry shoppes to vintage lamps on picturesque streets to charming outdoor bistro furniture. we've brought Parisienne style to you. Ask your local retailers about Vintage French from Midwest-CBK. Retailers - for complete product collection and to order online go to http://www.mwcbk.com/http://www.mwcbk.com/

Beauty of Blown Glass Ornaments

2011-09-19T09:44:00.000-05:00

Decorating with blown glass ornaments adds sparkle to any setting. Display on your christmas tree, hang with a ribbon or fill a glass jar or vessel with your favorite ornaments. Stock-up for holiday sales - best-selling Christmas ornaments, décor, and gifts are in-stock and ready to ship today. Place your order at http://www.mwcbk.com/http://www.mwcbk.com/

Nostalgia - A Strong Trend This Christmas Season

2011-09-15T08:26:00.000-05:00

One of the strongest Christmas trends you'll see this coming season is nostalgia. From decorating the Christmas tree, baking cookies and spending time with family - there has never been a more important time to celebrate family traditions. At Midwest-CBK, nostalgia for Christmas is what inspires us - we feel like we work in Santa's workshop all year round. Retailers: Midwest-CBK Christmas decor, figurines, ornaments and more, are in-stock now and ready to ship today - shop online at http://www.mwcbk.com/

Stock-Up For Christmas Sales!

2011-09-14T10:02:00.003-05:00

Retailers - we have best-selling Christmas characters, ornaments, decor and gifts in-stock and ready to ship. Order now at www.mwcbk.com to stock your shelves in time for Christmas sales.

Click here to order today!

Social Media Webinar for Midwest-CBK Retailers

2011-09-13T07:46:00.001-05:00

Coming September 27th - A Social Media Webinar for Midwest-CBK Retailers! Join us for "Our Holiday Gift to You - A Seasonal Marketing Guide for This Wonderful (And Busy) Time of Year!"

This is a free social media webinar presented by Snap Retail. SnapRetail’s Crystal Vilkaits shares with you tips and startegies to use Social Media to promote your business. Join us on Tues, Sept 27 at 11:00 am EST.

For more info and to RSVP- http://ow.ly/6rYny

Spooky Bottle Toppers - Party Ready!

2011-09-09T07:41:00.002-05:00

Hosting a haunted house party or a spooktacular fright night? Add a spooky glow to your bar or table with light-up, shimmer bottle toppers from Midwest-CBK. In a variety of designs and colors, bottle toppers also make great hostess gifts. Ask your local gift, garden or specialty store about Halloween bottle toppers from Midwest-CBK. Retailers stock-up for halloween sales - best-selling items are in stock and ready to ship today!

Fall is in the air

2011-09-06T09:19:00.007-05:00

Every year when back-to-school shopping begins, we start to see touches of Halloween decorations and costumes pop up in local stores and we always ask "is it too soon?" Here at Midwest-CBK, holidays are our life, we go home at the end of every day covered in glitter - so it is never too soon. Your local gift and specialty stores will soon be setting up spooktacular displays so shop early for best the selection. Retailers: Midwest-CBK Halloween items are in-stock and ready to ship.

Go Back To School With Genuine Monkeez & Friends™

2011-08-31T10:12:00.001-05:00

Genuine Monkeez & Friends™ - a Midwest-CBK original design - brings a smile to everyone's face, especially when we launch new Monkeez designs and introduce new friends to the family. Our favorites are Otto monkey, Doogan dog and Kooky koala - oh so cute! Also available as key clips for backpacks - the perfect gift for back-to-school. Ask your favorite specialty gift retailer about Genuine Monkeez & Friends. For our retail partners- instock now and ready to ship at www.mwcbk.com

Genuine Monkeez™ and Friends Video

2011-08-09T10:41:00.000-05:00

Retail Display Contest Winners Show Design, Style, Sparkle!

2011-02-01T12:17:00.000-06:00

Drum roll, please! We're excited to announce the winners of Midwest-CBK's fourth annual “Design, Style, Sparkle” in-store display contest for independent retailers, including:

• First Place: Uniquely Yours in Faulkton, South Dakota
• Second Place: New River Pottery in Wilmington, North Carolina
• Third Place: Greenhurst Nursery in Nampa, Idaho

Midwest-CBK sponsored the contest to bring attention and recognition to independent retailers who have shown creativity and excellence in retail display and merchandising, one of the key elements to driving traffic and sales.

Midwest-CBK president Rick Contino says, “We are proud to shine the spotlight on the talents of these successful independent retailers, who excel in creating original, eye-catching retail displays. The entries are becoming more creative, every year, proving the continued importance of display in driving traffic and ultimately sales for independent retail business.”

First place winner Uniquely Yours created a magical holiday room setting, complete with not only holiday décor such as Santa figures, “Believe” signs, Wonderlights, ornaments, oversized snowflakes, florals and garlands, but also seamlessly integrated everyday home décor such as lamps, trays, vases, candleholders and more for a warm, welcoming scene designed to invite customers in, become a part of – and recreate at home.

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest this year! We hope to see your beautiful creations again next year!

New Suzy Toronto Holiday Collection; Meet Suzy in Atlanta!

2010-12-28T16:21:00.000-06:00

It's wild. It's wacky. It's all about wonderful women! We're excited to introduce the first ever Suzy Toronto Holiday collection! Toronto’s all new and giftable holiday collection includes her signature inspiring, uplifting and colorful designs with text and messages that evoke holiday humor. The new holiday line, exclusive to Midwest-CBK customers, features a broad range of items including personalizable and gift-boxed glass ornaments with humorous and uplifting text, gift-boxed Santa plate, banner, waterglobe, night shirt, travel thermos and mug. The new line will debut during the January markets in Midwest-CBK showrooms, with stock available for shipping in June 2011.

To kick off the new collection, Midwest-CBK will host an artist appearance and signing with Suzy during the Atlanta market on Friday, Jan. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Midwest-CBK showroom, located in Building One, Suite 16A7.

During the January markets, Midwest-CBK will also introduce an expanded Suzy Toronto Collection of everyday gifts, including 85 exclusive designs. New gift items include gift boxed Celebration of Life birthday plates and banners; “Behind Every Successful Woman Is a Substantial Amount of Chocolate” night shirt with canvas bag, travel thermos and wood plaque; magnets; and wood hanging plaques. The expanded Suzy Toronto Collection of everyday gifts also features continued best sellers such as Pink Ribbon breast cancer awareness items, mugs, coin purses, tile ornaments, night shirts, aprons and tea towels. Each item includes an uplifting, empowering or humorous message that speaks to women such as “A Wild Wacky Wonderful Woman Lives Here,” “Why Be a Queen When You Can Be a Goddess?” “Life Is All About How You Handle Plan B,” “Trust Your Crazy Ideas” and many more. Each item is also accompanied by a story or poem.

For more information or to see our new Suzy Toronto Holiday Collection in person, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit us online or call 800-394-4225.

An Evolution in Home Décor!

2010-12-28T16:08:00.000-06:00

Midwest-CBK introduces an evolution in its home décor collections inspired by today’s trends, blended with classic styling, and designed for changing customer needs and tastes. Midwest-CBK’s January 2011 décor and outdoor living introductions feature more than 400 new designs. Combined with original top-selling items, the new mix is intended to maximize current décor sales for independent retailers looking for innovation.

Key collections in Midwest-CBK’s revised product line include Vintage French, the Classics, Casa Cristina™, Mediterranean, and Heartland which is a tribute to American-style decor. Destination categories with high volume offerings include lighting, wine and serveware, frames, wall décor and clocks. Midwest-CBK’s outdoor living category also features fresh and comprehensive new themes, ranging in style from French to Regatta style outdoor accents.

All new collections will debut during the January markets in Midwest-CBK showrooms across the country. Suggested retail prices range from $10 to $250.

Midwest-CBK’s new lead categories include:
•Versatile, on-trend lamps and lighting from traditional to modern, designed to mix and match within themes or stand alone as individual looks. Midwest-CBK’s wide selection of designer lamps features entry-level, affordable price points, providing a one-stop shopping option for independent retailers.
•Classic, statement-making wedding and everyday photo frames designed both in-house and by licensed artists including Belinda Miley, with a focus on wide molded frames and unique sizes.
•Hand-woven, custom-designed baskets created by top artisan weavers provide multi-purpose storage options for any room. Reflective of the organic trend and inspired by a return to basics, Midwest-CBK’s new baskets are made with natural, indigenous fibers native to the Philippine islands. Colors are neutral, with baskets available in a number of shapes and sizes.
•One-of-a-kind, exclusive indoor/outdoor lanterns at affordable price points. Made of iron, designs range from Mission styling to Asian-inspired to elegant basket weave.
•On-trend, French-style lace table runners and cocktail napkins inspired by vintage Parisian finds provide the perfect touch for entertaining and hostess gifts.
•Cast-iron statuary, benches and accessories in eye-catching designs useable both indoors and out. Designs are classic and refined for staying power in the increasingly popular outdoor living category.

“Under the new leadership of Midwest-CBK’s home décor design and development expert Molly Kinney, we’ve begun an evolution to refine and re-design our décor and outdoor living collections. Our strategy will be to focus on our past successes but layer in savvy, trend-right design with a broad and universal appeal in today’s marketplace,” says Frederic Contino, Midwest-CBK President. “Our new décor and outdoor living collections fuse past sales data with current trends, and are strategically designed to help our customers achieve increased sales and growth. And this is just the beginning – stay tuned for more improvements throughout 2011 as we continue to evolve in home decor.”

For more information, or to see our new home décor collections in person, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit us online, or call 800-394-4225.

Don't Forget - Book Your January Show Appointment Today

2010-12-28T16:01:00.000-06:00

Holiday, gift, decor, outdoor living and candles - oh my! Make Midwest-CBK your one stop shop, and see more than 3,000 new designs during your January market visit. Booking your January show appointment is as easy as clicking here, or contacting your local Midwest-CBK account manager.

We look forward to seeing you soon in a showroom near you! Happy shopping!

Introducing the Casa Cristina Holiday Collection

2010-12-28T15:42:00.000-06:00

We're excited to announce an exclusive partnership with Emmy award-winning journalist Cristina Saralegui to introduce her first designer holiday collection of inspirational ornaments, figures, nativity sets, votive candle holders, lanterns, stocking and tree skirt. The Casa Cristina™ Holiday Collection will feature more than 50 new designs debuting during the winter 2011 markets in Midwest-CBK showrooms across the country.

Our new Casa Cristina™ Holiday collection is inspirational, elegant and hand-crafted, featuring spiritual icons such as angels, nativities, birds, stars, crosses and hearts. Unique textures and materials such as metal, capiz, wood and glass combined with a fresh color palette of gold, silver, cream, blue, green and plum create a modern blend of history and culture. From the style and décor of her Miami home to the artistry and memories of her childhood, Cristina’s unique style and taste create a spiritual and inspirational collection. This exclusive new line blends the design sensibility of her heritage interpreted for today’s elegant, gracious homes.

“I am excited and proud to work with Midwest-CBK to bring my own personal style and vision to this new holiday collection, and share these exquisite, inspirational designs with retailers and families across the country,” says Saralegui. “My long-standing partnership with Midwest-CBK is an excellent example of how far we’ve come with the Casa Cristina™ brand, starting nearly seven years ago from a small line of home accents to today’s range of multiple categories including tabletop, accents, garden, gift, lighting and now holiday décor and gifts.”

Midwest-CBK is also expanding the Casa Cristina™ Home and Lighting collection with more than 30 new designs in today’s best-selling home décor formats including lamps, pottery with unique turquoise glaze and distressed white finish, antique wooden mirrors and nested table sets with embossed metal detailing, that reflect Cristina’s unique Mediterranean style and taste.

For more information or to see the new collection in person, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit us online or call 800-394-4225 to request a catalog.

Shelves Empty After Black Friday? Time to Restock!

2010-12-01T15:54:00.000-06:00

Congratulations, you survived Black Friday! And Cyber Monday! According to the National Retail Federation, visitors and sales were up over last year (hooray!!). The group reports that 212 million shoppers visited stores and websites over the four-day Black Friday weekend, up from 195 million during the same period last year.

People also bought more, with the average shopper this weekend spending $365.34, up from last year’s $343.31. Total spending reached an estimated $45.0 billion.

We hope you enjoyed a successful kick-off to the holiday season, too! If Black Friday left your shelves a little empty, now's the time to restock for the holiday rush. Best selling holiday gifts like Genuine Monkeez & Friends, mini shimmer lights, bottle toppers, Lights in the Night, plus everyone's favorite holiday fragrances from Colonial Candle, and decor from Casa Cristina, Belinda Miley plus lamps, clocks, wine accessories and more available for immediate shipping. Click here to see a complete list. To place an order, visit us online, call 800-395-4225 or contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager.

Happy holidays! And happy selling!

40% Off Sale: Stock up on decor and gifts for the giving season

2010-11-18T16:01:00.000-06:00

Happy holidays! And we have a gift to share with you: 40% off select decor and gift merchandise, just in time for the giving season. You'll find more than 400 items on sale, including everything from designer lamps, pottery, and serveware to candle accessories, wall art and hooks, clocks, vases, photo frames, mirrors, and garden decor. It's a great time to stock up to boost sales AND margins during the holidays.

Click here to check out the sale. To order, log into the Midwest-CBK web site or call 800-394-4225.

Mini Shimmer Test Movie!

2010-11-18T14:23:00.000-06:00

Ornament Sale - Stock Up for the Holiday Rush!

2010-11-03T12:00:00.001-05:00

Hard to believe, but Christmas is around the corner! To help you prepare for the holiday rush, Midwest-CBK is offering a special sale with 50% off select ornaments in stock. It's a great time to stock up to boost sales AND margins during the critical fourth quarter.

Click here to check out the sale, which includes best sellers like the Blingle Bell, Hidden Treasures, Nutcracker Suite and Warm and Fuzzy designs. To order, visit the Midwest-CBK web site or call 800-394-4225.

Great Values, Beautiful Frames from Artist Belinda Miley

2010-10-22T09:58:00.000-05:00

Check out our great values in stylish photo frames and collages by artist Belinda Miley. Belinda's “Let Your Spirit Sparkle” collection is exclusive to Midwest-CBK, features crystal accents, layered patterned designs, elegant bows, jeweled clips and medallion embellishments. The Belinda Miley collection includes mini frame assortments, and new patterns such as animal prints, floral, striped and crackle designs.

New shadowbox triple cross collages are also available in a range of sizes in horizontal and vertical formats, along with shadowboxes featuring elegant jeweled icons from nature such as dragonfly, butterfly and fleur de lis. To view the Belinda Miley frame collection, click here. Limited stock is available - place an order today by contacting your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visiting us online, or calling 800-394-4225.

Candles Drive Fourth Quarter Sales – Have You Stocked Up?

2010-10-19T06:34:00.000-05:00

If you’ve been in retail for any number of years, you know that candles are proven performers during the fourth quarter. According to the National Candle Association, seasonal sales represent 35% of total yearly candle sales, with expected 2010 revenue estimated at $3.3 billion! In 2010, scented candles will represent $884 million.

With Colonial Candle you can stock up on both scented and unscented candles. Don't miss out on fourth quarter sales and turn to Colonial Candle to light up holiday sales. Order today via phone 800-394-4225 or online.

Why Colonial Candle, because quality is our passion, backed by:

•Master candle makers with 100 years of experience.
•The finest ingredients of wax blends; exclusive fragrances; all-cotton wicks; and color throughout.
•Superior burn performance, for a long-lasting, smooth, and even burn.
•Creative design, rigorous testing.
•Our U.S.candle manufacturing facility is a “green” facility.

8 new holiday scents, and a full line of metallic candles, ready to ship:
• Over 48 scented candles.
• 36 colors of virtually dripless dinner candles, pillar candles and long-burning votives.
• Stylishly designed candle holders and accessories.
• Novelty candles great for gift-giving and stocking stuffers.

Happy holiday selling!

Colonial Candle Expert Featured Live on WKNY This Morning

2010-10-13T07:28:00.000-05:00

What are the hottest new candle scents for the holiday season? What's trending in candle colors and styles? Find out this morning when our own candle expert Mercie Ritter, Colonial Candle Product Manager, is featured live on WKNY Radio in New York. She'll join host Warren Lawrence to talk candle trends to rev up the fall and holiday seasons, and give away candle prizes and special offers to listeners. Listen live from 9:45 to 10 a.m. Eastern on WKNY's web site. Select "Click Here - Listen to WKNY Now." Enjoy!

Got a Hot Holiday Display Idea? Submit it Now in Midwest-CBK's 4th Annual Holiday Retail Display Contest!

2010-10-07T13:48:00.000-05:00

We're looking for the best of the best in holiday retail displays! Back by popular demand, Midwest-CBK announces a call for entries in its fourth annual "Design Style Sparkle" retail display contest. Enter your original, creative holiday display ideas for a chance to win up to $1,000 in product credits for first place!

Here's how: Submit up to two photos of your best holiday displays and a 150-word description to your local Midwest-CBK account manager, or email photos directly to contest@mwcbk.com. Criteria for judging include creativity and impact. Prizes include Midwest-CBK product credits presented for first, second and third places.

Winners will be announced on Saturday, January 15, 2011, during Midwest-CBK’s “Design Style Sparkle” party in the company’s Atlanta showroom located in Building 1, Suite 16A7. Photos of the award winners will be on display in major Midwest-CBK showrooms during the winter markets.

Good luck, and stay tuned when winners are announced in January!

Go Green with New Email Shipment Notifications, Invoices

2010-10-01T17:05:00.000-05:00

To help our customers and our company Go Green, Midwest-CBK is excited to now offer e-mail shipment notifications and invoices. These notifications include tracking numbers with live links to track shipments and images of the products in each shipment, sent the moment a shipment leaves our distribution center. To check out a sample, click here.

The new shipment notifications also provide a new level of convenience and speed to busy retailers.

For more information or to sign up for this service, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, or email customerservice@mwcbk.com or call 800-394-4225.

Felicitaciones a Cristina!

2010-09-27T11:53:00.001-05:00

We're excited to announce that our celebrity design partner behind Midwest-CBK's wildly popular Casa Cristina home decor collection, Cristina Saralegui, received the prestigious National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) 2010 Raul Julia Award for Excellence! Felicitaciones, Cristina!

The Raul Julia Award is presented annually to the person or persons who most advance the mission of NHFA. Previous awardees include: Film Director Robert Rodriguez; Creator/Producer Roberto Orci; Film Director Patricia Riggen; Film Director Gregory Nava; ABC News Anchor Elizabeth Vargas; and TV Executive Producer Sandra Bullock.

Cristina is the 12-time Emmy® award winning host and executive producer of "The Cristina Show," one of the most recognizable and trusted names in the Hispanic community. Time magazine selected her as one of the "25 Most Influential Hispanics in America" and Home Furnishings News (HFN) Magazine named her one of the "50 Most Influential People in Design and Home Furnishings." Cristina began working with Midwest-CBK five years ago to bring her Casa Cristina home designs to life.

This year, Midwest-CBK expanded its popular Casa Cristina Home and Lighting collections, with more than 50 new designs in best selling formats such as hand-painted tabletop and serveware inspired by the citrus groves of Spain; dramatic Moroccan- and Cuban-inspired candleholders made of glass, iron and mirror; elegant metal wall décor and mirrors; metal garden benches, crosses and angel statuary and fountain; iron and woven metal accent furniture such as accent and console tables, and plant stands; and elegant blown glass candleholders with pewter filigree cross details.

Designed in partnership with Cristina, this exclusive new line blends the design sensibility of her Spanish heritage interpreted for today’s elegant, gracious homes. The Casa Cristina Collection complements a wide range of home décor including Tuscan, Mediterranean, Spanish, European country, rustic and southwest styles. Suggested retail prices range from $12 to $200.

To view or order the Casa Cristina collection, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit Midwest-CBK or call 800-394-4225 for a catalog.

Martha Stewart Wears Midwest-CBK for Her Halloween Costume

2010-09-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

D&G. BCBG. YSL. Yes, Fashion Week is in the air in NYC, and now MWCBK joins the ranks of labels and couture, dressing the likes of (drum roll, please): Martha Stewart. Yes, you read that correctly - on the cover of her new Halloween Handbook, the superstar of all things home, is WEARING an enchanting necklace made of Midwest-CBK's Gold Starburst Mini Ornaments!

We're thrilled and honored to have our ornaments selected and featured by Martha - especially in such a creative way. Martha Stewart Living editor Shane Powers worked with the Midwest-CBK team to select just the right star ornaments to create her dazzling look.
We love the idea of using ornaments and garlands in new ways, especially when it comes to retail display. In fact, in our showrooms, we've turned ornaments into napkin rings, placecard holders, drawer pulls, chandeliers - and now jewelry. Do you have an out-of-the box idea to "ornament your life"? We'd love to hear it - please share your ideas in the comments below.

In the meantime, if you'd like to stock up on Martha's fave Gold Starburst Mini Ornaments, call our Direct to Consumer Line at 866-445-9993, or sign up to receive email notification when stock hits the Colonial Candle website, Martha Stewart Necklace Ornaments.

By the way, Martha's Halloween Handbook is fabulous - loaded with oodles of spooktacular decorating, costume and food ideas for Halloween. It's on newsstands now.
In the meantime, throw on a string of sparkling ornaments and Manolos, and strike a pose - you're red carpet ready!

Pink Ribbon Sisterhood: Supporting Each Other in the Ultimate Fight of Our Lives

2010-08-25T12:18:00.000-05:00

This weekend, the Twin Cities hosted our local Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 60 mile walk, and we salute the more than 2,400 walkers, volunteers and spectators who supported the event and raised more than $6.2 million. What an inspiration!

As the 3-Day makes its way to a city near you, Midwest-CBK is proud to partner with renowned artist and author Suzy Toronto to honor, inspire and comfort breast cancer patients and survivors, or anyone affected by the disease, with new Pink Ribbon Sisterhood gifts. The new collection features pink ribbon graphics symbolic for the fight against breast cancer in Toronto’s signature style, with copy that reads “Supporting Each Other in the Ultimate Fight of Our Lives.” The Pink Ribbon Sisterhood collection includes four best-selling gift designs including a mug, nightshirt and tote bag set, ceramic tile wall plaque and versatile journal/notebook. The Pink Ribbon Sisterhood collection is in stock and available now.

Toronto, an award-winning artist and author of The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women, is recognized for her signature, vibrant watercolor paintings that showcase whimsical, contemporary images of women, paired with sassy, witty text that celebrate “ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things.”

“Everyone has been touched by breast cancer – either personally, by a family member or dear friend. As women, we are part of a worldwide sisterhood, supporting each other in the ultimate fight for life,” says Suzy. “It’s a battle we know we can win. So for our mothers, our daughters, our sisters and our friends, we all wear a pink ribbon.”

For more information on the Pink Ribbon Sisterhood collection, please contact your Midwest-CBK account manager, call 800-394-4225 or visit us online.

More Monkeez Pleaze!

2010-08-12T15:14:00.000-05:00

Midwest-CBK's wildly popular Genuine Monkeez took the Las Vegas market by storm! Gifts & Dec Direct from Las Vegas featured our playful display of new Monkeez in our Las Vegas showroom.

Yes, our best-selling Genuine Monkeez family is growing again! Joining our adorable sock monkey and zoo pal designs, Midwest-CBK introduces new springtime characters including Fritz and Freddy frog, Pearl and Percy pig and Ruby and Reggie rabbit, all featuring magnetic hands and feet and available in two sizes each including 14" and 21" plus 4.5" backpack clips. New baby clothing is also available, including baby onesies with embroidered monkey face design available in red or green and coordinating bibs in red, green, blue or orange. New bunny ear baby hat and booties available in green or purple are also available. Suggested retail prices range from $4 to $28.

And here's a super easy, fast and fun Monkeez display idea: Who can resist a Radio Flyer filled with the cutest new critters for spring? Put on a parade of Genuine Monkeez and friends! Pack a wagon full of characters that speak to any child, mom, grandma or aunt. This fun display on wheels is easy to move around the shop wherever you need to grab attention - and easy for children to play with while moms shop.

Marvelous Metallics

2010-08-06T16:52:00.000-05:00

Everyone loves a little sparkle, right? And now we have even more in our Colonial Candle collection: we're excited to introduce a new line of metallic candles, available in a multitude of shimmery shapes and colors, and proudly made in the U.S.A.!

These beauties make a dramatic statement lit or unlit during the holiday season or anytime, and feature clean burning for a better experience than most other metallic candle imports of inferior quality on the market today.

Our new metallics are made in Colonial’s U.S. facility in Elkin, North Carolina, recognized for it’s green manufacturing, and using the same high quality materials as our fragrance collection. Our new metallics feature three different formats including 12 inch handipt tapers, pillars in 3 x 4 inches and 3 x 6 inches, and 1.5 and 2.8 inch ball candles. Colors available include silver, gold, red, green and platinum. Suggested retail prices range from $4 for 1.5 inch ball candle to $12 for the 3 x 6 inch pillar.

The metallics were a hit during the summer markets, and were recently featured in Gifts and Dec.

If you missed our new metallics during the shows, it's not too late: contact your Midwest-CBK account manager, or call us at 800-394-4225 or view them online.

New Colonial Candle Fragrances - Yum!

2010-07-29T15:39:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who visited our Chicago digs - we're happy to report a strong market in the heartland!

We've covered some of our new home decor and spring/Easter collections, but now let's turn our attention to . . . candles! Under our Colonial Candle brand, we've introduced three new holiday and fall candle collections featuring eight new and exclusive fragrances, and two new gift candle accessory collections including Balsam Forest and Peppermint Swirl, just in time to boost fourth quarter sales.

Colonial’s eight new fall and holiday fragrances are inspired by Americans’ favorite scents of the season and holiday traditions. And all new fragranced candles are made in Colonial’s U.S. facility recognized for its green manufacturing. New fragrances include:

• Balsam Wreath: Notes of iced Douglas fir, spruce and rich balsam radiate with woodland sage, earthy thyme and a touch of fresh felled oak.

• Joyful Noel: A festive and elegant fragrance with the feel of glacial air and sparkling green freshness.

• Fireside: Enjoy the cozy allure of a fireside glow with warming accents of crackling woods, lush oakmoss, soothing violet and a touch of amber.

• Mountain Birch: Capture the silver birch blending coriander and cypress with fig tree leaves, vanilla and fresh woods.

• Caramel Apple: A delightful fall classic of crisp, juicy apple notes with drizzles of caramelized brown sugar, sweet smooth vanilla and a touch of maple.

• Crème Brulee: A tempting rendition of creamy eggnog blended with sweet vanilla custard, grated nutmeg, spicy clove and caramelized sugar.

• Warm Gingerbread: Holiday indulgence of warm spices and rich molasses infused with warm milk for a delightful and tempting aroma.

• Spiced Pumpkin: A delightful blend of creamy pumpkin swirled with spicy cinnamon, golden nutmeg, brown sugar, chestnuts and warm vanilla.

Is your mouth watering? :-) Good!

If you haven't had a chance to check out our new fragrances yet, give your Midwest-CBK account manager a shout and he or she can stop by with delicious-smelling samples for you to try. If you don't have an account manager yet, we invite you to call 800-394-4225 to request a visit.

Thank you in Atlanta - Off to Chicago!

2010-07-20T07:21:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who visited Midwest-CBK in Atlanta! Our showroom was hopping and your response to and feedback on our new home decor, gift and fall and holiday Colonial Candle collections was outstanding. Thank you!

As the Atlanta market comes to a close, we'll leave you with another creative display idea that drew attention over the past week in our Atlanta showroom.

Our visual display team created a sweet, inviting garden party display by using a series of trellises embellished with stems and vines from our new Spring Elegance collection. They added tables from our home decor line, set with tabletop pieces from Spring Elegance. We added chandeliers to the trellises for add another elegant, romantic touch. This look is very simple to create, yet establishes a dramatic display that draws customers in to shop and become a part of the story.

Thanks again to our friends, guests and team in Atlanta. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago this week!

Daisy Do Display

2010-07-15T17:33:00.000-05:00

If you can't make it to the Atlanta market, we'll bring it to you. Here's a quick snapshot of one of our most popular displays: Daisy Do! Daisy Do is a fun, new tabletop, kitchen and hostess gift collection featuring bright, bold colors and lots and lots of - you guessed it - daisies! We created the cutest kitchen display known to man (or woman) prominently featuring daisies (of course), along with a whimsical flower and utensils "chandelier." Our savvy visual display team used a grid suspended from the ceiling, added thin plastic cording to match and tied the utensils at different lengths. The daisies are simply crimped to form a hook and fastened right to the grid. It's a super simple way to create a look that demands attention. Happy pickin'!

Red Hot Display Idea in Hotlanta

2010-07-15T15:48:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Hotlanta! As you may have read in yesterday's post, Red Hot is a new collection of clean, modern home decor all in red - very bold, very sleek. The color does all the work for us in this collection, and you can see from our Atlanta showroom display that pairing items all in one color palette can create a bold statement! We used a neutral background color - "Wild Asparagus" - and clean, white fixtures to set a stage for the boldness of the color statement, allowing the products to take center stage.

More to come from the market - stay tuned!

Midwest-CBK Announces Major Design Update In Home Decor; Featured in the News

2010-07-14T09:56:00.000-05:00

Now that we're smack dab in the middle of summer market season, we're excited to introduce a major design update in our home décor collection: a new, re-imagined line designed to appeal to today’s consumer tastes, now debuting in all eight Midwest-CBK showrooms. The newly designed line was just featured in Gifts & Dec, HomeFashion and Giftware News this week.

The new home décor collection also features the largest introduction of new designs, with hundreds of new designs presented in four new trend-driven, coordinated themes. The newly designed collections feature best-selling, core home accent formats such as lamps, wall décor, vases, frames, and candleholders. Each theme is designed around a current trend featuring a coordinating color palette, patterns, and style, bringing independent retailers designer looks at budget-friendly prices.

Our new home décor themes include:
• Urban Habitat: With a blend of city chic styling and natural materials of wood, ceramic, metal, wire and glass, the allure of Urban Habitat lies in its power to transform spaces into something refreshingly modern and new. Carved wood, leaves, branches, birch bark and linen patterns, twigs and natural wood elements combine multiple textures and patterns for a trend-forward, modern edge. Formats include lamps, vases, wall décor, frames and candleholders.

• Refined Rustic: The naturalistic, refreshing style of Refined Rustic carves a new path in home decor. Authentic materials of wood, stone, faux leather and metal meld into modern formats of sleek vases, trays, photo frames, candleholders, lamps and furniture accents with clean, modern lines.

• Hollywood Glamour: Inspired by the retro glamour of the 1920s and 50s, Hollywood Glamour features high-design and Baroque styling with crystal drops and mercury glass for drama and sophistication. Features shimmering materials and colors of silvery black, platinum, champagne and gun-metal gray. Key product segments include lamps, wall sconces, chandeliers, candleholders, frames, wall décor, mirrors and candelabra.

• Red Hot: With red the “it” color for 2010, Red Hot features a transitional collection of dramatic red and black décor, designed to appeal to younger customers. Key product segments include lamps, frames, candleholders and vases in metal, ceramic and glass.

If you're in Atlanta this week, we invite you to check out our new collections in person. We look forward to seeing you!