Christian Retailing

Hand-sculptured cross bears personal touch Print Email
Written by Rhonda Sholar   
Monday, 05 January 2009 04:51 PM America/New_York

Artist inspires with stone-filled wire design celebrating ‘colorful gift’ of life

Blome crossHand-finished, hand-painted home décor items take on a one-of-a-kind look for artist Elizabeth Blome, whose designs are available from E. Blome Designs.

Blome, who taught herself to paint as a form of therapy when her mother died of cancer in 1993, introduces Life, a 12-inch silver cross in the “Whimsey Cross Collection,” this month. Life ($24.95) is hand-sculptured and inspired by Romans 6:4.

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Central symbols of faith given a new twist Print Email
Written by Rhonda Sholar   
Monday, 08 December 2008 04:47 PM America/New_York

Rotational design uniquely combines cross and ichthus fish emblems

A unique artist interpretation of two symbols of the Christian faith is the foundation for several companies’ gift, jewelry and home décor lines.

Jac Cavness, a Texas high school art teacher, is a sculptor and the creator of a series of Eyevolver Studio sculptures that undergo a rotational transformation from one Christian design into an entirely new one.
Cavness’ first design in the marketplace is CrossFish, which Roman has co-branded as “Dimensions of Christ.” Roman introduced the line in its January markets, but production delays pushed shipping back to June.

Based on initial retailer response, the company added three new SKUs. The existing line consists of a 6-inch figure, wood photo frame, desk cube, musical glitterdome, ornament in gold or silver with easel display, cell phone dangle, bookmark, key chain, women’s pendants in gold- or silver-plated metal, men’s silver-plated pendant, gold- or silver-plated earrings, a glass ornament ball, a plastic and metal bracelet, and gold- or silver-plated bracelets.

January introductions will include a lapel pin in gold-plate and silver-plate finishes ($8.50), gift-boxed dangling earrings in gold-plate and silver-plate finishes ($12), a gift-boxed pendant in gold-plate and silver-plate finishes ($16.50), a combination of art glass and metal dangle ornaments ($9.50) and a CrossFish figure in velvet bag ($8.50).

The “Dimensions of Christ: CrossFish” collection “offers a unique presentation of the story of the life of Christ ... the hardship of Christ’s life on Earth and also celebrates the glory of His resurrection and eternal life in heaven,” said Jeanne Acheson, director of product development for the giftware brand for Roman.

In a 90-degree rotation, the piece changes from a vision of the cross, when viewed from the front, to the ichthus fish mark when turned on the side.

Carson Home Accents is licensed to introduce a coordinated line of Eyevolver windchimes and windspinners with the CrossFish design, beginning in January. Current licensees include collectible company Mr. Christmas for mechanical musical ornaments and jewelry maker Stuller for fine jewelry in 14-karat and 10-karat gold and sterling silver.

For further information on these licensed products, call Roman at 630-705-4600, or visit www.roman.com; call Carson Home Accents at 800-888-1918, or visit www.carsonhomeaccents.com; call Stuller at 800-877-7777, or visit www.stuller.com; or call Mr. Christmas at 800-467-9627, or visit www.mrchristmas.com.

 

 

 
More creations from ‘The Potter’s Shed’ Print Email
Written by Rhonda Sholar   
Monday, 10 November 2008 12:00 AM America/New_York
New inspirational home and garden products feature 'sought-after' art

Gift vendor Enesco signed a licensing agreement with artist Michael Macone for The Potter’s Shed, his line of contemporary ceramic home and garden accessories. Having released previously from Macone’s own company, the line has been popular with Christian retailers because of the inspirational sayings on many of the designs.

Enesco, whose agreement covers marketing and distribution for The Potter’s Shed, expects to re-launch the existing products in January 2009 with new inspirational designs from Macone tentatively scheduled for mid-2009.

"We are thrilled to partner with Enesco," Macone said. "The company’s global leadership grants us a great opportunity to grow and share our designs worldwide, something we could never do with our own resources."

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Cards, prints mark return of Seeds after struggles Print Email
Written by Rhonda Sholar   
Monday, 10 November 2008 12:00 AM America/New_York
After being away from the Christian products industry for 13 years, an artist and her husband have returned with new lines of greeting cards, and framed and unframed prints.

Artist Debbie Bell Jarratt and her husband, Thomas, of Durham, N.C., launched Seeds Evangelical Greeting Cards, a religious all-occasion greeting card business, in 1986. Beginning in 1997, the company suffered financial setbacks as Jarratt’s health declined to the point she had to endure loss of sight in one eye and multiple joint replacements. But in 2000, the Jarratts were able to revive their company and launched new categories, including a line of figurines.

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