In This Issue:
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Made in USA Companies Continue to Buck the Offshore Trend
 Downward pressure on retail prices has caused production of all kinds of goods to move overseas in search of cheap labor, but some companies go against the grain, preferring the quality of locally made to lower costs. In this special issue we take a look at some of those companies for the eighth year in a row.
Planting Seeds of Happiness. Mark Borella, an accomplished sculptor and photographer from Kirkwood, MO, began creating Seeds of Happiness in 2006, as a way to reach out to a life-long friend whose son was dying of cancer. He shaped leftover lumps of clay strewn around his art studio into a distinctive smile, fired the clay with a brightly colored glaze and shared the seed with his friend, hoping to bring just a bit of happiness to him at such a trying time. From that one initial gift batch, the story of Seeds of Happiness has travelled around the globe and grown into a world-wide phenomenon with people sharing seeds around the United States, as well as in the countries of Singapore, Egypt, Turkey, and Colombia, just to name a few.
Seeds of Happiness are sculpted by hand at the “Smile Factory” in Kirkwood, MO. They are produced from all natural, organic clay sourced from Nixa, MO. It takes approximately 40 hours to produce each handcrafted seed. Between 4,000 and 5,000 seeds are shipped around the United States each week to retailers and consumers.
 US-Made Product Wins Best New Product. Buyers at the 2015 Urban Expositions, Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show voted WineO, The Original Wooden Wine Stopper by Richmond, Michigan based KitchenHappy, as the Best New Product Award winner.
"WineO struck a responsive chord with buyers because it is a customizable souvenir that retails for less than a greeting card," said Sue Kinch, Co-Owner of KitchenHappy. "The best new product award affirms we listened when buyers told us what they wanted: No set up fee, low minimums and the ability to name drop. We got it right."
The MSRP of $4.99 each includes an engraved or printed wine stopper with gift pouch. WineO can be easily paired with a bottle of wine for a more substantial gesture. "Buyers love the friendly price point and the ready-to-go gift pouch. They were ecstatic to learn all KitchenHappy products are made in the USA," said Kinch.
The best new product award was preceded by a 2014 International Housewares Association nod to innovation. The IHA award honors product design and creativity, according to Phil Brandl, President of the International Housewares Association.
Sentiments For Many Occasions. With nearly 20 years in the gift industry, The Grandparent Gift Co. of Alpharetta, GA continues to pride itself on creating exceptional sentiment gifts, many handmade in the USA or assembled at their production facility in the Atlanta area. With the introduction of their first gift, "Grandma's Heart", 20 years ago, the company started with all USA printed greeting cards, matted and framed prints. Today the company still produces most of its photo frames in the United States. Over the years many products have been added with the goals of keeping as much production in the US as possible.
One of the most recent product introductions has been handmade glass crosses, hearts and pawprints, which are cut and fired by their supplier in the South. The glass is paired with the companies original sentiments and gift boxed for many occasions, from baby baptisms, confirmations, anniversaries, memorials and more. The newest crosses are beautiful mosiacs created from broken glass, in a line suitably called, "Beautifully Broken". A glass pawprint has been added to the companies best-selling pet memorial poem, "Pawprints Left by You".
Look for The Grandparent Gift Co. at their Atlanta Show Booth, Bldg. 3 Booth 5-401 in January 2016.
Many other companies continue the practice of employing people to produce their products in the USA, including Leslie Hand Painted Glass, Fiddler's Elbow, Highland Graphics, The Artisan Connection, Pumpernickel Press, Kiss Me In The Garden, Oatmeal Studios, Designs by Beverly, All For Giving, The Cookbook Company, Heart Gifts by Teresa, Channel Craft and many more.
For more, visit www.usmadewholesale.com.
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Featured Vendors
 indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.  indicates Made in USA.
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 C'Zire by Lamar Creations - "...your heart's desire" - provides turnkey jewelry programs featuring industry leading quality Cubic Zirconia jewelry. Our jewelry is produced at the same standards as fine jewelry. We cast our jewelry in jewelers bronze also known as brass, the most expensive and durable material used in costume jewelry. We hand polish every piece to a mirror like finish and then hand set high quality Cubic Zirconia stones. We use a double thick genuine rhodium or 18K gold electroplating for lasting wear.
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 Divinity Boutique is a gift company that is focused on trendy and fun gifts that feature inspirational verse and themes.
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 Elegant Baby Elegant Baby® understands that babies deserve style just as fresh as they are! Our marvelous collection of baby products is full of bold colors and spectacular designs. From traditional to contemporary, today's baby gift is sure to become tomorrow's treasure. Products ranging from My First Rubber Ducky to My First Baby Bible, My First Baby Blankie, My First Baby Jeans to the iconic silver spoon, Elegant Baby is where style meets tradition.
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 Goods 4 U Global is a sales rep agency "caring and sharing Artisan goods from around the globe," offering handmade, fair trade, socially responsible goods created by local artisans in many countries.
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 Invenio Enterprises: Easylight Glasses are without any doubt, the greatest eyewear innovation of the last decade. Easylight aren't just simple reading glasses. Thanks to two LED bulbs inserted in the glasses frame that can be turned on independenty, they can be used in any situation of poor illumination.
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 Isa's Naturals is a forward thinking personal-care products company. Our products include therapeutic bath salts, body cleansers and moisturizers. At Isa's, we draw our inspiration from Ethnobotany - the relationship between people and plants.
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 Jozie B: What is Jozie B? Or, rather, who is Jozie B? She's a friend, she's a sister, a mother, a daughter, a neighbor. She loves to give gifts that lift the spirit with words and a touch of style. She's you... she's me...she's Jozie B. Jozie B first entered the general wholesale gift market to retailers in 2012. She offers a variety of gift items, including wall plaques, wine accessories, mugs, pillowcases, jewelry, and much more! Jozie wants her gifts, which are at affordable, everyday prices, to celebrate and uplift a woman's friends and family members, through both the gift's inspirational wording and its stylish appearance.
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 Limelight Imports: Limelight Imports is a wholesale manufacturer and distributor of whimsical jewelry and key chains.Our pieces are designed to create smiles, spread laughter and offer fun, yet affordable jewelry and key chains with a twist. All of the products of Limelight Imports have a special connection to family, friends and cherished memories.
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 Nicole Brayden Gifts : A bright and fun collection of stationery, mugs, party supplies, handbags and many other cute gifts.
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 Qwertylook is a Research and Development company based in Atlanta, Georgia. We are driven by passion, pride and commitment to create the most unique solutions to real challenges our society faces daily. QWERTYZ Mobile Readers – a mobile reading system attached to smartphones, tablets or laptops to promote the convenient reliable alternative to tethering or carrying traditional reading glasses.
 Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.: All Jazzed Up™ Fashion Accessories for Fall & Spring. A wide range of Giftware for the Home & Garden. Visit our website for New Products & Specials.
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 Richard E. Bishop Features Men's gifts like glass and mug sets, decanter sets, and "Tipsy Wine Glasses". Also the company features a variety of old-book-themed photo albums, binders and storage boxes.
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 snoozies!® are not socks and they're not slippers - sort of a crossover between the two and that's why we call them "foot coverings"! snoozies!® are made with a brushed fleece exterior in colorful & fun printed patterns and then lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.
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 Tripar International Inc.: Tripar International is your source for both displays and decorative accessories. Our extensive product line includes a wide assortment of easels, risers, ornament stands, plate racks, mirrors, jewelry displays, and unique display pieces. We are also an excellent source for wine accessories, wall decor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands. We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.
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 Wellspring makes functional products with fresh designs for companies that sell gifts. Great fun and cute personal accessories designed for the purse, stationery designed for organization and Flip Notes- the best-selling slim notepad consistently ranked by retailers as a top 10 in sell through. Perfect 4th quarter pick up gifts at under $10 retail- a sweet spot with today's consumer. Now with collegiate logos!
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Quick Industry News
NEW WHOLESALE WEBSITES
 Candles And Quotes is new to the CAMEO EZ© community. Their jar candles are available with quotations for nearly any occasion. Candles and Quotes is a family run business, based out of Long Island, New York. The company's candles are 100% all-natural soy, with a creamy white color and no dyes. They are all vegan, and an economical alternative to traditional paraffin wax candles.
 Bandilac has a brand new CAMEO EZ© website, featuring custom, hand-crafted, laser engraved gifts and accessories, made in USA. In addition to its own designs, the company welcomes Custom and Private Label projects. With your logo, artwork or other image, Bandilac will create a personalized, custom product. With great price points, low setup charges and fast turnaround, Bandilac's Custom program provides great branding and promotional opportunities for your business.
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