Antoinette Di Gregorio's Atlanta showroom always spins with elves and Santas at work. Di Gregorio's animated characters recall the nostalgic Christmas store windows of yesteryear. Here's a sampling of new designs in her 2008 collection
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Halloween is a new theme for 2008 ...


































And yet another new theme ... New Year's Eve!



























Toni's new Christmas elves ...


Visit Toni's web site to her animated figures.

mysantasandelves.com

CHRISTOPHER RADKO
Christopher Radko has been had a long association with the Ino Schaller German workshop. That partnership continues in 2008 with the highly embellished Radko style.




Some of this year's newest entries are minis that can hang from the tree as ornaments. Averaging about 3" tall, these little guys are embellished with glass beading and the traditional Schaller tree. But hold on to your charge card! In a sign of the economic times, these little guys are priced at a hefty $100 each!









DAVID STRAND DESIGNS



In his first Atlanta show, David Strand unveiled a sizable collection of Schaller candy containers. Strand shows a flair for coloration and details.





Here's one of David's favorites, decorated with traditional holiday poinsettias and fur trim. Strand has carried the poinsettia motif to the glass collection with matching ornaments.

Note the traditional finials that flank this German Santa candy container.


JOY TO THE WORLD COLLECTIBLES


Lisa Kelechava's entry into the Schaller candy container market created quite a buzz at this year's wholesale market.








Kelechava first created a miniature ornament. Thomas Schaller then created a full sized candy container based upon the style & decoration of the mini glass ornament. Collectors will find the miniature Santa as a "surprise" inside the traditional German container. Kelechava also crafted a series of glass ornaments based upon traditional Schaller styles.


Joy to the World is the first to create a Schaller candy container with a red tree. The design is striking!








The two Schaller-style glass ornaments are tastefully styled and the red "Ermine" Santa sports glass beading "glitter".


This penguin candy container marks a new venture for the Thomas Schaller workshop. It represents an entirely new mold and it was garnering lots of attention ... a real show stopper!

Bethany Lowe Halloween Party!
It's a 20th anniversary for Bethany Lowe! Artists, family and staff wear costumes to celebrate the line's impressive collection. Here are Bethany (left) with daughter Erin. Four artists signed ornaments, pins and a special 20th Anniversary collector's bag. Add a lavish array of food & beverages and you KNOW there was an appreciative crowd! The BLD staffers estimated a crowd of a bit over 350 at this year's Halloween bash.



Artistry of Poland

The "two Sues" (Sprunk & Myal) from Artistry of Poland exhibited in Atlanta for the first time. They reported lots of interest in their ornaments. Of course, we talked about the fact that they are sponsoring the "Second Annual" Design Like a Star contest. David Blair's winning design is now part of the 2008 AOP collection and orders are coming in. Wow! So, put YOUR thinking caps on and send in your entries. You, too, could be a STAR designer!

CHRISTOPHER RADKO

It takes many trips to the Christopher Radko showroom to absorb it all. But, here's an early favorite ... the drummer from The Monkeys. It's a De Carlini Italian, one of four, for those of us who remember that pop-rock group with its own TV show. Each ornament is about 4" high and sells for $115. (Yes, sticker shock is definitely here for all of the 2008 lines!)







Tannenbaum Treasure (6", $75) is another favorite. It reminds me of the gorgeous peacock reflector from the anniversary collection several years ago. With its jeweled ornaments, it would be perfect companion ... and destined for a spinner on my holiday tree. Very nicely done!









INGE-GLAS OF GERMANY

Klaus Muller-Blech flew in from Germany to attend the premiere of the 2008 line in Atlanta. He graciously signed this year's dated reflector from Sharon & I as well as the family's new book, due to arrive in stores later this year.









DEBBEE THIBAULT

Ms Debbee was a bit under the weather today but she and Carolyn did take time to show us the six new ornaments in the 2008 line. Love them!

I had planned to give you a preview here since Carolyn gave me a CD of images. You might know that technology failed up this evening ... the darned thing won't open! I promise to take some close-up shots before I return to Ohio.






That's it for today's report ... more tomorrow evening.

Connie ... from the the Atlanta "America's Mart" show

OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS


Today began with a 9:30 appointment at Old World Christmas and a personal meeting with founder and president Tim Merck. Tim personally escorted Sharon, Al and me around the showroom, pointing out personal favorites and telling us about the inspiration behind many of the ornaments. Tim's wife Beth is the company's sole designer. Of course there are MANY new styles in the 2008 Old World line. Tim spent well over an hour with us in a very busy showroom. The displays were just incredible, as you can see!


MIA

Mia has introduced lots of new designs. The most exciting are the complex Polish free blown designs, such as the cheery red cardinals perched on a branch, surrounded by a heart-like green vine.






THOMAS GLENN

Thomas Glenn displayed a large number of blue & white themed ornaments, many with an oriental flair.









Bold, neon colors, such as this one, stood out on a tree of new designs.










DAVID STRAND
David begins 2008 with some incredible additions of his collection. He's definitely hit a "home run" for those who love German wire-wrapped ornaments. This "gilded cage" is absolutely stunning in person. Strand has selected a high gloss lacquer paint background for this celestial Santa double reflector. WOW!






Do you like Schaller paper mache figures? Then you will want his matching piece!












If you like Halloween along with black and white ornaments, then this Halloween balloon is one you must add to your collection for the fall.










Many lines have Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments. David's Strand's is the most original and innovative that we have seen. The free standing topiary combines glass, paper leaves and composition pears to surround a tiny partridge in an elegant nest. This piece elicited lots of attention from stores who stopped by to check out the new line.

Well done, David!





Tomorrow (make that TODAY), we'll continue our quest through the temporary exhibits. Then by late afternoon, we will be back to the Inge-glas showroom. Current family business head, Klaus Muller will be signing his new hard covered book.

Connie

MATTARUSKY


I began my day with a visit to the Mattarusky showroom and a visit with Ann (Matt will arrive on Friday). This husband & wife duo will celebrate their 10th year in business during 2008. They will also be the subject of a full C365 interview during the year. Among the many highlights is "Rudy's First Tree." The 10-yr-old has successfully carved his first mold, dad created the colors and Rudy now has his own ornament (think sports themed Christmas wishes)! I predict that by the end of the year, son will be asking dad for a royalty check. Neiman Marcus has selected the design among its picks for 2008. Congratulations, Rudy!

JOY TO THE WORLD COLLECTIBLES


Purple Santa Paper Mache Candy Container with replica glass ornament, Purple Kugel ornament on right

This must be the year for anniversaries. Lisa Kelechava, JTTW founder & president, is celebrating her 10th year in business. The JTTW line has exploded with innovative techniques and striking glitters. When Lisa first teased us with her "Schaller" news, I really thought that I would not be interested. I am a traditionalist. But, a walk through the showroom with Michael Tandy and a follow-up with Lisa changed my mind. While I still don't see myself beginning a new collection, these candy containers with the surprise inside (a matching miniature glass ornament) are really something. They are artfully decorated, impeccably detailed and stunning to behold. Look for a "Behind the Design" feature on my favorite Schaller in an upcoming issue. For now, here's a peek at styles that will begin popping up in stores later this year.



The "black on white" is stunning!



A new mold series with great comic relief! Peppermint Twist ... Snowman, Reindeer & Santa



Ribbon Candy Santa ... a photo does not do this ornament justice. Its intricately twined candy design, vibrantly colored is among the best ornaments I've seen at this year's show. (Well, it IS only the second day ... but it is truly amazing.) Love it!

I have also visited the Radko showroom (twice), have all of my notes taken and hope to embark upon photography tomorrow.

Keep checking back!

Reporting from Atlanta,
Connie

When I visit the Bethany Lowe showroom, I think HALLOWEEN! Yes, Bethany represents home decor and all holiday ... but her Halloween line is always over the top!

Above, the LARGE COUNTRY PUMPKIN GENT is a new entry from Scott Smith's Rucus Studio. When they named it "large", they weren't kidding! This guy makes a real statement at 24" tall, He's resin with a bamboo stick and a great paper pulp lantern carried over his shoulder. He does have a "big" price, too. Well,he does come in a little under $200.

Speaking of pricing ... think about the the state of our economy. Oil is at $100 a barrel, all transportation costs have increased accordingly, not to mention the cost of oil-based materials. Now, add to the mix the current dollar devaluation in the world marketplace. Do you begin to get a picture of what I'm about to tell you?

Expect prices this year to increase anywhere from 15% to 40%. The European ornament manufacturers seem to be especially hard hit. Some have dropped ornaments from their lines because they have become so expensive. In the Radko line, they have a fabulous line of Italians for 2008. The prices I checked in the showroom ranged from $65 - $125 per ornament. The new pieces in the German Master Craftsman Collection ranged from $100 to $250, for those I checked. But they were awesome! I loved Chung King Lights in 2007. This year's collection has "Chung King" ... based upon each segment of the original design ... and turned into smaller ornaments.

I have an appointment at the Radko showroom tomorrow as well as Joy to the World. By the way, they have a penguin Schaller that is just incredible! As I'm sure many of you have suspected the Schaller with a "surprise" is a minature glass ornament version of the paper mache German figure.

Well, I took about 150 images today ... tomorrow will certainly break that record!

Let me know what you would like to "see" from the showrooms. I'll do my best to make your wishes come true!

Connie