Divine Swine

Macmillan has Beautiful Pigs. MUD Statuary has Hamlette. You can't help but love both the photos of champion pigs in Beautiful Pigs and the stern gaze of Hamlette. These swine are divine!

Celebrate Local

One of our favorite customers, Packaging Specialties, is planning a series of events from April 10 -25th to celebrate local companies such as Rosanna Inc. and Midori Inc. at their Seattle store and are offering a 20% discount. Now that's a CAWs for celebration!

For more information, contact Packaging Specialties at 206.762.0540.

Cheery Cherries

Cherry blossoms are the epitome of Spring and many of our products are reflecting the change in seasons. Rosy Rings Cherry Blossom Reed Diffuser contains pink pepperberries and larkspur blooms.

Equally as stunning is roost's hand-painted Cherry Blossom glass. The detail on the glass is exquisite!

Life is a bowl of cherry blossoms!

Old Dawgs, New Tricks

It's a big year for the University of Washington. Not only was the University among the NCCA's Sweet 16, it's celebrating it's 110 Anniversary. The celebratory mood is definitely helping to drive the already brisk gift sales at the University Bookstore.

Much of the University Bookstore success, is due to the keen eye of their gift buyer, Elisabeth Myers. During her five years as buyer, she's grown the Bookstore's gift sales dramatically. Here's Elisabeth's take on what's hot and what's not:

What's Hot: Cheap and cheerful lines such as Fred, Knock Knock and Unemployed Philosophers Guild are selling well. Family and children's games and puzzles - more people are spending time at home. Lotion sales are also up! Chocolate is a perennial best seller and of course we sell a lot of Roost and Glam.

What's Not: Home decor and candle sales are slowing along with some ceramics except for Rosanna!

According to Myers, "price points and feel good factors are key to selling products." GO DAWGS!

Caldrea Gets Lucky

Caldrea's new Sandlewood Riceflower fragrance received rave reviews on Lucky's blog. Click here see what Lucky has to say!

Hang Loose!

A step ahead of the curve, Tea Forte offers a loose tea singles sampler box set. Precisely measured to ensure a perfectly brewed tea, one cup at a time. This tasty sampler includes organic Earl Grey, Forte Breakfast, Chamomile Citron, Green Tango, and Ginger Lemongrass. Perfection in a cup!

Change is Good

Need to reinvigorate your business? Think like a designer. In his book, Change By Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation, Tim Brown shows how using the traditional skills that designers develop, can be used to identify problems and create solutions in collaboration with the people who will benefit from the results. In other words, finding a solution to retail business challenges is a creative process that should involve your CAWstomers.

Isn't It Icon?

Primal Elements Icon Crown Candle featured in the April 2010 issue of FairLady.

Be a queen and surround yourself with sweet scents of apricot, lily and musk; it's what's new in beauty!

Twenty nine different icons are available to suit any taste or occasion!

Uncommonly Special

One of the most unique gift boutiques on the Eastside, is Common Folk Co. , a wonderful mix of nostalgia, vintage finds and what owner Kathryn Straub, calls "industrial chic." Her creative merchandising style brings the store to life, with use of aged and distressed commercial scaffolding inspired by James Bond (a stickler for detail, she hand-selected each piece!), and architectural and salvage finds from all over the country -- a eclectic combination that sets the stage for her wonderful gift and home accessory lines.

Here's what's taken flight at Common Folk Co.:

Hot pink and turquoise blue are popular colors for the season (a pop of pink is a great way to spruce up a room for Spring); Mid-century modern style, 60's lounge music; and black and white are continual favorites. Nature themes of twigs, nests, birds and shades of mossy green are in demand with every season.

Customers are always welcomed with a cup of tea or coffee and offered a signature chocolate treat, Kathryn's hospitality shines as bright as her vintage chandeliers!

Shown below: Kathryn Straub with her Initially Yours mug from Rosanna Inc.


Kathryn Straub has two stores located at the Crossroads Center in Bellevue, Common Folk Co. and Common Folk Kids. 15600 NE 8th St, Bellevue WA 98008.

The Great Northwest

Northwest Art and Frame is one of The Barron Collection Ltd.'s original customers and continues to be a favorite of ours. Their buyer, Debbie Numoto, started as a cashier 25 years ago and has been their buyer for over 15 years. An artist in her own right, working there is a perfect match!
Here's what Debbie reports:

What's Hot: Novelty items, products that make people laugh, smile and feel happy! Popular motifs include birds, nests, eggs and butterflies. Glittery items and cards are selling!

What's Not: Anything over $30. Candles sales are down but fragrance diffusers are up. She has been seeing a lot of navy. It's the new color that is in fashion. Brown is down! "

"It's really about the price point and the feel good factor." says Debbie while adding, "the art department is doing very well because people are making their own gifts and cards."

Northwest Art and Frame is located at 4733 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA.

Above: Debbie Numoto with Tea Forte product, represented by The Barron Collection Ltd.

Quite Contained

We usually go to a store expecting to find great things inside, but in the case of Dixie Stark Home, the exterior is as jaw dropping as the inside. The building is constructed of six metal shipping containers used to transport cargo on ocean going vessels. Designed by Jay Stark, Dixie's architect husband, the containers provide a strong modular element accented by high ceilings, tall windows that allow for ample natural lighting. This stunning structure is a perfect showcase to Dixie's collection of classic home interiors and contemporary accents.

Dixie Stark Interiors is located on 616 South Lucile Street in Seattle WA just a few short blocks from the Pacific Market Center.

There's No Place Like Homer

Michelle LaFriniere’s boutique, Lazarette in Homer, AK reflects her passion for the Peony flower. She also owns Chilly Root Peony Farm and her enthusiasm for the flower is apparent throughout her boutique. She's ecstatic about Michel Design Works peony blossom products, roost's floating peony flower candles, and Skeem's Vintage Peony candle. These charming gift items are sure to delight her customers!

Au Naturale

We'll soon be representing Glam Naturale, a line of personal accessories such as card holders, purse hangers and compact mirrors with a very natural vibe. We're partial to anyone who would honor our muse and mascot with a picture of her on the cover of their CAWtalog

CAWntact your rep for details. Don't know who your rep is? Click on "Contact" for more information.

Crackerjack Retailer

Kathleen Koch, owner of Crackerjack in Seattle, WA was one of our original customers. With 24 years of experience as a retailer, Kathleen knows what it takes to thrive during challenging economic times. Here are some of her insights:

What's Hot: Jewelry, natural and organic products, local artists. soaps, items with lower price points such as cards. Also selling, anything with a bird, nest, egg or owl (we love that!).
What's Not: - Items over $30. Ceramics are selling slow.
Consumer Mood: Customers are looking for sales and bargains and they're wearing and buying bright colors.
Pet Peeve: Manufactures that compete with retailers by having their own website.

Left: Kathleen Koch, owner of Crackerjack, located at 1815 N 45th #212 in the Wallingford area of Seattle.

Become a PeaceKeeper

Want to know who makes the world's best lip balm? It's PeaceKeeper Cause-metics, a line of lip balms and Cause-metics made with USDA grade organic ingredients.

PeaceKeeper Cause-metics donates all its after-tax profits to help women around the world who are earning less than $1 a day.

We are PeaceKeeper Cause-metics' first gift-based agency to represent them and we look forward to introducing it to our CAWstomers. Everyone loves a good CAWS!

Rosanna Book Signing

Rosanna Bowles, founder of Rosanna Inc., hosted a book signing party to launch her recently released book, Coming Home. The reception was held at Seattle's Boat Street Cafe and featured delicious appetizers and live music. On hand were many of Rosanna's wholesale customers including Fireworks Gallery, Allusia and Packaging Specialties. Founder and CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz also joined the festivities. Click here to view more photos.

Pictured left to right: Lisa Link, Rosanna Bowles, Paul Cardoza and Yeri Yun.

Tres Jolie

Midori Ribbon has just introduced a beautiful new ribbon aptly named “Trés Jolie.” Lightly wired and embellished with a charming bead motif, Jolie shines at weddings and special events. Crafted in France of 85% Acetate and 15% Copper, Jolie has translucent panels, gold embroidery, and solid satin borders with finished edges. 5' wide, available in a length of 10.9 yards and two in Bone (shown) and Magnolia.

This pre-order ribbon is available in limited quantities. Shipments begin approximately April 15th, 2010. Call your Sales Associate to make an appointment to see it today.

Bird on the Wire

The Barron Collection Ltd.’s posting of this inaugural blog comes almost 20 years to the date it was founded by Rebeca Barron. Those were the dark ages; no faxes, no internet, no email and cell phones the size of a WWII walkie talkie. Look at us now!

We look forward to sharing our thoughts and discoveries with you and invite you to CROWmunicate with us!