Design of dining table was a key space saver

Houses always seem to need more space — such as room for a large dining table.

More than 200 years ago, furniture designers solved the problem of too little space by creating a table that could be made larger if needed.

Some designers made a “butterfly” or “drop-leaf” extension at the end of the table — an extra leaf held up by a leg that swings out underneath it. Sometimes two small tables with drop leaves were moved together to make a large table.

By the 19 th century, many tables could be pulled apart so that loose leaves could be inserted on a track under the tabletop. Sometimes a complicated mechanism separated the table halves and held leaves.

About 1930, manufacturers began to make tables that could be pulled apart so a leaf stored below would pop into place as part of the dining surface.

All of these ideas are still used today on extension or extending tables.

Q: I have a 6-inch-high “Vapo-Cresolene” lamp passed down from my in-laws. I have the original box, too. Printed on the front of the box are patent dates from 1885 to 1901, and inside the top cover are detailed directions for using the lamp. The lamp’s original price was $1.50. What are my lamp and box worth?

A: Your lamp is a medical antique. It was originally sold by the Vapo-Cresolene Co. of New York from the 1880s through the early 1900s. A fluid marketed as Cresolene (an acid made from petroleum and coal tar) was poured into the upper dish. When the lamp was lit, a vapor was released that supposedly killed germs that cause whooping cough, croup and diphtheria. These lamps are not rare. They sell for prices ranging from $10 to $200, depending on condition. An original box in excellent condition slightly increases the lamp’s value.

Q: More than 60 years ago, my grandmother gave me two 5-inch bisque dolls. I can’t find any marks on them. Each has molded hair with a molded ribbon headband and came with a small stand. My grandmother dressed the dolls in outfits she made from 3-inchwide ribbon. The dolls are dirty, but I’m afraid to wash them. Can I?

A: You can safely wash your dolls. Remove their dresses first. Use a mild liquid soap and water. Clean the crevices with a soft toothbrush.

Q: What is the age and value of my Royal Staffordshire soup tureen? The pattern name is Iris. The crown mark on the bottom includes the word “Burslem.”

A: Royal Staffordshire Pottery was the name of the pottery works operated by Arthur J. Wilkinson Ltd. of Burslem, England, from 1885 into the late 20 th century. Wilkinson used the trade name Royal Staffordshire. There are many Royal Staffordshire dinnerware patterns, including several different colors of the Iris pattern. Iris was produced from about 1890 to 1920. Depending on the condition of your tureen and the color of the pattern, it could sell for $300 to $1,500.

Current prices

Prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States.

• Taco Bell talking Chihuahua advertising toy, 1990s, 6 inches, $15.
• Ironstone toothbrush holder, cobalt thistle on front, flower on back, marked Maddock’s Lamberton, 1904, 5 inches, $35.
• Red Wing Pottery hors d’oeuvres server, Bob White pattern, toothpick holes on back, 1950s, 8 1 /2 inches, $115.
• Fenton Opalescent Cranberry Coin Dot vase, 6 inches, $130.
• Hull Pottery Woodland wall pocket; pink, yellow and green; clematis flower in center; 8 inches by 5 3 /4 inches; $155.
• Obstetrical forceps, ebony wood handles, metal forceps, marked HG Kern No. 12, Civil War era, 13 inches, $250.
• Patchwork quilt, cotton, center sunburst, 25 different colored blocks, circa 1850, 88 inches by 89 inches, $1,135.
• Dagwood Bumstead doll, from Blondie comic strip, composition head, large ears, black suit, Knickerbocker, circa 1935, 14 inches, $3,100.

Ralph and Terry Kovel, authorities on collectibles, write for King Features Syndicate. Write to them in care of The Dispatch, King Features Syndicate, 888 7 th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019. Or visit the Kovels online at www.kovels.com.

Source: www.columbusdispatch.com

TEXTURE TELLS THE TALE / Weaving in feel of 1950s

When Zocalo’s designers Jorge Jaramillo and Margaret Leigh set out to design furniture for those hungry for mid-century pieces, they decided not to copy or reproduce the classics but reinterpret them.

The two lines they introduced in 2005 but which have just arrived in stores are Echo and Otto, bedroom, dining and accent furniture that follows what Jaramillo refers to as the “ethos” of mid-century design.

Part of that characteristic is a desire to experiment with new materials, which the two San Francisco designers did, using bamboo for the Echo line and a recyclable polyweave material resembling rattan for Otto.

The veneered fronts of Echo’s cabinets use sheets of plywood with a top layer of bamboo, making them easy to bend. The section fronts use the directional grain of the bamboo to great effect. They are also bent into a curve in some corners to create the pull handles, giving “a certain depth to the piece,” Jaramillo said.

He said he refused to look at other reinterpretations of modernism, but studied original work by Ray and Charles Eames and others before going to work, preferring not to second-guess his results.

Jaramillo incorporated a contrasting finish to the base of many of his pieces, another mid-century characteristic, giving case goods an “aerial, elevated feeling.”

Functionality is important as ever in the ingenious dining table with its circular ends that flip back to make the table square.

The Otto line emphasizes the idea of a durable outdoor material, the polyweave, with its use indoors, a very contemporary trend, Jaramillo said.

And then there’s price. Starting with $150 for the two-shelf nightstands to $1,099 for the armoire, these goods are affordable.

– Laura Thomas

American dining furniture

If you’ve got a 50s vibe going on in your life, then you might be interested in Little Book of Furniture’s American Diner collection (The Motos), which can bring a touch of Americana to either your kitchen, dining room, or if you’re feeling flash, to your patio.

The collection is made up of three styles of dining chairs and two dining tables. The Moto Chairs have steel frames and vinyl, cushioned seats which are finished with a beige piping. Each model is then distinguished with its own distinctive detailing.

As for the tables, well, the moto26 has a curved rectangular shape which can seat six people, and the moto19 has a circular design which seats four. Both have unusual curved steel legs and are finished with a Formica table top in cream or black.

Each chair will set you back £135, with the tables coming in at £355 for the six-seter and £275 for ther four-seater.

Little Book of Furniture website

Source: retrotogo

Bali-GRFurniture - Bali Furniture Wholesale

The Leading Bali manufacturer and exporter of Teak Furniture.
Established in 1998, Bali-GRFurniture is an exporter of handmade Bali furniture located in the heart of Bali, Denpasar. Bali-GRFurniture has since then been exporting handmade Bali furniture to countries all over the world. Their stockroom, located in Kuta, Bali, is a place where you can find their collection of exquisite Bali furniture. Custom-made designs are always welcome. The teak furniture products range from chairs, cabinets, beds, benches, buffets, bedsides, mirrors, tables, coffee tables, etc. All of the furniture is crafted from recycled and kiln-dried teak wood (Tectona Grandis) to ensure years of durability from warping and cracking.

Our Bali teak furniture is made by using logs from government-regulated teak wood plantations in Indonesia, therefore ensuring you that our Bali furniture is made in strict compliance with all environmental regulations. We strive to provide the best in high-quality products, services, and competitive prices. Your interest, whether in ready-made or custom-made Bali furniture products, is always welcome.

Contact Information:
Mr .Peter Gwie
G&R Furniture
Tel. (62-361) 738593 / 738594
Fax. (62-361) 738595
Email: info@bali-grfurniture.com
Website: www.bali-grfurniture.com

Bina Antiek Furniture

Bina Antiek Furniture is a furniture company that based in Jepara. they are leading export company of antique furniture. Their product from old teak wood (recycle) by legal raw material with goverment license to produce good furniture without any problem. They produce goods such as: Dining Table, Coffee Table, Side Table, Telephone Table, Round Table, Office Desk, Opium Table, Chairs, Chest, Vitrine Cabinet/ Shop Cabinet, Audio Video Cabinet, Computer Cabinet, Dress Cabinet, Corner Cabinet and etc. they also accept a certain design in order to meet the demand of costumers. they also produce paint finishing with combination materials between Damar Wood and MDF

Contact Information:
Showroom :
Jl.KH. Wahid Hasyim 167 Bapangan Jepara Indonesia
Phone : 62.291.596649
Fax : 62.291.596649
E-Mail : info@bina-antiek.com
Website: http://www.bina-antiek.com/

Warehouse :
Desa Pekalongan Rt. 5 Rw.1 Batealit Jepara.

Tokushima Handicraft Association exhibition

The Tokushima Handicraft Association of Japan has chosen Malta to hold an exhibition of traditional handicrafts to celebrate its 35th anniversary of its foundation.

During their visit to Malta members of the association will organise an exhibition as well as provide demonstrations of their skills in the production of Japanese traditional textile crafts.

The fine art involved in the production of traditional Japanese textile handicrafts, as well as the participation in a tea ceremony during one of the many presentations that the association will be holding, should be appreciated by visitors.

The first of these demonstrations will be held on Friday, 16th March from 1200CET to 1700CET at Great Siege Square, Valletta.

Following this demonstration, a full exhibition of the same craft will also be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on Saturday, 17th March from from 1200CET to 1700CET. Visitors can participate in a dressing up of the yukata dress (a costume similar to kimono) as well as attend a tea party ceremony. Admission is free.

The visit of the Tokushima Handicrafts Association is being made possible by Nippon Express Ltd of Japan and SIT of Malta in association with MTA’s representative in Japan and the Ministry for Tourism and Culture.

For further information one may contact one of the tourist information offices on 21237747.

Furniture-maker lets craftsmanship be his guide

In our progress-obsessed era, sleek and modern is the reigning aesthetic. Fortunately, people like Alf Sharp have not forgotten the virtues of simple, hand-wrought craftsmanship.

Currently the featured artist at the Gordon Jewish Community Center’s Janet Levine March Gallery, Sharp has developed a thriving career building furniture that draws heavily on 18th- and 19th-century design. Far from anachronistic, however, he also incorporates contemporary approaches to furniture-making, locating his work on a continuum that stretches from the Revolutionary era all the way to the present day.

Sharp found his calling almost through happenstance: After finishing college, he began pursuing a legal career before realizing that he found much greater satisfaction working with his hands. Over time, he built a successful business making cabinets, but he became so enmeshed in the details of running his small company that he decided to sell the business and focus on the thing he loved: making functional pieces out of wood.

In the years since, he has received numerous commissions from some of the area’s most notable historic sites and institutions, including the Tennessee State Capitol, Belle Meade Mansion and Travellers Rest. After a 1998 tornado downed trees at The Hermitage, Sharp made two pieces from the fallen wood, including a beautiful bench that sits in the Tennessee State Museum.

An active member of the local crafts community, Sharp is president of the Cumberland Furniture Guild and teaches at O’More College of Design. He has shown at the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists’ annual fair, but this exhibit represents a chance for Nashvillians to witness the scope of his skill and imagination.

The show opens with a reception 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Information from: www.tennessean.com

Gallery for craft in Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek’s downtown has a new addition, Calypso Twist — a store celebrating the energy that art brings to life and the home. Miriam Michael wanted to elevate craft and opened the retail gallery after leaving an executive career with Estee Lauder in 2005.

Calypso Twist offers hand-painted glassware, beautiful serving pieces, ceramic dishes in bright dots and stripes, and the coolest flatware by more than 200 nationally acclaimed artists.

The store is perfect for lighthearted gifts for friends and family — adorable picture frames; greeting cards; beautiful wall hangings in glass, ceramic, fabric, metal and wood — all with heartwarming messages. There’s a special niche of Judaica featuring art and functional craft from newly discovered artists here and in Israel.

The exuberant collections of handcrafted (and mostly hand-painted) furniture would take any room out of the ordinary. Pieces come from Oakland artist David Coddaire (his Wavy Cabinets shown, $1,320 for unit on left, $1,100 for right), Sticks (leather bench below, $2,645), Shoestring Creations, Mitch Levine, Studio 78 and others.

Freddy Moran’s colorful quilts and wall hangings, Frannie’s hand-painted gourds and the selection of decorative pillows (Message pillow from Susan Hargrove shown at top, $99), lanterns, lamps, floor rugs, decorative and functional drawer pulls, seasonal and holiday accessories, and jewelry complete the “something for everyone” array of merchandise.

Prices range from $10 on small novelties and up to more than $3,500 on original art.

Calypso Twist also hosts a monthly art series called Celebrating Art, which features local artists, wine and hors d’oeuvres. The March 3 evening event will celebrate Berkeley artist Kay Harper and her original greeting-card line of Kid’s Quotes. April 21 puts the spotlight on Sticks hand-painted furniture.

Calypso Twist, 1357 N. Main St., Walnut Creek. (925) 944-4860; www.calypsotwist.com. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Fine art & antiques by Dr. Lori: Collecting house paintings

Today, we are experiencing a revival of one of art history’s longstanding trends — the painting, collecting, and preserving of the house or home portraits. Whether an artwork’s subject is your house or the Oldest House in America which is located in St. Augustine, Fla., images of homes have recently regained popular interest and have become a new gift idea for the new and old homeowners.

Helping to make house paintings or home portraits a popular art form and collecting category, numerous artists are offering the service of commissioned artwork based on a photograph of clients’ houses.

Like family portraits, portraits of homes are now making a splash in the decor of many new and not-so-new homes.

In addition, many of us are collecting images of our childhood homes, as well as vacation homes, in order to remember a beloved site where family gatherings took place in days gone by.

This strong art historical tradition of home portraiture was popular with the historic monarchies throughout Europe for centuries.

Of course, artists depicted some of the great buildings of history such as the Palace at Versailles, home of French monarchs Louis XIV and Louis XV.

Versailles attracted artists to it long after its completion, too. As late as the 19th century, circa 1818, American artist John Vanderlyn painted a famous circular, panoramic view of the Palace at Versailles, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection.

Like the French site, Great Britain’s esteemed Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official residences, has been immortalized in fine and folk art many times since it was erected as a fortress and castle more than 900 years ago.

Today, Windsor Castle remains the largest occupied castle in the world.

While Windsor Castle houses the Royal Art Collection, including paintings by Hans Holbein, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck, fine tapestries, porcelain, sculpture, armor and more, the site itself has been the subject of numerous portraits detailing its impressive and breathtaking structure.

Here at home, the majestic White House has been similarly reproduced as paintings, prints and other works of art.

The president’s house was a major feature of L’Enfant’s plan for the city of Washington in 1791. Envisioning a vast palace for the president, the White House was depicted often.

We are familiar with the early presidential portraits on display in the White House, however, the prime interest in depicting the White House as a subject itself came of age after the burning in 1814 and rebuilding of the presidential home in 1817.

On Aug. 24, 1814, when British soldiers approached the nation’s capital, First Lady Dolley Madison insisted that Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of President George Washington be saved.

Of course, the Stuart portrait was saved, but the White House perished.

After 1817, the White House became a popular subject for American artists and their foreign colleagues.

One of the most famous images of the White House in our nation’s capital is an engraving by William Strickland from a watercolor by George Munger from the Library of Congress collection, dated 1814.

The idea of commissioning and collecting an original work of art or fine art print depicting your home, like that of the world’s historic homes, has sparked a new contemporary trend which recalls an old tradition.

Produced and immortalized in various media such as textile, tapestry, needlepoint, watercolor, prints and oil on canvas to name a few, many collectors are interested in adding an artwork of the home to an existing art collection on display within the home.

As seen on WNEP 16 TV, Comcast CN8 TV, Retirement Living TV and DirecTV, Dr. Lori is a certified appraiser with a doctorate degree in art history. For more information, visit www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010.

New Market for African-American Art

With most of the art world’s high rollers in London this week for predicted record sales at Sotheby’s and Christie’s, a small auction in New York is calling attention to a group of artists who, some argue, have been unfairly excluded from the market’s gains.

Tomorrow afternoon, Swann Auction Galleries is holding a sale of over 200 works by African-American artists, arranged historically from the late 19th century to the present. The sale, which has an estimated value of $2 million to $3 million, is in all likelihood the first auction at a major auction house entirely devoted to African-American fine art.

“A lot of these artists are sold in galleries or are in museum collections, but at auction, the results are few and spotty,” the director of African-American Fine Art, Nigel Freeman, said. “Some of that is due to a lack of scholarship or information about the works; some is just because they were not heavily exposed during their lifetime.”

Mr. Freeman believes there’s a new generation of collectors interested in this art. “There’s a generation that’s been waiting for the prices to reflect their value,” he said.

For years, Swann has held sales of African Americana, which have included historical manuscripts from the time of slavery through the Civil Rights era, as well as works by fine artists like Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence. In the last year and a half, several prints by Mr. Bearden sold for over $100,000, and Swann decided there was sufficient interest to do a sale entirely of African-American art.

The material Mr. Freeman has brought together “starts with very scarce, early works by artists at the beginning of the century, when the opportunities were very few, to artists who started to get exposure during the Harlem Renaissance and the WPA, to the modern artists” like Bearden, Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, and Charles White, Mr. Freeman said. In addition, there are works by about a dozen contemporary artists, including Kara Walker and David Driskell.

The goal is to bring attention to these artists’ accomplishments and show that they can bring good prices at auction, Mr. Freeman said. “It’s comparable to a large museum exhibition,” he said. “It’s a whole review of the 20th-century black artists.”

Understandably, segregating African-American artists into their own market category doesn’t sit well with everyone. “I’m really split,” a dealer who has long been involved in the African-American art arena, Frank Maresca, said. “You have to ask yourself: Why is it being set apart?” he said. “It’s like you’re saying that these artists need an extra push. And people have been doing that and making those excuses for a long time, and I think you reach a point where you have to stop. Ultimately, things have to stand on their own merit.”

Others argue that evaluations of merit can’t even occur if the work of African-American artists isn’t represented at the major events in the business. Josh Wainwright, the founder and producer of the National Black Fine Art Show, which was held this weekend for the 10th year at the Puck Building, said he started the show because he was bothered that few African-American artists were represented in places like the Art Show and the various other art and antique fairs in New York. “These artists were not being given a window to the world,” Mr. Wainwright said. “We’re trying to bring the art to people who can make those decisions [of merit] for themselves.”

Mr. Wainwright said that most work by African-American artists is still undervalued. “One of the benefits of this auction is that a mainstream auction house will be helping to set sales standards and values for this work,” he said. “We applaud the efforts of anyone who’s going to try to bring this work to a mainstream audience.”

On Saturday afternoon, after mingling with potential clients who came for the sale exhibition, Mr. Freeman said he had heard no negative comments on the exclusive nature of the sale. “I think the overwhelming feeling is that these artists have been neglected and overlooked,” he said. “Everyone’s saying how great this is and how historic this is.”

Mr. Freeman said that he didn’t know why other auction houses hadn’t ventured into this market. “I don’t know if they didn’t want to take the risk, or the audience they want is different,” he said, “but there’s a growing market, and that’s reflected in the growing prices. There’s going to be million-dollar works sold by African-American artists.”

Source: www.nysun.com

Hue to show off craftsmanship

The central city of Hue will promote its rich cultural history by holding a traditional craft festival in early June.

The event aims to promote the appreciation of artisans and traditional crafts as tourist attractions.

The festival will feature gold and silver jewellery, bronze crafts and woodwork, said the Hue People’s Committee.

Traditional handicraft villages around the city have produced much of the work. Artisans will give live demonstrations and the festival will organise visits to temples memorialising the founders of some traditional crafts.

The event is Hue’s second traditional craft festival. The first was held in early 2005.

(VNA)

Hand-crafted furniture shop spurs imaginatio

Make no mistake, Interior Woodworking is no Pottery Barn.

Yes, both offer high-end furniture and home accessories, but when Jeff Chopp opens his high-end, custom furniture showroom and workshop to the public for the first time Saturday, customers will have a chance to see one-of-a-kind furniture handcrafted by artisans throughout Wisconsin.

“I searched the state to find people who do the quality work we want to showcase,” Chopp said. “And, ironically, they all seem to know each other somehow.”

The craftsmen’s work — everything from a cherry wood Mission-style bed to colonial cabinets to modern tables and sconces – provides a great variety of styles and feels to choose from in the showroom, which occupies the former Rogge’s building at 3978 State Highway 21.

Chopp said the furniture all shares one common thread.

“We want the best of what’s out there,” he said. “We want to make it so people can come here and get everything they need from architectural fixtures to doors to anything else someone could want.”

Peggy Coniff, owner of Lakeview Interiors in Oshkosh, helped Chopp arrange the furniture and prepare for the grand opening. She said the pieces are better than most items she finds in furniture stores.

“They really show the creativity of people beyond what you see in furniture stores,” Coniff said. “These can become someone’s heirlooms. There’s very few companies that handcraft furniture any more. The quality is attractive not only to the high-end consumer, but to anyone who wants to spend a little more to have something that can last for the rest of their lives.”

Chopp scoured the state and found custom furniture producers Bob Kloes, of Seymour; Kyle Dallman, of Oshkosh; Tom Gallenberg, of White Lake; Dean Graber, of Madison; and Randy Rhoden, of Hortonville, to complement handmade pieces by Interior Woodworking’s own Charles Cain.

“This work is something you can invest your time and talents in so you’ve got something to show for it,” Cain said.

Some examples will be on display in Interior’s showroom at all times, but Chopp said they’re there to help spur the imaginations of the custom designers.

“Building a custom piece is not that hard,” he said. “You draw it out, bring it in and we’ll sketch it out so it fits your needs. … We want to get people to think outside the box, to realize there are alternatives.”

Chopp said interior designers like Coniff will play a key role in making a lot of the company’s sales, while Coniff said the shop offers as big a chance for her to flex her creative muscles as it does for the craftsmen themselves.

“I get excited because you can design something and then see it made,” she said. “I think it’s easy from my perspective because you can just make a drawing, pick your woods and order it while remaining competitive on price with the rest of the market.”

Source; www.thenorthwestern.com

Handy Craft: Former business manager finds joy in creating furniture that is also art

Bayley Wharton has built a furniture business out of his reverence for thoroughness and clean lines, and his ability to leave natural beauty alone.

When he works with wood, he uses no artificial stains and sparingly uses hand-rubbed oil and lacquer.

“I have a motto: ‘Let the wood speak for itself,’

” said Wharton, a maker of fine furniture whose company, Furniture by Design, produces tables, beds, cabinets, mirrors and benches.

Wharton, 45, who is a Winston-Salem native, recently moved from Raleigh to Mount Airy with his wife and son. The move brought them closer to family but also allowed Wharton to become a member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, which promotes crafts of the Appalachian Mountain area.

A few years after he graduated from N.C. State University, Wharton used his business-management degree during a short stint at a large furniture-maker. There, he learned a lot about the business of mass-producing furniture, but the management part of it left him feeling unsatisfied.

It gave him some ideas, though, he said.

At one point, he had access to a woodworking shop away from work.

“I liked doing it as a hobby … but I had no style,” Wharton said. “Then my sister gave me a book on the art of Japanese joinery.”

He eventually went to graduate school and studied design.

And in 1996, he started a furniture business that could marry craftsmanship with artistry. Wharton, who is also a member of the Piedmont Craftsmen in Winston-Salem, works alone in his shop and sells his pieces through juried crafts shows throughout the United States.

“You look at a lot of art and architecture … and you see conceptually something that seems simple. When you get up close and see the details, it becomes very intricate,” said Wharton, whose work is heavily influenced by Old World Japanese design.

Handmade items, including those made with tools in which the hand manipulates them, are the primary focus of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, which has more than 900 members in North Carolina and eight other states.

The hope is that, by promoting the artists and their pieces, these crafts will continue for generations to come, said Rebecca Orr, who works for the guild in Asheville.

“We do feel that in our mechanical-minded technology world that the hand element is fading,” Orr said. “And, of course, we have so many imports to compete with. That is a hard thing. We had an instance a few years back of quilts coming from China…. When you consider the time put into making quilts by hand, we couldn’t compete.”

Wharton said that most of his customers come from the juried craft shows that he travels to, and those people are often looking for items that have a handmade quality to them.

He often uses curly maple as well as cherry and other hardwoods.

“There are no two boards alike. They are like snowflakes,” Wharton said.

He has thought about adding employees to the business and expanding, but it always leads him to think about the things that he might have to give up. “I constantly debate that subject in my mind,” said Wharton, who plans to keep it small. “I would become a manager again, and I would be running the business and never get my hands in the sawdust.”

Source: www.journalnow.com

Indonesians eye ‘union’ with RP furniture sector

INDONESIA found Cebu-made furniture displayed at Asean summit venues “impressive.”

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 Director Asteria Caberte said the sentiment caused Indonesian officials, who attended the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, to propose the integration of Indonesia’s raw materials supply sector with Philippine furniture makers.

“Indonesia is strong on raw materials (supply) while the Philippines is strong in craftsmanship. That is why they have plans to integrate with us,” Caberte told Sun.Star Cebu.

She commended the 24 members of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF) for lending P25 million worth of furniture pieces to furnish the rooms and lounges of the different Asean summit venues.

“I extend full appreciation to CFIF and the business community for the support. It is a great mileage for the sector,” she said.
Earlier, CFIF president Michael Basubas said industry players are hoping to capture a good market in the Asean region following Cebu’s “successful” hosting of the summit.

Caberte said apart from local furniture, foliage, coconut and marine products from Capiz province are drawing “bright” prospects especially in the Chinese market.

She said Central Visayas products like mangoes and guitars from Cebu, and peanut kisses from Bohol will have a stronger demand in the Asean region and in China.

One of the highlights of the summit was the economic cooperation agreement between Asean and China that aims to open market access in the agriculture and service sectors.

Caberte said even the country’s bio-fuel industry will soon be an attractive investment.

Meanwhile, Caberte said spouses of the different ministers and heads of state were also “amazed” at the Cebuanos’ display of hospitality throughout the summit’s duration.

She said that during the spouses’ tour, local residents lined up the ceremonial routes leading to Magellan’s Cross and Colon St., Cebu City to greet the spouses of Asean heads of state.

“The spouses were really impressed by the heritage sites, festival presentations, the tokens they received, and most especially the warmth of the Cebuanos,” said Caberte, who heads the committee on gifts and souvenirs for the Asean summit.

Cebuano delicacies like dried and fresh mangoes, Bohol’s peanut kisses and kalamay, piña barongs from Kalibo, mother of pearl caviar sets, fashion accessories and table items, were among the tokens given to Asean delegates.

According to Caberte, the January summit proved to be a great opportunity for Cebu to establish its presence in the global community.

She said the adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Abe described it as the “best summit, so far.”

Source: www.sunstar.com.ph

Azad invites envoys to Kashmir handicraft expo

Kashmir’s famed handicrafts were on display when envoys of several countries visited the Kashmir handicraft expo in the capital at the invitation of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Exquisite carpets, beautiful shawls and several other items are on display at the expo at Connaught Place here and the exhibition will be on till the end of February.

Azad went around with various envoys — including those from Egypt, Kuwait and Jordan — who admired the handicrafts and carpets on display.

Later, talking to reporters, Azad said his government was trying its best to take exports of handicrafts to Rs 1,000 crore during this fiscal, Rs 300 crore more than the figure for the last financial year.

He said the handicraft industry too was a victim of militancy along with tourism, and many Kashmiris earned a livelihood by exporting these items to European markets.

“We are trying to eye the Middle East and CIS markets and that was the purpose of calling these envoys and showing them the exquisite work of Kashmir,” Azad said.

Some of the envoys were left spellbound by the intricate work on shawls and wood carvings of walnut wood.

© Copyright PTI. All rights reserved.

Furniture does double duty

We’re squeezed for space.

According to a study conducted by the American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA), 87 percent of Americans describe the size of their home as small or medium and over 30 percent say they have small rooms in their homes.

“Don’t allow your small space to box you in creatively,” says AFMA vice president Jackie Hirschhaut. “Look at furniture as part of the answer to using your space most efficiently.”

Storage quest: As the American family continues to collect, keep and inherit, the need for storage grows, particularly in a space-challenged environment. Forty-two percent of the respondents said that lack of storage space was their biggest challenge in living in a small home. The solution: Now there are pieces that serve more than one function, like a coffee table that provides storage or bookshelves within it. Corner cupboards, blanket chests, armoires and curio cabinets are all excellent choices for consumers in search of storage-friendly furniture. Many beds also offer storage.

TV central: Americans’ love affair with the television requires an attractive, yet appropriate place to house this often used and sometimes awkward-to-place electronic product. For this reason, almost a quarter of the survey respondents said that an entertainment center was the piece of furniture that makes the best use of their space. It’s no wonder - today’s entertainment centers provide room for televisions, CD, DVD and VCR compartments, retractable doors and a host of other space-saving features. Armoires and attractive television tables with wheels also serve as a practical place to keep the television.

Space to snooze: Seventeen percent of respondents identified the sofa-sleeper as their second most space efficient piece of furniture, followed by a desk or workstation and bookshelf. Daybeds and sofa-sleepers allow for space savings and multifunctionality.

Books and more books: The survey also suggests that our books are starting to pile up. Twenty percent of the respondents said that a bookshelf or shelving would be the most practical piece of new furniture in their small space, followed by a sofa-sleeper, desk or workstation and an entertainment center. Furniture manufacturers produce bookshelves and shelving that allow consumers to have a “built-in” look, or the pieces can stand alone beautifully in any room of the house.

10 TIPS FOR TINY SPACES

Go vertical: Consider tall furniture rather than wide to preserve floor space.

Use your walls: Add a shelf or rack to display a favorite collection or for hanging hats, ties and scarves.

Stash it in style: Today’s occasional tables offer plenty of storage with drawers, shelves and cubbies plus glass-topped display space for collectibles.

Sweet dreams: Under the bed, use decorative boxes and storage bins to stow out-of-season clothing, wrapping paper, sporting goods or anything else.

Retractable doors: In armoires or entertainment centers, they provide more space when the doors are open.

Try the kids’ department:M Youth furniture is designed to fit into smaller rooms. Have a small guest bedroom or a little alcove office? A child’s dresser or desk might be the perfect fit.

Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’: Many pieces of furniture have wheels. Enjoy extra mobility and function with a wheeled piece of furniture that is fashionable and practical.

Don’t leaf it out: Ask your retailer about a dining table with removable leaves.

Accent it: A mirror is always a nice accent to any room and adds light and depth when space is limited.

American Furniture Manufacturers’ Association

Sculpture of ‘our fragile craft’ lives up to its phrase

A million-dollar stone sculpture, intended to remind future generations of Earth’s fragility, made its point a bit early — just three months after its unveiling, it collapsed.

The 175-ton “Spaceship Earth” lay in ruins at Kennesaw State University after mysteriously falling to pieces last week.

The engraved phrase “our fragile craft” was still visible amid the debris.

“Kind of ironic,” said Mary-Elizabeth Watson, a university employee. “I had no idea it was made up of so many pieces.”

University officials say they suspect water damage or glue failure, but agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are also looking into the possibility of vandalism, said Frances Weyand, a spokeswoman for Kennesaw State.

The Finnish-born sculptor who goes by one name, Eino, had called the work “Spaceship Earth” to honor environmentalist David Brower, a leader of the Sierra Club. It depicted a bronze figure of Brower standing atop the globe. The founders of California-based PowerBar had paid for it.

“How can stone collapse by itself?” Eino asked. “I’m devastated.”

He said he used a resin made specially for stone, worked with an engineer and was assured the globe would stay in one piece.

Eino, who lived in Georgia in the late 1990s and now lives outside Las Vegas, vowed to restore “Spaceship Earth” to its former glory, with structural modifications. Rebuilding will start as early as next month, he said.

“I want to rebuild it and build it stronger than ever,” he said. “It has to be made safe.”

Action Products Launches Curiosity Kits Brand at Craft & Hobby Association Convention

Action Products International Inc. will debut its new Curiosity Kits(TM) brand later this month at the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) 2007 Winter Convention and Trade Show, the largest craft and hobby exhibition of the $30 billion US craft and hobby industry.

CHA expects nearly 20,000 craft and hobby industry professionals to attend the show to be held January 28-31, 2007, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

More than 12,000 buyers from more than 50 countries in every market in the craft and hobby industry attend the show. Representatives from mass chains, wholesalers, and independent craft and hobby shops, will be on hand to view the new Curiosity brand. In addition, more than 400 members of the media attend to see and write about what is new and noteworthy. This year’s event will feature Martha Stewart as the keynote speaker.

“The CHA Winter Convention and Trade Show, also known as the craft world’s fair, is the perfect venue to debut the new Curiosity Kits(TM) brand, because of its extensive line of creative activities and unique crafts,” said Kimberly Ruhge, Curiosity Kits(TM) brand director. “Action Products will display the new Curiosity Kits(TM) logo and packaging, featuring bright colors and simple shapes that match the vibrancy of the contents inside.”

In addition to the new logo and packaging, several new fashionable arts and crafts kits will launch at the show including: Savvy Sash & Jeweled Jeans(TM), Hip Hip Chain(TM), My Personal Pendant(TM), and Natural Native Stone Necklace(TM).

Action Products has also submitted the new Curiosity Kits(TM) Paw Print Picture Frame into the CHA Innovations Showcase, a contest that builds excitement and awareness of exhibitor products. All products submitted to the contest will be displayed at the show as a “must see” for buyers and media.

For additional information on the 2007 Winter Convention and Trade Show, visit www.chashow.org.

About Action Products International Inc.

Action Products International Inc. (APII), based in Orlando, Fla., is a consumer products manufacturer, emphasizing branded educational and positive leisure products. Action Products consumer brands span activities, arts, crafts, juvenile products and toy categories. Its products are marketed and sold to retailers and consumers.

Visit the Company’s Web sites at www.apii.com and www.curiositykits.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements. It is possible that the assumptions made by management for purposes of such statements may not materialize. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. Such statements may involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those relating to product demand, pricing, market acceptance, the effect of economic conditions, intellectual property rights, the outcome of competitive products, risks in product development, the results of financing efforts, the ability to complete transactions, and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement for events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

Contact:
Wendy Jo Moyer
Action Products International Inc.
(407) 660-7221

Seal for Sarawak handicraft proposed

There is a need to introduce a seal for Sarawak-made handicraft to distinguish them from the fakes.

Sarawak Tourism Federation president Wee Hong Seng said the seal could carry the name and origin of the handicraft maker and should be recognised by the Sarawak Craft Council.

He said the move was to protect the local craft industry as some 80% of souvenirs found here were imported, mostly from Indonesia.

“The sale of handicraft here these days tend to follow the trend. When one shop sells a particular item, other shops will also do the same.”

“This results in mass production of the items, like those coming from across the border,” he told reporters after opening a “Unity via art exhibition” at the Sarawak Tourism Complex here on Tuesday.

In recent years, handicraft shops here have sprouted along Jalan Main Bazaar facing the popular Kuching Waterfront. These stalls sell a wide range of craftworks mostly brought in from Indonesia. One of the main reasons the handicraft are imported into the state is that they are much cheaper compared to those produced locally.

Wee said tourists cashing in on the cheap souvenirs might not be aware that they were not buying genuine Sarawak handicraft.

He said the federation had also received complaints from tourists that handicraft sold in longhouses were too expensive compared with similar items found in major towns.

Wee said the federation and those in the tourism industry have tried to find ways to promote Sarawak handicraft, one of which was through the introduction of Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards.

To be eligible to compete for the awards, he said a handicraft shop has to stock at least 85% of its collections with Sarawak handicraft.

Exhibition organising chairman Gerald Goh urged the state authorities to set up a state art gallery for local artists to display their masterpieces.

He said a Sarawak Arts and Crafts Month would be launched next year.

The exhibition, which ended on Saturday, featured about 100 paintings.

Titian Budaya Malaysia Indonesia 2006 program

The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage Malaysia (KEKKWA) is organising the Titian Budaya programme for the second time this year.

KEKKWA with the cooperation of Indonesias Culture and Tourism Department has scheduled the event on 16 and 17 December 2006 at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Indonesia.

The inaugural Titian Budaya Programme was held at Negara Brunei Darussalam on 24-26 March 2006 at the International Convention Centre, Brunei Darussalam.

The Malaysian delegation to Jakarta is led by KEKKWA Minister, the honourable Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim who is accompanied by his wife DatinSeri Masnah Rais.

Also in the delegation are KEKKWA senior officials led by its Secretary-General, Dato Zakiah Ahmad.

The programme, with the theme Budaya Serumpun (Common Culture), held for the first time in Jakarta to encourage better understanding of the culture and further strengthen the ties between both nations apart from facilitating foreigners in getting to know and appreciate better the culture, arts and heritage.

The 250 delegation members are from the agencies under KEKKWA namely the Malaysia National Film Development Corporation (FINAS), Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia), Palace of Culture (Istana Budaya), National Culture and Arts Department (JKKN), National Art Gallery, Department of Museums Malaysia and Malaysian National Library.

The itinerary for the programme consists of four main segments namely the Cultural and Arts Show that highlight the unique dances and the Malaysian traditional and contemporary music; Malaysian Film Week that screens internationally acclaimed Malaysian films and others that in essence reflect the culture and the Malaysian way of life; Fashion Show by fashion designers from Kraftangan Malaysia that showcases the latest design in apparels exemplifying a fusion of traditional and contemporary designs and lastly is the Book Exhibition.

The program involves four events namely the Launching of Titian Budaya MalaysiaIndonesia 2006 Programme on Saturday, 16 December 2006 at 2.00 p.m. at the Main Lobby, Jakarta Convention Center.

This will be followed by the Titian Budaya Malaysia-Indonesia 2006 Dinner at 6.30 p.m. in Cenderawasih Room 1, 2 & 3, at the Jakarta Convention Center and the Titian Budaya Malaysia Indonesia 2006 Gala Night at 9 p.m. at the Plenary Hall, Jakarta Convention Center.

Meanwhile the Titian Budaya Malaysia - Indonesia 2006 Textile Craft Exhibition is slotted for Sunday, 17 December 2006, at 2.30 p.m. at the Balai Pertemuan, Jakarta Convention Center.

During the Titian Budaya Malaysia - Indonesia 2006 Gala Night, guests will be entertained by popular Malaysian artistes among others Dato Siti Nurhaliza, Dato Yusni Hamid, Mawi, Andre Goh, Mohd Edie Nazrin Hamzah, Haziq (AF4), Banumitha, Kumpulan Baba dan Nyonya an the artistes from Istana Budaya.

It is hoped that the programme will help enhance the goodwill and rapport between Malaysia and Indonesia at every level. Media and Corporate Communication Unit Event Management and Public Relations Division Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage Malaysia

CONTACT:
FAZLIN
TEL.: +603-2162-7533

SOURCE: Ministry of Culture Arts and Heritage Malaysia

Get crafty, give artsy furniture

Know someone whose place needs sprucing up?

Simply Put Artisan Gallery takes discarded or no-longer-used furniture pieces and turns them into something new and unique.

“I resurrect furniture,” said owner Tim Gallagher. “I would call it ‘beach cottage.’ That’s what I call my style.”

What Gallagher believes was once a doll’s changing table has become a bathroom dresser, hand-embellished with sea oats and a beach scene for $165. He also has constructed a set of vintage lifeguard chairs.

The store is located at 11904 Cortez Road in the Surfing World Plaza, Cortez. For more information, call (941) 795-4788.

- Brian Neill,

Tade fairs to explore market for Kashmiri handicraft

Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts Development Corporation will organise trade fairs in the country and abroad in the coming months to explore marketing avenues for its handicraft products.

A series of textile-cum-cultural shows in metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Banglore, Kolkata and Hyderabad will be held and the government has already allocated Rs 50 lakh for this, JKHDC Chairman Haji Abdul Rashid Dar told the 35th annual general body meeting of the Corporation yesterday.

He said that international trade fairs would be conducted in Dubai, New York, Brimgham, London and Domtex for showcasing the unique handicraft products of state.

Hall Quarry furniture craftsman goes with - and against - the grain

When I was a little girl, I used to worry that the animal-themed furniture in our living room would walk around at night. The legs were fashioned after lion claws, atop of which were roaring lion heads. I imagined each piece stalking across the room at night — and it didn’t help that my older siblings would rearrange the furniture to prove the point.

If I had grown up with Joseph Tracy’s studio furniture, however, I’m convinced I would have had more delightful fantasies of water play, dancing and flying. A Tracy table can create the illusion of a waterfall, a draping cloth, or the sense that the wood willfully defied laws of physics and meandered over the edge, freezing into a smooth, shimmering ripple.

Since the 1970s, Tracy has been ensconced on Mount Desert Island, when he arrived fresh from the School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology to build a timber-frame house as his master’s degree project. But island life suited him, and he decided to build another house for his family and a workshop for his furniture-making. Along the way, Wendell Gilley Museum of Bird Carving in Southwest Harbor and the Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park commissioned him to build furniture or other items.

Eventually, word got around about Tracy, and wealthy homeowners hired him to design furniture for their summer places or elaborate mantels for their rustic-chic cottages. Tracy’s signature is a curvy, illusory, reflective or airy quality. A sitting bench makes an unexpected bend. A round dining table folds into a giant shield. A popple stone stands unexplainably beneath a lampshade.

News of Tracy’s woodworking traveled other places, too. His furniture — made from mahogany, cherry, maple and other wood — is in galleries in Maine, New York and in the permanent collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Through March 4, 2007, a grouping of cabinets by Tracy is part of the exhibition “Inspired by China: Contemporary Furnituremakers Explore Chinese Traditions” at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass. The show combines more than two-dozen examples of historic Chinese furniture with as many works created specifically for the exhibition by artists from the U.S., Canada, Japan and China.

Tracy’s elegant cabinet combines wenge, a blackish wood from Cameroon, split Sequoia redwood from California, Indonesian red palm and Lebanon cedar. The foundation is a wavy bridge, a walkway of sorts between the five tables that flank or hold the three cabinets. The inspiration for the cabinet, said Tracy, is a tangram, or Chinese puzzle table with seven moveable pieces. His folded puzzle cabinet has eight pieces including cabinets, stands and end tables, all of which can be reorganized into a variety of arrangements. He came up with the idea during a three-day workshop held at the Peabody, where the participating artists gathered to view the traditional pieces.

“I’ve never done anything quite like this,” said Tracy, sitting on a bench — a speculative piece with an estimated value of $12,000 — at his Hall Quarry workshop, which houses a random selection of his work as well as Barbie Doll-size models. “I’ve never been challenged to do a piece inspired by culture.”

Yet culture has been inspiring him since 1969, when he saw a contemporary craft show at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C., and it changed his post-high-school amble to all-out drive. He saw the show, and also saw his future: in furniture design. Not long after, he enrolled in the program at Rochester with the legendary designer Wendell Castle. During a six-year period, Tracy learned from the master. He also lost the tips of three fingers — a not-so-unusual hazard of the job.

The Chinese show, which features a variety of decorative arts, is not the first time the Peabody curators have organized an exhibition that is as much about cultural exchange as it is about asking living artists to respond to history. In 1989, Edward S. Cooke Jr., guest curator at the Peabody, issued a similar challenge to craft artists who studied American furniture for a show at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. China and America have a long history of exchanging furniture traditions, but, in recent years, studio furniture makers in the U.S. have had a renewed interest in Chinese styles, not to mention cultural exchange. After all, creativity and innovation are often stimulated by cultural experiences, said Cooke.

“When we picked the people for this show, we thought we would see responses to the material, the forms, the joinery,” said Cooke, professor of American decorative arts at Yale University. “What we saw was that a lot of people responded to the broader cultural aspects. I thought it was wonderful the way Joe responded to the Chinese interest in natural forms but with a degree of artifice.”

Which brings us back to the walking furniture of my childhood. In his comment, Cooke was referring to three medallions of redwood that bejewel the front of each cabinet. They look like Chinese opera masks, or cascading tresses, or a triumvirate of woodland wizards. The ambiguity, the sleight-of-hand, is very Tracy. So is a sense that any moment, these burls of wood could come to life. Or that you could easily rearrange the cabinets to form a new world.

And in that regard, the wood and the artist are co-creators. It wouldn’t be excessive to say that a few years ago, Tracy, who grew up in Ohio and Michigan, became obsessed with the Great Sequoias in a region of northern coastal California known as the Redwood Empire. “While I was looking at the redwood, I saw some of it split along these curly lines,” said Tracy. “I was dumbstruck by the energy and beauty of these pieces that were basically scrap.” He bought some planks, had them shipped back to Maine and sent a large chunk to a veneer mill in Idaho. He wound up with 4,000 square feet of curly redwood veneer. Or as he calculates: “a lifetime supply.”

It took Tracy three days of splitting redwood pieces, however, to get the medallions for the cabinets. He does not say what they represent to him, but relishes the imaginative fancy of others. “There’s no wrong answer,” he said. “It’s basically your own personal Rorschach test. If there is some mystery, I feel there is a success.”

That’s one of the reasons Joel Avila, Tracy’s one employee, likes working in the large shop that has band saws, jigsaws, sanders, presses — to name only a few of the machines that make furniture construction possible. The repetition of cutting, say, posts of Alaskan yellow cedar for a series of folding screens, can get monotonous. But boredom, said Avila, is “not an issue here because each piece is unique. We reinvent the wheel with each project. There’s a lot of problem solving. It’s a physical and mental challenge at the same time.”

So much so that Tracy constantly contemplates the next step for the undulating lines of redwood. “I’m love-struck by this stuff,” he said. “I just can’t get over it.” He lies awake at night ruminating over design problems. Which is far better than lying awake thinking about lions walking around in shadowy rooms in the middle of the night.

Alicia Anstead can be reached at aanstead@bangordailynews.net.

Church serves soup, holiday crafts

PORT BYRON - It’s been three decades or so that handmade afghans, ornamental candles and tree ornaments have arrived just in time for Christmas shopping at the Port Byron United Methodist Church’s annual fall bazaar and craft sale. For the majority of those years, Mary Longyear’s vegetable beef soup has been served at the accompanying luncheon.

“It’s become famous for Mary Longyear’s soup,” said Ruth Wethey, one of the participants in the event Saturday.

Longyear passed away three years ago, but her children continue to make the soup at the annual October event. And they continue to maintain the secrecy of just exactly what is in the hearty, tasty soup.

“It’s a secret. We were told point blank,” said Longyear’s daughter Rose Shaffer. Shaffer said her mother was so protective of the recipe that she was reluctant even later in life to tell her daughters the full secret of it.

Shaffer and her sister, Taffy Bowen, were in the kitchen Saturday with other members of the church’s women’s group, Port Byron Methodist Women, serving up the soup, heaping sandwiches and fruit turnovers.

The soup ingredients of beef, tomatoes, corn, peas and carrots could be visibly identified, but the seasoning will remain a mystery.

For years, they would freeze beef broth and vegetables from their gardens in preparation for their mother’s making of a big batch of the soup for the bazaar fund-raiser, Shaffer said.

The lunch tables were packed midday at the church on South Street in Port Byron. The deluge of rain kept few away.

The bazaar’s offerings, including baked goods that were snatched up fast, were the collective result of donations of 20 members of the church and other supporters.

“By God’s grace, it works all year long,” said Carolyn Wethey, a main organizer of the annual bazaar.

She noted that some members aren’t able to make craft items anymore, but still donate toward the effort.

“It’s got a lot of history,” she said.

Betty Thomas, a member of the church was at the sale selling handmade cards with pretty bows and bright colors that she made as part of the group taught by a “Stampin’ Up!” consultant.

“It’s mainly to help out the church, but I have so many cards I can’t begin to send them all,” Thomas said with a laugh.

Half of the funds raised go toward the church ministered by the Rev. Carol Moyer and half go toward the women’s group. The women’s group uses its funds for missions locally and abroad. They raised several hundred dollars last year.

“Our goal is not to sit on funds but to use them. So many people need it,” said Carolyn

Crafts of varied costs

Philadelphia - If this is the year you’re determined to get a big jump on that holiday shopping, you won’t want to miss the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

The show, which runs through Sunday at the Convention Center, features 195 of the best contemporary craft artisans in the country, chosen from more than 1,500 applicants.

Also exhibiting will be 26 artists from Finland, part of a show feature that brings in craft contingents from different countries each year.

The museum’s craft show is one of the most prestigious in the country and a destination for serious collectors, but here’s one thing you might not know: There are also plenty of affordable craft objects to be had. Along with many offerings in the under-$100 range, there are also lots to be had in the $20-to-$50 realm.

What can you expect to see at the show? Exquisite examples of basketry, made from both traditional grasses and high-tech monofilaments, and handwoven textiles, from scarves to table runners. There is also amazing leatherwork, in the form of purses, frames and vases; artful pottery, including delicate porcelain vessels, funky teapots, and hand-painted platters; and a large selection of handblown glass items.

Wooden wares, including furniture and home accessories, will be well represented, as will the metalsmith’s art, including hand-forged copper and nickel flatware and hammered silver bowls and serving pieces. And look for mixed-media metal and glass lamps, fabulously colorful felt hats, and jewelry made from recycled newspapers and coupons.

For those who want to find out how it’s all done, check out the schedule of artist demonstrations running throughout the show.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show takes place at the Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15, or $20 for a two-day pass; admission for children 12 and under is $5. Information: 215-684-7930.

Bali-GRFurniture - Bali Furniture Wholesale

The Leading Bali manufacturer and exporter of Teak Furniture.
Established in 1998, Bali-GRFurniture is an exporter of handmade Bali furniture located in the heart of Bali, Denpasar. Bali-GRFurniture has since then been exporting handmade Bali furniture to countries all over the world. Their stockroom, located in Kuta, Bali, is a place where you can find their collection of exquisite Bali furniture. Custom-made designs are always welcome. The teak furniture products range from chairs, cabinets, beds, benches, buffets, bedsides, mirrors, tables, coffee tables, etc. All of the furniture is crafted from recycled and kiln-dried teak wood (Tectona Grandis) to ensure years of durability from warping and cracking.

Our Bali teak furniture is made by using logs from government-regulated teak wood plantations in Indonesia, therefore ensuring you that our Bali furniture is made in strict compliance with all environmental regulations. We strive to provide the best in high-quality products, services, and competitive prices. Your interest, whether in ready-made or custom-made Bali furniture products, is always welcome.

Contact Information:
Mr .Peter Gwie
G&R Furniture
Tel. (62-361) 738593 / 738594
Fax. (62-361) 738595
Email: info@bali-grfurniture.com
Website: www.bali-grfurniture.com

SEGATAMA LESTARI an exciting collection of TV Table, Audio Table, and Computer Table

Segatama Lestari is specialist produce Exciting collection of TV Rack, Audio Rack, Speaker Box and Table TV. Located in Gresik, East-Java

As a private company was established in 1995 with the purpose of producing consistent and high quality product. Located in Jl. Veteran X/17, Desa Gending, Kebomas, Gresik, East Java, Indonesia with 20.000 M2 plant area, we take pride in maintaining our reputation for manufacturing our products.
Our company produce an exciting collection of TV Table, Audio Table, and Computer Table with various models which are created with elegant design to be the luxury furniture for your interior.


Contact Information:
PT SEGATAMA LESTARI
OFFICE : Jl. Veteran gg 10/17, Gending - Kebomas, Gresik 61123
East Java - Indonesia
Phone : (62-31)3987281 Fax : (62-31)3987282
Email : info@segatama.com, segatama@indosat.net.id, segatama@telkom.net
Website : http://www.segatama.com

CV. Margomulyo Indah Furniture

CV MARGOMULYO INDAH FURNITURE or MMI Furniture as a completely knockdown furniture manufacturer under the brand name “SUPERIOR”. The location is in the city of Surabaya, East Java. They produce TV cabinet, computer table, wardrobe, wall unit, drawers, study desk, bookshelves, and other furniture. The main raw material are particle board, MDF board, block board, sengon wood, and plywood with paper/ PVC sheet laminated. They are produced based on mass production schedule with an economical or reasonable price. The customer designs for completely knockdown furniture are welcomed.

After several years, since 1999 they have been researched for their quality furniture product and the results prove that their quality furniture product have been improved than ever before. Not only they do sell domestically, but also we expand our market to several countries such as Japan, Australia, and Middle East area. On the other hand, they also have the interior furniture division which concentrate on designing furniture based upon a unique individual taste, style and preference. This target market is high-end class. It is a real touch of customized market.

They real commitment to the higher quality products and professional management system, they have undergone on ISO 9001:2000. In addition, their company strive for a challenge to produce quality furniture consistently and punctual delivery. they intend to listen, serve and satisfy our customer’s need as the best as they can. Therefore, they always do and commit to the continuous improvement, research and development on their quality products and reliable management production.

Contact Information:
Website: http://www.mmi-superior.com

Indonesia Craft and Furniture Reviews, bedroom furniture, office furniture, ashley furniture, furniture store

This blog offers a comprehensive reviews of the craft and furniture sector in Indonesia, providing trends in furniture production and consumption, furniture imports and exports. Factors determining the demand for furniture are examined, as well as furniture distribution and furniture supply structure.

Short profiles are provided for the main Indonesian furniture manufacturers and distributors with employees, product mix, export markets.

Indonesian furniture imports and exports are broken down by country and product (office furniture, kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture, non-upholstered seats, bedroom furniture, seats parts and parts of furniture).

The wood and forestry sector is also considered: production, imports, exports and consumption data are provided for the main semi-finished wood products (sawnwood; wood-based panels: plywood, veneer sheets, particle board panels, fibreboard panels, MDF). Woodworking machinery imports from the main partner countries are included.

Reviews covered include: office furniture, home furniture (household furniture), kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture (sofas and armchairs), non-upholstered seats, bedroom furniture, seats parts, parts of furniture, sawnwood, wood-based panels, plywood, veneer sheets, particle board panels, fibreboard panels, MDF (medium density fibreboard), woodworking machinery.

Indonesia Craft and Furniture Reviews, bedroom furniture, office furniture, ashley furniture, furniture store

This blog offers a comprehensive reviews of the craft and furniture sector in Indonesia, providing trends in furniture production and consumption, furniture imports and exports. Factors determining the demand for furniture are examined, as well as furniture distribution and furniture supply structure.

Short profiles are provided for the main Indonesian furniture manufacturers and distributors with employees, product mix, export markets.

Indonesian furniture imports and exports are broken down by country and product (office furniture, kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture, non-upholstered seats, bedroom furniture, seats parts and parts of furniture).

The wood and forestry sector is also considered: production, imports, exports and consumption data are provided for the main semi-finished wood products (sawnwood; wood-based panels: plywood, veneer sheets, particle board panels, fibreboard panels, MDF). Woodworking machinery imports from the main partner countries are included.

Reviews covered include: office furniture, home furniture (household furniture), kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture (sofas and armchairs), non-upholstered seats, bedroom furniture, seats parts, parts of furniture, sawnwood, wood-based panels, plywood, veneer sheets, particle board panels, fibreboard panels, MDF (medium density fibreboard), woodworking machinery.

Lentiq Jewelry

The jewelry in this Lentiq has been handcrafted for you. All jewelry is made of the finest sterling semiprecious and precious stones and beads available. If you have something in mind and don’t see it in the Lentiq, please contact us.

Our company has been creating beautiful jewelry and makes reasonably priced beaded, pearl and wirewrapped jewelry that will match all of your outfits and take you anywhere. We carry sterling silver jewelry and cubic zirconia incredible jewelry for your shopping pleasure. This jewelry makes great gifts and each piece comes in a beautiful box ready for a bow. We work hard to keep our prices reasonable and still give you the best quality and most incredible looking jewelry you will find anywhere.

Choose any jewelry you wish and, if you don’t find what you want, email us and we will be happy to design beaded and pearl earrings, necklaces, and bracelets jewelry just for you. There is no extra charge for custom designs since they are all custom designed. We want you to be as happy visiting the Lentiq as we are presenting it to you.

Homeplace Group Introduces New Sleep Lab Adjustable Bed™ Mattress Models at Furniture Market

HomePlace Group, Inc.’s SleepLab™ adjustable electric beds have added Dual Comfort mattress technology to the mix which enables the end-user to flip the mattress over for a different comfort level.

In addition to the Standard 312 mattress, Dual Comfort SleepLab Mattresses™ are available in variety of innerspring coil counts or all Talalay Latex. Standard or Heavy Duty configurations are readily available to meet all needs and challenges.

The SleepLab Adjustable Bed™ is available as three models for in-home or sleep lab use with a variety of choices to meet all needs. According to Scott Parker, the product manager, “the Dual Comfort mattress technology gives sleepers the choice to easily change the comfort level and really, you are getting two mattresses in one.”

SleepLab 600X™ adjustable electric bed provides exceptional comfort, flexibility, durability, and value for sleep labs, and hospitals throughout the U.S. The bed and accompanying mattress are rated for 600 pound capacity and both are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Equipped with an unprecedented lifetime warranty on cold-rolled steel frames, our SleepLab 600X™ beds also feature heavy-duty motors ensuring many years of use; robust rolling casters with locking capability and quick-change components using plug-in connected printed circuit boards instead of wire nuts. The SleepLab 600X™ Adjustable Bed is already in use at prestigious hospitals and sleep centers.

The SleepLab 500X™ Adjustable Bed is a new model introduction which offers complete control of your sleeping position. This model provides a Wall-Proximity design which means that the headboard or wall remains at a constant distance from the wall as the bed articulates. Weight management in an adjustable bed is an important consideration and the SleepLab 500X performs better than most. The Queen Size bed has a 500 lb. weight capacity and the Dual King has an 800 lb. rated capacity.

The SleepLab 500X™ Adjustable Bed is not only comfortable to sleep on; it is beautifully designed and crafted. The frame is powder coated for durability and made under ISO 9000 Quality Control Standard. The bed offers removable legs that do not require the use of tools to assemble. Because these beds are designed to look like an ordinary mattress and box spring, they will fit any Sleep Lab décor.

The SleepLab R/T™ Adjustable Bed Frame is an affordable solution for folks who are required to sleep in a Reverse Trendelenberg or Trendelenburg incline position. The SLEEPLAB R/T BED™ frame is designed to elevate the bed exactly as a physician prescribes, without use of awkward solutions, such as 6″ blocks stacked under the base of your headboard.

This bed is designed for people with severe acid reflux who have been advised by their doctors to sleep with the head of their bed raised; they want the bed flat, but the entire bed is slanted. The use of this bed in Sleep Labs assists in producing the desired results. Designed for Sleep Labs, but ideal for home use.

HomePlace Group has exclusive distribution of this product and offers mattresses, adjustable electric beds and parts specifically designed for sleep lab, hospital, and consumer needs. All SleepLab Beds include Standard Pillow Top mattresses as a standard feature. Quantity discounts are offered on all HomePlace Group products.

HomePlace Group SleepLab mattresses have earned glowing reviews from physicians, sleep labs, patients, and staff professionals. The SleepLab Adjustable Bed™ is already in use at prestigious hospitals and sleep centers. Some clients include: Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, Emory University Sleep Center, Novant Health, Provehotel, S.A., Mivasa Worldwide, Inc., Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, MCG Health System, Houston Hospice and Palliative Care Systems.

Beyond beds and mattresses, HomePlace Group supplies sheets, pillows, pillowcases, headboards, night stands and more. HomePlace Group offers turnkey solutions for sleep lab, hospital and consumer needs. They ship to almost anywhere in the contiguous 48 states via freight. Onsite installation supervision and training are also available.

HomePlace accommodates special orders. Don’t hesitate to ask, HomePlace Group will customize your order to meet your needs, including items from mattresses to bedding, pillows and supplies.

For more information visit the Sleep Lab Adjustable Bed™ website at: http://www.sleeplabadjustablebed.com/ or call toll-free at: 1-800-823-4233.

Sleep-Weary Consumers Wake Up Bed Prices

CHICAGO - Can you put a price on a good night’s rest? Betting weary-but-wealthy baby boomers are willing to do just that, mattress companies are fluffing up their selections of ultra-luxe beds that retail for more than the cost of cars, college tuition and parcels of land.

With a heart-stopping price tag approaching $50,000 — $49,500 to be exact, although the price will climb to $59,750 in April — the Vividus bed launched last year by the Swedish manufacturer Hastens is among the most expensive sold in the U.S.

But the Vividus, which means “full of life” in Latin, is just the latest bed to target a growing consumer appetite for high-end beds made from materials such as latex, flax, memory foam, silk, cashmere, lambswool and hand-tufted horse hair.

“If you could have beautiful, incredible sleep, what’s that worth?” said David Perry, bedding editor of the trade publication Furniture/Today. “The whole idea is pamper yourself, you’re worth it, go for it, live the dream, sleep on a cloud. That has some appeal.”

Since 2000, the market value of the wholesale mattress industry has increased nearly 40 percent, climbing to $6.4 billion in 2005, according to the trade group International Sleep Products Association.

But it’s the luxury market that’s behind much of the trend. Premium-priced mattresses — those costing more than $1,000 — were 21 percent of sales in 2005, the latest data available, up from 14 percent in 2000.

Furniture/Today says the figure may be even higher. According to the magazine’s survey of shoppers, about 56 percent of dollars spent on bedding went for products that cost more than $1,000. That’s up from 37 percent in 2000, according to the magazine’s survey.

Meanwhile, the average cost of a queen-size bed has grown to about $700, up from $600 five years ago, experts said.

But some people are willing to pay much, much more.

Less than a dozen handmade Vividus mattresses have been sold worldwide since July, but customers are increasingly buying “cheaper” models that cost up to $20,000, said Mary Pat Wallace, owner of Hastens’ Chicago store that began selling the Vividus last month. The company opened U.S. stores five years ago and has had a 66 percent increase in sales annually the past four years.

Hypnos, a rival British company that touts its lineage as the official bed supplier to the royal family, sells beds for between $8,000 and $20,000. It expects U.S. sales to continue growing at a rate of about 20 percent a year.

“We’ve been looking for an opportunity to get into this market, but up until five years ago, we didn’t see there was a desire or a need for the upper-end product,” said Adrian Jones, director of sales for Hypnos USA, which has its U.S. factory in Gallatin, Tenn.

But does paying a small fortune for a bed ensure the perfect snooze? It depends who you ask.

Chicago attorney Charlotte Wager, 42, has spent more than $13,000 in the past three years to buy Hastens mattresses for herself and two of her children. Wager said she likes the beds and their 25-year warranty so much that she’s considering buying two more for her older children.

“You want to be able to go to bed at night and rejuvenate and rest and recuperate,” Wager said. “And to me, the mattress is an investment in that.”

Michael King, a mattress buyer for the Macy’s department store chain, attributes the fivefold increase in the price of top-end beds sold by his company to consumers’ heightened awareness of the importance of rest.

“They’re investing more in their home in general and they’re thinking about sleep in a different way,” King said. “It’s connecting health and sleep in one, instead of just looking at sleep as something they do every night.”

The luxury bed sector is poised to become even more important for big-name mattress companies. They see a handsome profit on lower-priced luxury alternatives that can still cost thousands.

The trend has been in the works since the early 1990s when Lexington, Ky.-based Tempur-Pedic International Inc. introduced its memory foam bed.

“Once the mattress manufacturers realized that consumers would pay thousands of dollars for a mattress, we saw other companies rush to enter the market with their own versions of premium bedding,” said Morningstar analyst John Gabriel.

Sealy Corp., the nation’s largest wholesale mattress maker, unveiled 36 new models earlier this year — nearly three-quarters of which sell for more than $750, the company’s standard for a premium product. Sealy beds, including the high-end Stearns & Foster line, can sell for $4,000.

Sealy’s treasurer Mark Boehmer said the Trinity, N.C. company expects about one-third of its future growth to come from its higher-priced offerings.

At Serta International, a Vera Wang-branded line announced last year has helped the private company post double-digit growth. The mattresses, which include aloe vera “enhanced” fabric, sell for up to $4,000. And this month, the Hoffman Estates-based company also will begin selling its “Serenity” collection — springless beds made with latex that will cost up to $3,000. Plans are also in the works for more expansions to the No. 2 bedding brand’s premium and luxury lines.

“(Customers) aren’t as sticker-shocked as they might have been three to five years ago,” said Maria Balistreri, vice president of brand management.

But to people like Wager, it’s all about the slumber.

“It’s more than just a bed,” she said. “What you’re buying is a peaceful night’s sleep.”

On the Net:

http://www.hastens.com
http://www.sealy.com
http://www.serta.com

Source: AP via Yahoo News

$50,000 for a mattress? You bed-der believe it

Betting weary-but-wealthy baby boomers are willing to do just that, mattress companies are fluffing up their selections of ultra-luxe beds that retail for more than the cost of cars, college tuition and parcels of land.

With a heart-stopping price tag approaching $50,000 — $49,500 to be exact, although the price will climb to $59,750 in April — the Vividus bed launched last year by the Swedish manufacturer Hastens is among the most expensive sold in the United States.

But the Vividus, which means “full of life” in Latin, is just the latest bed to target a growing consumer appetite for high-end beds made from materials such as latex, flax, memory foam, silk, cashmere, lambswool and hand-tufted horse hair.

“If you could have beautiful, incredible sleep, what’s that worth?” said David Perry, bedding editor of the trade publication Furniture/Today. “The whole idea is pamper yourself, you’re worth it, go for it, live the dream, sleep on a cloud. That has some appeal.”

A booming business

Since 2000, the market value of the wholesale mattress industry has increased nearly 40 percent, climbing to $6.4 billion in 2005, according to the trade group International Sleep Products Association.

But it’s the luxury market that’s behind much of the trend. Premium-priced mattresses — those costing more than $1,000 — were 21 percent of sales in 2005, the latest data available, up from 14 percent in 2000.

Furniture/Today says the figure may be even higher. According to the magazine’s survey of shoppers, about 56 percent of dollars spent on bedding went for products that cost more than $1,000. That’s up from 37 percent in 2000, according to the magazine’s survey.

Meanwhile, the average cost of a queen-size bed has grown to about $700, up from $600 five years ago, experts said.

But some people are willing to pay much, much more.

Less than a dozen handmade Vividus mattresses have been sold worldwide since July, but customers are increasingly buying “cheaper” models that cost up to $20,000, said Mary Pat Wallace, owner of Hastens’ Chicago store that began selling the Vividus last month. The company opened U.S. stores five years ago and has had a 66 percent increase in sales annually the past four years.

Hypnos, a rival British company that touts its lineage as the official bed supplier to the royal family, sells beds for between $8,000 and $20,000. It expects U.S. sales to continue growing at a rate of about 20 percent a year.

“We’ve been looking for an opportunity to get into this market, but up until five years ago, we didn’t see there was a desire or a need for the upper-end product,” said Adrian Jones, director of sales for Hypnos USA, which has its U.S. factory in Gallatin, Tennessee.

The cost of comfort

But does paying a small fortune for a bed ensure the perfect snooze? It depends who you ask.

Chicago attorney Charlotte Wager, 42, has spent more than $13,000 in the past three years to buy Hastens mattresses for herself and two of her children. Wager said she likes the beds and their 25-year warranty so much that she’s considering buying two more for her older children.

“You want to be able to go to bed at night and rejuvenate and rest and recuperate,” Wager said. “And to me, the mattress is an investment in that.”

Michael King, a mattress buyer for the Macy’s department store chain, attributes the fivefold increase in the price of top-end beds sold by his company to consumers’ heightened awareness of the importance of rest.

“They’re investing more in their home in general and they’re thinking about sleep in a different way,” King said. “It’s connecting health and sleep in one, instead of just looking at sleep as something they do every night.”

The luxury bed sector is poised to become even more important for big-name mattress companies. They see a handsome profit on lower-priced luxury alternatives that can still cost thousands.

The trend has been in the works since the early 1990s when Lexington, Kentucky-based Tempur-Pedic International Inc. introduced its memory foam bed.

“Once the mattress manufacturers realized that consumers would pay thousands of dollars for a mattress, we saw other companies rush to enter the market with their own versions of premium bedding,” said Morningstar analyst John Gabriel.

Sealy Corp., the nation’s largest wholesale mattress maker, unveiled 36 new models earlier this year — nearly three-quarters of which sell for more than $750, the company’s standard for a premium product. Sealy beds, including the high-end Stearns & Foster line, can sell for $4,000.

Sealy’s treasurer Mark Boehmer said the company, in Trinity, North Carolina, expects about one-third of its future growth to come from its higher-priced offerings.

At Serta International, a Vera Wang-branded line announced last year has helped the private company post double-digit growth. The mattresses, which include aloe vera “enhanced” fabric, sell for up to $4,000. And this month, the Hoffman Estates-based company also will begin selling its “Serenity” collection — springless beds made with latex that will cost up to $3,000. Plans are also in the works for more expansions to the No. 2 bedding brand’s premium and luxury lines.

“(Customers) aren’t as sticker-shocked as they might have been three to five years ago,” said Maria Balistreri, vice president of brand management.

But to people like Wager, it’s all about the slumber.

“It’s more than just a bed,” she said. “What you’re buying is a peaceful night’s sleep.”

Kids’ bedroom furniture takes on bright hues

Whether it’s a bright yellow chest, a frilly four-poster bed or a traditional pine twin, children have a variety of options in furnishing their space.

“We’re seeing a lot more personalization for children’s rooms than we used to,” said Tracy Grambsch, interior designer at Furnishings by Ludwig in the town of Buchanan. “Parents are taking that into consideration. It’s not just a standard bed, mirror and chest of drawers.”

Children’s bedroom furnishings are an ever-expanding business, according to the American Home Furnishings Alliance. Sales are expected to reach $5.7 billion by 2010, a 24.5 increase over current levels.

Most parents look first for functional pieces when choosing furniture, an alliance survey shows, followed by price and furniture that reflects their child’s tastes.

Bedroom size and configurations are changing, Grambsch noted, and that’s reflected in furniture needs.

“In a room that has a nice-size closet, instead of a long dresser they might use a four-drawer dresser,” she said. “There are also armoires now because a lot of children do have televisions in their rooms, and that will accommodate television and clothing all in one piece.”

Vivid colors also personalize a room. The Young American collection by Stanley Furniture comes in 20 wood and painted finishes on 30 pieces, from beds to bookcases.

“Stanley is the first one to offer so many colors, but I’m not surprised really because there has been some movement toward color in the past few years,” said Sandy Doerfler, owner of the Lullabye Shop, Appleton.

With the new colors available, a baby’s room can sport a blue crib, pink double dresser and buttercup chest, if that’s what works for the family.

“You can do all those colors, or do it in one color,” Doerfler said.

If your tastes lean toward bright and beachy, Grambsch notes that ocean-side colors like blues and sea greens are coming to the forefront.

“That might be a little harrowing for northeast Wisconsin, but you never know,” she said. “It’s really individual. There are a lot of colors to choose from, so you can be a little more subdued also.”

If you just can’t decide there’s always white, which remains popular, says Cassidy Schrage, sales representative at Bedroom Expressions in Furniture Row, Appleton.

“A lot of white furniture is being asked for for girls’ bedrooms,” she said, adding that styles for girls include a Victorian canopy bed.

Other interesting pieces Doerfler sees include a glass-top desk for displaying a baseball card collection and swivel bookcase with a mirror, chalkboard and a place to hang clothes.

“It’s three different things in one, very unique, very unusual,” Doerfler said.

The predominant type of wood is evolving. Most of the furniture Doerfler sees is made of birch, pine or a Malaysian rubber wood.

“Because of the fact that so much is being imported right now you’re not seeing as much of the hard lumbers,” Doerfler said. “You’re not seeing as much of the maple.”

If you have your heart set on a special piece, be prepared to wait. It can take up to 16 weeks for furniture made out of the country to arrive at its destination.

“If you’re expecting a baby and want to buy a crib, don’t come in two weeks before you’re due,” Doerfler said. “You have to allow some time for it to get here.”

Source: www.postcrescent.com

Kids’ bedroom furniture takes on bright hues

Whether it’s a bright yellow chest, a frilly four-poster bed or a traditional pine twin, children have a variety of options in furnishing their space.

“We’re seeing a lot more personalization for children’s rooms than we used to,” said Tracy Grambsch, interior designer at Furnishings by Ludwig in the town of Buchanan. “Parents are taking that into consideration. It’s not just a standard bed, mirror and chest of drawers.”

Children’s bedroom furnishings are an ever-expanding business, according to the American Home Furnishings Alliance. Sales are expected to reach $5.7 billion by 2010, a 24.5 increase over current levels.

Most parents look first for functional pieces when choosing furniture, an alliance survey shows, followed by price and furniture that reflects their child’s tastes.

Bedroom size and configurations are changing, Grambsch noted, and that’s reflected in furniture needs.

“In a room that has a nice-size closet, instead of a long dresser they might use a four-drawer dresser,” she said. “There are also armoires now because a lot of children do have televisions in their rooms, and that will accommodate television and clothing all in one piece.”

Vivid colors also personalize a room. The Young American collection by Stanley Furniture comes in 20 wood and painted finishes on 30 pieces, from beds to bookcases.

“Stanley is the first one to offer so many colors, but I’m not surprised really because there has been some movement toward color in the past few years,” said Sandy Doerfler, owner of the Lullabye Shop, Appleton.

With the new colors available, a baby’s room can sport a blue crib, pink double dresser and buttercup chest, if that’s what works for the family.

“You can do all those colors, or do it in one color,” Doerfler said.

If your tastes lean toward bright and beachy, Grambsch notes that ocean-side colors like blues and sea greens are coming to the forefront.

“That might be a little harrowing for northeast Wisconsin, but you never know,” she said. “It’s really individual. There are a lot of colors to choose from, so you can be a little more subdued also.”

If you just can’t decide there’s always white, which remains popular, says Cassidy Schrage, sales representative at Bedroom Expressions in Furniture Row, Appleton.

“A lot of white furniture is being asked for for girls’ bedrooms,” she said, adding that styles for girls include a Victorian canopy bed.

Other interesting pieces Doerfler sees include a glass-top desk for displaying a baseball card collection and swivel bookcase with a mirror, chalkboard and a place to hang clothes.

“It’s three different things in one, very unique, very unusual,” Doerfler said.

The predominant type of wood is evolving. Most of the furniture Doerfler sees is made of birch, pine or a Malaysian rubber wood.

“Because of the fact that so much is being imported right now you’re not seeing as much of the hard lumbers,” Doerfler said. “You’re not seeing as much of the maple.”

If you have your heart set on a special piece, be prepared to wait. It can take up to 16 weeks for furniture made out of the country to arrive at its destination.

“If you’re expecting a baby and want to buy a crib, don’t come in two weeks before you’re due,” Doerfler said. “You have to allow some time for it to get here.”

Source: www.postcrescent.com

IPSA Mattress Flammability Workshop In February

The clock is ticking down to July 1, 2007, when the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) new federal flammability standard becomes effective. To help mattress producers prepare for these new rules, ISPA, together with the Sleep Products Safety Council (SPSC), has organized an expanded SHOPtalk workshop to be held February 21-22, 2007, at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, in Rosemont, IL.

Past SHOPtalks have covered the basic requirements of the standard, as well as steps on how to make and test compliant products. The next SHOPtalk offers expanded, updated information that provides more in-depth details on how attendees may modify internal process to meet the new regulation. “Our goal is to help our member companies understand what’s needed to comply with this new rule,” states Debi Sutton, ISPA vice president of marketing and member services. “We know every company is at a different level of understanding in the compliance process, and we’ve been working diligently to help everyone get up to speed. This is the third series of flammability workshops we’ve offered over the past three years, and this one will provide more specific details and information. And our Flammability Resource Toolkit which is available at our SHOPtalks provides important support materials in this effort.” A wide array of the latest FR products and services will be exhibited at the workshop, and an optional lab tour and burn demonstration at Underwriters Laboratory is being offered. During that tour, attendees can see how the new test is actually conducted and have their questions answered firsthand by lab technicians.

The program will be presented by knowledgeable industry experts, including – Al Podratsky, president of Global Supply Chain Partners; Bob Sabalaskey, vice president of Manufacturing and Product Engineering, Lily Management Group; Gordon Damant, Sleep Products Safety Council (SPSC) technical spokesperson; and Mary Toro, associate director, Office of Compliance, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

To register, or for more information on this and the future spring SHOPtalk, visit www.sleepproducts.org/SHOPtalk/flammability

Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association, www.sleepproducts.org is the trade organization for mattress manufacturers and their component suppliers around the world. ISPA hosts the biennial ISPA EXPO trade show and publishes BedTimes and Sleep Savvy magazines.