Paperclips

Write Here...Write Now!

This final pre-show issue of Paperclips is chock-full of information and opportunities for you to enjoy when at the Show next week. The final presentation of product and design trends contained in this issue comes from Greetings etc. Editor-in-Chief Kathy Krassner.

I hope that all of the trend reporting (a.k.a. "intelligence") will equip you with the edge to approach the market with smarts, savvy and a readiness to discover. My sincere thanks to Kathy Krassner, Caroline Kennedy, Jolene Turner, Sarah Schwartz and Patricia Norins for their valuable insights and quite meaningful contributions to the debut issues of Paperclips.

See you in New York!

Patti Stracher
Show Manager

Spotting Trends
Kathy Krassner, Editor-in-Chief, Greetings etc.

We’re just days away from the National Stationery Show! With so many exhibitors to see and shop, trying to determine what to buy for your store can be a bit overwhelming at times. As the editor of Greetings etc. magazine, it’s my job to help you stay a step ahead of the trends so you can offer your customers the best and freshest new merchandise.

To spot new trends, I keep an eye on the consumer fashion and news magazines, read lots of newspapers, and then walk the trade shows looking for new themes and product directions that are appearing from multiple manufacturers. If only one company is doing it, it’s not yet a trend. If several are on the bandwagon, the trend is on its way. When too many companies are offering whatever it is, the trend is usually on its way down the popularity curve.

To give you a preview of some of the hot product directions at this year’s National Stationery Show, here are 10 top trends in greeting cards, stationery products and party goods that are covered in the May/June 2007 issue of Greetings etc. magazine

1. “New Asia” Items – Traditional Asian imagery merges with contemporary design to create a new look on stationery and party merchandise.

Photo - Paperproducts Design

2. “Sister” Cards – Greeting cards for women of various ethnic backgrounds reflect the American card customer’s growing diversity.

Photo - Designs for Better Giving

3. Profitable Pooches – Nothing lures a dog lover quicker or generates sales faster than cards featuring adorable canines.

Photo - Handsome Devil Press

4. Crafted From Felt – Felt has evolved from a kindergarten craft item into a hip material found on fun stationery and party products.

5. Letterpress-Printed Products – New stationery items printed on an antique letterpress continue to attract today’s customers.

Photo - B Designs

6. Scented Stationery – New technology is making scented paper products smell – and sell – better than ever!

Photo - Dewey Howard

7. Bush Humor – Humorous political products always gain sales momentum prior to presidential elections.

Photo - NobleWorks, Inc.

8. Flocked and Fabulous – Once a treatment best known for its use on tacky paintings, flocking is making new products both trendy and tasteful.

Photo - Pictura, Inc.

9. Tea Time – Americans’ growing interest in tea drinking is evident by the rise of teahouses, tea shops and new tea-themed stationery products.

Photo - Stevie Streck

10. Squares and Shapes – Paper tableware is moving beyond the traditional round plate to include squares and other eye-catching shapes.

Photo - Glitterwrap, Inc.

Have fun, shop smart, and I look forward to seeing you at the Show!

Show Buzz

When the message really matters, we use ink on paper to communicate our feelings of caring, encouragement, love, friendship, support and connection. This year, the National Stationery Show is orchestrating two programs to make it easy for the industry to “do its part” and help unite our overseas troops with their loved ones through the magic and lasting significance of handwritten correspondence!

OPERATION HEARTFELT THANKS
National Stationery Show’s Operation Heartfelt Thanks continues its partnership with A Million Thanks, which collects handwritten, personal messages of support, thanks and encouragement for active service members both in the United States and overseas, as well as wounded soldiers and veterans. Founded by a Southern California high school student, this worthy organization has already sent our U.S. troops over 2.6 million handwritten thank you notes in the past two years!
It’s easy to brighten the lives of the brave men and women who serve our country! Just drop by the International Pen Association’s booth #3824 within the Pen Pavilion, and join your fellow attendees and exhibitors in writing a personal message to be sent by A Million Thanks to our troops.   And speaking of thanks, THANKS! to all of the exhibitors who have generously donated product for this cause.

OPERATION CARING CONNECTION
In partnership with the United Service Organization, (USO) “Operation Caring Connection” will provide our soldiers with stationery supplies to help them stay in touch with friends and family. National Stationery Show exhibitors will have the opportunity to donate their newest non-occasion greeting cards, note cards, social stationery and writing instruments (shipped free of charge directly from their booths after the end of the Show) to help support this program and our military service personnel.

All donated products will be distributed to the troops through the USO’s ongoing Operation USO Care Package initiative to deliver much-appreciated supplies to our overseas troops.   Participation is simple. Details are available in the bulletins exhibitors receive at move-in and break-down.

Sneak Preview

See an “American Icon” in the 1400 Aisle
Sure to add sparkle to your Show experience, make time to visit the stunning “American Icon” car covered with over one million Swarovski crystals! The one-of-a-kind mini-Cooper car– covered with 50 shades of hand-set crystals – showcases such national symbols as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the American flag, and Hollywood. The shimmering vehicle will be on hand to help celebrate the launch of CrystalArt’s luxurious line of crystal-highlighted greeting cards. (Booths 1448-1452)

Laugh with the Cartoon Editor of The New Yorker!
Get ready to chuckle, as Bob Mankoff, the longtime cartoon editor for the world famous magazine The New Yorker, shares his observations about the role of humor in our lives! The appearance coincides with the launch of The New Yorker Line, a new greeting card collection of classic cartoon images published by Ink Media Corporation, and distributed by the Nelson Line. The Nelson Line, will host the print signing of Mankoff’s “No, Thursday’s out. How about never. Is never good for you?” cartoon from 3:00 – 4:00 pm, on Monday, May 21, 2007. Booth 2346-2350. Following the signing, Mankoff will speak about the importance of humor in society and at The New Yorker in particular. Attendees wishing to hear Mankoff speak should stop by The Nelson Line’s booth for an invitation.

The Invitation and Stationery Alliance (ISA) is a network of stationery and invitation manufacturers. ISA provides a forum for members to freely discuss opportunities, topics and industry issues. The association encourages a spirit of cooperation, the understanding of sound business practices ,and preserving the professional integrity of the industry. Several interesting activities are taking place at the Show...

Visit the ISA in booth 2487 and view an exciting exhibition of the eNVee Honors. Invited retailers from around the United States entered their customized invitations, announcements, cards and stationery sets utilizing paper stocks, embellishments and services from their stores and suppliers. The eNVee exhibition showcases each entry with the background story of how the retailer brought the customer’s unique desires to fruition. It promises to be an inspirational look at some of the industry's best.

ISA is hosting a Happy Hour on Monday, May 21 from 4-6 pm in Booth #2487. ISA members will distribute drink tickets during Show hours Sunday and Monday to reward their best customers. Prospective members can also attend this “meet and greet”. Contact Denise Schroeck for more information at membership@invitationstationeryalliance.com.

The Annual ISA National Stationery Show Meeting
Tuesday, May 22nd
7:30 am to 9:00 am
Javits Center, Room 1C01
All new and prospective members are encouraged to attend.

GET SMARTER!
Wonderful, business building programs, lead by some of the industry's best and brightest, take place during the Show. Many programs will be standing room only, but we'll make room for you...Breakfast with Anna Griffin; Smart Technology, Smarter Profits with Epson; Know Your Customer Demographics with Mike Oleskow and on and on! And, of course, there are the Daily Demo's focusing on the home entertainment trend. These free 45-minute programs take place in the Daily Demo Theatre in the Crystal Palace. You can still register on line today or do so at the Special Events booth at the Show.

Milestones

5-10-15-20-25-30-35-40-45-50-55-60!!! Congratulations to these companies celebrating milestone anniversaries exhibiting in NSS. Some started in the New Yorker Hotel, others still exhibited at the Coliseum back in the day. Be sure to visit them and spread the cheer!

60 Years
Freund-Mayer & Co. 2935

55 Years                                                Case Stationery Co., Inc. 2609

40 Years
Caspari, Inc. 2820

30 Years
Naos Graphics 3301
Paula Skene Designs 2730
Pioneer Announcements, Inc. 3016

25 Years
Michael’s Invitations, Inc. 2831
Shaw Creations Inc. 906
Trend Marketing Corp. 3509

20 Years
Birchcraft Studios 3220
The Chatsworth Collection 2810
Constance Kay 4124
Daler-Rowney USA 1249
Design Design, Inc. 2320
Faux Designs 3232
Glitterwrap, Inc. 1520
Meri Meri 2420
Milano Series 4226
Nelson Line 2346
Pinx A Card Co., Inc. 2277
Pioneer Photo Albums 3502

15 Years
African American Expressions 3057
Ashleigh Manor 1624
The Borealis Press, Inc. 3017
Cam Commerce Solutions 2779
Feldstein & Associates 1329
Global Solutions 2045
Helen Exley Giftbooks 1015
Odd Balls 3420
Orange Art 3314
Pinetti 4102
Pomegranate Communications, Inc. 3762
Robin Reed 1241
Romanoff Products Inc. 2482
Two Women of San Francisco, Inc. 3557
Waste Not Paper 2903

10 Years
Aalexis 4125
AccuCut 2462
Alice Briggs Illustration 1945
Anne Made 1640
Beverly Clark Collection 2802
Bloomin’ Flower Cards 1642
Bob Morris Associates 3951
Brush Dance 3529
Cardeaux Studio, Inc. 3050
Carolyn Forsman Conversation
Piece Jewelry 3013
Creativity Inc. 3940
Dalmazio Imports 1457
Décor Craft Inc./DCI 2848
Elements/Jill Schwartz 3713
Enid Wilson Studio 1947
Filofax, Inc. 4140
Gratitude & Co., Inc. 3609
Lazer Images 1232
Masterpiece Studios 2620
Mega Sound and Light LLC 920
Natural Impression Designs 2349
The Pamela Co. 1124
Pen At Hand 2852
Pilgrim Imports, Inc. 2035
Sign Language Greetings 1962
Sourcebooks 1335
The Sthanishwar Hand Made
Paper PCIS Ltd. 2772
Take Notice Card Company 3408
Tizo Design 3704
Vallavista 3528
WORLDUS 3849

5 Years
a Card for Life – JillAnne 2141
Aisha & Co. LLC 1659
Announcement Converters 2573
Antica Pelletteria 3813
anzu 2574
Artobjects 4015
Axis Imex Inc. 4040
Becky Nunn Design LLC 3349
Beryl Peters 1251
Bonnie’s StylePress 2800
Candy Care 1725
Cielo Blu Studios 3430
Classic Impressions Incorporated 3678
DAIRY 1836
Dark Horse Comics 2873
Dinx & Gracie 1168
Duos and Trios 1721
Dyer Papiere 4153
Fontaine Maury 3457
Gagliardi Photo Collection 1265
Ganapati Studios 1954
The Greeting Pen Company 2955
Groovy Holidays 3683
hable Construction 1948
Haute, Ltd. 3653
Hello Lucky 1352
Herman Yu Design 1734
History & Heraldry 1215
Home Essence 3021
iota stationery essentials 2554
iPop 3622
Jamie Lynn 1826
Kel-Toy, Inc. 1035
Keypoint Co., Inc. 1040
Knock Knock 2254
Lineweaver Design 3352
Little Oranges Of California 1733
Loralin Design, LLC 1848
Lulu & Merie-Sassy Notes 2950
Mainio 2241
manifesto Letter Press 2580
Mary Phillips Design 3452
Marzipan Inc. 2973
Masha D’yans Design 1863
Moonshine Cards 2952
Mountaincow Professional
Invitation Software 2662
Paper Construction, LLC 2368
Paper E. Clips 3052
Paper so Pretty 3113
paper+cup design 2555
Papillon Ribbon & Bow Inc. 943
Peculiar Pair Press 1737
Peekaboo Pumpkin 1006
Penguin Marketing Group 2276
Periwinkle Press 3613
Press New York 4010
Pulp Invitations, LLC 3551
Putney House 3550
Rose Edition dba Jacsonic 910
Russell & Hazel 3524
Seda France Candles 4128
Shizen Design 1147
Simply Charming 2257
Smudge Ink 2531
Spitfire Girl 1433
Suburban Silk Inc. 3948
Tallu-lah 1934
Tide-mark Press 3945
Tigo Enterprises 4213
Tina Bobker’s Artcessories 1440
Tumbalina 1831
Two Piglets 1935
Wooster & Prince Papers 3627

Only at NSS
The following companies have indicated that they only exhibit in the National Stationery Show.
You won’t find them anywhere else!

Art with Heart 1755
B Designs 2830
Bumble Ink 2653
Cartesian Graphics 2766
Curt Goad Ministries 2285
Design Sauce, Inc. 3812
Donovandesigns 3525
Eco-Expressions 3555
Ellie Mim’s Social Stationery 1963
Ephemera Design 2068
Girl Metro, Inc. 1932
Good Tidings 2137
Handsome Devil Press 1969
Heart First Greetings by Leigh 1268
How Fabulous Designs 1464
In Your Skivvies 1069
Jacki Paper 1936
Karen Cole Paper 1370
Kelly Hughes Designs 1435
KT Original 1445
Letters from Lilly 2806

Marzipan Inc. 2973
Mayfly and Junebug Designs 2969
Musiq Notes, Studio 942
Natures Paper LLC 1269
Camera Verite Inc. 1849
Nobleworks 2432
Paper Confections Designs 1562
Patricia Roberts Design 1266
Penguin Marketing Group 2276
Pie Bird Press 1355
Plain White Press LLC 1066
Printed Write 3033
Random Cookie 1866
Robin Beth Designs 3454
Sand Beach Originals 2148
Spindlyville 2152
Take Notice Card Company 3408
The Paper Menu 3451
The Wallet Pen Company 4031
tres chic designs 2042

Book 2008 Travel and Housing at the Show and
Get the very best deals on the hotel rooms you need!

Travel Planners can book your 2008 hotel reservations while you’re at NSS! To secure your reservations on-site, simply stop by Travel Planners’ free Online Oasis located one flight up from the Crystal Palace. Or you can book via phone by calling 800-221-3531, Monday-Friday from 9AM until 7PM Eastern time.

Remember, only Travel Planners lets you pay for your reservation when you check out of the hotel, not when you make your booking. Plus, you can change or cancel your reservations without any penalties or fees! So your reservation today is literally risk free.

www.open.com
Booth 2880


	For information on exhibiting or attending, go to www.nationalstationeryshow.com