Green Paper Company

It might seem there’s no safe haven in retail right now, but those of you selling paper know that green is gold these days. If you’ve got great recycled options, you’re ahead of stores who don’t.

Enter Green Paper Company.

Joan Schnee, owner of GPC in Chicago, got a big thumbs up today as the only line mentioned by name on the Good Morning America segment “Just One Thing,” featuring quality recycled stocks and holiday cards. Not a bad endorsement to have on the resumé...even when the resumé is already crowded with lots of great endorsements and placement requests.

Green Paper Company is about more than just holidays, though. Their line of blank and printed stock is expansive, and truly green. Offering both consumer packaged stationery and blank bulk stock, there’s plenty to choose from, regardless of whether you sell only boxed goods, blank stock to DIYers, or provide in-house design and production services.

Joan’s done a lot of homework about what is--and is not--good for the environment, and knows more than just about anyone I’ve ever met. As a retailer (her store, On Paper, has been a Columbus, OH destination for more than a decade), she “gets” what stores want, need, and rely on from vendors. If there’s a better combination out there, I haven’t found it.

Don’t wait until the winter shows to look for GPC; check out their site, give ‘em a call, and get your hands on this...now.

I need this

How many of those little corrugated cup sleeves have you tossed in the trash over the years? And if you’re like me, how many times have you reached for your Starbucks card and realized it’s in the other purse/bag/briefcase?

Hip Grips from Seattle vendor Allie Walker Designs resolves both issues with funky fabric wraps that not only hold your cup, but also hold your card. The insulated hot-or-cold cup wraps are adjustable, reversible, washable, crushable, and functional. Available in Sport, Statements, and Everyday designs, the latter of the bunch was my favorite, offering the most latitude in colors and personalities (I already know which two I want, so if someone in Minneapolis picks this up, drop me a line).

Be sure to take a peek at the gift sets of four-—they really “pop” on the shelf. Countertop displays are also available.

To contact them, call (206) 729-4988 or visit their site.

I want this

If there’s an award for the single prettiest line at the show, it goes to Ferrare With Company. True, my inner bling attracted me to the line, but of all the sparkling, twinkling, delicious girly-girl options out there, this one is the best of the bunch. Frames, mirrors, and other accessories are encrusted with Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones, becoming elegant pieces loving made by hand.

The candles shown above are a good entry point for upscale stores looking to test the waters. Same for the Layla frames. From there, you can grow into the more luscious pieces like the amethyst encrusted 8 x 10 frame I’d give my eye teeth to own.

For info, visit their site by clicking here or call them at 323.933.9025. If Christina herself answers the phone, you’re in for a treat. She’s a gracious as she is gorgeous.