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6 GENERAL NEWS Home Décor (Cont. from Page 1) about what they buy. They want something that will last, will hold up, and won't have to be repurchased because it has fallen apart. In addition to durability, ecoproducts are more likely to have a unique look." Eangee is a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, using both renewable and recycled content in its lamps and accessories and supporting Fair Trade standards for its manufacturing facilities in the Philippines. Eangee is focusing on interesting curvilinear looks for its new lamps. "We are continuing to add items with curves; this follows recent strong trends in the resurgence and growth in Mid Century Modern style," Elder said. "We are expanding color options in our Wave series as well as bringing a very popular elongated 'drum' style pendant into a table version, featuring random leaves." Suggested retail price for the Wave lamp is $429; table lamps are $109. Renewable resources and fast-growing plants are key to many environmentallyfriendly home furnishings, including products made from bamboo, mango wood, hemp, jute and sea grass. "We offer a collection of mango wood and bamboo, both eco-friendly and sustainable," commented Scott Myers, Owner, Circa Asia. "Retailers love to be able to give their customers a 'story,' and that's exactly what this does. Consumers are far more educated in these areas than they were 10 years ago, and an increasing number of retailers pay attention to hot topics like sustainability and fair wages." Circa Asia is introducing serving trays in either a cherry or honey finish; nesting bowls in four colors, and decorative vases; suggested retails range from $34.99 to $69.99. The artisanal nature of sustainable products appeals to many retailers and consumers, according to Michelle Gach, Expo West (Cont. from Page 1) specialty foods industry. "We're seeing new businesses developing, continuing to grow the industry as well as the show," Andersen says. "In 2013, we had 600 new companies exhibiting at the show, and we expect to see similar numbers next year." In addition to the products offered in the exhibit hall, Natural Products Expo KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW Director of Operations for Acacia Creations. "Customers want more than just another product mass made," she remarked. "They  understand what it means to buy Fair Trade and that it actually changes lives for artisans around the world. Sustainability is a central feature of our brand, and we strive to offer only products that are sourced, produced and shipped in the most sustainable way possible. For example, our line includes jewelry and home décor from recycled materials like paper and aluminum cans." Key January introductions include two new animalinspired lines: the Can*imals collection of animal figurines made from recycled aluminum cans, with suggested retails of $12.95 to $16.95; and the Endangered Collection of faceted glass jewelry with recycled paper and silver accents. Suggested retails range from $6.95 to $25.95 and proceeds will benefit animal conservation worldwide. The concept of Fair Trade is never far from the minds of many home décor companies, most of which source products overseas. These suppliers are attempting to purchase items that are manufactured in a socially responsible manner. "Tragedies like the Bangladesh factory collapse are making people take notice of where their products come from, how they are made and whether the employees are treated fairly," explained Valerie Brod, Marketing Manager for Sobremesa by Greenheart. "Fair Trade also cultivates environmental stewardship by encouraging responsible use of resources and eco-friendly means of production. All our products are made with sustainability in mind." n JANUARY 2014 towel line with new fashion colors. Several suppliers are featuring new home accents created using "up-cycled" materials or repurposed components. Fab Habitat, for instance, is offering rugs, cubes and poufs made using recycled plastic and recycled cotton. "Now it seems even mainstream, bigger retail stores are capitalizing on the green market," noted Kanan Gupta, Co-founder.  "The look of any product is very important to all retailers—as it attracts their customers— but offering sustainable products helps retailers differentiate their products from their competition. "With ever-increasing social media and Sobremesa is showcasing a new home textiles line in Atlanta, New York and Las Vegas, including reversible woven alpaca blend throw blankets, cotton woven throws, silk block print pillows and cotton woven pillows. Suggested retail price for the pillows starts at $66 and the throws start at $250. The company also is expanding its kitchen social awareness, consumers are looking for alternative and eco-friendly options," Gupta continued. "When consumers view recycled materials that look and feel as good as their counterparts, the choice is clear for them." Tessera Owner Cristi Ambroson searches the world for vintage textiles and unique pieces to repurpose into home accents. "I think people love the uniqueness of the refurbished fabrics," she asserted. "I think the product's initial appeal is on look and functionality, and then people ask questions and you can explain Fair Trade to them. It adds an additional selling point for the store." Tessera is showing in Atlanta and Las Vegas, and introducing ikat pillows hand crafted in Uzbekistan, bright vintage suzani and kilim pillows, and devotional folk art "retablos" hand carved and painted in Peru. Suggested retails range from $250 to $340. Europe2You (www.europe2you.com/) also is highlighting reusable, recycled and repurposed objects in its home décor line, including new glass cloche cheese domes made from vintage wine bottles; the Heritage collection of chopping blocks, bread boards and cutting boards made from antique wooden planks with recycled leather handles; and a line of kitchen accessories, including iPad and cookbook holders, crafted from West will once again feature a program of events designed to stimulate, entertain and educate attendees. "We always have a plethora of great events," Andersen says. "This year, Anaheim Convention Center opened the Grand Plaza, so that will be in use again, with food trucks, morning yoga, music in the evenings." The Grand Plaza is a park-like outdoor entertainment venue that stretched from the Anaheim Convention Center along the facades of the Anaheim Hilton and Anaheim Marriott Hotels. It was part of a year-long improvement project for the convention center that was completed in January 2013. Conference workshops will be held in the Anaheim Marriott Hotel and will include the specialty diets workshop with culinary educator Chad Sorno, who will be helping retailers work with consumers who are pursuing gluten-free, vegan and allergy-free lifestyles, and for the fourth year in a row, Expo West will be offering a Marketing to Moms workshop with keynote speaker Sara Snow. On the day before the show, Expo West is offering an n www.kitchenwarenews.com aged wood. Suggested retails range from $85 to $145. "No new trees are cut down to make our lovely wooden serving pieces," explained Stacy Borocz, Owner. "For us, the big picture is important: we are trying to bring the European ideal of 'a life well lived' to the American consumer. Our whole concept is 'old becomes new' with the repurposing of antique pieces. It gives each item an authentic Old European feeling, the aura of stepping back in time." For more information: Eangee Home Design www.defineyourspace.com/eangee/home.php Circa Asia www.circaasia.com/ Acacia Creations www.acaciacreations.com Sobremesa by Greenheart www.greenheartshop.org/wholesale/ Fab Habitat www.fabhabitat.com Tessera www.exploretessera.com Europe2You www.europe2you.com entrepreneur boot camp with an online forum for entrepreneurs. In keeping with the show's theme, Expo West will also be decorated with signage made from materials recycled from the banners and other decor elements used at last year's show – although most attendees will never notice or guess. NPEW will be held on March 7-9, 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Center, with education and events running March 6-9. For more information or to register to attend or to exhibit, visit www.expowest.com.

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