Sunday, November 27, 2016

The Lion and the Lamb

Time has really been rushing by.  Here we are, already in the 4th quarter and just past Black Friday, Shop Local and almost Cyber Monday.

Many local retailers are a bit nervous about this year.  Shopping online has grown, according to one source, 4% more people on Black Friday than last year.  Macy's online was so busy that it actually crashed.  I happened to go to one store on Black Friday and was very surprised that there was no line at the register.  On the news Wednesday evening, there was only 1 lady camped outside of Best Buy.  What is going on?

This year we may see lots of "predictions" about sales, however the recent Presidential election has taught us all that predictions aren't always correct.

After 25 years of being in the retail business, you would think we would have the ability to know what will happen in the 4th quarter.  Actually, we don't.

And because we have to order so many holiday candy and gift items earlier in the year, it is simply one big guess as to what we will be able to sell.

Nonetheless, 4th quarter has its own excitement and its own beauty.  The streets are filling with houses all lit up.  Stores are dressed for the grand ball and filled with all sorts of wonderful merchandise.  It is simply impossible not to feel energetic and happy.

Both of our Big Chocolate Turkeys (3-1.2 pounds of chocolate) sold before Thanksgiving.  I choose to see that as a positive sign that folks are not discouraged about the economy, the election, or any other negative force.  People want to be happy and we all work against the odds to keep our spirits bright.

My current observation is that people are gearing up for giving and for decorating.  Folks may be a little later this year in making that happen; however it will happen.

And guess what?  A few years ago Thanksgiving and Chanukah happened on the same day.  This year Christmas Eve and the First Night Of Chanukah are both happening on December 24.  That looks a little bit like the lion and the lamb lying down together, peacefully.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

I am back.....looking forward to seeing you.

I have almost run through October without anything to say.  And you ask:  How could that be?

I am about to rescue myself from this lifeless month by letting you know about up coming events at our store.

First I want to introduce you to Seattle Chocolate bars....a chocolate company run by women!!  I have no idea if this is a First; however it is a BIG DEAL in the candy world.  We have received 8 different Seattle Chocolate candy bars and every one looks as yummy as the next.  2 of the bars are specifically wrapped to say Happy Birthday and Thanks.  Inside the darling wrapper is a Milk Chocolate Truffle Bar.  That alone says it all.

Second we've been receiving new merchandise and in a week or so we will have our initial Christmas candy and gift items out in the store.

Speaking of the Holidays, this year we are partnering with 4 other stores right here on Harvard for a blow out Holiday Party.  Joining with Summer Snow, Kiddlestix, Toni's Flowers and Inviting Place, we will all be open on Sunday afternoon, November 13 for a Ho Ho Harvard party.

Visit all 5 stores and you can enter a drawing for a $50 gift basket.  We are giving away 5 of those gifts.  At Sweet Tooth, we will have other drawings, a few of our sales reps and other fun things.  It's not DOWNTOWN, it's MIDTOWN!!

On November 5 we are hosting a Troll Party...you know, those little Troll dolls which have been completely Modernized in a new movie coming out on November 4.  Games, Face Painting, Coloring and more...no charge....for kids ages 3-12.

Sunday November 20 we will welcome Santa to Sweet Tooth.  Come by between 1-3 p.m. and get your photo taken with Santa....FREE.  We had an early visit from Santa in 2015....it was a lot of fun.  Thanks to Party Pro for lending Santa a throne to sit in.

Okay.  So now you know why you haven't heard from me in a while.  I am gearing up for a very special holiday season and I will do my best to keep you up to date on other events at Sweet Tooth.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Something New In The Air

I can feel it.  There is something different in the air and it happens just about this time for the last 25 years.

What is it, you ask?  It is 4th QUARTER.  And that means we are gearing up for the most active, the most fun, the most exciting and interesting time of the year.  Our aisles in the store get smaller and smaller as we incorporate more merchandise and candy.

We see more people, we work with more customers to produce gift baskets, special orders, new combinations which we are challenged to create.  We make wishes come true and in the process probably gain a few pounds tasting new candies and chocolates.

Ah, it is sort of like believing we can fly with Peter Pan....we just take off and enjoy the journey.

In my last blog, I spoke about a new line of scarves which we were preparing to place in the store.  Today was the day we put out 18 individually made, one of a kind knitted scarves by our friend, Eva Unterman.  What seems to be happening at Sweet Tooth is that we are growing our local artists group and Eva is the latest to join us.

She has put so much thought, so much time and effort into each scarf and we are jazzed about each one.  Come take a look.

On Saturday, October 8 we are presenting a number of local artists in a Stop and Chat with Julie Buchheim (Ionic jewelry), Angie Layton (sterling silver charms featuring Oklahoma icons), Jamie Townsend (her book on the Brady Theatre), Hat & Field (our new line of collegiate and Oklahoma t-shirts), Bobbie Whaling (her 2016 ornament featuring a location here in Tulsa) and Eva Unterman (one of a kind scarves).

It is so satisfying to support and highlight some of the artists right here in our own city.  Although we love going to the Gift Market, our own backyard is filled with very special artistic people.

Beyond that, our November project is Ho Ho Harvard.  We are partnering with other retailers right here on Harvard Avenue and throwing a really big Holiday Party.  We can't wait to reveal all the details, but think:  Toni's Flowers, Kiddlestix, Summer Snow, Sweet Tooth and Inviting Place, together on Sunday November 13.

SAVE THE DATES:  October 8 and November 13 and celebrate local artists, holiday fun and the latest "strip"...Harvard Avenue.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

It's All About NEW at Sweet Tooth!!

Here's what's happening at Sweet Tooth as we prepare for end of summer, holiday season, etc.

First, we plan to have more in-store parties this year.  On Saturday, August 27 we are having a BACK TO SCHOOL party for kids 3 years to 12 years.  There will be cookie decorating, face painting, games and of course, a favor.

In November we are having a TROLL PARTY.  Remember those odd little dolls?  They are back and a movie featuring Trolls will be coming out in November.  We have already begun plans for Trolls.  Check out YouTube for preview videos.

In November as well, we will have our HOLIDAY PARTY.  That is always a bunch of fun, with a discount on all purchases that day and goodies to sample.

We are involved in tasting and planning for new candies.  In addition to seasonal candy which is always a great deal of fun, we will be bringing in a line of caramels (Annie's), Seattle Chocolates which are totally delicious (and the company is run by women!!), another candy company, South Bend Chocolate which is getting rave reviews in the trade magazines, as well as Pocky and Pejoy, Candy Coated Sunflower seeds, more Hammond's chocolates and hard candies....more and more.

On the Gift Side of the store, there is new SCOUT totes and storage pieces and we are going to offer monogramming on SCOUT.  Then there is new Trollbeads and Kameleon collections, new FRED (so much fun...belly laughing fun!), Donkeys and Elephant Dammit Dolls (don't you just feel like slapping the ground with a Dammit Doll?), new greeting cards, fused glass plates and Chala purses.

We will be hosting several trunk shows this fall for our jewelry lines...in addition to Trollbeads and Kameleon, there will be Obsidian jewelry, Forever in My Heart lockets and Ionic beaded jewelry.

Sneak Preview:  a new line of hand made, one of a kind scarves knitted by someone here in Tulsa that many of you already know.

Do I sound excited?  Hope so, cuz I am.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Snacking!!

The truthiness is out.  Snacking, especially by millennials is IN and by IN I mean that according to some statistics more than 80% of millennials are willing to drop a few extra coins in specialty stores selling upscale and a tad-more-expensive-than-a-Hershey-bar snacks and chocolates.

Of course that kind of attitude warms our hearts.  We enjoy hearing that people value quality over quantity (or cost) and are more selective in their choices for consumption.

Yes, we know that healthy food is in.  So is healthy recipes for chocolates and snacks.  We are hearing more often the importance of organic chocolates, natural chocolates, as well snacks which are full of healthy ingredients.

Sweet Tooth is researching new brands of candies and chocolates in order to fill the request for these sorts of snacks.  We are adding new items and eliminating most candies which are simply sugary.  We normally avoid snacks and candies which are sold in groceries and in/out stores.  We know that those stores do not make certain that the temperature, the light and moisture which destroy the quality of the candy and snacks are kept within the bounds of what is recommended for freshness.

Often those stores do not rotate their candy and snacks.  Therefore the customer cannot be certain that the candy and snacks are as fresh as they should be.

"Blooming" on chocolate is often mistaken for mold.  However blooming is not mold....it is the separation of the cream, butter and chocolate which naturally occurs if the candy is aged or not kept in the correct environment.

Do I cringe when I see people dispensing their own candy in a grocery store?  Do I want to run away from those barrels of candy when I see a store employee loading candy on top of what is in the barrel, rather than rotate the candy?

Yes.  I have to admit that after 24 years these things make me a little annoyed.  No matter the cost, the truth is that the savings isn't worth the possibility that these precious chocolates and snacks are not worth eating .

Thursday, July 7, 2016

What Sidewalk Sales Are All About

It is probably 110 Heat Index outside right now.   And we are preparing for our Annual Sidewalk Sale.  Let me say, that years ago we smartened up and put our Sidewalk Sale indoors where the cool a/c made all the difference in the world.

We started Sidewalk Sales when we were in our first location at the Farm Shopping Center.  We joined in with other retailers to take the mid-summer opportunity to offer left over merchandise at 50% or 75% off the retail price.  Everyone liked it so much, that even when we moved to the Harvard address where we are now, we continued the Sidewalk Sale.

Jeff was especially enthusiastic.  He bought 2 canvas awnings, set them up outside, got out the old boom box and a bunch of Christmas CDS (probably cassette tapes when we first started), pulled out 2 box fans and a canvas Director's chair and he was set to go.

Of course over 23 years, we have had all sorts of weather, from blistering hot to rain, wind and cool temps. 

We all took turns sitting outside with our merchandise and we just didn't know better.

Fast forward to our Harvard store where we first realized (DUH!) that we could do all of this inside and wouldn't have to sparkle (sweat) anymore.

Sidewalk Sales are full of bargains.  Holiday merchandise and everyday items at deeply discounted prices.  Most retailers love Sidewalk Sales because those days help us to send lots of good merchandise home with folks, clear out space for 4th quarter goodies, gives us the opportunity to see that "once a year shopper" who is probably also hitting garage sales on the same weekend.

Jeff's theory is that people like to rummage through boxes and crowded tables.  I was not convinced at first but have since seen evidence that Jeff was right on target.  There is always a surprise or 2 at the bottom of the box.

There is definitely a psychology to shoppers who enjoy Sidewalk Sales and we really depend on that psychology to help us through the dog days of summer.

What do we do with any leftover Sidewalk Sale items?  We box them up and donate them to schools and other organizations in town which can benefit from getting free stuff to use for their programming.

Hope to see you at Sweet Tooth July 8 and 9...this year we'll dress up the Sale with a snack table and our own fun personalities.

On to ordering for the 4th quarter.  We'll talk about that later.

Saturday, June 11, 2016

The Happy Place Is Being Reinvented

After 23-1/2 years of owning Sweet Tooth Candy & Gift Co. we have to take a serious look at our store, its presentation, its inventory, its marketing and its staffing.

You know how hard it is to do that?  It is almost impossible to extract our own attitudes, opinions and love of  certain inventory and just say to ourselves, "This and that just aren't working anymore."

We have to reinvent ourselves and in doing so, we know that some of our customers will be disappointed when their favorite candy or gift item is no longer available. We also take the chance that people will think we are "going out of business" when in reality we are simply reinventing ourselves just a bit to keep up with the times, with people's tastes, with what is "trending", etc.

Summer is actually the most opportune part of the year to do just that.  People are out on vacation, or working in their gardens, or hibernating from the heat and humidity.  It takes a great deal of motivation to get out of the house and go shopping.

With less customers, we can begin to move things around, to plan our annual Sidewalk Sale, to take time to order fall gifts and candy.  Some days are a little lonely...so don't forget about us at Sweet Tooth.

There is only so much space in the store.  When research shows that a certain gift line is no longer popular or that people are not thrilled with honeycomb chips (one of my favorites), then it is time to  let it go, let it go.

Therefore I just want you to know that we are beginning this process of deciding what we will no longer carry. We are hot on the trail of new candy, new gift items and a new approach for the store.

Watch for the NEW.  Watch for more events and parties.  Watch for the excitement that the NEW brings to our staff and hopefully to our customers.

Here a hint: Remember Trolls??  In September you will find a reinvention of those little guys that we used to sell a long time ago.  Watch for more theatrics and fun.  You know, we call Sweet Tooth our HAPPY PLACE.  We are working to make it even HAPPIER.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Pencil Shortage



The tremendous response to Adult Coloring books threatens a world wide pencil shortage!!

In 2014 the sales of Adult Coloring books reached 1 million copies.  2015 raised that bar by another 11 million books....a total of 12 million in books sold..

Pencil manufacturers like Staedtler, Stabilo and Faber-Castell are struggling to keep up with manufacturing pencils.

Wow!  in this age of online greeting cards and other substitutions for pencils, pens and paper, the fact that the world is running out of the finer coloring instruments is unbelieveable.



Friday, April 29, 2016

Buying a Gift For Mom

The National Retail Federation reports the following:

** Americans will spend $21.4 billion on Mother's Day
** the average amount spent by each consumer is $172

Let's see how that divides up.

** $4.2 billion on jewelry
** $4.1 billion on outings, like to restaurants or movies or theatre or ball games
** $2.4 billion on flowers
** $2.2 billion on gift cards....who buys their mom a gift card?
**$1.9 billion on clothes....who buys their mom clothes?
**$1.6 billion on personal services, like a spa
** $792 million on greeting cards

Here's where people are expected to spend their money for Mom.

** 33% will go to a department store  (I guess that is for the clothes, gift cards and perhaps jewelry)
** 28.7 will go to a specialty store....like Lowe's or Home Depot or maybe the flower shop??
** 23.1% will go to a local small business (LIKE SWEET TOOTH, WE HOPE AND PRAY)

And, of course, here is the killer for the local small business:  27.3% will go online to buy a gift.

Where will you be spending your $172 for MOM?



Thursday, April 21, 2016

Update on The Beard and His Candy

For those who are following The Beard (James Harden) and his relationship with Trolli candy, here is the latest.

The marketing campaign for The Beard's candy is called "Beardly Awesome" and somewhere there are t.v. commercials featuring James Harden. 

There will be a launch of Trolli Sour Bite Weird Beards, which are shaped to resemble Harden's face

It is suggested that Millennials (ages 18-24) will be especially interested in this new candy.

I think that anyone who watches professional basketball and follows The Beard, will think this whole campaign is a real funny deal.

If you come across the commercials or any other info, let me know.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Random Thoughts About The Candy World

Here's some random observations from where I sit.

More chewy candy is coming out from various manufacturers.  Do you think that might have something to do with the aging of Baby Boomers?  Could it be that candy manufacturers think that too many people over 60 years old don't have the teeth to bite into a hard candy? 

Usually customers don't want chewy candy for older folks.  The thinking is that older folks have dentures and other dental problems and chewy candy will pull out the dentures or fillings.  Just keep in mind the words chewy candy and how well it will do in the market place.

Packaging is getting more colorful and almost reaches off the shelf to snag a customer who is drawn to the beauty of the package.  Not only are the packages in brilliant colors, but the manufacturers are putting all sorts of certifications on the package.  No GMOs, Organic, Gluten Free, Free Market, Kosher Dairy, Nut Free, Not Nut Free .....on and on.  No doubt that candy manufacturers are being persuaded that consumers actually have brains and want to make sure that they are not going to have digestive problems or more serious reactions to a tasty candy treat.

More licensed products.  And licensed products means that the price of a candy bar is going to go up.  If you want to have Justice League on your package of candy, you better be ready to pay a little extra for that.  Who keeps wrappers?  Who keeps scrapbooks in which to put wrappers?  Computers have done away with scrapbooks (for the most part) and there is no way to save a real paper wrapper on a computer.

Craft sodas.  Ok, you know about craft beers but have you seen the vast variety of soda flavors in the market?  You name a flavor and I'll bet there is a bottle of soda out there in that flavor.

Dark Chocolate.  Every candy afficionado knows that dark chocolate will cure what ails you!!  And when Musketeers come out in dark mint chocolate bites, you gotta know that dark chocolate is the way of the candy world.

And finally, candy concession boxes are no longer limited to the snack bar in movie theatres.  If the box looks bigger, it MUST be better, right? 

I have to add a very peculiar bit of news we received recently.  Haribo, the name everyone associates with gummi candy, has discontinued some of it favorites.  And I mean, Frogs, Fruit Salad, Pink and White Grapefruit, Licorice Wheels (boy oh boy have we seen some backlash from that news!), Super Cola Bottles and more.  I heard some hot shot from Nestles came over to Haribo and told them they needed to package up all their gummis and discontinue a lot of the gummi products.  Tears have been shed over this crazy idea.  We are hoping other companies will take up the slake and produce those gummis real soon.

And by the way, do you think Kale Chips belong in a candy store?  One of our distributors added that item to their inventory.  We think it must be for some grocery somewhere which also sells candy.

Stay tuned.  There is always something interesting going on in the candy world.

Monday, March 21, 2016

The Beard and Gummis...What Do They Have In Common?

Just a short observation of what happens when someone combines Pro Basketball Players with Candy.

Remember, James Harden ("Fear The Beard")?  Well, now Trolli candy has produced some t.v. ads featuring James Harden and Trolli gummis.

The first t.v. ad is tagged, "Inside inside inside James Harden's head" where James shuns the game day idea that you can get inside a player's head.  And mini James (a second James in miniature in the ad) declares:  "My head's a fortress."

Before you know it, you are associating Trolli candy with this awesome basketball player.

Next up in the Weirdly Awesome campaign will be Sour Brite Crawlers getting into James' head.  And on the horizon will be a new Sour Brite Gummi based on his iconic beard.

Trolli spokesperson says that James Harden is "the perfect ambassador to inject a little of the unordinary into our consumers' day-to-day lives."

I say, Go Trolli, Go James and go to Sweet Tooth where you will find James' favorite candy:  Sour Brite Crawlers.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

The Rising Cost Of Sugar..Is It A Big Deal?

It is 18 days until Easter and actually 8 days until St. Patrick's Day.  Easter candy and baskets are on display at the store.  What else is going on in candy land?

I heard on NPR this week that among other problems our economy might be having, the candy industry is confronted with the rising cost of sugar.  Even I had not been thinking about the rising cost of sugar, so I was a bit taken back by that report.

I had been thinking about the low price of oil and how it is effecting Oklahoma's economy.  Not only do we have the really big problems like how to fund our schools, whether we want to see our constitution changed in order to allow what?  religious proclamations on stone at our capital, we are also faced with a slowing interest in just plain shopping.

Stores like Sweet Tooth depend on local shopping.  We do not sell online.  Maybe we are just out of date or perhaps we believe that some people still like to see what they are buying, touch it, determine its nature or ingredients or appeal.  We are also the people who actually buy our inventory products at the Gift Market where we, too, can see, touch and feel what we are going to present to our customers.

Our store is particularly challenged by the various grocery stores which offer candy, not as a retail product so much as an impulse buy or a come-on with a lower price.  Candy is a fragile item.  It needs to be stored in the proper temperature, proper lighting and constantly re-cycled so that what is in jar, the case or the spinner is the most recent candy purchased by our store.

Grocery stores and discount stores do not have as a goal to meet these conditions with their candy.  Of course, they want to put the older bananas in the front of the display, or the older tomatoes on top of the newer ones; however if the store has barrels of unwrapped candy, we have occasionally seen the employee simply dump the newer candy on the top which means that someone is going to get the older candy which has been sitting in the barrel for weeks.

You can understand why this practice gives me the willys!!  We have specialized in candy for over 23 years.  We don't carry scented items near the chocolate which would absorb those odors and change the taste of the chocolate.  We watch Best By dates and we continually watch the temperature and light and humidity in the store.  That's why I am always wearing a jacket or sweater...what is good and cool for the candy can be a challenge for those who work in that environment.

So the rising cost of sugar as a minor blip on the economy scale is a big deal to us candy sellers.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Easter: The Pastel Holiday

We are rounding the corner on a February which has 29 days this year!!  Happy Birthday to all those who were born on February 29.  You all must be delighted to be able to celebrate on the real day of your birth.

This year Easter is the last Sunday of March.  The typical response of most retailers is that Easter in April is best for retail.  I'm not really sure why that is, other than April provides another week or so for people to get ready for the holiday.

We have helped our customers to celebrate 23 Easters.  Times have definitely changed as to customs and traditions. Years ago, Easter baskets, with the green cellophane shred, an obligatory plush bunny, an obligatory chocolate bunny, a Jelly Belly carrot, etc. were the go-to Easter gift, even for parents of adult children.

The past few years we have seen much less interest in that pastel (really, let's face it...inexpensive) basket with the plush bunny, etc.  In fact, we order a great deal less chocolate bunnies than we did years ago.

I also remember the chocolate eggs, beautifully decorated and filled with coconut or chocolate cream.  No one seems to want that chocolate egg any more.

It is hard to get a handle on exactly what people want these days.  We do see a number of grandparents who are cautious about buying candy for their grand kids.  The grandparents tell us that their children don't want the grand kids to have sugar.  Bah humbug to that!  Eventually everyone discovers sugar and that is a fact.

So what are the candy retailers to do?  I'll tell you what we do.  We look for the new novelty candy which is also a quality candy.  We look for candy which is part of a game or a toy.  We continue to order those wonderful Panoramic Sugar eggs which always sell out and bring childhood memories to life.  We put together Easter baskets for those who need some help and goody bags for Easter egg hunts.  Those baskets are more likely to contain a Star Wars character than a bunny.

Easter candy is probably the most beautiful seasonal candy of the year.  The pastel colors are happy colors.  No other holiday uses pastels and those pinks, yellows, greens and purples combine in a soft manner to make Easter candy stand out as being representative of Spring..

Our Easter candy is on its way...come see what this retailer has found for this year.

In the meantime, there is St. Patrick's day...and even though it is a beer holiday, Sweet Tooth is able to offer a few candy and gift items which might just suit your fun gift-giving needs.


Thursday, February 4, 2016

Stealing Our Identity

One of the vendors we order from is Fig Design Group, the industry leader in RFID armored protection.

We have carried their armored wallet for several years and today it is even more important than ever.

Imagine that without your knowledge, as you are walking through the grocery store, someone with a RFID scanner, 3 feet away from you, is grabbing the information on your credit cards and driver's license.
Then that person is using that information to charge $100 of dollars at various stores or using the driver's license to help steal your identity.

The armored wallet is sometimes viewed as a pretty case to carry your credit cards or license.  It is small so you can put it into a clutch or even your pocket without much bother at all.

However the armored wallet is more than a pretty case.  It is made of a metal alloy which can prevent the RFID scanner beam from stealing your personal information.

There are some "knock off" wallets or cases out in the gift world which claim to do the same thing.  However they are not made of a patented high tech 4-layer metal and woven paper as are the armored wallets. 

Sweet Tooth is not just a fun and fabulous gift and candy store.  It is also the place where you can purchase  armored wallets or RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) credit card sleeves which protect you from those people stealing your identity,

Friday, January 29, 2016

Volume 2: Back From The Dallas Gift Market

Let's begin by answering why we take the time and trouble to attend the Dallas Gift Market?  I calculate that we have been to that Market over 75 times.  On the one hand, walking into the Trade Mart and the World Trade Center is always like coming home.  You know how the building smells, you know where the bathrooms are, you are generally able to find the showrooms you are looking for and you can count on seeing some old friends each time.

On the other hand, as online catalogues have increased, as sales reps have decreased in numbers, as some large vendors have left the Dallas Gift Market, going to the Market can be very unpredictable.

I am glad to report that the cafeteria where we eat lunch has done away with paper trays....a big waste of paper since you can only use them once.  However, balancing your lunch, drink or dessert, along with your pull around suitcase and purse is a bit tricky without a tray.  And I had the fun time of encountering a dispenser for forks, knives and spoons....I had never seen those before.

I have found that a growing number of vendors are pushing the edge on humor and fun with their merchandise.  Certain "words" which would never have appeared on greeting cards, kitchen towels, etc. are now standard among a number of companies.  Trends are more intense and duplicated throughout the showrooms and displays are continuing to be creative, colorful and attractive.

One showroom still provides lunch for anyone who walks in and some showrooms will invite you to stay for lunch.  There is no way that a showroom wants you to leave because your stomach is calling out for food.  There is something like a "Free Lunch", and in this case, with all the costs involved in attending the Gift Market, it is a real bonus.

The most important part of showing up at the Market is being able to talk with vendors, getting information on their merchandise which we can pass on to our customers.  The other important part is the partnership which can evolve between us and the vendor.  Now when we call with a request or a problem, the vendor is more likely to respond quickly and be willing to bend a few rules in order to keep us as a happy customer.

All for now.  Merchandise is coming into the store.  Hope to see you soon.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Back From The Gift Market

Well, here I am...the first day back at Sweet Tooth from the Dallas Gift Market.
I've got a few observations for you.

First, how many times do you think we ran into our friend Des from Perfect Touch?  More than I could count and that was fun.

Second, our Facebook photo of me and our friend, Barry Horn from Hobbs and Dobbs in California has garnered over 650 looks.  Barry is totally impressed with that number.  He is one of our favorite distributors because Barry is out in the world, looking for the latest and the greatest candy and novelty items.  And what is even better is that Barry is honest with us....if it won't sell, he tells us.  Barry is always right.  Watch for the cool candy items coming to us from Hobbs and Dobbs.

Third, after 3 times of going to the Kurt Adler showroom and placing 3 orders for great Christmas and Halloween goodies, wonderful and fun Christmas trees, and the really fun flickering glasses for Christmas (check out the Facebook picture of me and our sales rep Dave!!), I have to report that we are still not done with orders from that company.

Fourth, our true blue Trudy sales rep, who has been with us, well, it seems forever, has a new jewelry line which I think you will simply love.  At the moment, Trudy has brought Forever in My Heart jewelry into the store...you know, the line of lockets and tiny beautiful charms.  So watch for April when the next edition of Trudy's guaranteed winners arrives at Sweet Tooth.

Five, our new guy, Billy, worked with us for about 2 hours or more to show us some of the new collections from Demdaco....scarves which have been a big hit, Art Hearts just perfect for any gift giving occasion and of course, Halloween and Christmas fused glass plates, Pop In plates, ornaments....on and on.  Even though
Billy was recovering from the flu, which he got from sitting behind a woman on the plane who was coughing the entire time, Billy was with us 100%.

I'll stop here...how much of WONDERFUL can you take in one sitting?  Next time, more sneak peaks.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

What Makes a Retailer Feel Really Good

I had a great experience yesterday, the kind of experience I would imagine most retailers want to have.

It involved the pure joy of receiving some beautiful merchandise and being able to unwrap it, handle it, observe all the details of each piece and then the feeling of pride that our store was going to be able to present this merchandise to our customers.

The package I received was the Spring Collection from Trollbeads.  Just to set the stage, Trollbeads was one of the first jewelry lines we decided to carry in the store.  We have remained over all these years the only Trollbeads retailer in Oklahoma.

Trollbeads is an artist based line.  Each piece is made by hand by a jewelry artist.  Not too long ago, I watched a DVD showing how these jewelry designers and artists work up their designs, then make a mold for the sterling silver pieces or use glass to make the glass beads.  I was so amazed at the skill involved in producing these tiny pieces of art.

They follow each piece from start to finish.  When you buy a Trollbeads piece you know that someone in the world has made this jewelry....it was not cranked out by a machine... and each has its individual personality.
Naturally we want all the items in our store to be as thoroughly produced and lovingly presented.  Trollbeads is definitely at the top of that list.

Now add to that experience the package of Quilling greeting cards which arrived today.  If you know Quilling, you are aware that this art form originated in ancient Egypt and has been practiced throughout Europe and Asia.

The origin of the art and its name comes from the use of birds' feathers or quills which were used to coil strips of paper around to make a design.  Each card takes about 1 hour to produce and it is all done by hand.

The company we purchase these cards from has become Fair Trade certified.  The 2 factories which produce these greeting cards employs over 300 people in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Not only the beauty of the cards, but the practical fact that each card guarantees a job for over 300 people really makes me feel terrific.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Gearing Up for Valentine's Day

It is so funny.  Every year Valentine's Day is on February 14, unlike Thanksgiving which seems to move around the calendar a bit.
We get all excited about Valentine's Day because the colors are great (well, red and pink, however very pretty), there is a great deal of interest in candy and jewelry and we love to prepare very attractive gift baskets.
We like the change of pace and the new merchandise. 
What is so strange is that a lot of people wait until a few days before Valentine's Day to select their gifts.  Unlike other holidays, Valentine's is a last minute deal.  I have never been able to figure out why.
It seems to be a truth that depending on which day of the week Valentine's falls helps to encourage early or late sales.
Some say that Thursday and Friday are the very best days for Valentine's celebrations.  People go out to dinner or to the theatre or a movie.  People who want a gift delivered prefer Thursday and Friday for Valentine's.
Etc. etc.
This year Valentine's is on a Sunday.  Woe to all of us....not a delivery day, not really a date night for dinner out or a day for an overnight trip out of town.
I am so curious to see what will happen this year.  We do know that the store will need to be open Sunday afternoon for the last minute shoppers.  I have spoken to at least one florist who also plans to be open for "pick up" and can't really decide whether to deliver flowers or not.  After all, you can't really count on people being home on a Sunday to accept a delivery.  It is a lot simpler to take a delivery to an office building or a store....homes are a little tricky.
I'll let you know how it goes this year.
Heads up.  Easter is Sunday March 27....early?  or right on time?

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Are You Still a Mary Engelbreit Fan???

Today I received a catalogue from a company which is new to Sweet Tooth.  We had some of their Art Poles and Art Pots for Christmas.

Flipping through their HUGE catalogue I found a large section of BRAND NEW MARY ENGELBREIT miniatures, scenes you can put together with different characters or individual pieces which you can use to decorate.

Is there anyone out there still looking for Mary Engelbreit's art and products?  If so, I would really like to hear from you and soon.....the Dallas Market is coming up January 20 and we need to focus on what we are going to bring into the store.

You may ask:  Hey, do you like these new items?  Well, sure I do.  I have never lost my love for Mary's art, her sayings, her little girls and all that stuff.  I am the person who has every issue of her magazine and I still have dolls, nick nacks, etc.  I even have boxes of Mary's work in my storage room.

So it's not fair for me to launch a renewed interest in Mary if time has passed her by.  I need your imput.  Let me know if you would like to see Mary Engelbreit again at Sweet Tooth.

Email:  jdarby03@sbcglobal.net.