It’s hard to believe that MEPRA’s sophisticated technicolor collection FANTASIA is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year because its incandescent chromatic complexion is as fresh today as its 1989 debut.
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The brilliantly-hued fantasia comes from the Italian silversmiths Mepra, post-war business founded in 1947 by the Prandelli family, four generations fashioning flatware in the industrial Lumezzane Valley, about 90 minutes east of Milan. ...
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Kate Spade New York tableware and accessories has for two decades held a singular spot on retail shelves and on customers’ tables thanks to a timeless charm and chic stylings. Even after 20 years, the fun, fresh, playfully sophisticated, and refreshingly original collections from Lenox occupy a unique niche in the tableware pantheon.
Kate Spade’s contribution to fashion cannot be understated. She became synonymous with fashionistas everywhere when she started her fashion ...
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Celebrating Our 275th Anniversary with Isabelle von Boch
For over 275 years Villeroy & Boch has been synonymous with exquisite design, unparallel craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. From our humble beginnings as a small pottery shop in the heart of Europe, we have grown into a global brand that is loved and celebrated by discerning consumers around the world. Today, we continue to expend the boundaries of innovation and creativity, while staying true to our heritage of ...
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EMON MAASHO, CEO AND PRESIDENT OF ORREFORS, NORTH AMERICA, is representative of the exciting trajectory in this 125-year operation. The über-exec joined the New Wave Group in 2013, a time when Orrefors and Kosta Boda (OKB) were underperforming assets in the portfolio. "Our crystal brands are national treasures and a part of Swedish history," Maasho affirms. And he wanted a front row seat in their revitalization. Maasho was placed in charge of the new hotel and restaurant division ...
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What we can learn about a company through its mission statement.
June 30, 2023
This past week, I read a mission statement from The Knot's corporate website (https://www.theknotww.com/). The statement included a paragraph and five principles. The paragraph describes what the parent company does. The statement says:
"We help couples around the world navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments together. As a global company, our industry-leading websites, top-ranked mobile apps, and trusted resources provide the most sought-after information, connections, and ...
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I was happy to learn that our friends at Savannah Bee and Ivystone have expanded their relationship. Savannah Bee, a partner in our Bridge Product Syncing service, has expanded its representation with Ivystone, also a Bridge partner, to cover more sales regions. Ivystone will now cover the honey brand across the country, supplementing the brand with 85 sales reps. (Previously, Ivystone only represented the brand in the Northeast.)
Some people like to sit on the sofa and eat Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. I roll my eyes at this because I’m very different: I like to read the Wall St. Journal’s Christopher Mims …while eating an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s on the sofa. This past weekend, Mr. Mims suggested companies may be reassessing where they source products, some even considering more domestic production. The motivation for this started a few years ago with the U.S.-China trade war, ...
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Last February e-commerce company Shopify Inc. replaced the “Ottawa, Canada” dateline that began its press releases and earnings reports with a strange new one: “Internet, Everywhere.” The geographical shift came at the insistence of Shopify’s founder and chief executive officer, Tobi Lütke, who tends to view such matters through the prism of cold, hard logic. In May 2020, only a few months into the pandemic, he’d made the early, seemingly rash decision to...
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Upon boarding my flight to Mexico last week, did I eagerly wait the arrival of the bar cart? Maybe, but not before cracking open the book Great by Choice by Jim Collins. I recommend the book because it provides new approaches to success. One takeaway in the book is not new: we’ve got to work each day. Just like the anecdote in the book’s introduction about Norwegian explorer Amundsen, we have to put in miles each day. In a race to the South Pole, Amundsen's unprepared ...
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“As a female designer, I am inspired by craft traditions of women from around the world,” said Beatriz Ball, her company’s Founder and Creative Director. “This new collection honors the remarkably intricately woven baskets of Africa, rendered in sand-cast metal with beautiful finishes. Versatile on the table, these bowls are amazing when grouped together as wall hangings.”
Beatriz Ball extends the innovative SIERRA MODERN Collection--featuring iconic designs in ...
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Wouldn't you agree that people around the world are cleaner as they undertake to get beyond the global pandemic of Corona virus. It seems that it is time to stop advising people to do what we all have memorized about washing hands, social distancing and wearing masks. “Following simple handwashing practices is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of many types of infection and illness." Dr.Michele, MD, of the FDA says. “We can’t advise this ...
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April 2, 2020
April 2, 2020
At Beatriz Ball, autism awareness and advocacy is close to our hearts. This month, we join others around the world to light the world up blue to drive more research, awareness, and education around autism ?
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March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Happy to see Daniel Silva, U.S. sales director for Smart Brand partner Vista Alegre, featured in this month’s Tableware Today.
I learned in the article that:
Vista Alegre has a program called ID Pool to collaborate with young designers.
Vista Alegre has 35 stores around the world, and another 40 shops within a shop.
Vista Alegre has 200 sister companies, as its owned by Portuguese monopoly Visabeira. That’s a big family! :)
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March 16, 2020
March 16, 2020
The Lodhi Garden Collection explores the study of nature and foliage from around the world. Inspired by Michael Aram's morning walks at the park near his home in New Delhi, India, each shape references leaves that he picks up along the way. Adding an artful and symbolic element, the leaves are etched in contrasting patterns, suggesting the life cycle of the leaf, and its passage through time. The forged brass stems speak to Michael’s love of mixed metals and handcraftsmanship.
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June 16, 2019
June 16, 2019
Business lunch: how retail is changing :)
Old retail is 80% analog. This consists of: the physical store, staff, customer service training, etc. What youβd expect walking into a Saks or Macy's. And it's about 20% tech: computers, cash registers (POS systems), mobile shopping, Google ranking, apps, hiring social influencers, Instagram, etc.
Today, the retailers that are well positioned, growing, and 'hot' carry the opposite equation: they're 20% analog and 80% tech.
Mothers Day is right around the corner. Order early, make Mom's weekend special... Beautiful fresh flowers from around the world. Roses, hydrangea, peonies, garden roses, delphinium, snapdragons, tulips and more....
Happy International Womens Day! Today we are celebrating the fabulous achievements of women around the world! In the office, weβre celebrating the momentous achievements of two sisters, CEO Beatriz Ball and Factory Manager Isabel Menocal.
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December 9, 2018
December 9, 2018
We have soaps from all around the world! Open today Sunday 1 to 5
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November 29, 2018
November 29, 2018
Patience Brewster Christmas Figurines At Glassworks! The Dash Away Collection, inspired by the classic "'Twas the Night Before Christmas", from Patience Brewster by MacKenzie-Childs is available at Glassworks! ? This holiday collection features Santaβs eight reindeer ready to take flight around the world, their dedicated elves, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Sleigh. Stop in at the Shadyside store to see the entire collection.