Summing Up Summer: The Heat is ON & the selection is Cool

The vendors and items that are next-leveling the industry as we know it by changing the way we give, find, and receive gifts.

I've been noticing lately on my recent nature walks, all the baby birds that were conceived in Spring are now leaving the nest. This season they earn their "sea legs, their brown feathers change to a shade more vibrant, and they learn to use their wings for eventual flight. I watch as mama bird hops and guides nearby with a watchful eye. As such, the likes of Etsy, UnCommon Goods, and Kikkerland have given birth to many babies that perhaps went under the radar are now coming into their own. I wonder if they have kept watch though. I wonder if these babies will out-fly and out-soar them into a new post-pandemic era.

Whoever is looking to bridge the gaps and execute the fastest with minimality, technology, and social impact intertwined is ahead of the curve.

As we've witnessed so many shifts in the world, marketplace adaptation has been key. Reimagining, rethinking, and even reinventing some wheels have made longstanding companies (and their competitors/up & comers) be put to the test. Who will stay, who will go, and who will be replaced altogether?

It's been an exciting summer and I've been pleasantly exposed to a few brands that I feel we'll be seeing more of as a slew of gifting occasions come on the horizon. Below I've listed these new discoveries for both of my favorite things: gift and upcycling ideas.

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Hello Abound

This company meets the need of keeping your shelves interesting, not just stocked. A fresh type of wholesale space where indie makers and local/small businesses can offer their unique products to independent retailers. Normally it takes serious "manual legwork" to stock a storefront and source product (e.g. shopping different regional open markets, trade conventions, showroom/trunk shows) but with Abound you get connected to a wide variety of artisan vendors without so much of that.

As a small biz brand on this platform you can take your Etsy shop, Big Cartel, or other online shop items to the next level with no fee to sell & flexible commission options starting at 8%. And as a retailer on Abound, you get to discover your next winning product with Net60 payment terms, free returns, and potentially support an indie maker further expand their business as well.

It's the type of full circle connecting & bridging of gaps I love to see in the world of gifting!

Apollo Box

The personal shopper you've always needed - as an innovative AR platform! ApolloBox is a free service(including free shipping and no-hassle returns) that handpicks trending creative gift ideas for any of your future gift recipients. They are helping put an end to mindless gift giving and cringe worthy gift receiving. Fear not; you won't have to sort through hundreds of generic items because the product offering consists of (only) the coolest things you've never (or rarely) seen from vendors around the world (not just the U.S).

One of the most stand-out features on the site is the ability to upload a screenshot of a product and be able to search their inventory that way. I have a feeling this company will stay ahead of many others out there by continuing to add similar features/tools and keeping their selection of gift ideas as unique as it has been - definitely a must try!

Frankie Collective

This Canadian company has produced conscious and ethical clothing since 2014. By reworking 65,000lbs of vintage clothing/garment material into 1-of-1 pieces that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

One percent of all sales go directly to the non-profit of your choice and all production is kept local. Their mailer is 100% compostable, made from plant based materials, and will decompose over a 90 day period if planted after use.

Think about it: name brand bed sheets turned into a pajama dress/shorts or other logos sewn into a brand new piece of athleisure with 3 kinds cloth material from a totally different garment. Now that's ORIGINAL!

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT:

"Social" Doorhangers

Excuse my moment of shameless self promo here will you? ;)

Ever notice when you go to a hotel, they have or give you a few different doorhangers that you either lose, forget to use, or don't send a clear message? My online shop's new product is a recreated and reimagined version of that and your FB status (kinda). I've designed each set to include “away” messages & current mood(s) to relay via illustrated texting emojis on double-sided, #hotel style doorhangers. You can gift them as a fun & useful novelty or take them with you when #traveling.

A secondary reason I came up with these was in an attempt to lessen the "allure" of a closed door. What is it about a closed door that bugs people so much?? It seems to send the wrong message more oftentimes than not and my hope is these will help give off a better vibe.

Whether you’re a #college student, room-mating for the 1st(or hundredth) time, a houseguest at your in-laws, an #entrepreneur working from your laptop in a #coworking space/private office, or the owner of a boutique bed&breakfast… these knob hangers will make any closed door a little more social and a lot less negative ;)

Available now if you click the image below!

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