In This Issue

Green Awareness and Gifts for All

By Julie L. Jones
August 2009

This month, TDmonthly Magazine brings you tips for online success, a spotlight on a Southwest toy store that places big emphasis on fair-labor and American-made toys, and a look into one manufacturer’s complex process behind its collectible action figure designs. See more highlights below.

THE GREENING OF THE INDUSTRY

In “Toymakers and Toy Stores Go Green,” read about steps manufacturers and retailers are taking to ensure the message of Earth Day is shared throughout the year. Robert von Goeben, president of Green Toys Inc., believes the toy industry is a tad behind in environmentally friendly initiatives, but many parties are stepping up to the plate: recycling toy packaging in-store, reusing shopping bags, and even rewarding customers who, instead of driving, bike to their local toy store.

ALL ABOUT GIFTS

Whether the present is for a boy, girl or baby, find out which gift items customers are snatching up this season in TDmonthly’s top-10 articles. Satisfy the birthday gift seeker with a super-soft Taggies blanket for an infant, a trendy Snap Caps necklace set from M3 Girl Designs for tween girls, or a Playmobil set for boys. Catch more gifty items in our video article on the California Gift Show, as well as our top-10 picks from Tokyo's recent Baby & Kids World expo.

STAFF PICKS

Tweens and teens can make their own little pets for display with Woolpets felting sets, families can deck out their walls with affordable, recycled paper designs from Print Pattern Paper, and individuals with an eye for design can add a little bit a flair to a traditional flower vase for the holidays. See these three items below, plus many other new products in TDmonthly's Staff Picks.

Penguin Needle Felting Kit by WOOLPETS

Individuals can learn the art of sculptural needle felting with this kit by Woolpets. A generous amount of wool roving and instructional photos are provided to make it simple to create a family of penguins. Also included are two new felting needles and a wooden skewer packaged in an attractive take out container. All one needs is a foam pad and a sense of adventure. "Lots of step-by-step photographs and very clear instructions ensure success for beginners," Kevin Sharp, owner of Woolpets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007. ( Watch Video) 7/7/2009 (MSRP: $16.00; Age: 10 and Up)

Nature Themed Number Wall Cards by CHILDREN INSPIRE DESIGN

These nature-themed, gender-neutral wall cards are numbered one through 10. The images are made using recycled paper. The cards are designed to be educational, stylish and environmental from start to finish, using only 100-percent recycled materials and soy ink for the product and packaging. "Wall cards are known as an economical alternative to expensive wall art, which makes them the perfect product for families on a budget. And their versatility allows them to be individually framed, or simply tacked up to the wall!" Rebecca Peragine, CEO of Art and Philanthropy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009. 7/7/2009 (MSRP: $19.50; Age: All Ages)

Christmas VaseOver by DUNECRAFT INC.

Christmas VaseOver by DUNECRAFT INC. Simply fill the vase 3/4 full with water, add Vase-Over powder and stir. After thirty seconds, add the fun, themed foam and glitter accents, and voila — a decorated, multi-dimensional container. All that's left to do is add flowers. "There is no need to change the solution, and most cut flowers will last longer in our patent-pending formulation than water! This is the only product on the market that revolutionizes vases and how they look, as well as being made in the United States," Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009. 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $5.99; Age: 4 and Up)