I spent the last few days at the National Stationery Show, walking the aisles, speaking to manufacturers and finding some great new products.  Personally, I am happy that I am not a buyer, because I am sure that I would find it difficult to choose which merchandise to buy for my store with all the great products I discovered!

Overall, I was really delighted to find the mood upbeat.  Those that I spoke with had POSITIVE things to say, in light of, and with acknowledgement that times are difficult...

• Although traffic was lighter than in years past, those that came were serious buyers, buying merchandise.
• Although they didn't get as many orders as in the past, those orders they did get were good orders from retailers that were focused on finding great new product.
• Although the Show was smaller, fewer booths equaled more dedicated time spent with retailers that stopped by their booths.

Some of the companies that I had a chance to speak with:

Bonnie Marcus Collection, www.bonniemarcus.com, offers an exciting collection of flip flops. I personally wanted one in each design!  The company also offers cute note pads and a wonderful line of invitations and cards.

BYOBliss LLC, www.byobliss.com stopped me in my tracks.  What a cool product!  As described on their website, their mission is to help people see the bliss in their everyday lives. Their product is a journal for the newly married to help easily document the first 10 years of their lives together.  The journals come with space for pictures and descriptions of their wedding, vacations, children, and pets.  What a fabulous shower gift!

Knock Knock, www.knockknockstuff.com has always been one of my favorite companies, as I really love their creativity.  I personally use their take out menu organizer at home, which I got as a gift from a friend years ago who came to my house for a party.  They also have organizers for Pets, Medical, Travel, Home Maintenance, and Greeting Cards.  These organizers are just what everyone needs in order to unclutter those messy desks!

Mean Cards, www.meancards.com has wonderfully witty cards, with little quips that make you laugh, such as You made a fool of yourself the other night, and on the inside, call me if you want the details! As seen here.

Carolyn Forsman Conversation Piece Jewelry, www.carolynforsman.com always has great, fun gifts for all ages.  Carolyn showed me her eyeglass pins, (which she recently resurrected in her collection), her wonderful picture bracelets, and her banned book necklace.  Having an 8 year old daughter, I can tell you first hand that Carolyn's product are wonderful goodie bag gifts that Sarah's friends love.

Glenda Gies Designs Inc., www.glendagies.com has bags which are not only beautiful but come in all shapes and sizes.  These bags can fit in so many different kinds of stores.  I love mine and these bags will be as coveted by your customers as by my friends.

Josh Back Limited, www.joshbach.com takes the difficulty out of finding men's gifts.  With his collection of ties, boxers, cuff links and pens, you can find designs that fit every one of your male customers.

Lady Jayne Ltd., www.ladyjayneltd.com continues to bring fun products to market.  Their Girlfriend notebooks with fun sayings, such as It's All About Me Get Used To It, and I'm Not Gossiping I'm Networking, as well as their stainless steel bottles with monogrammed cozies are two fabulous items!

Dotmine group, www.timemine.com offers fashionable and functional day planners.  I know as a working mom, I need to keep a day planner on my counter for not only my use, but for my husband's and kids's as well.  It keeps all of us organized and on the same page.  These journals have a place to write notes about plans for the week, a shopping list, a list of who you are inviting to a party or just simply a place to jot down ideas!

Seda France Candles, www.sedafrance.com are still some of my favorite candles and diffusers.  The packaging is beautiful, and the fragrances sumptuous.  Seda France merchandise can compliment so many different type of stores.

Steward/Stand, www.stewartstand.com is all about design.  From cool stainless steel wallets, to architecturally designed cufflinks, to their flexible and collapsible plastic travel accessories, it is all about great design!

Suburban Silk, www.suburbansilk.com, is a company that I have always associated with wonderful tabletop and personal accessories as well as fabulous men's gifts, but I had never been introduced to their incredible silk invitation boxes.  As I discussed with Edward and Paul, should I ever be invited to a party where my invitation came enclosed in one of their boxes, I would be sure to clear my calendar of any and all other invitations, because a soiree that evoked this sensibility from the moment you received the invitation would be an event one would surely always remember and not want to miss!

Tokens & Icons, www.tokens-icons.com repurposes product into new merchandise. Their scrabble piece or typewriter keys jewelry is just one of the many products that have been reinvented with new life and purpose.  As they say on their website...recycled nostalgia.  It is truly fun, unique product, for men and women.