PART 1
Ilex Studio, Kobo
At the latest NY NOW (formerly NY Gift Show) innovative design tradeshow...SURTEX (artist designs for license), and the NY stationary/paper goods show... a wide variety of items destined for retail stores and consumers-to accent -furnish homes (or wardrobes), and add to one's wellness-quality of life (ie. indie beauty and CBD products-right alongside scented candles/scents and crafty kids' items)-heavily leaned towards hand crafted, creative, uniqueness-truly conjuring up a true sense of place individuals crave.Whether aiming for small boutiques in tourist or home locales, wedding registries, online sites, or even mass market retailers...exhibitors 'get' that now buyers mix and match their possessions and spend coinage on products that will contribute to 'experiences-emotional harmony (not to be to wishy washy here).
Attributes like production-sustainability+traceability, limited editions, individually made, Fair Trade, and original innovative details/components aren't just background buzz-it's mandatory.
HIGHLIGHTS
Let It Grow:
No not Disney's version-the 'green' version.
While realistic plastic/silk faux foliage was aplenty...
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| we expect to see realistic faux foliage replacing expensive floral center and/or accent pieces at events like charity functions weddings...etc. |
WE LOVED:
Beautiful glass vases (NO TOOTHPICKS NEEDED) for sprouting all those avocado pits that probably get tossed after making brunch toast and/or guac...and imo-replacing yesterday's ubiquitous bamboo stalks.
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| ILEX STUDIO's Avocado Vase made by a husband/wife company from the UK...top openings -shape specifically-aka designed to cradle the pit and allow for optimum growing. Made from borosilicate glass. OBSESSED. |
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| Germinated Acorn seeds...GROW TOO. Move over squirrels-now ya got some competition for these. Delivers with a vase and separately can order a germinated acorn seed (with roots). |
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| Group these...make a stunning 'simple' statement-like multiple single stem flowers or ferns. The avocado vases is bigger than the acorn ones... CURRENTLY available on https://ilexstudio.com/ for online sales..for 35 British pounds..not sure if one can buy directly in the USA yet. |
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| KOBO ditches the toxic chemicals+ lead in fragrant candles (who knew???) -opting for essential oils, cotton wicks, and re-usuable glass containers...PLUS individual scents' plant inspirations are what can get planted. PICTURED above...best selling Heath Lavender. FYI each candle that has a 'burn' time of 60 hours...$28 |
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| KOBO plant the box scent options...includeSomerset Thyme, Fresh Cut Grass (pictured above)... Siam Poppy, Sweet Sunflower, Wild Tomato Vine, Crushed Mint, Catalan Calendula |