OCTOBER, 2006  
Tips, Tricks, & Trends
Ceramics influence trends and pricing
By: Danielle Messersmith

Ceramics are taking over the home décor market. They are everywhere from trendy superstores to high-end boutiques. Classic ceramic bowls have been revamped with funky shapes and patterns, shiny textures, and the color selection is endless. Ceramic pitchers are popular home necessities, and are used for more than just holding tea or water. Flowers displayed in ceramic pitchers bring a warm, cozy feel to any kitchen or family room. No matter what the shape or design, one thing is for certain, ceramics will always have a timeless appeal.

The floral industry has everything to gain from the ceramic market increase. Syndicate Sales has caught on to this trend and is offering four new designs and colors to our product line, which will be available in October. Each piece is a traditional ceramic that will fit any home’s style.

Ceramics offer a big return for retail florists. Two purposes are served. The ceramic piece can be sold alone, or with a traditional plant, bonsai tree, or floral arrangement. The consumer will want to spend more on ceramic pieces than glassware, because of the added value. Ceramic bowls, pitchers and vases add excellent décor to a mantlepiece place, coffee table or kitchen table as a stand alone.

To push your ceramic inventory, display colorful photos of a living or dining room space with ceramics as the main focus. Push your customers into seeing the high value. Have candles lit in the garden dish with rocks around the base. Or fill a dish garden with potpourri. If you’re worried about Syndicate’s ceramics leaking, don’t. Each piece is made water tight, so flowers with be hydrated for weeks at a time.
 
     
  A Passion for Plastic
By: Marla O’Dell

In recent months we have seen a surge in plastic container sales. It is evident that designers are realizing the benefits (and the benefits are plentiful) of using plastic containers. Nevertheless, some designers continue to have an aversion to using plastic containers and I’m not sure why. The standard response is, well I just like glass (or mache or baskets). But again, I ask why? Is it customer preference? Price? Functionality? Versatility? Convenience? Plastic can answer ALL of those needs and more! Read on!

CUSTOMER PREFERENCE
Most customers tend not to specify the container medium that a designer uses. That decision is usually left up to the designer. “Just put it in a nice vase” can be left open to a lot of interpretation. Plastic IS nice. It isn’t going to leak. It isn’t going to break. It comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and textures. What better way to liven up an arrangement than to put it in a leak-proof, break-resistant, color or texture coordinating container!

PRICE
Plastic makes sense because it is SO affordable. It is less expensive than glass, baskets and even paper mache!

FUNCTIONALITY
You couldn’t ask for a more functional medium. Plastic (at least the seamless construction design that Syndicate Sales uses) isn’t going to leak like paper mache will. It isn’t going to break so it is safe to use in hospitals, nursing homes and other venues where breakage is sometimes an issue.

VERSATILITY
In the Syndicate Sales plastic line, there is a shape, size and color for every occasion. Some shapes have the additional benefit of being versatile all on their own. Take the Syndicate Sales No. 80 and No. 81 Designer Urns for example. This shape lends itself to everyday and special event arrangements. The Designer Urn is affordable enough to handle $30 arrangements and classy-looking enough to house $150 arrangements. It is the perfect substitute for paper mached sympathy work – NO LEAKING or breakage with the No. 80 and No. 81 Designer Urns!

CONVENIENCE
Plastic is light weight. Arrangements can get heavy once the water, Aquafoam ® and floral is added. Using a plastic container doesn’t add a lot of extra weight. All Syndicate plastic containers are designed with this thought in mind – stable enough to hold your arrangement, light weight enough to be convenient.

Syndicate Sales has hundreds of plastic container products to choose from. Check our website (www.syndicatesales.com) for a complete listing or call 800-428-0815 and ask for Customer Service to get a catalog. We are confident we have the right plastic container for your design work! Develop a passion for plastic, you’ll be glad you did!
     
WHAT’S NEW
Earth'nWare™ Ceramics

Kokomo , Ind. (September 1st, 2006) — A first ever for Syndicate Sales; Earth'nWare™ Ceramics has been added to the company’s diverse product portfolio.

The Earth'nWare™ Ceramic is sealed to be watertight, so no need to worry about leaks. The natural vessels highlight flowers and foliage. There are currently four different styles and colors which will be available year round with delivery starting in September - just in time for fall festivities.

True to Syndicate’s nature, the Earth'nWare™ Ceramic line is composed of classic shapes and colors. The pitcher, bloom vase, dish garden and oval vase all come in classic black, olive, ivory and taupe. Drop in bouquets garner added value just by being placed in the 9” bloom vase (No. 7502), which comes with a pre-tied raffia ribbon held in place by a small indentation in the vase. The raffia is coated which protects the ribbon from fraying when wet. Additionally, the vase includes a metal “bloom” tie-on providing character and uniqueness. The 9 ¼” dish garden (No. 7503) is perfect for all dish garden design work and looks especially well paired with bonsai trees and small rocks. The 5 ½” oval vase (No. 7500) provides an ever-so-slightly modern twist to a classic container and lends itself to floral foam designed arrangements. Finally, the 8” handle pitcher (No. 7501) has a square bottom that coordinates with the dish garden.

The oversized handles make the container easy to grip and transport after the arrangement is designed. Pieces can be sold separately as giftware and make great after use as mantle pieces and coffee table decorations. All ceramic earthenware pieces are shipped with extra care. A die cut Styrofoam piece covers every container and each piece is individually boxed.

All Syndicate Sales product can be viewed online at www.SyndicateSales.com and is available on a drop ship to your store basis. Call your wholesaler to order or for more information. For information on this product contact us at customerservice@SyndicateSales.com or (800) 428-0515.
 

All the products shown in this newsletter and much, much more can be found in the Syndicate Sales online catalog. Click here to browse.
COPY EDITING Danielle Messersmith PHOTOGRAPHY Tony Frederick, CS Kern