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Wal-Mart Enters the High-End Bike Market

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:39:55 +0200

Bike Europe is reporting that retailing monster Wal-Mart is now selling a $1900 all carbon Italian road bike through its local stores. And sure enough, you can find it listed online as well at Walmart.com.

"Assembled by the hands of skilled Italian mechanics," as the product description claims, the bike features carbon fiber frame and fork, and mostly Shimano components with Ultegra derailleurs, crankset and bottom bracket, and 105s for the cassette, chain and brakes.

This is an interesting strategy when you consider that Wal-Mart's top-selling bike is currently an $80 Huffy. Does this threaten the local bike shop? The article frets that this may be the case, but I doubt it. This is no different that the challenge already posed by online retailers. Wal-Mart will come up short in the same areas that the Internet sellers do: they can't match the personal service and on-going maintenance that only your LBS can offer.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Outdoor adventurers, weekend warriors and commuters alike can now take to the road on a choice of Columbia Sportswear(TM) branded bicycles. Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq:COLM) announced today that it has signed a license agreement with World Wide Cycle Supply, Inc. for the design, manufacture and marketing of a new line of outdoor bikes and bike accessories. The new Columbia collection will feature hardtail and dual suspension mountain bikes, comfort bikes, hybrid bikes, road bikes, cruisers and youth style models. Select bike accessories including grips, saddles, bike pumps and water bottles will also complement the line. Global distribution for the Columbia collection will be managed by World Wide Cycle Supply, Inc. through sporting goods retailers and specialty bike shops. Initial availability is slated for spring 2006.

"This agreement is an exciting new opportunity for us," said Tim Boyle, President and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Company. "Licensing is an important part of our branding efforts and is one more way to enhance our mission to offer consumers quality products for a variety of outdoor activities. We are pleased to be working with such a credible industry leader on the introduction of this new line for outdoor biking enthusiasts."

"We are very excited about introducing our line of Columbia bicycles for 2006," said Stew Barnett, CEO of World Wide Cycle Supply. "The Columbia name is synonymous with great quality and value in the outdoor market, therefore this collection will reflect the same standards, great looking and functional bikes at a tremendous price. Most importantly, we look forward to great success and are pleased to be working alongside a proven outdoor leader like Columbia."

About World Wide Cycle Supply, Inc.

Headquartered in Long Island, New York, World Wide cycle Supply has built a solid industry reputation by combining innovative bicycle designs, aggressive pricing and the ability to design and build customized bike programs that meet customer's specific requirements.

Following pro-bike comments made by VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech, rumors are swirling that the German carmaker is considering a move into the motorcycle market. The latest speculation offers KTM as a possible partner, with the two firms collaborating on a range of VW-branded bikes and maybe even a trike.

Speaking to German magazine Stern last month Piech said, "I would still like a small, valuable motorcycle manufacturer, I myself drive a Ducati. 180 horses and more power per kilogram weight than a 1,001hp Bugatti." He then went on to express regret for failing to acquire Ducati in the ‘80s when it was nearly bankrupt.

Auto Express now claims that VW is in negotiations with KTM for a deal that would result in a range of Volkswagen bikes and possibly a production version of the GX-3 trike. That vehicle was originally rejected over liability concerns and other legal hurdles.

KTM already collaborated with VW on some of the engineering that went into the X-Bow sportscar.

It’s unclear to us what benefit such a deal would give to VW or KTM. Volkswagen is already one of the most diverse and successful carmakers while KTM, with fresh capital from Bajaj, is on target to become Europe’s largest bike maker by 2020. Its motorcycles already compete directly with BMW’s key models in the market that VW is rumored to be targeting. It seems more likely to us that VW would use KTM’s expertise with carbon fiber and small production runs to create the 1-liter ultra-high-mileage vehicle, investing in the Austrian company in the process.

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Bargain Hunting in the Canadian Energy M...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:35:40 +0200

With oil down more than 20% from its record high, Canadian energy stocks have been beaten down to more affordable levels. But as concerns over demand and refining margins grow, it can be hard to determine which Canadian energy stocks are still viable profit plays.

Strong oil exports helped to boost Canada’s trade surplus in June. The trade surplus increased to $5.4 billion (C$5.8 billion) from $4.8 billion (C$5.2 billion) in May, the national statistics office announced earlier this week. But a large part of that increase was due to higher prices, not higher volumes. Oil reached a record of $147 per barrel on July 11. Since then, oil has dropped to below $115 a barrel.

The drop in oil prices coupled with a curb in demand from consumers who are fed up with high prices at the pump have put pressure on all of the oil majors, causing share prices to fall. But Canadian oil companies have one huge advantage over both their southern rivals in the United States and European competitors.

Many Canadian oil company holdings are in stable geopolitical regions, free from threats of state seizure or terrorist attacks. Government seizing of assets in Venezuela and Russia and the volatile political unrest in areas such as the Nigerian Delta have plagued oil majors such as Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A), (RDS.B). But Canadian oil companies that mainly operate in North America and Northern Europe are free from such hassles.

Also, companies that operate in less-developed nations are often subject to production-sharing agreements with the local governments, which can quickly eat into the oil majors’ bottom line.

Barron’s reported that Oppenheimer analyst Fadel Gheit wrote in a recent research note that “high oil prices are not good for Exxon’s business as they increase government take in royalties and taxes, strengthen national oil companies, limit access to resources, but, above all, depress the share price.”

But without the burden of similar agreements, Canadian oil companies are set to profit from any future spike in oil prices.

On the flip side, compared to other countries, many Canadian oil reserves are in tar sands or shale oil, which are harder and more costly to refine. At a certain price point, these deposits become less viable as they can cost upwards of $30 per barrel to refine into a finished product.

This would be cause for concern if oil were set to continue its recent decline. But the current pullback in oil prices is likely to be short-term and improved technology is making such reserves more affordable to extract and refine.

Over the long-term, oil will be on the rise again due to shrinking global reserves and increased demand from emerging markets. Money Morning Investment Director Keith Fitz-Gerald has a $225 per barrel price target for oil due to a variety of factors including the fact that members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have been misrepresenting their reserve capabilities for years.

Two Canadian Energy Profit Plays

With the appropriate investment time horizon, this could be the perfect time to scoop up some Canadian energy stocks at affordable prices.

Here are two to consider:

Talisman Energy Inc. (TLM) is a well-positioned Calgary-based oil and gas company with 95% of its production in the relatively stable areas of North America, the North Sea and Southeast Asia. Talisman shares are well off their 52-week high of $25.71, closing yesterday (Wednesday) at $17.34. However, the lower share price has brought this Canadian energy stock’s Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio down to a more affordable level of 10.13, with a yield of 1.09%.

Talisman is a bit of a speculative play, with so many of its assets concentrated on so-called “unconventional programs.” But late last month, Talisman boosted its 2008 capital-spending budget to $5.5 billion due to a “very promising start” to its North American unconventional natural gas programs.

“Its new push to develop unconventional natural gas and oil may be tricky, but we are optimistic Talisman is taking the right steps to unlock significant value from these assets,” Morningstar analyst Kish Patel said in a recent research report.

Petro-Canada (PCZ) is another Calgary-based oil and gas firm that has become rather affordable due to recent price pressures. But Tom Guinness, co-manager of Guinness Atkinson Global Energy [GAGEX], feels this is one oil company that will profit even if oil drops down to $100 per barrel in the short-term. Petro-Canada is trading at a P/E ratio of 5.98, with a yield of 1.69%. Shares closed at $44.39 yesterday and have traded between $40.56 and $62.78 over the past 12 months.

Petro-Canada is fully integrated with both production and refining capabilities, making it Canada’s second-largest refiner. And while the firm has had some refining problems of late, a $2 billion overhaul of its Edmonton-based plant – which will be capable of processing 135,000 barrels a day from its Alberta oil sands holdings – will soon be completed.

The drop in oil prices might hurt Petro-Canada on the production side, but should only help on the refining side as lower gas prices spur consumer demand and lead to more fill-ups at the pump.

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Brothers take aim at sport hunting marke...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:32:27 +0200

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation provides startup financing, mentoring and online resources to entrepreneurs aged 18 to 34. In a regular series, the Financial Post features CYBF alumni who discuss the hurdles faced en route to success. This week Yan Gagnon talks about how he and his brother, Sebastien, gained confidence and, ultimately, sales through advice provided by their mentor.

---

Jean-Guy Furois doesn't pull any punches about how to make sales: Find the biggest trade show and make an appearance. Next, he says, go visit every person who attended the business's booth and be sure they buy the product.

However, entrepreneurs Yan and Sebastien Gagnon didn't have any money left to rent space or build a booth for their fledgling company, Mont-real-based G.G. Telecom, never mind travel around Quebec to woo potential customers.

"So I said, 'Okay, you don't have any money, so you sleep in the car, buy a loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter and eat that for a week, you're not going to die,' " Mr. Furois told the brothers. They did manage to raise money for a booth and after, it was Sebastien, the younger of the two, who set out with a shoestring budget to meet potential customers. "Sebastien went all over the province and when he came back, he had contracts and orders," Mr. Furois says. "He didn't know, but he had built a distribution network."

G.G. Telecom designs and manufactures security monitoring systems. Yan, an electrical engineer, came up with the device while designing a security system based on motion detection for a relative's cottage that didn't have electricity. Surprisingly, sales of the devices have taken off in the sport-hunting market, and now comprise 80% of the company's sales.

"We thought at first sport hunting was a smaller market than the security," Yan says. "Because we didn't have any experience, we started with that and thought if we missed our chance, we could go after the security market."

The sports trade show Mr. Furois encouraged them to attend in 2004 launched their product beyond their expectations. In preparation for the show, Yan says he and his brother "worked from 7 a.m. to midnight every day for two weeks for the production, because we didn't have the money to hire any body to produce the cameras."

At the show, their product sold out. "Our plan had been to try selling these to some stores and to see how they would sell," Yan says, adding they would not have considered the trade show venue if not for Mr. Furois. Mr. Furois knew first-hand the effectiveness of trade shows; he founded Graphicor Ltd., a trade show booth display company from which he is now retired.

As for the brothers, their next stop was obvious, Mr. Furois says. That same year, he took them to Las Vegas for the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade show (SHOT). The rest is history: G.G. Telecom has achieved tremendous success for its size: With a staff of four, the company has its products in 200 stores throughout Canada. Within the coming year, however, Yan says the company is ramping up to make deals with distributors in the U.S. market, which will significantly bolster their business. "It's something like 90% of the total hunting market of North America," he says of the U.S. sport-hunting market.

Mr. Furois, who received CYBF's Outstanding Mentor Award earlier this year, is proud of his relationship with the Gagnons. "When I saw they weren't being aggressive enough, I told them off," he says. "They could have told me to shove off but they've always been very respectful."

Yan says, while he and his brother initially were reluctant to embrace their mentor's insights, they now recognize the value he has brought to their business.

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The history of Christmas tree farms in t...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:30:00 +0200

The history of Christmas tree farms in the United States dates to 1901 when a 25,000 plant Norway Spruce farm was sown near Trenton, New Jersey, United States. The commercial market for Christmas trees started fifty years earlier when a farmer from the Catskill Mountains brought trees into New York City to sell. Despite early industry pioneers, most people still obtained natural Christmas trees from forests. After World War II more trees began to be planted in plantations and by the 1950s farmers were shearing and pruning trees to meet customer demands. The Christmas tree market burgeoned through the 1960s and 1970s. From the late 1980s onward prices and the market for natural Christmas trees began to slide. In the early 21st century nearly 98 percent of all natural Christmas trees sold worldwide were grown on tree farms.

Early tree market

It was around Christmas 1851 when a farmer in the U.S. state of New York's Catskill Mountains, Mark Carr, began a journey with two oxen drawn sleds toward New York City with a crop of Christmas trees in tow.^[1] When he arrived in New York the first Christmas tree market was born, from which he sold all the trees.^[1] Though Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since Carr's 1851 journey from the Catskills, the first American Christmas tree farm was not established until about 50 years later. Until then, most U.S.Christmas trees were simply harvested from forests.^[2]

Early tree farms

The first Christmas tree farm in the United States is believed to have began in 1901 when 25,000 Norway Spruce trees were planted by W. V. McGalliard in Mercer County, near Trenton, New Jersey.^[3] The trees were sold seven years later for US$1.00 each.^[4] Despite the early pioneers of the industry, by the late 1940s 90 percent of all natural Christmas trees sold in the United States were still harvested from forests. The most popular species during that era, Balsam Fir, Douglas-fir, Black Spruce and White Spruce, were all readily available from forests.^[5]

The market for natural Christmas trees in Canada developed similarly to that of the United States. Into the 1930s nearly all Canadian Christmas trees were harvest from native stands within local forests. Demand for Christmas trees continued to rise and the interest in Christmas tree cultivation increased with it.^[6]

Post World War II

Following World War II more trees began to be planted in plantations. Other changes were taking place as well, in the late 1940s and early 1950s farmers began to sheer trees in respond to customer demands for denser trees.^[5] During the 1960s the market for Christmas trees in the United States began to change. Part-time growers declined, while some part-time growers ceased operations others expanded their operations and became full-time Christmas tree farmers. Expansion occurred in all major U.S. Christmas tree growing regions, Michigan, the Pacific Northwest and North Carolina.^[7]

Industry growth

The number of plantings increased in the late 1970s and continued to do so into the 1980s.^[7]^[7] One species, Scots Pine was planted in numbers which far exceeded demand for the product. As the number of individual farmers increased better marketing strategies and promotion programs were developed.^[7] Helicopters became a fixture on large farms during the early 1980s as growers used them to move trees from the field to the shipping yard.^[5]

Modern history

The market for natural Christmas trees in the United States began to tumble when an oversupply during the late 1980s through the mid-1990s sent prices downward.^[8] In 1992, harvests of around 850,000 trees in New England were considered too many and Christmas trees sold for around $5 as opposed to the usual $18–$30 each.^[9] Natural Christmas tree use continued to decline over the next decade, in part, due to the continued rise in popularity of artificial trees.^[10] In U.S. states where a marginal number of trees were grown, many growers were driven out of business.^[7]

About 35 million U.S. households displayed natural Christmas trees in 1990, slightly outpaced by the 36.3 million homes that opted for artificial trees that same year.^[10] By 2000, the split was more dramatic with 50.6 million homes using artificial trees, while 32 million chose natural Christmas trees.^[10] Sales of natural trees continued to slide after 2000, and by 2003 sales of natural trees reached 23.4 million.^[10] During the same period, artificial tree sales rose from 7.3 million to 9.6 million annually.^[10] In the 21st century, worldwide, 98 percent of all live Christmas trees sold are grown on Christmas tree farms.^[2]

In 1998, an ice storm affected the North American continent from Ontario to Quebec to New England, afterward it was referred to as the "storm of the century."^[11] The storm wiped out much of the Christmas tree crop in eastern Ontario and Quebec.^[6] Assessors in Ontario toured 55 Christmas tree farms and deemed, on average, that around 15–20 percent of the trees on each plantation were non-recoverable.^[11] Growers received financial assistance from the Canadian government.^[11]

Notes

^ ^a ^b Summers, Will. "From Seed to Santa – A Tale of a Christmas Tree," Oregon Employment Department, 28 November 2005.
^ ^a ^b Wolford, Ron. "Christmas Tree Facts, "Christmas Trees & More, University of Illinois. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
^ Faber Harold. "Off to the farm for a Christmas tree," The New York Times, 2 December 1990, pg. 17. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
^ Fischman, Bernice and Tilt, Ken. "History of the Christmas Tree," College of Agriculture - Horticulture, Auburn University. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c Chastagner, Gary A., and Benson, D. Michael. "The Christmas Tree: Traditions, Production and Diseases," Plant Management Network International, (authors from North Carolina State University and Washington State University), 13 October 2001. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
^ ^a ^b "Canada's Private Forests," The State of Canada's Forests: 1997–1998, Canada Forest Service, 1998. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Forestry: Christmas Tree Farming," Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, 3 November 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
^ Rose, Michael. "Oregon Christmas tree growers branch out internationally," KGW News Channel 8 (Portland, Oregon), 19 November 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
^ "Holiday trees in oversupply," The New York Times, 30 November 1992. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Live tree sales fall as fake market grows," Associated Press, via MSNBC.com. 10 December 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Canada - Ontario Agreement for the Ice Storm Economic Recovery Assistance Program Status of Initiatives," Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 1 May 1999; 28 August 2003. Retrieved 7 September 2007.

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Traditions: Christmas Trees and Ornament...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:26:53 +0200

The Christmas Tree Farm Network

Traditions: Christmas Trees and Ornaments

The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.

From the book "Christopher Radko, The First Decade"

"It is from Germany that we today get many of our customs, songs, images of Santa, pine trees and European hand blow glass ornaments.

How these traditions traveled to England is interesting. Queen Victoria often visited relatives in Germany in the town of Coburg and while there she fell in love with a young Prince Albert. After they got married they returned to England to raise their family.

The tree that Price Albert provided his family was admired by all in England. This tree was decorated in the finest of hand blown glass ornaments. Since everyone liked the Queen they copied her Christmas customs including the Christmas tree and ornaments.

A F.W. Woolworth brought the glass ornament tradition to the United States in 1890. From 1870's to 1930's, Germans made the finest molds for making ornaments with nearly 5,000 different molds at the time. At the turn of the century there were over one hundred small cottage glass blowing workshops in Europe. Today only two respected German factory teams are capable of producing ornaments to the precise specifications of the Christopher Radko collection.

During the hayday of turn of the century ornament making, almost all ornaments were made in Lauscha, a small town nested in the Thuringian mountains. After the war, however, glass ornament production declined. Many of the craftsmen left for West Germany. Quantity rather than quality, was the Communist management philosophy. Some old molds fell into disrepair and many others were left to collect dust or were lost.

In the 1960's it was fashionable to have an Aluminum tree and all the same shape and color ornaments. Many threw away the old ornaments from Germany.

It was in the 1980's that Christopher Radko brought back the old art of making the glass ornaments for all to enjoy."

CHRISTMAS TREE TRADITION HAS ANCIENT ORIGINS

King Tut never saw a Christmas tree, but he would have understood the tradition which traces back long before the first Christmas, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture with the Springfield Extension Center.

The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrive, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.

The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.

Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.

Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions.

Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.

The Christmas tree tradition most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio, adds Robson.

But the custom spread slowly. The Puritans banned Christmas in New England. Even as late as 1851, a Cleveland minister nearly lost his job because he allowed a tree in his church. Schools in Boston stayed open on Christmas Day through 1870, and sometimes expelled students who stayed home.

The Christmas tree market was born in 1851 when Catskill farmer Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree, and 20 years later, the custom was nearly universal.

Christmas tree farms sprang up during the depression. Nurserymen couldn't sell their evergreens for landscaping, so they cut them for Christmas trees. Cultivated trees were preferred because they have a more symmetrical shape then wild ones.

Six species account for about 90 percent of the nation's Christmas tree trade. Scotch pine ranks first, comprising about 40 percent of the market, followed by Douglas fir which accounts for about 35 percent. The other big sellers are noble fir, white pine, balsam fir and white spruce.

Premission was granted for Internet use by --- Written by: David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture; Springfield Extension Center

CHRISTMAS TREE HISTORY

Did a celebration around a Christmas tree on a bitter cold Christmas Eve at Trenton, New Jersey, turn the tide for Colonial forces in 1776? According to legend, Hessian mercenaries were so reminded of home by a candlelit evergreen tree that they abandoned their guardposts to eat, drink and be merry. Washington attached that night and defeated them.

The Christmas tree has gone through a long process of development rich in many legends, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture, with the Springfield Extension Center.

Some historians trace the lighted Christmas tree to Martin Luther. He attached lighted candles to a small evergreen tree, trying to simulate the reflections of the starlit heaven -- the heaven that looked down over Bethlehem on the first Christmas Eve.

Until about 1700, the use of Christmas trees appears to have been confined to the Rhine River District. From 1700 on, when lights were accepted as part of the decorations, the Christmas tree was well on its way to becoming a tradition in Germany. Then the tradition crossed the Atlantic with the Hessian soldiers.

Some people trace the origin of the Christmas tree to an earlier period. Even before the Christian era, trees and boughs were used for ceremonials. Egyptians, in celebrating the winter solstice -- the shortest day of the year -- brought green date palms into their homes as a symbol of "life triumphant over death". When the Romans observed the feast of saturn, part of the ceremony was the raising of an evergreen bough. The early Scandinavians were said to have paid homage to the fir tree.

To the Druids, sprigs of evergreen holly in the house meant eternal life; while to the Norsemen, they symbolized the revival of the sun god Balder. To those inclined toward superstition, branches of evergreens placed over the door kept out witches, ghosts, evil spirits and the like.

This use does not mean that our Christmas tree custom evolved solely from paganism, any more than did some of the present-day use of sighed in various religious rituals.

Trees and branches can be made purposeful as well as symbolic. The Christmas tree is a symbol of a living Christmas spirit and brings into our lives a pleasant aroma of the forest. The fact that balsam fir twigs, more than any other evergreen twigs, resemble crosses may have had much to do with the early popularity of balsam fir used as Christmas trees.

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Jiangsu crystal market shines brighter

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:20:54 +0200

Glittering crystal products dazzle the eye.

Crystals, with their glitter and clarity, are seen by many as something nearly sacred, and Donghai County in the city of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, is well-named as the "land of crystals". With 70% of the national reserve of the precious material, Donghai produces 80% of China's crystal products.

The 4.35-tonne "China Crystal King", among the precious collections at the Chinese Museum of Geology, was unearthed in Donghai.

The Donghai Crystal Market is on a 20,000 sqm site. The three-storey development has a total business area of 35,000 sqm and over 5,000 stalls can accommodate 2,500 traders. There are 300 shops and 500 counters on the ground floor, where over 1,000 variations of raw stones, ornaments, ornamental stones, natural crystal handicraft works and articles, imitation crystal gifts and industrial raw materials are presented.

On the first floor of the market there are 160 shops and 1,600 counters selling close to 10,000 types of local handicrafts and mineral products. The second floor houses crystal processing workshops, warehouses, restaurants, guest rooms and sitting rooms in addition to a gym, a bowling alley and other facilities.

The crystal market is doing good business. The place is packed with crystal dealers, both Chinese and foreign, especially on traditional market days. The ground-floor trading hall is filled with rows of stalls extending for hundreds of metres and selling all kinds of crystals, from thumb-sized items to big rocks weighing over 1,000 kg.

Crystals come in all sorts of colours - red, purple, green, black, white, yellow and blue. The market receives over 10,000 foreign and local visitors daily, with some 50,000 visitors on a peak day and well over 300,000 visitors each year. Annual turnover is between Rmb460 million and Rmb480 million (HK$433.9 million and HK$452.8 million).

Main entrance to the Donghai Crystal Market.

An array of natural crystals.

A palace made of crystal

Expensive crystal Bodhisattva.

The ground-floor trading hall is like a crystal palace. The glittering and translucent crystal products in the glass showcases are almost hypnotic to behold. Thousands of crystal necklaces, bracelets, bangles, spectacles, pendants, healthcare products and collectible items are on sale. The products are divided into high, medium and low grades and are priced according to quality and workmanship.

There are necklaces selling at between Rmb20 and Rmb100 (HK$18.8 and HK$94.3), while handicraft items carry price tags of over Rmb1,000 (HK$943.3). A small piece of crystal meticulously cut by master craftsman can fetch tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan.

About 50% of the raw materials sold in the crystal market is produced locally, while the other 50% is sourced from different parts of the world.

Donghai imports hundreds of tonnes of raw stones from Brazil, Myanmar, South Africa, Russia, Zambia and other countries each year. The finished products are sold to over 50 countries and regions including Japan, South Korea, the US, Thailand, Brazil, Southeast Asia, North America, Western Europe, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

As a world display, processing and trading centre for crystals, the Donghai Crystal Market attracts crowds of traders of different nationalities who speak many different languages (and wear different clothes). The biennial China Donghai Crystal Festival also draws traders from all over the world.

Donghai crystals are not only sold worldwide but have penetrated the market in large- and medium-sized Chinese cities. Most crystal products sold at major jewellery shops across China bear the "Donghai Crystal" label.

Elegant bangles on display.

Sales booths do plenty of trade.

Strict monitoring of quality

Crystal pillow mats are popular.

It costs Rmb8,800 (HK$8,301.8) to rent a 14 sqm shop at the crystal market. The rent includes industrial and commercial administrative fees and taxes. Hong Kong firms are offered preferential rental terms.

The crystal market is complete with industrial, commercial, taxation, banking and telecommunications facilities. A specialised delivery and distribution company that offers packaging and transportation services is a phone call away.

The county quality and technical supervision bureau has a quality monitoring station at the crystal market. The station is manned by senior geological and rock testing engineers and fakes are fined on a one to ten basis.

Donghai county is only 30 km from Lianyungang, in the northeast of Jiangsu, and is easily accessible. From Lianyungang, it only costs Rmb5 (HK$4.7) to travel by bus and Rmb40 (HK$37.7) to travel by taxi to the Donghai Crystal Market.

The Lianyungang Airport is less than 10 km from the county centre, while the railway station and coach terminal are within 100 m. The Lianyungang-Gansu Railway runs through the county.

The east-west National Highway 310 connects Lianyungang and Tianshui (Gansu) with the north-south National Highway 204, linking Yantai (Shandong) and the Shanghai intersect in Donghai. Goods can also be shipped to various Chinese coastal cities and trading ports abroad from the Lianyungang Port.

Note:

christmas rope light

christmas led lights

damascus steel knives

Surge Protector Lightning

el neon wire

laser engraved crystal

pen gift set

hand made bracelet

decorative fishing net

Tuning Fork Crystal

crystal 3d laser

crystal diamond paperweight

optical mouse crystal

crystal star award

acid citric crystal

Crystal Pen Holder

Jewelry Fashion Crystal

wall mounted aquarium

crystal light base

Crystal Perfume Bottles

Crystal Chandelier Parts

bottle stoppers crystal

Color Change Mug

inlay table top

mammoth ivory netsuke

wood carving crafts

resin garden statuary

christmas candle crafts

7W New York Gears up for August Show

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:18:02 +0200

By Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 8/7/2008 8:00:00 AM
Eight new permanent showrooms will be making their debut during the New York Gift and Home Textiles Week at 7W New York. Among them are Art:asap/ArtAddiction in suite 513, which offers art products and art services. Grace Home Fashions found in suite 1013, offers a selection of bedding. Harman Inc., in suite 813, has a wide selection of home accessories from the bathroom to the kitchen. For high-end linens stop by Home Treasures found in 839. Kevin O’Brien Studio, also in suite 839, offers a bevy of textiles including pillows and bedding. For more textiles, as well as sleepwear, visit Mahogoany by Ra Home Inc., suite 928. Malaika Bedlinens, also in suite 839, features 100 percent Egyptian cotton bed linens that are hand embroidered. Sieger, the German lifestyle design company, is opening its first U.S. showroom in 7W. They can be found in suite 724.

The One of a Kind Wholesale Show will debut on the 11th floor Market Suites during the New York Gift and Home Textiles Week. Curated by designer Chris Kraig, creative director of SUITE New York and principle of Chris Kraig Studio, a New York City-based interior design firm, this temporary show features a juried selection of artists, artisans and designers. Among the exhibitors is Christopher Mosey, who is known for the new and different ways he is creating blown glass.

Other highlights include a Meet the Artists Champagne Toast on Saturday, August 16 at 10:30 a.m. And Saturday Night at 7W, 5 p.m– 7 p.m., will begin with a One of a Kind Artisan Reception on the 11th floor. There are a number of other events during the show, including a visit to Ankasa’s flagship store on Saturday, August 16, 7 p.m.–9 p.m.; Girls Night Out with Suzy Toronto in the Midwest showroom, suite 500, on Monday, August 18, 3 p.m. and Celebrate Hot Times in the City on Monday, August 16, 5 p.m.–8 p.m. Attendees can sip cocktails, munch on hors d’oeuvres and have the opportunity to win an Island Getaway Vacation for two.

The New York Gift and Home Textiles Week will be held August 15–21.

AmericasMart to Meld Rugs, Gifts, Home Furnishings Shows
Home Textiles Today -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 8/5/2008 1:11:00 PM
Atlanta – Looking to more effectively cross-pollinate buyer activity among its related market events, the AmericasMart here has readjusted the schedules of its biannual Gifts and Home Furnishings Show and its International Area Rug Market to co-exist starting in January.

AmericasMart has for the past few years overlapped by three days these events – which occur twice annually, in January and July – with the Gifts and Home Furnishings Show scheduled first and the rug market thereafter.

But with home accessories retailers and some gift stores expressing growing interest in expanding into the rug category, AmericasMart has nestled the rug market within the gifts/housewares show’s dates.

Under the new schedule, the Gifts and Home Furnishings Show stretches from January 6–14, and the International Area Rug Market spans January 7–12. In July, the dates, respectively, are July 7–15 and July 8–13.

"We’re now putting our rug show in the heart of our home furnishings and gift market to make it more convenient to our buyers, and this exposes more potential buyers to our exhibitors. We’re trying to make market as efficient for the buyer," said Chas Sydney, svp, area rugs component and new business development, AmericasMart. "Many home furnishings dealers shop for rugs, and this gives them one-stop-shopping convenience."

The market date changes come in line with another change — the debut of AmericasMart’s grand opening of its new Building 2 West.

This 10-story building will comprise four floors of exhibit halls and six floors of permanent showrooms dedicated to a recent new expansion of the gourmet and housewares categories and indoor/outdoor goods.

Sydney explained AmericasMart is in the process of "reshuffling some of the product categories" by showroom/exhibit space location to improve cross-merchandising efforts.

Building 1, which has long been home to permanent area and accent rug showrooms, will now also house furniture and home accessories showrooms.

Building 2 and 2 West will focus on gift vendors, while Building 3 will concentrate on fashion apparel categories.

Note:

cheap custom wristbands

cigarette lighter novelty

Music Box Gift

Stainless Steel Coasters

Wireless Computer Card

boxing glove keychain

walking stick sword

imitation copper leaf

Wrought Iron Products

Digital Camera Keychain

Promotional Key Chains

Stainless Steel Sword

brass oil lamp

hand made katana

Giftware Importers & Distributors (UK) -...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:15:03 +0200

Research and Markets: Giftware Importers & Distributors (UK) - Portfolio Analysis Identifies the 12 Companies That Are Best to Do Business With
Thursday August 14, 10:21 am ET

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8ca195/giftware_importers) has announced the addition of the "Giftware Importers & Distributors (UK) - Portfolio Analysis" report to their offering.
Giftware Importers & Distributors is an in-depth report analysing the UK giftware importers & distributors market and the 72 companies operating within it. The report includes over 40 pages of market information including: Market size - this year compared to last year. Profit Margins - analysed graphically over the last ten years. Sales growth - analysed graphically over the last ten years. Rankings - the best performing companies in a number of categories named and analysed. Each of the 72 companies in the report is analysed individually so at a glance you can assess their financial performance over the last five years. Instantly spot the 20 companies in danger who may not survive 2008. Companies are identified as the best acquisition prospects in the market. 12 companies are identified as the best to do business with. Gain market and competitor knowledge before investing in the market. Benchmark your own company performance.

Key Topics Covered:

The report is divided into two colour-coded sections for your ease of use, Sector Analysis and Individual Company Analysis. Sector Analysis: Sales growth, market share and profitability are all analysed over a 10 year period giving you the fullest picture possible of the health of the market. Companies are ranked on these categories so you can see which companies are outshining the rest. Use the industry average tables to benchmark your own company's performance - how do you compare to the rest of the industry? Industry Analysis: Each company receives a full page of analysis, evaluating their financial performance over the last five years so you get a full picture of the long term prospects of each company. Each company page of analysis is also packed with the following information: Full business name and address, names and ages of directors, contact details and website address, seven unique charts showing at a glance the performance of each company, averages for the industry are also shown indicating the bare minimum each company should be looking to achieve, and five years of the latest accounts available, New! Written summary on each company highlighting their key strengths and weaknesses.

Companies Mentioned:

- A OPPENHEIMER & CO

- AABACUS INTERNATIONAL

- ALBA

- ANCIENT WISDOM MARKETING

- BLEAK HILL CO

- BWL GROUP

- CAR REALISATIONS

- CASTLE GIFTWARE

- CB IMPORTS

- CERAMIC IMPORT AND MANUFACTURING CO

- CESAR UK

- CHARACTER GROUP

- (THE) CHINACRAFT

- CHINACRAFT (HOLDINGS)

- DANIELLE EXCLUSIVE CREATIONS

- DEMIPA SALES

- DEXAM INTERNATIONAL

- DEXAM INTERNATIONAL (HOLDINGS)

- DUBARRY

- EDELMAN (UK)

- ENTALINA

- EUROPA COLLECTIONS (UK)

- FORDWAYS PRODUCTS

- GEORGE MCDONALD ASSOCIATES

- GIFTWARE TRADING CO

- (THE) GOING TO MARKET

- GRANTS OF DALVEY

- GROVE INTERNATIONAL (U K)

- H GROSSMAN

- HARVARD INTERNATIONAL

- HILL GIFTWARE

- HOULDEN JEWELLERS

- INDIGO WORLDWIDE

- J J VAILLANT

- J T FRITH

- JAMES WINCHESTER EXPORT

- K M COLLECTIONS

- KAUFMANN

- LC DESIGNS CO

- LEONARDO GROUP

- LEONARDO HOLDINGS

- LESSER & PAVEY

- LONDON CLOCK HOLDING CO

- (THE) LONDON EUROPE

- MAYHEM UK

- MONDIAN

- NORCRAFT

- NORFOLK LEISURE - ACAMP

- PEARSE PRODUCTS GROUP

- PMS INTERNATIONAL GROUP

- PMS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

- PRMY

- PROJECT FINANCE

- ROYAL CROWN DERBY PORCELAIN CO

- (THE) ROYAL DOULTON

- ROYAL DOULTON (UK)

- SALCO GROUP

- SALCO HOLDINGS

- SCOPE CENTRAL TRADING

- SDL IMPORTS

- SEBNINI

- SILAMPOS UK

- SPLASH

- STARTMAX

- STEERWELL

- STONEGALLEON

- STRAITS GROUP HOLDINGS

- STRAITS TRADING CO

- (THE) SYLSHIRE

- T D E FANCY GOODS

- TEAM OVERSEAS

- TRANSOMNIA

- TRAVELSTYLE

- WESTERN HOUSE

Footnote:

Ceramic Tea Sets

Promotional Mouse PAD

Terra Cotta Pottery

Glazed Ceramic Pot

Bluetooth Memory Stick

Invisible UV Pen

weekly pill box

brake car pad

porcelain and ceramics

key ring gift

colored rubber bands

custom made wristbands

Transparent Business Card

Wireless Adapter Card

Security Digital Card

camera dvr card

bluetooth memory card

SD Ultra Card

Digital Recording Card

Magic Heat Pad

machine a tattoo

laser crystal gift

leather handbag straps

AmericasMart to Meld Rugs, Gifts, Home F...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:10:22 +0200

Atlanta – Looking to more effectively cross-pollinate buyer activity among its related market events, the AmericasMart here has readjusted the schedules of its biannual Gifts and Home Furnishings Show and its International Area Rug Market to co-exist starting in January.

The market date changes come in line with another change — the debut of AmericasMart’s grand opening of its new Building 2 West.

Sydney explained AmericasMart is in the process of "reshuffling some of the product categories" by showroom/exhibit space location to improve cross-merchandising efforts.

Building 1, which has long been home to permanent area and accent rug showrooms, will now also house furniture and home accessories showrooms.

Building 2 and 2 West will focus on gift vendors, while Building 3 will concentrate on fashion apparel categories.

See also:

Replacement Watch Band

Digital Photo Calendar

crocodile watch straps

custom rubber wristbands

flash drive wristband

business promotion gift

International Markets Runup: News about...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:06:54 +0200

September Macef Opens in New Exhibition Center
Milan, Italy —The Macef International Home Show will run September 5–8, opening at Fiera Milano’s new exhibition center in Milan. Macef offers buyers a wide range of gifts, home décor, tableware and jewelry representative of the latest in Italian design and reflective of lifestyle trends. Returning segments to Macef include Art & Flowers, an event catering to flower arranging and decorating with flowers, and the Best of Ornamenta, which highlights costume jewelry and fashion accessories. In this section there will be a contest held with a prize vacation in an exotic location. For more information visit www.macef.com

International Opportunities at U.K.’s Autumn Fair
Birmingham, England – The Autumn Fair, one of the UK’s key pre-holiday season gift and home shows, will be held from September 7–10 at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham, England. In addition to filling out their fourth quarter merchandise needs, retailers will be able to preview product launches for 2009 from among the more than 2,000 exhibiting companies. The show will be divided into two selling zones: Living and Giving. The Giving Zone will include halls for gifts, design-led gifts, greetings & stationery, jewelry & fashion accessories, volume buying, and toys. The Living Zone features halls for kitchen and dining, and home interiors and art.

The show also represents a profitable sales opportunity for American exhibitors due to the exchange rates on the dollar. North American companies seeking international growth have the opportunity to increase publicity and consumer support as American products become more competitive in international markets.

For additional show information, visit www.autumnfair.com or call (609) 921-0222.

Bangkok Intl. Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIG & BIH 2008)
Bangkok, Thailand — The BIG&BIH Fair is scheduled to be held from October 14–19, at the Challenger, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand. The exhibition will be open for the first four days exclusively to the trade. BIG&BIH 2008, one of the largest shows in its category in the ASEAN region, features approximately 750 exhibitors offering a variety of unique lifestyle products including gifts, premiums, home décor, textiles, toys, stationery and more. Featured exhibitors are Voravan, producer of rubber home décor items, Seagull, a stainless steel housewares brand and Harnn & Thann, a body-care international chain.

Rubber Stamp Pad

Game Mouse Pad

Blank Media Recording

Rhinestone Bra Straps

Wrist Watch Bands

Expansion Watch Bands

Moist Heating Pad

Calculator Clock Calendar

Fishing Glow Stick

Head Elastic Band

Embroidered Baby Gift

automatic pot stirrer

Novelty Christmas Gifts

Laptop Cooling Pad

Major gift market trends and highlights

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:04:34 +0200

Major gift market trends and highlights - a second look from the gift industry's most knowledgeable editors through pictures and words, highlighting developments in color, product and lifestyle.

Double Take: National Stationery Show 2008
By Caroline Kennedy - 06/13/2008
The National Stationery Show drew exhibitors and retailers from around the world to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, May 18–21. In a changing world where electronic communication challenges the hand-written word to remain relevant, the stationery industry and the show itself rose to meet those challenges. More

Double Take: Spring Tabletop Edition
By Bessie Nestoras and Maria Weiskott - 04/25/2008
See the hottest trends in tabletop. Gifts & Decorative Accessories presents a look back at New York's Spring Tabletop Market at 41 Madison and 7 West. More
Double Take -- New York (Feb. 15, 2008)
04/11/2008
The New York market, comprised of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), Home Textiles Market Week and New York Gift Week at 7West, closed out the winter 2008 round of major gift trade shows; and a strong showing it was, although not without its challenges and concerns. The Super Bowl and Super Tuesday primaries added to the buzz. More
Double Take -- Dallas (Jan. 29, 2008)
04/11/2008
The upbeat mood continues… “We are thrilled to begin the year with one of our most successful markets in history,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO of the Dallas Market Center. “Our robust January Total Home & Gift Market proves that specialty stores remain strong, and depend upon market to find a customized mix of fresh, new products that help them stay competitive and meet their customers’ needs. More
Double Take -- Atlanta (Jan. 23, 2008)
04/11/2008
Happy New Year! And what a way to start the year. The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market (January 8–16) was buzzing with buyers and happy vendors. We might be hearing of a weak economy and that retail is suffering, but that was not the case at this market. More
Double Take: New York (Aug. 28, 2007)
04/11/2008
Traffic was steady at the New York International Gift Fair and Home Textiles Market Week produced by George Little Management and The New York Gift Week and Home Textile Week at 7W by Merchandise Mart Properties, August 11–16. More
Double Take: Las Vegas (Aug. 10, 2007)
04/11/2008
There are a lot of things we can count on in Las Vegas (except the cards, of course); hospitality, service, excitement, surprise, entertainment — just to name a few. So it really came as no shock that we came up flush at last week’s show — especially at the World Market Center. More
Double Take: Chicago (Aug. 2, 2007)
04/11/2008
Change was in the air at The Chicago Market: Living and Giving! The summer market also saw the Mart’s announcement of a new identity for floor 12: The Galleries on 12, set to debut in 2009, will offer market-time “permanent temporaries” space for the January and July markets, as well as the Mart’s other exhibitions.

Change was in the air at The Chicago Market: Living and Giving! The summer market also saw the Mart’s announcement of a new identity for floor 12: The Galleries on 12, set to debut in 2009, will offer market-time “permanent temporaries” space for the January and July markets, as well as the Mart’s other exhibitions.

See also:

collectible crystal gifts

christmas promotional gifts

dried hibiscus flower

Temporary Tattoo Sticker

Telescopic Walking Stick

acrylic display stand

elastic wrist bands

The Non-telecom IC Card Market Has Risen...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:59:04 +0200

The Non-telecom IC Card Market Has Risen as a Promising Field

Incorporating microelectronic and computer technologies, IC cards (also known as smart cards) are widely used in financial services, transportation, medical treatment and identity verification, significantly improving the IT application degree of people’s living and work.

The IC card market in China has been nurtured alone with the development of the Golden Card Project. Through more than decade of development, the market has achieved a fairly large scale. In 2005, thanks to the all-round launching of second-generation ID cards, China issued 680 million IC cards, an increase of 19.1% from 2004.

Generally speaking, the application markets of IC cards are divided into two categories including telecommunications and non-telecommunications. In terms of applications, telecommunications still holds the largest number of IC cards in China. As the mobile communications developing rapidly, the large mobile phone user base contributed to the fast growth of mobile phone IC cards. In 2005, over 300 million mobile phone cards were issued that accounts for nearly half of the market share, demonstrating an immense scale. As mobile phones are increasingly penetrating in recent years, the user changes among different promotional packages have become the major demands for mobile phone cards.

As for public phone cards, China Telecom issued the first IC phone cards for nationwide use in Dec. 1995, and by the end of 2005 the cumulative issue of public phone cards reached over 800 million. This is one of the segments that have the longest history of the card application. As people started to enjoy more convenient communication services, IC card phones fell out of fashion and the release was declining from year to year with the increase of various communication means in recent years. The reasons are manifold: popularity of cell phone stroke a heavy blow on the IC card phone; second, home fixed-lines and the promotion of the “Little Smart Phones” (PHS) grabbed part of the market of IC phone cards; and third, students who are major consumers of public phone cards increasingly tend to communicate via 201 phone cards, public phone booths and online chats.

Because of the too huge market base number and fierce competition within the industry, telecommunication IC cards are not performing as well as they used to a few years ago. Moreover, under the push of a few government-initiated projects, non-telecom IC cards such as second-generation ID cards, all-in-one transportation cards, social security cards have attracted great attentions from major vendors who presented a high profile to enter. For example, Gemplus Company took the lead in announcing their plan to provide highly secure EMV credit cards for Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) at the end of 2005. Other non-telecom markets like financial services and public transportation are also on the increase. In 2005, non-telecom IC cards enjoyed a market share of over 30%, with the second-generation ID cards undoubtedly becoming a leader in the segment.

Since the first launching on March 29, 2004, second-generation ID card had been issued over 100 million by the end of 2005. The promotion of second-generation ID cards was in line with the IT application construction of the country. In 2005, these ID cards were distributed nationwide and grew faster in such cities as Beijing and Shanghai where pilot launches had been conducted.

In terms of social security cards, over 50 million had been issued by the end of 2005. They are mainly used for labor security services such as employment, labor contract management, income management, professional qualifications, pension, unemployment and medical insurance as well as fertility.

In terms of transportation, contactless technologies made it possible to utilize IC card technologies. The preliminary launch of contact smart cards in several cities did not turn out to be satisfactory. At the end of 1996, contactless cards were applied to the public transportation billing system in Shenzhen, which has been performing well until the present day. At present, hundreds of cities across China have adopted contactless IC cards as paying tools for public transportation. Such cards accounted for 2.8% of the total market share in 2005. As projects like the all-in-one transportation cards penetrating into more cities, their potential for development is very promising.

Now that the application markets for IC cards have been discussed, related industries will be covered in the following:

IC card products in China were relatively limited at early stage. Most parts including chips, modules, card base and instrument are imported. As the cards becoming popular in all walks of life, related industries started to develop. A whole IC card industrial chain came into being with more and more vendors getting involved in the industry, ranging from chip design, development and production, packaging of chip modules, large-scale production of different types of cards, R&D of read-and-write instruments, ATM and POS and supply of companion parts and materials to development of COS and application software, system integration and technical support. It was through stages of technical improvement and market development that Chinese IC card vendors could have a stature to compete with internationally known companies today.

In chips sector, generally speaking, foreign brands like NXP, ST, Infineon, Samsung, Atmel and Renesas maintain conspicuous advantages. However, domestic enterprises have made breakthroughs in some areas through hard work. In terms of telecommunications, Datang produces sufficient chips for its own mobile communication cards while its public telephone card chips stand for around 60% of the market share. Out of national security, chip supplies for second-generation ID cards are undertook by 4 enterprises selected through tender, namely Datang Microelectronics Technology Co., LTD, CEC Huada Electronic Design Co., Ltd., Shanghai Huahong and Tsinghua Tongfang Microelectronics Company. In addition, Chips of Huada and Huahong are also adopted for social security and electronic payment. As the Chinese IC industry continues to develop, homemade chips with independent R&D are expected to be increasingly applied to various IC card sectors.

In card sector, foreign funded enterprises and joint ventures mainly focus on middle- and high-end applications such as telecommunications, financial payment and security, while domestic enterprises open markets with their own unique strengths. Leveraging its strong R&D strength, Datang has built its own complete industrial chain ranging from chip design, module package to card package, and has been among the top 3 suppliers; With its strong production capability, Eastcompeace is high on the agenda of carriers who intend to procure chips; Watchdata has been committed to providing personalized security services and possessed its own intellectual property of COS system.

Viewing the development of the past years, telecommunication industry has entered a stable development stage. Card vendors have been gradually transferring their focuses onto the non-telecommunication market, providing a perfect opportunity for Chinese IC card vendors to avoid mature markets, seek new business opportunities and quickly snatch shares of emerging markets. With a market value of nearly 1 billion Yuan, second-generation ID card industry is the largest market second to the mobile telecommunication cards in the past several years. Participants involved in the industry are domestic enterprises. Vendors like Eastcompeace, Datang Microelectronics, Tianjin Global Magnetic Card and Aerospace Golden Card will all benefit from this market. In addition, industries such as transportation, campus, social security, tax regulation and DTV billing will become hotspots for IC card applications. Leading non-telecommunication IC card manufacturers include Giesecke & Devrient, Gemplus, Watchdata, Shenzhen Decheng, Wuhan Tianyu, Tianjin Global Magnetic Card, Jiangsu Hengbao and Shenzhen Einolda. As the market grows bigger, competition in the non-telecommunications will be more intense.

See also:

video surveillance card

pcmcia 1394 card

pci 1394 card

5.1-channel sound card

paper battery lanterns

Pop-up Greeting Cards

Video Accelerator Card

Computer Satellite Card

Integrated Circuit Card

USB2 0 Card

Scrolling LED Badge

Collectible Phone Card

Light Up Novelty

Elastic Head Band

Hair Flower Bands

Marble sculpture is the art of creating...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:55:34 +0200

Marble sculpture is the art of creating three-dimensional forms from marble. Sculpture is among the oldest of the arts. Even before painting cave walls, early humans fashioned shapes from stone. From these beginnings, artefacts have evolved to their current complexity. The point at which they became art is for the beholder to decide.Material origin and qualities

The West Wind by Gould, 1876

Main article: Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock resulting from the metamorphism of limestone, composed mostly of calcite (a crystalline form of calcium carbonate, CaCO3). The original source is limestone (the seabed deposition calcium carbonate in the form of microscopic animal skeletons) or similar materials. Marble is formed when the limestone is transformed by heat and pressure after being overlain by other materials. The finest marbles for sculpture have no or few stains (some natural stain can be seen in the sculpture shown at left, which the sculptor has skillfully incorporated into the sculpture).

Advantages

Among the commonly available stones only marble has a slight surface translucency that is comparable to that of human skin. It is this translucency that gives a marble sculpture a visual depth beyond its surface and this evokes a certain realism when used for figurative works. Marble also has the advantage that when first quarried it is relatively soft and easy to work, refine, and polish. As the finished marble ages it becomes harder and more durable. Preference to the cheaper and less translucent limestone is based largely on the fineness of marble's grain, which enables the sculptor to render minute detail in a manner not always possible with limestone; it is also more weather resistant.

[edit] Disadvantages

The West Wind

Marble does not bear handling well as it will absorb skin oils when touched, which leads to yellow to brownish staining. While more resistant than limestone it is subject to attack by weak acids, and so performs poorly in outdoor environments subject to acid rain. For severe environments, granite is a more lasting material but one which is far more difficult to work and much less suitable for refined works such as those shown here.

Compared to metals such as bronze, marble lacks ductility and strength, requiring special structural considerations when planning a sculpture. In the sculpture shown to the right, the figure can be placed upon slender lower legs and the balls of the feet only because the bending stress in the sculpture is taken through the flowing drapery of the skirt, which is founded upon an upthrust portion of the ground and with the feet forms a tripod-like foundation for the mass. For comparison see some of the examples in the article concerning bronze sculpture (especially the sculpture Jeté) for the ease with which action and extension may be expressed.

Tools

Note use of skirt, tree stump, and stag for support of body and lower arm and the pinning of the upper arm to the arrows in quiver, forming several closed loops that are thus stronger

The Italian terms for the basic carving tools of stone sculpture are given here, and where possible the English terms have been included.

La Mazza - The mallet. This is used to strike the chisel.
Gli Scalpelli - The chisels. These come in various types:
- La Subbia - (the Point) a pointed chisel or punch
- L'Unghietto - (Round or Rondel Chisel) Literally, "little fingernail"
- La Gradina - (Toothed Chisel or Claw) a chisel with multiple teeth
- Lo Scalpello - a flat chisel
Lo Scapezzatore - (Pitcher or Pitching Tool) a hefty chisel with a broad blunt edge, for splitting.
Il Martello Pneumatico - Pneumatic hammer
Il Flessibile - an angle grinder, fitted with an electrolysis-applied diamond studded blade
Hand Drill

In addition to those hand tools listed above, the marble sculptor would use a variety of hammers - both for the striking of edge tools (chisels and hand drills) and for striking the stone directly (Bocciarda a Martello in Italian, Boucharde in French, Bush Hammer in English). Following the work of the hammer and chisel, the sculptor will sometimes refine the form further through the use of Rasps, Files and Abrasive Rubbing Stones and/or Sandpaper to smooth the surface contours of the form. To achieve a high-lustre polish on marble a very fine abrasive, tin oxide, is used following the use of pumice or finer grits of sandpaper.

Technique

Winged Victory of Samotrace, Hellenistic marble sculpture of the 3rd century BC

Hammer and point work is the technique used in working stone, in use at least since Roman times, as it is described in the legend of Pygmalion, and even earlier, the ancient Greek sculptors used it from c. 650 BC. It consists of holding the pointed chisel against the stone and swinging the hammer at it as hard as possible. When the hammer connects with the striking end of the chisel, its energy is transferred down the length and concentrates on a single point on the surface of the block, breaking the stone. This is continued in a line following the desired contour. It may sound simple but many months are required to attain competency. A good stone worker can maintain a rhythm of relatively longer blows (about one per second), swinging the hammer in a wider arc, lifting the chisel between blows to flick out any chips that remain in the way, and repositioning it for the next blow. This way, one can drive the point deeper into the stone and remove more material at a time. Some stoneworkers also spin the subbia in their fingers between hammer blows, thus applying with each blow a different part of the point to the stone. This helps prevent the point from breaking.

Stone sculpture is the result of forming...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:52:59 +0200

Stone sculpture is the result of forming 3-dimensional visually interesting objects from stone.

Venus of Willendorf.

Carving stone into sculpture is an activity older than civilization itself. Prehistoric sculptures were usually human forms, such as the Venus of Willendorf and the faceless statues of the Cycladic cultures of ancient Greece. Later cultures devised animal, human-animal and abstract forms in stone. The earliest cultures used abrasive techniques, and modern technology employs pneumatic hammers and other devices. But for most of human history, sculptors used hammer and chisel as the basic tools for carving stone.

The process begins with the selection of a stone for carving. Some artists use the stone itself as inspiration; the Renaissance artist Michelangelo claimed that his job was to free the human form trapped inside the block. Other artists begin with a form already in mind and find a stone to compliment their vision. The sculptor may begin by forming a model in clay or wax, sketching the form of the statue on paper or drawing a general outline of the statue on the stone itself.

When he is ready to carve, the artist usually begins by knocking off large portions of unwanted stone. For this task he may select a point chisel, which is a long, hefty piece of steel with a point at one end and a broad striking surface at the other. A pitching tool may also be used at this early stage; which is a wedge-shaped chisel with a broad, flat edge. The pitching tool is useful for splitting the stone and removing large, unwanted chunks. The sculptor also selects a mallet, which is a hammer with a broad, barrel-shaped head. The artist places the point of the chisel or the edge of the pitching tool against a selected part of the stone, then swings the mallet at it with the strongest possible stroke. He must be careful to strike the end of the tool accurately; the smallest miscalculation can damage the sculptor’s hand. When the mallet connects to the tool, energy is transferred along the tool, shattering the stone. Most sculptors work rhythmically, turning the tool with each blow so that the stone is removed quickly and evenly. This is the “roughing out” stage of the sculpting process.

Once the general shape of the statue has been determined, the sculptor uses other tools to refine the figure. A toothed chisel or claw chisel has multiple gouging surfaces which create parallel lines in the stone. These tools are generally used to add texture to the figure. An artist might mark out specific lines by using calipers to measure an area of stone to be addressed, and marking the removal area with pencil, charcoal or chalk. The stone carver generally uses a shallower stroke at this point in the process. The roughing-out stage requires direct contact with the stone at a 90 degree angle, but with refining strokes the sculptor holds the tool at an angle of 45 degrees or less.

Rough block form

Eventually the sculptor has changed the stone from a rough block into the general shape of the finished statue. Tools called rasps and rifflers are then used to enhance the shape into its final form. A rasp is a flat, steel tool with a coarse surface. The sculptor uses broad, sweeping strokes to remove excess stone as small chips or dust. A riffler is a smaller variation of the rasp, which can be used to create details such as folds of clothing or locks of hair.

Rough block forms of unfinished statuary are known, and are in museums. Notable are the Akhenaten, Amarna Period statuary found at Akhetaten. One known sculptor, Thutmose (sculptor), has his entire shop excavated at Akhetaten, with many unfinished block forms.

Final stages

The final stage of the carving process is polishing. Sandpaper can be used as a first step in the polishing process, or sand cloth. Emery, a stone that is harder and rougher than the sculpture media, is also used in the finishing process. This abrading, or wearing away, brings out the color of the stone, reveals patterns in the surface and adds a sheen. Tin and iron oxides are often used to give the stone a highly reflective exterior.

Other Stone Sculpture

Asthall Manor has a biennial exhibition on form; a showcase for sculpture in stone. Stephen Kettle is notable as a sculptor who creates stone statues by stacking stone fragments.

See also:

Wooden Wine Boxes

Hanging Flower Baskets

basket storage willow

Wicker Pet Basket

Wooden Tool Box

willow basket set

Stainless Steel Baskets

painted bamboo curtain

bamboo fabric woven

Jewellery Box Wooden

plastic storage basket

antique furniture chinese

engraved crystal gift

quilted mattress pad

trade show gifts

body building pad

Stainless Steel Coaster

Computer Capture Card

Bronze is the most popular metal for cas...

chinacrafts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:50:39 +0200

Bronze sculpture

Jeté (Enzo Plazzotta, 1975), at Millbank, Westminster, London, illustrates the material's capabilities.

Bronze is the most popular metal for cast metal sculptures; a cast bronze sculpture is often called simply a "bronze".

Common bronze alloys have the unusual and desirable property of expanding slightly just before they set, thus filling the finest details of a mold. Their strength and lack of brittleness (ductility) is an advantage when figures in action are to be created, especially when compared to various ceramic or stone materials (see marble sculpture for several examples). These qualities allow the creation of extended figures, as in Jeté, or figures that have small cross sections in their support, such as the equestrian statue of Richard the Lionheart. Modern statuary bronze is 90% copper and 10% tin; older bronze alloys varied only slightly from this composition.^[1]

But the value of the bronze for other uses is disadvantageous to the preservation of sculptures; few large ancient bronzes have survived, as many were melted down to make weapons or to create new sculptures commemorating the victors, while far more stone and ceramic works have come through the centuries, even if only in fragments.

Richard the Lionheart (Carlo Marochetti, 1860), outside Parliament, London, England.

The great civilizations of the old world worked in bronze for art, from the time of the introduction of the alloy for edged weapons. The Greeks were the first to scale the figures up to life size. Few examples exist in good condition; one is the seawater-preserved bronze now called "The Victorious Athlete," which required painstaking efforts to bring it to its present state for museum display. Far more Roman bronze statues have survived. The ancient Chinese, from at least 1200BC, knew both lost-wax casting and section mould casting, and in the Shang dynasty created large ritual vessels covered with complex decoration which have survived in tombs. Over the long creative period of Egyptian dynastic art, small lost-wax bronze figurines were made in large numbers; several thousand of them have been conserved in museum collections. From these beginnings, bronze art has continued to flourish.

Process

Making bronzes is highly skilled work, and a number of distinct casting processes may be employed, including lost-wax casting (and its modern-day spin-off investment casting), sandcasting and centrifugal casting.

Lost wax method

Main article: Lost wax casting

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (Leone Leoni, mid-16th century).

In lost-wax or investment casting, the artist starts with a full-sized model of the sculpture, most often a non-drying oil-based clay such as Plasticine model for smaller sculptures or for sculptures to be developed over an extended period (water-based clays must be protected from drying), and water-based clay for larger sculptures or for sculptures for which it is desired to capture a gestural quality - one that transmits the motion of the sculptor in addition to that of the subject. A mold is made from the clay pattern, either as a piece mold from plaster, or using flexible gel or similar rubber-like materials stabilized by a plaster jacket of several pieces. Often a plaster master will be made from this mold for further refinement. Such a plaster is a means of preserving the artwork until a patron may be found to finance a bronze casting, either from the original molds or from a new mold made from the refined plaster positive.

Once a production mold is obtained, a wax (hollow for larger sculptures) is then cast from the mold. For a hollow sculpture, a core is then cast into the void, and is retained in its proper location (after wax melting) by pins of the same metal used for casting. One or more wax sprues are added to conduct the molten metal into the sculptures - typically directing the liquid metal from a pouring cup to the bottom of the sculpture, which is then filled from the bottom up in order to avoid splashing and turbulence. Additional sprues may be directed upward at intermediate positions, and various vents may also be added where gases could be trapped. (Vents are not needed for ceramic shell casting, allowing the sprue to be simple and direct.) The complete wax structure (and core, if previously added) is then invested in another kind of mold or shell, which is heated in a kiln until the wax runs out and all free moisture is removed. The investment is then soon filled with molten bronze. The removal of all wax and moisture prevents the liquid metal from being explosively ejected from the mold by steam and vapor.

Eros Bendato (Eros Tied) (Igor Mitoraj, 1999), in Kraków, Poland.

Students of bronze casting will usually work in direct wax, where the model is made in wax, possibly formed over a core, or with a core cast in place, if the piece is to be hollow. If no mold is made and the casting process fails, the artwork will also be lost. After the metal has cooled, the external ceramic/clay is chipped away, revealing an image of the wax form, including core pins, sprues, vents, and risers. All of these are removed with a saw and tool marks are polished away, and interior core material is removed to reduce the likelihood of interior corrosion. Incomplete voids created by gas pockets or investment inclusions are then corrected by welding and carving. Small defects where sprues and vents were attached are filed or ground down and polished.

Creating large sculptures

For a large sculpture, the artist will usually prepare small study models until the pose and proportions are determined. An intermediate-sized model is then constructed with all of the final details. For very large works, this may again be scaled to a larger intermediate. From the final scale model, measuring devices are used to determine the dimensions of an armature for the structural support of a full-size temporary piece, which is brought to rough form by wood, cardboard, plastic foam, and/or paper to approximately fill the volume while keeping the weight low. Finally, plaster, clay or other material is used to form the full-size model, from which a mould may be constructed. Alternatively, a large refactory core may be constructed, and the direct-wax method then applied for subsequent investment. Before modern welding techniques, large sculptures were generally cast in one piece with a single pour. Welding allows a large sculpture to be cast in pieces, then joined.

Finishing

Balance by David Ascalon shows how reactive chemicals applied to the metal create a marbleized blue surface.

After final polishing, corrosive materials may be applied to form a patina, a process that allows some control over the color and finish.

Another form of sculptural art that uses bronze is ormolu, a finely cast soft bronze that is gilded (coated with gold) to produce a matte gold finish. Ormolu was popularized in the 18th century in France and is found in such forms as wall sconces (wall-mounted candle holders), inkstands, clocks and garnitures. Ormolu wares can be identified by a clear ring when tapped, showing that they are made of bronze, not a cheaper alloy such as spelter or pewter.

Sculptors

Perseus with the Head of Medusa (Benvenuto Cellini, 1545-54) in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy after the statue's cleaning.

Main article: List of sculptors

Benvenuto Cellini
Donatello
Lorenzo Ghiberti
Giambologna
Leone Leoni
Adriaen de Vries
David Ascalon
John Bridgeman
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux
Czesław Dźwigaj
Alfred Gilbert
Maggi Hambling
Martin Mayer

Felter family grave with sculpture by Karol Hukan at the Rakowicki Cemetery in Poland.

Modern

Henry Moore
John W Mills
Enzo Plazzotta
Auguste Rodin
Stanisław Szukalski
Lorado Taft
Bill Toma
George Tsutakawa
Gerard Tsutakawa
Felix de Weldon
Leonard Wells Volk
Harry Weber
M.L. Snowden
Zoja Trofimiuk
Jorge Melício

Sculptural subjects

[edit] People

Detail of the Memorial to Cyprian Kamil Norwid (Czesław Dźwigaj) in the Bards' crypt in Wawel Cathedral, Kraków.

Andrew Browne Cunningham, in Trafalgar Square, London, England
George VI of the United Kingdom, at Carlton House Terrace, London, England
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson - relief panels of his Victory at Cape St Vincent, and Death
A conversation with Oscar Wilde by Maggi Hambling, installed in Adelaide Street, near Trafalgar Square, London in 1998
Shepherd and Sheep by Dame Elisabeth Frink Paternoster Square
Young Dancer by Enzo Plazzotta, on Broad Street, London
Temperance, a statue atop a drinking water fountain to the north end of Blackfriars Bridge, London
In the National Statuary Hall Collection, United States Capitol, Washington, 55 statues, including:
- Edward Lewis Bartlett
- George Clinton
- John Campbell Greenway
- Ernest Gruening
- Eusebio Francisco Kino
- Joseph Wheeler

Abstract and symbolic

Prospect Park War Memorial (Augustus Lukeman, 1921) in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Henry Moore bronzes

Animals

Charging Bull - by Arturo Di Modica, in Bowling Green park near Wall Street in New York City
Mustangs at Las Colinas
Nelson's Column - Sir Edwin Landseer's Lions guard the diagonals

References

^ Caleb Hornbostel, Construction Materials: Types, Uses and Applications, Second Edition (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1991) p. 175.