Father-Husband-Marketer-Geek

Another reader submitted their favorite Department 56 retailer : "Hi, Rich, This is one for your list: Homestead Gardens . They have great displays, a coffee shop and even llamas (about 30 -- the kids love them!). They are in Davidsonville, Maryland ." Well, if they have coffee, that's a winner for me. I love fresh roasted coffee - not saying that's what they have, but we can dream, can't we. I went to the website for Homestead Gardens and it was a nice display befitting a garden store. Site kind of has a weird design where the content displays at the bottom, under the menu, instead of to the right, where you'd expect it. Looks like a really good gardening resource. I never really found a mention of the Department 56 stuff, but I trust my reader that they carry the line. They also had a live video feed from their store . Neat! Speaking of llamas, the book I am currently reading my son is " Llama, Llama, Red Pajamas ", part of a great series of child

If you haven't walked into a Build-A-Bear Workshop yet, you're missing out. The look on the faces of your kids as they participate in the creation of their own stuffed teddy bear is priceless. In truth, it's about $70 for a fully costumed teddy bear. You can literally dress them up in any kind of outfit you can imagine, from your favorite sports team to licensed characters, to other furry friends, such as lambs, lions, tigers, doggies, etc. The latest one I saw was a special Fourth of July bear. Perfect for a parade! Of course, they have your standard Christmas bears and Valentine's Day bears as well. You can even personalize your bear with a recorded greeting. My wife gave me one on our wedding day. It was a New York Yankees bear we christened Bernie, for Bernie Williams. Every time I press his paw, I hear my wife's sweet voice...

Become.com is another comparison shopping engine, offering research tools as well as a plethora of product inventory. Become.com features over 1000+ listings for Department 56 products under their "Toys & Hobbies" category. Become.com was formed in early 2004 with a mission to help people make ideal buying decisions. They realized there was tremendous difficulty associated with researching new products and services. Become.com claims to provide comprehensive, relevant, and unbiased research information to help you choose the right product, providing a comparison shopping service to help you get the best deal. Related articles Shopping Comparison Engine Become.com Raises $17.5 Million [via Zemanta] Comparison Shopping Searcher Become.com Raises $17.5 Million Third Round [via Zemanta] Price Comparison Sites Warned Over Links [via Zemanta] What Online Consumers Want: A Personalized Experience [via Zemanta]

Image via Wikipedia Suzie's Hallmark has a fan on the Building New Worlds social network - she suggested we run a profile on the store. There isn't much actual content on the site, other than the tabs at the top showing the various product lines. Suzie is, however, a sponsor of the "Wacky Village Collectors' Club". I've contacted her for details on what this is. The store also boasts the area's largest selection of Department 56 products. Not a mention of store history or anything, but if she offers it to us, I'll share. Related articles Craft Project! Sec Greeting Cards [via Zemanta] Hallmark Greeting Card Competition - Your Funny*Ness [via Zemanta]

If you're ever vacationing in the Cape, and looking to get your D56 shopping fix on, make sure to stop by Linda's Originals and Yankee Craftsmen , two stores right next door to each other. They're actually both owned and run together. Besides Department 56 collectibles, you can also find the following product lines carried: - Boyds Bears - Byers Choice - Cape Cod Jewelry - Cat's Meow Collection - Heritage Curtains & Lace - Alexandrias - Snowbabies Related articles John Derian Store Opens on Cape Cod!Boston [via Zemanta]

Department 56 has a line of Fourth of July-themed items for Independence Day...found them on christmas-treasures.com . A basic Google search for " Department 56 fourth of july " uncovered several items also listed on Craigslist . Pictured to the left is the "Knickerbocker Flag Company". Other D56 Fourth of July items I've found: "4th of July Celebration" (2002) "4th of July Decorating Set" (2002) "4th of July Parade"(1998) Find even more d56 4th of July pieces which are available for auction Related articles 4th of July at the Historic Preserve [via Zemanta] Travel Tips For A Memorable 4th of July [via Zemanta]

I have quite a few shops listed in the resources section of the sidebar, but I'm looking to add some more. There have to be a good deal of brick and mortar retailers who are selling Department 56 whom we have NOT covered yet. I understand during these tough economic times, many gift shops, garden shops, and holiday retailers are facing a decline in business, a reduced demand, lowering prices on collectibles, etc., so I am sure some free advertising and exposure for their website would be welcome. The value these shops add to the collectibles buyer experience is immense: tremendous product knowledge, fun atmosphere, spontaneous bargains, touch and feel of product, variety of displays, etc. Please comment below with your own shops or your favorite shops, and links to their websites if you have them. I will publish a bio/history of the shop, sales notification, shop photos, website link, and add them to my Google Map of Recommended D56 Shops .

The same day my little Liam was born, Penny and Randy Miller (president of the NCC ) welcomed their granddaughter Olivia into the world. We are both blessed with beautiful, healthy babies. We've kept each other updated on the progess of the pregnancies and the births, and it just wonderful to have good news like this to convey. I've written a lullaby for Liam which I welcome Penny and anyone to sing to their newborns and grandchildren. It seems to really work in helping the baby relax and smile. My wife actually said it's the first time I've actually sounded good while singing: "Daddy loves his little Liam snuggled close by his side Daddy loves his little Liam with a smile that's river wide Daddy loves his little Liam basking in the summer shine Daddy loves his little Liam such a precious, precious time" You can adopt it for your own baby, for example: "Grandma loves her little Olivia snuggled close by her side Grandma loves her little Olivia with a s

It's been what seems like a year since my last blog post. Well, little Liam is now here, healthy and vibrant in our home. He is amazing. He is pretty strong, holding his head up and moving around quite a bit. Being a parent is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to my wife and I. We look forward to sharing our love for Department 56 and Christmas with Liam. It seems like I've missed quite a bit on the Yahoo! Department 56 boards . One post of note that I wanted to share was Kristin from the Satin Button posted about the industry and a drop in demand: "As a dealer, I can say that the drop in demand from having less collectors lead to an overstock situation with dealers allowing many of you to buy your village pieces at steep discounts. Selling stock at 1/2 off can't go on for long because dealers are losing money at those prices - especially those who sell online and offer free shipping on top of it! Dept. 56 seems to have finally begun to address this pro

A reader recently commented: "Rich, I took your poll on licensed products and possible villages (even though I realize this isn't a D56 corporate poll), but why list the Americn Revolution and American Civil War under "licensed"? I could see that if they were based on a specific movie or book, like "Saving Private Ryan" is, or if they were to partially benefit a specific organization, but otherwise I don't think "licensing" is needed for those two. I also would have preferred a DC Comics -based village as opposed to a Marvel themed series, but that's just me. And I STILL wish Dept 56 hadn't ended their "American Pride Collection" for historical, non-Christmas landmark buildings and such!" Thanks - good point...I think my original intent was to base the licensed series on the "Civil War" tv series by Ken Burns, and the "American Revolution" series based on HBO's recent "John Adams", whi