CHA Summer 2013 | Hot Pick: We R Memory Keepers
Welcome back to the CHA Top Ten Hot Picks list!
So here, in no particular order, is the next hot pick for CHA Summer 2013 (aka Create-n-Connect)…
We R Memory Keepers is a company that has really stepped up their game the past few years, and consumers have responded. Long known for being a tool and album specialist, the company is finally developing into a quality producer of a broad scale of papercrafting products, and even branching into home decor.
This fold down table and organizer (which has an MSRP of $199 and ships in September) was much-discussed by attendees in Vegas:
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This sort of unit is the counterpoint to the huge units that we've seen in the past, and also a market that was somewhat created by the recession and the downsizing of American homes. Many crafters have less space to devote to their hobby than they did 5-7 years ago, and can no longer afford to have an entire room or a huge corner of one devoted to their craft.
We R Memory Keepers also has gotten into wall decor as well, with shutters that double as memo boards (MSRP $39.99) and wall canvases (MSRP $14.99) in 28 different styles. There's also decorative wooden frames that coordinate, in a price range of $6.49-$12.99.
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We R Memory Keepers is known for their tools, and for being a pioneer of pocket scrapbooking, and some of their new tools are aimed squarely at pocket scrapbookers.
At CHA Winter 2013 the company introduced a 3x4 card punch with rounded corners, which is finally shipping to stores this month after much anticipation.
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In Las Vegas, the company added a second version of the punch to their toolbox, this time with square corners.
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Their other tool aimed at pocket scrapbookers is entirely new - a thumb punch that will cut a half circle notch in the top of a pocket to make it easier to remove a card.
After the success of their envelope punch board from the Anaheim show in January, We R Memory Keepers is dramatically expanding their line of scoring board tools.
The first new board is the all purpose "trim and score" board, which retails for $29.99.
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The company is also adding four new boards that create various types of gift packaging. There are gift box, gift bag, candy box, and pillow box boards. Each has an MSRP of $19.99 and is expected to ship in October, allowing plenty of time for creating holiday packages!
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These geometric print papers were prototypes created just for the catalog and CHA booth samples. They made such an impression on customers that the company is going to be producing them!
There's also a new accessory for users of the Envelope Punch board - Envelope Wraps, which are stickers that wrap around the side of an envelope to put a design on the front and back. They retail for $3.99 and are available in 4 different designs.
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These washi tape sheets aren't actually new, but I don't think they've gotten the attention that they deserve previously. The 12x12 sheets are $1.99 MSRP, and there are also 6x6 pads that retail for $9.99, including a new one that coordinates with the new Chalkboard collection.
In addition to regular washi tape, there is a new kind of washi being added to the We R line-up at the summer show: chevron washi tape. These peel and stick tapes come in rolls of 26 feet, in 10 different colors, and have an MSRP of $3.99. This tape was a hot topic of conversation in Las Vegas!
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Chalkboard was one of the examples of the trendy black and white chalk look on display in Las Vegas, and it was often buzzed about by attendees. The use of washed out pastels with the chalkboard designs is a beautiful combination, and makes the chalkboard effect not so overwhelming and harsh.
There's also several new additions to the company's Albums Made Easy program, including a chalkboard theme that coordinates with the Chalkboard collection.
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