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About a month ago we attended the International Housewares Show in Chicago. We visit every year as exhibitors and take several employees to evaluate trends. Our designers explored the show and found some very exciting colors, materials, and brilliant new ideas.

*Image Courtesy of CR
(We loved this fun "garden wall" made of tabletop products)

*Image Courtesy of CR
(Image from Pantone Colorwatch -These colors were prominent at the IHA Show)

*Image Courtesy of CR
(Who can't smile when they see these fun characterized kitchen products?)

*Image Courtesy of CR
(Eveyone loves matching their car with their cookware right?)

We attended presentations on trend, eco-friendly design, and the ever growing world of technology. One of the biggest excitements of the IHA Show is watching it grow every year. Last year there was the addition of the twitter feed wall, which continued this year. The conversation was had by including #housewares in your tweets. This year we also saw several booths and printed materials making good use of QR Codes. QR Codes allow you to scan a bar code with your smart phone, which then takes you to an app or a website. This is an excellent marketing opportunity which we intend on seeing more and more in the houswewares marketplace.

*Image Courtesy of CR
(Presentation at IHA on Technology's influence on the market)

Don't worry. We made time to enjoy the beautiful windy city (and boy, was it windy that weekend)!

*Image Courtesy of CR
(View of the setting sun, and martini on the 96th floor of the Hancock Building, Signature Lounge)

For this Anchor Blogger, the high point of the trip was finally working up the nerve to ask chef Curtis Stone for a picture. Goodness is he tall!

*Image Courtesy of CR
(Anchor Blogger "CR" with chef Curtis Stone)
Folllow Curtis on Facebook

We hope you enjoyed our brief reflection on the Houswewares Show! Did you check out our booth at IHA? Share pictures on our facebook page!

The Kitchn was excited about our new products at the IHA Show - Read about it!

Here at Anchor Hocking we have a team of designers who develop new products. Part of their process involves creating trend reports based on their global research of products, fashion, architecture and art.

We wanted to share a sampling of their 2011 Trend Reporting that was compiled during the Fall of 2010.

We hope it inspires you and helps you push the boundaries of your own home decor, party designs or craft projects!

Let us know what you think!
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Anchor Hocking manufacturers and distributes a wide variety of barware.  With the current incline in American made craft beers, we thought what better place to study than where it's made?

Recently, I had the chance to visit Boston to meet with a customer, but also do some study on the culture that surrounds the city. In the near future I'll post some interesting information about American craft beers and their gaining popularity even in a down economy, but until then enjoy these images from the city of books and brews.

*Images Courtesy of CR

AK and I had the excellent opportunity to speak to “Jadite Kate” on the phone.

She started collecting glass before she went to college, about 5 years ago. Her collection started with Jane Ray pieces from Anchor Hocking’s Fire-King. Since then, her collection has expanded from a few pieces of ware to an Etsy store that is celebrated by collectors and other bloggers.

*Images Courtesy of Jadite Kate

Kate loves the colors of Jade-ite and the translucent mix between the greens of these vintage Fire-King pieces.

Restaurant ware is a personal favorite of hers as it is simple and holds up well. She uses Jade-ite as everyday ware, putting it to good use instead of collecting dust. Her kitchen cupboards are just chock full of dinner plates and Jade-ite mugs.

*Image Courtesy of Jadite Kate

She sticks to glass for her Jade-ite collection, although she does have a well preserved box that came with one of her deviled egg dishes. Many people collect old advertisements and packaging from Fire-King wares, but they are often difficult to find in good condition.

Kate’s 92 year old grandmother was the inspiration for her vast collection and charming Etsy shop. It all started with the Jade-ite batter bowl that her grandmother used, it was a Jane Ray pattern. Her mother is also a lover of glass, collecting Jeannette and Fostoria pieces. Three generations of women, all with a knack for classic glassware.

*Images Courtesy of Jadite Kate

We asked Kate if there were any heart-warming stories she could share with us. She brought up that she once had a customer who’s mother had received a specific piece as a wedding gift in the 1950’s. For years her mother was too afraid to damage the piece with use. The customer found a matching piece at Jadite Kate’s Etsy shop and purchased it. Now the customer’s mother can use the new piece and cherish the wedding gift without fear.

Some of Kate’s most common requests from her customers are batter bowls and Jade-ite mugs. Cups and saucers are often purchased as birthday and mother’s day gifts.

*Image Courtesy of Jadite Kate

Kate loves the “treasure hunt” aspect of hunting for these timeless pieces at antiques stores/shows and flea markets. She just recently went on a road trip to Brimfield, Massachusets to look for wares, which she talks about in her blog.

Want to hear more about Kate? Stop by her blog at jaditekate.blogspot.com!   You can also shop for Jade-ite and other fabulous vintage glassware at her Jadite Kate etsy shop.

We’re so glad we had the chance to talk to her and learn more about her experiences as a collector and seller of some of our most celebrated ware!

Thank you Kate for taking the time to chat with AK and I!

images courtesty of CR

We set out on a journey to Paris, France. Our goal was to explore trends, fashion, design and culture. During our visit we attended the Maison & Objet show, which is always sure to please. Flourishing color, vibrant patterns or cultural influences on design were everywhere we looked. Our exploration led us to new materials, textures and color palettes that aren't typical in the states.

On this trip we went outside of the box, allowing our minds and eyes to wander beyond just housewares. We found inspiration in just about everything, be it a window display of couture fashion or new ways to create furniture. No stone was left unturned as we treked the city visiting shops, cafes, eateries and historical sites.

This trip was something to remember. Paris is full of all the images you see in art history books, and seeing those things in person can bring a person to speachlessness.