Our Money Tree Continues To Grow

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF COROMANDEL ARTS- Feel The Work!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year - Welcome to the World of Coromandel Arts and Feel The Work-which is our new slogan!

I’m disappointed that I won't be in Chicago to help you - Bruce and I will be in Orlando and then off to the New York Gift Show. We welcome anyone's suggestions for public domain artwork that they would like to see produced, either from you or your customers. 

GETTING BACK IN THE GAME 

I designed 99 percent of the product you now see, and of course, only the most beautiful ones! My partner Dennis’ father owned the company, LaBelle The Box Place and I was the chief cook and bottle washer there, Sales and Marketing Director.

We left for 10 years and after five years of Dennis asking, my husband Bruce and I decided to come back but only with a partnership, which we have with Dennis.

NEW YORK GIFT SHOW 2O1O 

After reviewing Dennis' database and realizing only the West Coast customers remained, I made a play to get us into the NY Gift Fair. It was Nov. 15th, 2010, and I knew everyone that was anyone connected to the show, so l called. 

Bad news, all the people I knew left, so I spoke with the new show coordinator and sent her a PDF of our catalog. When she replied - I mentioned in a begging voice, that to show on the pier as she offered, would be okay but I certainly would prefer showing at the Javitz Center.

A thought flashed in my crazy head, and I asked if Jeff Little was still an owner and in management.

With a yes to that, I asked to have my email forwarded to him and to mention that this was Nan of LaBelle The Box Place, same product, just a different name. 

We received two booths in the front of the show at the Javitz which really helped us to get re-acquainted with our old customers. Knowing Jeff Little and him knowing our product was a big win!

There were many exclamations of excitement at our booth, one from the customers who hadn't seen the boxes in a long time, who were glad to see them again and realize that the great prices remained the same. 

Then there were those people who never saw them and were excited just to feel them and look at them. It was a great show for us.

REBIRTH 

You might run into people who knew the product as LaBelle The Box Place or The Box Place. We are a 20-year-old company enjoying a rebirth as Coromandel Arts. On Nov 5th 2011, we were one year old with this name. However, this product is the same as it was before and even better.

HOW I GOT MARKET PLACE GIFTS AS OUR CHICAGO REP GROUP 

One of Carole and Mary's customers saw our boxes in another store and told Carole to contact us. School House Antiques had been a customer of ours years ago and lost sight of the boxes and was anxious to get them back. 

3 STORIES THAT HELP EXPLAIN THE PRODUCT 

20 years ago, I introduced 1004S, the Kiss box at the New York Gift Show, this is an adaptation of the Artist Gustav Klimt. A buyer walked up to me clutching the box to her chest and asked with great concern, "Nan, please tell me little children are not chained to a desk and painting this, it's so beautiful!” 

I said with a smile, “if little children could paint like that there would be many extraordinary artists in the making.” 

Then I mentioned that we made boxes for Walt Disney and when you do, you must give up your factory. They insist on it and send their people there un-announced.  Cinderella's Castle was the first piece we made for Disney, it sold for 250.00 retail, and they certainly didn't want to be Kathy Lee Gifford on the six o'clock news with the clothing sweatshop scandal!

At the same show a woman handed me her card and it said she was the buyer for the Austrian Museum and Gallery (home of Gustav Klimt) I started to stutter, “it's public domain - right?” She smiled and said, “it’s okay.” 

She asked me to send her 6 different boxes with the Kiss pattern on them which I did. I received a letter from her that said, “We love the boxes; however, they are too close to the originals to be called adaptations and too far from the originals to be called reproductions so at this time the museum will not be able to purchase them.” This letter and her remarks really help define our product and helped to make it even more popular than it was!

While doing the temps at the Chicago Gift Show many many years ago, a young woman stopped by and hollered out, "Nan, my Mom is coming with me tomorrow to help pick out boxes.” I said, “okay that's great” and she said, “but she wants to talk to you.”

They came the next day and after making her order, her Mom said to me, “what's this BS you're telling my daughter that these boxes are all hand made one at a time.” 

I put six S Kiss boxes at her feet and asked her what she saw, she answered, “the Kiss box.”  I then proceeded to show her that one girl’s cheeks were fuller than the other, one man had four flowers in his hair, another five, etc.  Our product is made entirely by hand and is hand painted, hand carved and/or embossed. 

She was then very satisfied and finally understood the product. No two pieces are exactly alike ever!

HOW THEY ARE MADE 

Our website has a tab on it which shows the creation progress but here's the skinny on how the boxes are made: 

First the box is cut to its size- out of pressed wood or as it is known - MDF. Clay is rubbed on it, then the box is carved out, where it usually would be or embossed. 

Embossing work comes above the box lid as opposed to carving work which feels like Braille. Embossing is done by mixing clay-gypsum powder and paint and layering it until it reaches its exact needed height. 

Then the boxes are left to dry naturally, after that they are hand painted with an oil base paint. Ten coats of lacquer are painted on the boxes to help protect this beautiful work. They are lined in black velvet. 

WRITING TRADESHOW AND ROAD ORDERS 

Please see attached - of course faxed orders from the road do not need a business card stapled to it. 

EMAIL ADDRESSES PLEASE! 

PLEASE GET CREDIT CARD #'S AT THE TIME OF THE ORDER. 

COMPANY POLICY AND CUSTOM PROJECTS 

Please see the attachment and in reference to the opening - we are very liberal however, please try to write no less than 100.00 to open. We don't worry about the reorders because they always come and are usually a good size. Any custom projects will be cultivated between myself, the REP and their client. The attachment shows a simple approach.

MSRP 

20 years ago, our product went for three times the wholesale price plus the freight and with some shops today, that is still true. However, in this economic present day, most shops just keystone and add the freight. We offer a product that is museum quality at an everyman's price point.

PAYMENT 

We accept all major credit cards and of course prefer credit cards when shipping. If possible, nix American Express because of the high percentage it costs us, but we certainly accept it if the customer insists. 

We understand that there are just some companies that cannot do credit card and will accept this with sufficient references. Again, please get the credit card at the time you write the order. 

We do NOT charge the card until we ship and only charge for what we ship. 

SHIPPING 

NO PO Boxes PLEASE - we can't do that. We ship UPS and UPS Freight but when shipping truck orders we always get several quotes. We can use your customers UPS account if they prefer however, our rate is pretty good because of our long shipping history. 

WHO BUYS OUR PRODUCT? 

Everyone! Gift shops - Boutiques - Spas - Hospital Gift Shops - Museums - Furniture Stores - Accessory Stores - Flower Shops - Ad Specialty Distributors - Religious Stories, everyone who enjoys a beautiful product at an affordable price and artwork that is just more than a pretty face. 

PROTECTING THE REPS 

Have no fear - I will protect you and your customer. Other Reps feel comfortable letting me help their customers if they can’t or working together with them to help define the product. Many times, customers will call to ask questions and I wind up writing orders for you.  I will always put your name on it. We pay every 30 days on paid invoices. 

WEBSITE 

Our website is very user friendly. All your customer must do is click on registration and fill out our simple form and submit it and shop. There is a spot on there for comments - this is where they could put your name should they decide to look around in the middle of the night, as you know, this has been the norm of lately. 

When you click on the product it will reveal the dimensions and weights. Also, when you put your cursor over the picture it magnifies the artwork allowing the details to be shown. 

There are descriptions on there and if the artist of the work is known - it's mentioned. I have also written some little stories to go with the artwork. They can be printed off the web. I am available to write anything you or your customer needs for any reason.

CATEGORIES ON THE WEBSITE AND WHAT THEY MEAN

1OO1 WINE HOLDERS - 11.5”- These are our wine holders. When I get a chance, I will take a picture of 1001NFT16 - which is showing on the web as a box not a wine holder and replace it. These are fab gifts for any occasion.  I placed them on the table seating for my Abbie’s baby shower, the room swelled with the love of the look, and it was awesome!

1002 BOXES – 6X4X3” - This small but powerful hand painted box is capable of handling various assorted things among those include Q Tips, tea bags, Sweet' n Low, eye make- up remover pads, business cards, toothpicks, paper clips, hard candies, the list goes on indefinitely. Suggestions welcome? 

It takes them as much time to make this box as the 1003 and it is very tedious to make. But with the economy the way it is we need something with this price point and so we continue to make it. All our boxes are lined in black velvet. 

1003 BOXES – 9X6X4” - 1003 Boxes are not only hand painted but show carving work or embossing. These boxes have the ability to hold all the items that the 1O02 boxes do. 

They are however famous for holding scarves, keys, beepers, cell phones, silverware, picnic items, love letters, your treasured coin collection or stamps, the contents of a man's pocket and the ever-missing remote controls. Your ideas? 

1004 BOXES – 8X12X3” - This box has many uses and storing your envelopes in them is one. Need a place to hold those remotes, this box is the real deal. Keep your treasured items in here especially the ones you want to share with friends sitting in your living room over coffee. What a great presentation! All our boxes make a great gift wrapping for that special present. 

1005 BOXES – 8X4X6”- Need a good place to put your Grandmother's or Bubbie's favorite recipe? This box is the ticket. It handles well everything you can throw into it. Anything that 1002 or 1003 boxes hold can be in the 1005 box also. Let everyone throw their keys, wallets and junk from their pockets in there. 

Want my great Broccoli recipe? Email me and it's yours and yes, I give all the real ingredients and measurements! Suggestions anyone? 

1006 BOXES – 12X6X8” - Place two or three rolls of toilet paper inside this curved top winner, place it on your powder room toilet tank and listen to your guests’ reactions. This box will hold 20 CD's, your current bills and paperwork or cloth guest towels, your knitting or embroidery work. Need a place for all your nail supplies. Perfumes and special occasion cards this box is for you. One of my customers is an interior designer who puts these in her client's guest rooms with slippers inside. Many people consider this box a great place for their loved one’s ashes. What's your idea? 

1007 BOXES – 9X8X3.5” – They are not only hand painted but show carving work or embossing. These boxes have the ability to hold all of the items that the 1002 and 1003 boxes do. However, how about a gorgeous necklace or those double strand of pearls, cool right? Everyone's keys, your cell phone, a love letter, and the gift you're giving her. You don't even need wrapping paper! 

Tell him where to put all that stuff that comes out of his pockets - stick it on his nightstand, this box is great for that. Let us know what you dreamed up! 

1008 BOXES – 12X12X5” - This is a perfect size box for 4 or 5 of your favorite magazines, remote controls, photo albums, appointment books, all of your stationary needs, your mail, bibles, books and your reading glasses. If you can't think of anything else throw the clutter that's on the table inside before your Mother- In-Law comes over! Fab and very sought after!

1010 BOXES -14X9X3” - Have many uses and storing your envelopes in them is one. Keep your treasured items in here especially the ones you want to share with friends sitting in your living room over coffee. What a great presentation! Have a special event going on in your life, buying that first home, getting engaged or just collecting things, this box is large enough to let you have fun and share the treasures you're storing or keep them all to yourself. Whatever you choose, you can do it in style. All ideas welcomed! 

1011 BOXES – 10X8X5” - The perfect baby gift! Beautiful addition to any room and practical enough to hold all of those little memories that each day brings you and your baby. Their cards or that first lock of hair - the rattle and booties - sweet dreams little ones.

2OO1 WALL ART – 34X34X1.5” - This wall art can be made in any artwork that we show. This normally is made 34x34x1.5 but we can make them all varied sizes. A 50 percent deposit is required upon presentation of the PO with balance due on delivery and most custom items take 90-120 days. 

2OO2 WALL ART - Same as the 2001 but 18x24X1.5” inches high. 

3OO1 TRUNKS – 17X30X17” - These beauties can be made in any artwork as all the other customs, but we can make them as long as 48 inches. Need 60 inches - I'll make two 30 inches, have the woman face each other and remove the hardware on the inner sides and you can push them together. Need a place to sit while you put on your socks- it'll hold you! 

4OO1 PEDESTALS 24X30” - Regular pedestals 24 inches oval by 30 inches high - but as always, we can make them larger, large enough to become a dining room table. Any artwork..

5OO1 and 5OO2 PLATES - 14” and 24” round - We usually have a few in stock but can make them custom and don't sell as many as we do boxes. 

6001 SCREENS OMG – 64X72” Custom - These are awesome and follow the same rules as all custom. Some customers make them for themselves and bring them into the shop and sell off of them. I just made one for a NY customer who asked if I could remove the feet and make two panels instead of three- it's fab and on the wall looking great! 

7001 - 7OO2 - 7OO3 TISSUE BOX AND WASTEPAPER BASKETS - Fab and loved by all customers! These two help dress up any bathroom, desk or end table and sell very well. 

8OO1 TRAYS - 18.5X11.5 - The price on the website is for our mid-size tray - these can be made in three sizes any artwork minimum 20 pcs. We stock several artworks.

9OOO CABINET – 34X14X34” - These cabinets in any artwork have two shelves inside and seem to be extremely popular with interior designers. DDG!

9OO5 LARGE JEWELRY ARMOIRE - 16X13X34” - These kids are killers-everyone wants one as soon as they see it close up and personal. The top opens and it's mirror, mirror... There's a drawer for rings, one for bracelets - two for lingerie. The doors swing open with plenty of hooks for necklaces. Wonderful is just not a good enough adjective. They are DDG! Drop Dead Gorgeous!

9006 SMALL JEWELRY ARMOIRE - 7.75X9.25X17” - These are a great sell, and we stock some and make some custom.

All of our products are drop dead gorgeous at a price point that matches! We’re back and everything is already selling out, let’s ride this wave together, I’m ready!

Coromandel Arts admire the beauty and feel the work!

Best always,

Nan

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