Cotton sateen bed linens

Sin in Linen's new Sugar Skulls collection is inspired by Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations. The linens are 300 thread count, 100% cotton sateen. The motifs are embroidered. Sheet sets, duvet covers, pillowcases, shams and shower curtains make up the collection.
Another new collection is Wish You Were Here, featuring pin-up girls on postcards.

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums. See the company at the 2009 summer New York gift show.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Exclusively for Gift & Home Today readers

from Twitter:
@bergino: Stop by Booth 2633 at #nyigf and mention Jim Carper's great blog...Get an extra special show special. http://giftandhometoday.blogspot.com/

Men's gifts: illustrated baseballs

Bergino Baseballs come in various themes, including baseball parks, city maps and the United States Constitution. The company creates handmade custom baseballs for corporations, celebrities, business titans and bar mitzvah boys.

---

Retailers: Contact the company for prices and minimums. See the company at the 2009 summer gift show in New York.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Espresso cups

These espresso cups look as fresh and contemporary today as they did 25 years ago, when my wife and I bought them on our honeymoon in Portugal. Some designs just never go out of style.

Eco-friendly canvas totes

Suburban Silk is launching a new line of eco-friendly canvas totes, laptop sleeves and pillow covers at the upcoming New York Gift Fair. This new line is called "Jax + Jack." The canvas material and the printing process give the bags a vintage/retro feel. The City Totes line features landmarks from famous cities.

---

Retailers: Contact the company for prices and minimums. Or see it at the upcoming New York gift show.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Equestrian-themed hand bags, pillows

Rebecca Ray Designs makes handbags, belts, pillows and placemats that reflect the owners' interest in horses and champion show dogs. All of the items are made in the United States, some by the Amish in northeastern Ohio.
Items incorporate authentic equestrian hardware. Bags are available in leather, ultrasuede and canvas duck. Pillows measure 20 inches by 20 inches and feature the company's antique photos in color or black and white.

---

Retailers: Contact the company for prices and minimum orders. See the company at the 2009 summer gift show in New York.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Eco-friendly textiles

Andrew Morgan Collection will introduce a new eco-alpaca line called Purity at the New York gift fair this month. The textile designer's other new collections are Raw Earth (shown, click for larger view), English Eccentrics and Mod Pod.

The designer describes Raw Earth as a "hip, prairie brush design that is uncomplicated and luxurious in the most tasteful way." He uses merino, Ami-Vert and Samoa Microfibre.

---

Retailers and designers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer or designer to order this item for you.

Obituary: Theodore D. Nierenberg

Theodore D. Nierenberg, who started Dansk International Designs, died on July 31, 2009 at age 86. The company's motto was "from the kitchen to the dining room table" because the sleek, clean lines of its housewares were functional and beautiful.

Read more about Mr. Nierenberg at:
The New York Times
The Los Angeles Times
The Associated Press

Felt purses, pillows

A small women’s cooperative in Hungary makes these wool felt gifts designed by MyPerennial. The top row shows Zip It! bags. Center row shows holiday stockings and a scarf. Bottom row features pillow designs. (Click images for a larger view.)

---

Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums. See the company at the New York International Gift Fair. Become a fan on Facebook.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order these items for you.