Giftware News, January 2003

U.S. Edition

This edition of the "Greeting Card Gazette" celebrates 2003 and all the new products awaiting us during the early Spring selling season. And the first installment of "The Class of 2003" follows suit, introducing two artists worth watching this year. So here they are...the first Class of 2003.

Mara Aeren is a Santa Barbara, California-based painter, illustrator and art director who has designed for internationally known companies including Starbucks, Kinko's Paper Center, American Greetings, Gibson Greetings, Flavia Publishing, Colorbok and now, FPI Publishing.

FPI Publishing, a well-established greeting card company and gift industry publisher based in Santa Barbara, California, has launched 4 unique greeting card lines -- Tea Garden, Boheme, Serenity and Sophi -- all designed by Aeren. The four lines are designed to appeal to a wide range of moods and tastes:

Tea Garden is a romantic line consisting of vintage-chic Parisian rose botanicals, weathered white-washed pine, and vintage travel ephemera.

Boheme is a free-spirited line energetically embraces color and rich nature and ethnic-inspired textures.

Serenity employs smoldering, deep jewel toned world-style exteriors over fresh, clean natural wood and woven interiors.

Sophi is a modern, hip, eye-catching square-shaped line touting witty edits apropos for today's busy lifestyles.

All four lines are refreshingly well-written, and include gorgeous upscale envelopes. "Given Mara's extensive design and trending experience in the gift industry, FPI believes these exciting new lines and future works will be well received and extremely successful in the marketplace," said FPI President Roy Millender.

"We at FPI Publishing are excited about the opportunities that exist for retailers and sales representatives who wish to join us in our market expansion."

And there will be more Aeren to see this year: watch for the website www.maraaeren.com to go live this spring.