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 by
Jacqueline Monahan
jaxn8r@msn.com
AMD/ASD
Show Brings Merchandising Variety to Las Vegas
From March 2-5, The Sands Expo Center, Mandalay Bay Convention Center,
Mirage Grand Ballroom and Mirage Events Center hosted the largest
jewelry and merchandise show in the West. As usual, your humble
correspondent walked miles of convention and expo floors so you wouldn’t
have to, dear readers.
Here are some of the discoveries that caught my eye on my long trek:
Ashley B
Offering unique, inspirational, and personalized jewelry, the bracelets,
badge/eyeglass holders and necklaces in metal and stone will enchant you
with possibilities. Wear a photo album on your wrist, or a feminist
slogan, or a birthstone brat. Some of the jewelry is beaded, some
sterling, some elastic. All of it is charming, and as the Symbology
Collection suggests,” Inspired by Heaven and Earth.” As if that’s not
enough of a reason to investigate these products, a portion of the
proceeds from the sale of All About Women bracelets is donated to
organizations that empower, advance and aid women. Mr. Rapport, co-owner
and company spokesperson, is aptly named. Eloquent and humorous, he’ll
take you through all of the inventory and into the history and future of
Ashley B and Memory Maker products. You’ll like the journey.
Baba Clothing
Here you’ll not only find stunningly beautiful clothing in vibrant
colors and styles, but you’ll meet Baba Clothing proprietor Suresh, a
marvelous spokesperson, even for clothes that speak for themselves. You
will certainly turn heads in these creations, from the Art Silk Goddess
Dress to the ones with the Cotton Balloon Bottoms, forming elegant,
controlled ruffles at the hem. The hand embroidered wrap skirts feature
metallic designs on pure silk, and the magic skirt comes with a roadmap
to help you fold it into dozens of variations. There are silks and
cottons that are embroidered, crushed, containing eyelets and
drawstrings and crocheted panels. The Georgette blouses are hand
embroidered as are the cotton cambric shirts. Kashmiri woolen jackets in
long and regular lengths are features along with Bucle ponchos and
Pashmina scarves. Tie dyed cotton fabrics will startle the eye with
their wild, clear contrasts in color and pattern. Curtains and pillows
will dress your house to look as beautiful as you will in Baba Clothing
products. Suresh will see to it.
Baba Clothing
Suresh of Baba Clothing with Judy Thorburn
Heavenly Wood Works, Inc.
This company’s products, My God Box and My Prayer Box are unique tools
that symbolize the power of hope. They are made from hardwood in cherry
or oak with elegant lettering on the top of each. Displayed inside the
cover of each box is a poem written by Heavenly Wood Works against a
background of clouds. “When your head starts to worry/and your mind just
can’t rest/put your thoughts down on paper/and let God do the rest…” The
boxes can now be found in forty states, and internationally. They are
currently traveling to and with U.S. military personnel. Every year
Heavenly Wood Works donates boxes to help a variety of organizations,
charities, and twelve step programs throughout the United States. What
can you say about someone who wants to distribute spiritual comfort in a
wild and stress-filled world? HWWI proprietor, Marlena, gifted me with a
Light God Box, (honey oak finish) as she wore a halo behind her
thoughtful product display. In her case, it’s not an exaggeration.
Lucky Handicrafts
Crystal balls and natural crystal points sparkle and tempt the observer
to this booth, which also features all manner of Buddha figurines,
peacock feathers and henna tattoo kits. Need bamboo or mother of pearl
bracelets? How about small dried gourds? They’re all here and much more,
like beaded curtains, imported clothing, those statues of cats with one
waving paw, coral and stone beads, and anything unusual and exotic for
those who not only march to a different drum, but want to own one, too.
Lucky Handicrafts
Max Mayer
This booth is what the AMD/ASD Merchandise and Variety show is all
about. Their beaded and sequined handbags are eye-catching and
reasonable priced. You’ll also find bracelets, necklaces, key chains,
lipstick holders, elastic rings, beaded change purses, wristwatches, and
credit card cases. Everything is sparkling and bling-y, in novelty
shapes like high-heeled shoes, martini glasses, sandals and flowers.
Crystal accents are everywhere. The proprietor is a no-nonsense woman
with a husky, Asian-accented voice. She’ll give you a good deal, but be
quick about it. Having already encountered her at a previous show, I
remarked at how glad I was to have found her booth again. Her response?
“Well, hurry up!” meaning buy something, already. I appreciate those who
say what they mean.
At a show like this, it is possible to find nearly every sundry and
novelty, cosmetic, accessory and timepiece ever created. Cell phone
covers, plastic grocery bag-grabbers (three of them at once, folks)
acrylic nail sets, handbags, tool kits, stuffed animals, statuary,
fortune telling machines, key chains, wristwatches, exotic clothing
imports, decorative toilet seats, perfume, tapestries, pottery, cookware
and personalized gizmos. I even saw a full-sized mechanized Merlin
alongside a moving moose head (no beer, just a moose head). To
paraphrase a line from the Kevin Costner film, Field of Dreams, “If you
invent it, they will buy.”
For further information:
http://www.babaclothing.com
http://www.heavenlywoodworks.com
http://www.luckyhc.com
http://www.maxmayer.com
http://www.memorymakerbracelet.com
Stirling
Club at Turnberry Place Reception and Silent Auction Benefits
Homeless/Neglected Young Adults
Songwriter and musician Steve Dixon, a former police officer who now
leads the namesake Mason-Dixon’s Band, presented a live performance on
March 7 at The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place. Proceeds from the
evening’s sale of his new CD “Flash” were donated to The Center for
Homeless and Neglected Young Adults.
The Center provides housing, education, vocational training and case
management for homeless and at-risk young adults, ages 18-24, while
promoting self-reliance, community and personal accountability.
Addressing independent living skills (job training, job placement,
mentoring, internships, therapy, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation)
and providing supportive services and transitional housing for this
population is more cost-effective than throwing taxpayer funds at the
problem, currently $85,000 per homeless individual, according to Center
founder and CEO Thomas Kelly.
Dixon and his band played selections from his preview CD, Flash, a
newly- released mini-selection of his full-length version (Life is Over
in a) Flash. The humorous “Left Lane Loser” recounts every driver’s
frustration at those misguided road morons who insist on driving slowly
in the fast lane. This had a distinct country flavor to it, with a hint
of rockabilly. The more rock-oriented Nobody had several people dancing
in front of the stage. Dixon sometimes sounds like an early-era Clapton,
mellow and pensive. The Light in Your Eyes is a love song in ballad
format. The band also covered the Del Shannon classic “Runaway” as a
slower, bluesy number, showing that they are more than capable of
complex style and tempo variations.
In addition to being a talented singer/songwriter, guitarist Dixon can
play a variety of instruments, from drums to keyboards, trumpet and
harmonica. He’s performed with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Chuck
Berry, Bo Diddley, the Drifters and the Kingsman.
Other than Dixon on lead guitar, Mason Dixon’s Band consists of Dave
Haertel on keyboards, Randy Jones on bass guitar and Chuck Logan on
drums. They were joined onstage by actress/singer (and alleged Clinton
consort) Gennifer Flowers, who belted out a sassy rendition of the Etta
James classic, “At Last.” Flowers can indeed carry a tune, and was met
with appreciative applause by the assembled guests.
Hosted by Diamond Star Networking Events the evening also featured a
silent auction. Items and services donated included cosmetic dentistry,
spa massages and treatments, an astrology reading, a Feng Shui
consultation, a six-month dating service contract, a non-surgical
facelift, dance classes, a hatbox full of romantic women’s gifts, dinner
for 2 at Paris restaurant Mon Ami Gabi or Plaza restaurant Lombardi’s,
an “Inner Negotiation Workshop”, handyman services, and a truckload of
junk removal.
Multi-media artist Melanie Moore was on hand with original paintings for
sale, several featuring scenes from her hometown – and mine – Chicago.
Both a photographer and a painter, Moore can incorporate family photos
into her artwork, with the setting chosen by the client. Proceeds from
her evening’s sales were also donated to The Center.
Sherial Bratcher, founder and CEO of Diamond Star Networking Events was
a gracious hostess, promoting Dixon’s CD, on sale for $10, proceeds
donated, of course, and whole-heartedly supporting The Center for
Homeless and Neglected Young Adults, calling it “the charity of my
choice.” Having once been homeless herself, Bratcher has first-hand
knowledge of the challenges young people can face on the streets. Her
networking organization develops business contacts for its members
through weekly meetings, evening mixers and special events.
Speaking to the unique needs of the 18-24 population, Dixon, a father of
four, says it best. “There is a big hole in the system as far as these
kids are concerned, and I want to help fill it with hope.”
For further information:
http://www.diamondstarnetworkingevents.com
http://www.center4neglectedandhomelessyouth.com
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