| | December 2023 - February 2024 Newsletter | | | | | | | Christmas is upon us, and we are so grateful for all the blessings from this magical season! As we embrace this time with our family and friends, we can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for your continued support. We are thrilled to share the latest news from Audrey’s for our new release, plus recent awards that we have received within the industry. Enjoy our newsletter with all the details about the latest news and updates at Audrey’s! | | | | | | | For the Second Year in a Row, Audrey’s Receives Year-end Accolades From Gift and Dec! | | | For the second year in a row, Gift and Decorative Accessories magazine asked their subscription holders to nominate and vote on their favorite vendors and manufacturers in individual categories. The subscription base includes retailers, manufacturers, sales reps, consultants and other industry professionals to share brands they love the most in 60 product categories.
Readers were asked to nominate their favorite suppliers in "fill in the blank" format on giftanddec.com. From that list, the 10 manufacturers and vendors with the most nominations in each category were added to a final voting form so readers could select their top choices. The result is the best of the best in specific niche categories according to their readers. The results include one winner and two runner ups in each category.
We are happy to announce that Audrey’s won Best Garden Accessories Supplier and Best Spring Assortment Supplier. Audrey’s was also runner-up in three categories, Best Outdoor/Porch Decor Supplier, Best Inspirational Gift Supplier and Best Fall/Thanksgiving Decor Supplier.
We are so very honored and humbled of this achievement, as these awards speak well for all parts of our company including product design, pricing, shipping, and customer service.
Thank you everyone that nominated and voted for us!
See the below complete list of nominations and categories - WINNER - Best Garden Accesories Supplier
- WINNER - Best Spring Assortment Supplier
- FINALIST - Best Outdoor/Porch Decor Supplier
- FINALIST - Best Inspirational Gift Supplier
- FINALIST - Best Fall/Thanksgiving Decor Supplier
- NOMINEE - Best Indoor Home Decor Supplier
- NOMINEE - Best Throw Pillows Supplier
- NOMINEE - Best Christmas Home Decor Supplier
- NOMINEE - Best Christmas Ornament Supplier
- NOMINEE - Best Halloween Decor Supplier
- NOMINEE - Best Table Linens Supplier
- NOMINEE - Best Serveware Supplier
| | | | | We Are Excited for Atlanta! | | Come see over 500 new items in Audrey’s Atlanta showroom!
Make Audrey’s your first stop at AmericasMart in Building 2 to experience the scope and breadth of our new release, for Fall Winter And Everyday 2024. Special promotions will be offered at this show as well. We are on the 6th floor in showroom 655-657. You will not be disappointed!! | | | | If you would like to make an appointment, please call 717-865-6524 during business hours, or email to info@yourheartsdelight.com with date and time. Of course, walk-ins are always welcome too! | | | | A Few Of Our New Collections You’ll See in Atlanta! | | | | The Regal Ranch Collection | | Regal Ranch
Horses are such a beautiful way to compliment any room! Our Regal Ranch collection features rustic, yet sophisticated pieces, along with vibrant tones similar to the rich chestnut coat of a sorrel – our variety of items in this collection will make an excellent pick for a variety of design aesthetics. | | | | The French Finery Collection | | French Finery
Add pieces from our French Finery collection to add a soft, classic touch to any room. This simple color palette allows the beauty of the real vintage fabric prints and vintage impressionist floral designs to uniquely stand out. With it’s French-inspired appeal, this collection is too good to pass up. Vérifiez-le! | | | | The Graceful Gatherings Collection | | Graceful Gatherings
Our Graceful Gatherings collection features a handsome turkey and a lot of fall charm. These products are ready to make their way into your autumn decor with vibrant, fall colors and harvest touches. Create a canvas for your seasonal culinary creations with the perfect textiles – table runners, placemats, and tea towels! | | | | The Cabin in the Pines Collection | | Cabin in the Pines
Our Cabin in the Pines collection is the perfect choice for your year around woodsy cabin retreat or winter transitional decor. This collection was carefully designed to add function and cozy to any space – with irresistible brushed cotton plaids and calming deer silhouettes. Experience the enchantment of the great outdoors, in-doors! | | | | | New Catalog Volume 48 is Coming Soon! | | | While our new catalog for Winter/Fall/Everyday 2024 catalog (Vol. 48) is in production, our new release items will be featured on Audrey's website in early January! | | | | Be Sure to Utilize Our Pre-Booking Dating Program | | Take advantage of our Winter & Fall Pre-Booking Dating Program (order now, ship later, pay as late as December 1, 2024) Order fall & winter products from January 15th thru March 31st to receive dating on those orders that meet the minimums, and have a ship date of June 1, 2024 or later.
We are also repeating our promotional special, if you order a minimum of $800 of fall and winter products, you may purchase any one Fall or Winter product of any quantity at a 40% discount.
Customers with approved credit terms in good standing are eligible for this program. For our credit card customers, you may still receive the discount associated with the dating program and your card will not be charged until we ship the products. | | | | | Shop Audrey’s Virtual Release For All New Items! | | | If you are unable to attend the Atlanta show in January, stay tuned for an email letting you know when our Virtual Release is posted on the website. Quickly see the new products, pricing, online catalogs as well as incentives, all in one easy to get to location. Below you will see our July 2023 Virtual Release for Spring, Summer and Everyday 2024. We have plenty of new products to fill your January merchandise needs. | | | | | | Our New Web Platform Has Plenty of Tools! | | | This past October we launched our new website on a new powerful platform. However, you will not notice any changes in the appearance of our new website, as we duplicated the previous shopping experience and aesthetics that have been extremely popular to our web shoppers. With our new website, you will have your own dashboard that contains previous orders and invoices, with item detail and images that can easily be exported and emailed. Enter your reorders with quick order entry, add items to multiple wish lists, easily convert those wish lists into orders, and shop with multiple carts. Click below to learn more about the features of our new web experience! | | | | | Retailer Spotlight:
Q&A with Beth Lewis - Olde Tyme Marketplace | | | Audrey’s Proudly Presents a Q&A Session with Beth Lewis; Successful Retailer, Businessperson, and Influencer in The Gift & Home Industry.
In this session, Beth discusses and shares advice and tips on: - Navigating Through a Difficult Economic Climate
- Merchandising
- Design Trends
- Building Your Social Media
- Competing with Big-Box Stores
- Difficulty in Finding Good Help
- Following Your Gut
- Overstocked Inventories
and much more! | | | ABOUT BETH LEWIS:
Beth began this business at the age of 19, fresh out of high school, opening her first brick and mortar on a little side street in Northeast Ohio. As things evolved, Beth spent many years designing products for a leading gift wholesaler, doing trade shows, seasonal stores, and pop-up shows. Upon meeting her husband, she moved to North Carolina and established Olde Tyme Marketplace in a small town outside of Charlotte. | | | | After 11 years of growing a successful business in that location, a very unique opportunity arose to relocate the business to a perfect venue in Madison, Indiana in 2018. Even though this seemed like a tremendous opportunity, there was still trepidation and some difficult decision-making to be made by the Lewis’s. | | | | After careful consideration and thought, Beth and her husband decided to relocate Olde Tyme Marketplace to Madison Indiana, in a 5,000 square foot brick and mortar location where the business is very successful and thriving even in a challenging economy! | | | | Listen to the Retailer Spotlight Q&A for insights from Beth not only on the last 30 years and what made her successful, but especially the last few years which has been a challenge for most retailers. Beths gives you a look into her business, her small-town community, and how she has met the recent challenges head on, and is succeeding as a retailer. | | | | Beth has a tremendous following on social media with over 160,000 followers on Instagram and from time to time will speak at conferences and share her insights on developing your brand. You can follow Beth at @oldetymemarketplace | | | | | Remembering Tom Freschi, Key Account Rep | | | This past November, we lost a beloved sales rep, Tom Freschi, at the age of 88. In the 1960s, Tom chose to start a career as a self-employed Manufacturers Representative in the Gift and Home industry and had a successful career for over 60 years. It was an occupation he had a true passion for and continued to his final days booking appointments for the next Atlanta Gift Show. He was a fixture at this show and others across the country.
Throughout his career he worked with a number of great companies, and because of his diligence, determination and follow-through, Tom became an Icon in the industry as a Key Account sales representative. “I worked very closely with Tom Freschi over the last 20 years, and he was the best Key Account sales representative I have ever worked with,” says Don Barton VP Sales and Marketing for Audrey’s. “Tom was old-school with handwritten notes and handwritten lists of key accounts to call on, he developed tremendous business relationships because of his bigger than life personality along with his impeccable follow-through.”
But it was always the people he met and the friendships and relationships he built over the years that meant the most to him. Tom will sorely be missed in the halls of the Atlanta Gift Show this January, by his customers, colleagues, and many friends in the industry. | | | | Market Square Show Scheduled for February 26-27. Visit Us at Our Cash And Carry Warehouse! | | The Market Square Show will be held at the Lebanon Expo Center and is scheduled for February 26 - 27, 2024. Our cash and carry warehouse is only 15 minutes from the Expo Center making it very convenient for the show attendees to stop by our warehouse for additional shopping needs.
Set the date on your calendar to visit us during that time – or anytime during regular business hours. | | | | | | | Peanut Butter Hershey Kiss Cookies | | | PREP: 10 mins | COOK: 8 mins | CHILL: 30 mins | YIELD: 96 Cookies
INGREDIENTS: - 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 pounds Hershey’s Kisses
INSTRUCTIONS: - Heat oven to 375°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and peanut butter together until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and beat until lighter in color and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until all ingredients are incorporated and smooth, about 1 minute.
- Turn off the mixer and add the flour mixture. Turn the mixer to the lowest speed and mix just until the flour is incorporated.
- If the mixture seems too stiff, add 1 tablespoon milk, mixing just until incorporated.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate 30 minutes, or until firm enough to roll into balls.
- Shape the dough into ¾-inch balls and place them about 1½ inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. 20 balls work perfectly on a half-sheet baking pan (18x13 inches).
- Bake for 8 minutes, remove from the oven, and press a candy kiss in the middle of each cookie. Press down just enough to set the kiss being sure not to press the candy clear to the pan.
- Place the cookies back in the oven and bake an additional 2 minutes.
- Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack – remove the cookies from the baking sheet after 2 minutes.
| | | | | | | | From the Audrey's team to yours, we send wishes of peace, happiness and joy throughout this holiday season. Thank you so much for your continued support, and we wish you a very prosperous 2024.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! | | | | | | | |
