Page Tags: handmade wooden jewelry boxes, more

BADGER STATE GAMES WISCONSIN IS HOME TO MANY MAKERS OF TOYS TO DELIGHT YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART.(BUSINESS)

…Prices are $20 for nutcrackers to up to $275 for bigger items.

Also making wooden products is Judy Peterson of Monona, who creates "fantaminals" -- puzzles that form fanciful creatures such as dragons and dinosaurs, as well as wildlife and other figures that appeal to kids and adults. She's branched into landscape puzzles. Prices range from $10 to $175.

"I'm a one-woman operation," she said. "I do all of the woodworking." She has 271 patterns and has written three instructional books for woodworkers with her husband, Dave, who handles the business side of the operation.

Judy Peterson uses a lot of Wisconsin wood, especially cherry and walnut, and sells her wares at art shows and galleries, as well as through her Web site.

Offering a more exotic flair is Loan Rathgeber, who sells a range of Vietnamese items. She's from Vietnam and runs a Web site, www.vietnameseartwork.com, from Madison. Along with artwork, she offers children's masks, kites and musical instruments, all from Vietnam and many of them traditionally made folk toys. Prices start at $5.

"I haven't seen these toys anywhere," she said. "Even in Vietnam, these toys are fading."

Farther afield in south-central Wisconsin is the Wisconsin Wagon Co., maker of the venerable…

…angels, Red Hat Society items, jewelry, children's books, pewter game sets, an array of Austrian crystal ornaments, as well as hand-crafted candles and brush art animals.

More than 350 years of dining traditions from Smithfield and Isle of Wight County combine with local history in the Smithfield Women's Club Cookbook.

Special gifts commemorating Historic St. Luke's Church include a hand-painted reproduction wood church ornament, glass ball, porcelain, gold-plated ornaments; and an ornament and magnet crafted by a Virginia pewtersmith.

Historic St. Luke's Church, 14477 Benn's Church Blvd., Smithfield. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. More information: (757) 357-3367.

Murfreesboro, N.C., Historical Association

The 18th-century structure that is the home of the association's gift shop was built by the Murfree family.

In its past lives, it has served as a law office, post office, school, home and jail.

Jane Markert a professor in the Sports/Science Department at Chowan College, has managed the shop for the past two years.

Four rooms are filled with gifts for every season, but the Christmas display is especially attractive.

Hanging over a mantel is an acrylic Christmas painting of Santa and his reindeer…

…each. With offset flat printing, invitations are $69, thank-you notes are $49; with raised printing, invitations are $89, and thank-you notes are $63. All prices are for quantities of 25. The Julia Nicole Collection, Grandview, MO. (800) 964-4020. #483

Deck out the home and everyone in it for the holidays. Bibs featuring a smiling face in a Santa hat and stick figure reindeer make baby's first Christmas special. For the older set, embroidered hand towels liven up the bathroom or kitchen with Santa and Mrs. Claus stick figures and a snowman, too. Tea towels are $50 for a package of four, and bibs are $40 for two, koo koo, Vancouver, BC, Canada. (604) 844-7445. #484

Aroma, light, and music are some of the biggest draws in home accents. Musical candle box greetings combine all three into one product for the holidays. With appetizing odors like Christmas cookies, and artistically rendered boxes featuring comforting seasonal images, the boxes light up to provide a genfie glow. Candles can be refilled to create a year-to-year tradition. $30. Drew Candle, Alden, NY. (877) 206-DREW. #485

Celebrate the holidays in unique style with one-of-a-kind musical shadowboxes. Both Hanukkah and Christmas designs are available. This warm and folksy holiday interior scene plays "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." 8" x 10" x 3".…

…style. Suggested retail: $316 - $636. The Cargo Hold, Inc., P.O. Box 239, Charleston, SC 29402; (843) 723-3341, fax (843) 722-1377. Photo by Don Taylor.

Trew Tungsten[TM] by Trent West The world's 1st Permanently Polished[TM] rings, inlaid with platinum or gold. Tungsten carbide is harder than granite. All rings are comfort fit and have a lifetime size exchange warranty. Not related to steel or titanium. Available only from Trent west Designs. Suggested retail: $850. Trew Tungsten by Trent West, 41 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076; (831) 768-8298, fax (831) 768-8299, Web site: www.trewtungsten.com.

14k cuff links and stud set. Genuine onyx and mother of pearl. Suggested retail: Cuff inks - $230, stud set - $360. Legere, P.O. Box 546, Attleboro, MA 02703; (800) 451-2922, fax (508) 226-1954.

Leo Frank & Sons delivers "Nothing But Profit" with this stunning 14k white gold Estate Fringe Neckpiece. Diamond cut for impeccable sparkle and conveniently adjustable from 15" to 17". #WGBD55-17. Also available in 14k yellow gold. Keystone priced at $395. Leo Frank & Sons, Inc., 1158 East Big Beaver, Tray, MI 48083; (800) 934-3900, fax (248) 689-7716, e-mail: diamondsatleofrank.com, Web site: www.leofrank.com.

Reversible 14k yellow and white gold bracelet is available in 7" and 8" lengths. This is a substantial piece of jewelry with an…

…coffeehouse," Oleskow notes, and his company makes fun counter cards as well as boxed note cards in limited editions ($5 wholesale, $10 to $12 suggested retail). "A lot of small retailers who haven't traditionally done greeting cards are finding it a great success," he says. "Because people aren't going to traditional places for greeting cards as they would have in the past. If you're standing in line waiting for a coffee, what a great opportunity."

Max and Lucy's cards are quirky, fun and simple, with quick, easy verses such as "Sorry I was a crab" (with a drawing of a crab). The company offers display racks for most of its products, including greeting cards, hide-a-notes and postcards.

"Consider stocking postcards, because it's just a little bit to write, and people are really into not writing a lot, but still it's a fun way to keep in touch," Oleskow says.

Haan agrees. "On the paper product side, little things and not lots of them, is a good strategy," he says. "if you have hundreds of things to choose from then you're not a coffee shop any more. So pick and choose carefully, and go for smaller items that you can display in a little space."

Haan suggests putting up a flat wall rack to display…