May 20, 2008

Midwest goes wild with Wonderful, Wacky, Women

Cannon Falls, MN – Midwest, leading designer and manufacturer of the Seasons of Cannon Falls brand of innovative holiday, home, garden and gift products, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with nationally known artist and author Suzy Toronto. This new license allows Midwest to bring independent retailers a collection of uplifting, humorous gift and home decor formats featuring Toronto’s well-known Wonderful Wacky Women artwork and poetry.

Toronto, an award-winning artist and author of The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women, is recognized for her signature, vibrant watercolor paintings that showcase whimsical, contemporary images of women, paired with sassy, witty text that celebrate “ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things.”

The initial Suzy Toronto Collection for Seasons of Cannon Falls features approximately 50 exclusive Wonderful Wacky Women characters on an array of products, including porcelain ornaments, wood wall art, canvas wall art and figurines. Each is accompanied by stories and/or witty quotations such as “Age Is Nothing But a State of Mind,” “Never Underestimate the Power of a Hissie Fit,” and “Behind Every Woman Is a Substantial Amount of Chocolate.”

The collection also includes Toronto’s book, The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women, featuring her most popular illustrations and poetry plus heartwarming tales of female heroism and friendship. The first printing of the book sold out in six months. Midwest is now distributing the book at the wholesale level to independent retailers. The Suzy Toronto Collection for Seasons of Cannon Falls will debut in Midwest showrooms across the country during the summer 2008 markets. Suggested retail prices will range from $7 to $45.

“With the constant barrage of negative news out there today, both consumers and retailers are looking for a lift, and Suzy’s designs offer the perfect solution with just the right mix of warmth, wit and wisdom,” says Midwest President Frederic Contino. “We are very excited to bring Suzy’s world of Wonderful Wacky Women designs to independent retailers, and we look forward to introducing retailers to Suzy during artist signings and events in our showrooms this summer.”Toronto says, “I turned down many licencees who wanted my designs and stories in favor of Midwest’s Seasons of Cannon Falls brand. They have the resources, talent, and market share to help me realize my dream of reaching independent retailers with high-quality, stylish products. I am so pleased with their dedication, professionalism and integrity. I am very excited to be licensed with the best in the business.”

About Suzy Toronto
Toronto describes herself as “a little more than goofy and just shy of crazy,” and her fun-loving personality and zest for life shine through in her wildly popular paintings, drawings and sayings. Suzy finds abundant inspiration from her group of “wacky” girlfriends and family. She says, “I’m not a genius. I simply paint and write about the women around me – mothers, sisters, daughters, friends – ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things. I’m passionate about converting unrecognized feats of quiet day-to-day heroism into colorful images and poignant poetry.”

Toronto’s first Wonderful Wacky Women print originated more than 20 years ago, when her 8-year-old adopted son asked, “Mommy, who is she who grew me in her tummy?” Toronto responded by drawing a woman, patterned after herself with bare feet and “wacky” hair, but she left the image faceless so her son could imagine what his birth mother looked like.

Today, Toronto’s body of work has grown to include more than 100 prints and numerous licenses ranging from gifts and home dÈcor to greeting cards, fabrics, and scrapbooking products. Hundreds of “Wonderful Wacky Women” groups have formed throughout the country, celebrating friendships with annual trips or regular girls’ night out events. Toronto uses her heartfelt creations to rally support for multiple women’s charities, ranging from adoption to abused women to breast cancer.

Midwest sparkles as a national leader in the giftware industry, bringing independent retailers unique product designs, award-winning display ideas, innovative merchandising programs, outstanding customer service, and an experienced and enthusiastic sales team. Through our Seasons of Cannon Falls brand, we offer a wide variety of exclusive holiday, seasonal, and everyday home decorations and gifts.

Through our Colonial Candle brand, we bring independent retailers the highest quality premium candles and home fragrance products featuring on-trend fragrances and colors, effective displays and the Colonial Candle Promise. And now through our Delight brand, we offer a complete collection of trend-forward candle accents to brighten the home. Please call 800-776-2075 or visit www.midwestofcannonfalls.com for more information or locate a showroom near you.