Patience Brewster Will Depart Dept. 56, Start Her Own Manufacturing Company
Designer Patience Brewster has announced that PATIENCE BREWSTER, INC. will begin manufacturing her ornaments, enamel boxes and gift items in 2009.
Since 2000, Department 56, the Minneapolis-based manufacturer of gift and specialty items, has produced the “Krinkles” line, designed by Ms. Brewster. The partnership generated more than $90 million in revenues for Dept. 56.
The licensing agreement between PATIENCE BREWSTER, INC. and Dept. 56 expired in December, 2007, but Dept. 56 will continue to sell Brewster’s “Krinkles” line until January 1, 2009.
“My creative partnership with Dept. 56 has been one of the most satisfying and enjoyable experiences of my professional life. I made such good friends there. They took a risk with me and my first designs. They brought my art to their far-reaching audience. Dept. 56 has always encouraged new artists and will continue to do so as they bring their wonderful products to the world.” said Brewster.
“Our goal is to keep our new gift line limited with great attention to detail and quality control while attempting to preserve the price points whenever possible,” she said. “I so look forward to working directly with our Krinkles customers and offer the prompt, very personal and dependable service for which we are known in the greeting card business. We have such a professional and dedicated staff!”
In 2002, Ms. Brewster created her own greeting card company, PATIENCE BREWSTER CARDS, which is carried in approximately 3,000 retail stores in the US. The card line is distributed in more than 20 countries around the world. She also licenses her designs through her licensing company, PATIENCE BREWSTER, INC.
“The new PATIENCE BREWSTER gift products will be produced in trusted factories that will uphold our very high standard,” said Brewster. “Each item will be carefully monitored all along the way as we strive to ensure that our new products are better than ever,” she said.
To oversee production, PATIENCE BREWSTER, INC. hired Hubbard Stout as Vice President Product Development & Sourcing. Mr. Stout, formerly of Dept. 56, managed the sourcing of the “Krinkles” product line there. Brewster’s companies are based in Skaneateles, NY with satellite offices in San Diego, Manhattan and Minneapolis.
A sneak preview of Patience Brewster’s new 2009 gifts will be presented to interested retailers in a special pre-season introduction during the summer of 2008! Pre-sell orders will be taken from July – September and shipped in early 2009.
For information visit patiencebrewster.com.
