Winter 2021 - 69

MEET THE MAKER
Channel Craft's SOS
- Satisfied or Swap
- stock-balancing
program offers
every customer the
opportunity to swap
out stock at any time.
- Dean Helfer
Top left image, from left to right: Shelley Helfer, Dean Helfer and Jon
Hogu at the Atlanta Market showroom. Top right image: A range of
custom products are available. Circle 251.
been able to create small runs of customized laser cut full-color
ornaments, magnets, lapel pins and buttons that retail from $2
to $5. There couldn't be a better time for inexpensive Americanmade
gifts.
Dean Helfer,
president and
founder. All
photos courtesy
of Channel Craft.
even the place of the Whiskey Rebellion and the launch of Lewis
& Clark's excursion.
Helfer's " Channel Crafters are skilled woodcarvers, finishers,
printers and laser techs " that have been with the Channel Craft
team between 10 to 30 years - and all are integral to product
development. Channel Craft shared more about its offerings
and trends.
What are your product offerings?
Dean Helfer: Channel Craft creates authentic American toys,
travel games and brain teaser puzzles focused on history, sports,
science, nature and nautical themes. These " Edu-Tainment "
products are featured in America's national parks, nature preserves,
museums and landmarks to educate and entertain guests. All
products contain interpretive text and provide meaningful
experiences long after they've returned home.
Recently, Treehopper Toys moved into Channel Craft's factory
- along with Eric's unique Christmas Ornament designs. We've
Share with us any trends you see which impact your
concepts or product offerings.
DH: I've been amazed at the consistent reorders of our
customer's images on these simple fridge magnets, Pocket Puzzles
and Christmas Ornaments. Unique gifts that cannot be found at
mass merchants are trending this season. With holidays at hand
- the same stuff is everywhere...and not so special, thus skill toys
are ideal gifts for friends and family - as they are experiential and
provide actual interaction, unlike the " interactive devices " that cost
more and deliver less.
What are your best-selling products?
DH: Our best selling products are Cabin Fever Games. This
series of $10 retail family games, skill toys, and activity kits can be
enjoyed by boys and girls, young and old, inside or out - and they
require interaction. All 15 Cabin Fever packages are graphically
intriguing, are similar in size, can be hung, stacked or stood and are
assorted to merchandise Channel Craft's displays.
Do you, personally, have a favorite product?
DH: My favorite product of course is the Returning Boomerang.
This is the oldest form of sport, science, art and aerodynamic
understanding. Man and stick - go figure how early man
determined he could make this magic stick return - thousands of
years prior to the Wright Brothers first flight. I've personally taught
thousands to throw, return and catch Channel Craft's Boomerangs
GIFTSHOPMAG.COM 69
http://www.GIFTSHOPMAG.COM
Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2021
