Winter 2025 - 116

time between Hudson Valley, New York, and Philadelphia
with my husband.
What professional accomplishments are you most
proud of?
I am most proud of creating Shoppe Object. Shoppe Object
was the culmination of so many facets of my professional
career and was a huge and risky challenge. I am so proud of
its success and all the amazing ways it enables our community
of makers to thrive. In our last NYC show, I was especially
proud to help bring five designers from war-torn Ukraine.
If you had to choose your greatest personal
accomplishment, what would it be?
Starting a retail store, auto, at age 26 having no prior
experience. Along the way, we weathered many challenges
but the experience I gained and relationships made were
priceless. While this started my career as an entrepreneur
and led me to where I am now, it was such a personal
journey and labor or love, sweat and tears that it has
become my proudest personal accomplishment.
be incredibly difficult to " turn it off " once you get home from
work. Family is the most important thing in the world to me,
and I am so thankful to have such a supportive wife and
such amazing kiddos.
SHANNON MARTIN
Owner & Creative Director,
Shannon Martin Design
Tell us about yourself.
I am the founder of Shannon
Martin Design. I come from a
long line of wonderfully witty
women who spent countless
RYAN MARTZ
Owner, Fire & Pine
Tell us about yourself.
Raised near Cleveland, I am
a graduate from The Ohio State
University in 2005. I began my
first gift business (LetterArt.com)
in 2009 while attending law
school. I moved our business to South Carolina in 2010 and
have continued to innovate ever since. We launched our now
flagship home décor and gift brand, Fire & Pine, in 2016. We
also launched another decor brand, Print & Pine, in 2023, and
Displays 4 Days, a retail display manufacturer, in 2024.
I currently live near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina,
with my wife Jessica and three sons; Kieran (8), Aiden (1)
and Shannon (1).
What professional accomplishments are you most
proud of?
After 15 years in the home décor and gift industries, I am
most proud of putting together an unbelievable team that is
able to continuously churn out new and exciting products.
We have been able to foster an environment that takes
shots and learns from mistakes. We have also been able to
maintain an amazing production team that keeps up with
our product idea shenanigans and never misses a step.
If you had to choose your greatest personal
accomplishment, what would it be?
I am proud to have been able to, after all of these years,
find a healthy work-life balance. As a business owner, it can
116 WINTER 2025 GIFT SHOP® PLUS
hours sitting on porches and around dining room tables
sharing laughter and making memories. As a lifelong
photographer and copywriter-turned-designer, I suppose it
was only natural I became a storyteller myself.
I first designed my collection drawing from old family
photos and have since begun to include other friends'
snapshots as well. So, when I say, " My mother was such
a card, " it's literally the case! She, along with my sisters,
grandmother, uncles, father, etc., can be found on my alloccasion
cards and other gifts. I still get so much joy pairing
quips and quotes with just the right image. As we like to say
here at Shannon Martin Design, " every picture tells a story. "
What professional accomplishments are you most
proud of?
I have won quite a few Louie Awards, which is a huge honor,
of course. But the thing I am most proud of is the community I
have built with my company. How any success I enjoy is shared
by the many people who make this all possible - from my own
team to the thousands of shop owners around the world who
continue to support us and share how much their customers
love our line - that's a win-win, for sure!
Also, a shout out to the fine folks at Biely & Shoaf, my
distributors and longtime business buddies. We are headed
into 2025 celebrating a 20-year partnership together, and
I am so grateful for their support. And? We have lots more
newness in the works!
If you had to choose your greatest personal
accomplishment, what would it be?
That I am an outspoken advocate for animals and care
deeply about them. All my dogs - and there have been
many - were rescued. There's something so special about
loving an animal through hard times and giving them a
new life. Immensely grateful, they are filled with glee and
unconditional love, which they are quite happy to show
you. Non-stop. Even when you are trying to get work done.
Or have dinner. Or sleep. Seriously, though, it's all worth it
and I'll happily do it again many more times, as much joy as
it brings me. Who really rescued whom?
http://www.LetterArt.com

Winter 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2025

TOC 1
TOC 2
Contributors
From the Editor
Trend Report
Editor's Picks
Showcases
Museums & More
Wine & Dine
Retailer Profile: Emerald Forest Gifts
Beyond the Cuddle
Leading with Heart
Home for the Holidays
2025 State of the Industry
New to Market
Spotlight Awards Class of 2025
Event Calendar
Industry & Trade Show News
Ad Index
Meet the Maker: WerkShoppe
Winter 2025 - 1
Winter 2025 - 2
Winter 2025 - 3
Winter 2025 - 4
Winter 2025 - 5
Winter 2025 - TOC 1
Winter 2025 - 7
Winter 2025 - TOC 2
Winter 2025 - 9
Winter 2025 - Contributors
Winter 2025 - 11
Winter 2025 - From the Editor
Winter 2025 - 13
Winter 2025 - 14
Winter 2025 - Trend Report
Winter 2025 - 16
Winter 2025 - 17
Winter 2025 - 18
Winter 2025 - 19
Winter 2025 - 20
Winter 2025 - 21
Winter 2025 - 22
Winter 2025 - 23
Winter 2025 - 24
Winter 2025 - 25
Winter 2025 - 26
Winter 2025 - 27
Winter 2025 - 28
Winter 2025 - 29
Winter 2025 - Editor's Picks
Winter 2025 - 31
Winter 2025 - Showcases
Winter 2025 - 33
Winter 2025 - 34
Winter 2025 - 35
Winter 2025 - 36
Winter 2025 - 37
Winter 2025 - 38
Winter 2025 - 39
Winter 2025 - 40
Winter 2025 - 41
Winter 2025 - 42
Winter 2025 - Museums & More
Winter 2025 - 44
Winter 2025 - 45
Winter 2025 - 46
Winter 2025 - 47
Winter 2025 - 48
Winter 2025 - 49
Winter 2025 - 50
Winter 2025 - 51
Winter 2025 - 52
Winter 2025 - 53
Winter 2025 - 54
Winter 2025 - 55
Winter 2025 - 56
Winter 2025 - Wine & Dine
Winter 2025 - 58
Winter 2025 - 59
Winter 2025 - 60
Winter 2025 - 61
Winter 2025 - 62
Winter 2025 - 63
Winter 2025 - Retailer Profile: Emerald Forest Gifts
Winter 2025 - 65
Winter 2025 - 66
Winter 2025 - 67
Winter 2025 - Beyond the Cuddle
Winter 2025 - 69
Winter 2025 - 70
Winter 2025 - 71
Winter 2025 - 72
Winter 2025 - 73
Winter 2025 - Leading with Heart
Winter 2025 - 75
Winter 2025 - 76
Winter 2025 - 77
Winter 2025 - 78
Winter 2025 - 79
Winter 2025 - 80
Winter 2025 - 81
Winter 2025 - 82
Winter 2025 - 83
Winter 2025 - Home for the Holidays
Winter 2025 - 85
Winter 2025 - 86
Winter 2025 - 87
Winter 2025 - 88
Winter 2025 - 89
Winter 2025 - 90
Winter 2025 - 91
Winter 2025 - 2025 State of the Industry
Winter 2025 - 93
Winter 2025 - 94
Winter 2025 - 95
Winter 2025 - 96
Winter 2025 - 97
Winter 2025 - New to Market
Winter 2025 - 99
Winter 2025 - 100
Winter 2025 - 101
Winter 2025 - 102
Winter 2025 - 103
Winter 2025 - 104
Winter 2025 - Spotlight Awards Class of 2025
Winter 2025 - 106
Winter 2025 - 107
Winter 2025 - 108
Winter 2025 - 109
Winter 2025 - 110
Winter 2025 - 111
Winter 2025 - 112
Winter 2025 - 113
Winter 2025 - 114
Winter 2025 - 115
Winter 2025 - 116
Winter 2025 - 117
Winter 2025 - Event Calendar
Winter 2025 - 119
Winter 2025 - Industry & Trade Show News
Winter 2025 - 121
Winter 2025 - Ad Index
Winter 2025 - 123
Winter 2025 - Meet the Maker: WerkShoppe
Winter 2025 - 125
Winter 2025 - 126
Winter 2025 - 127
Winter 2025 - 128
Winter 2025 - 129
Winter 2025 - 130
Winter 2025 - 131
Winter 2025 - 132
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/celebrations-occasions-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/waterfront-living-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holiday-shop-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/the-guide-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/celebrations-occasions-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/waterfront-living-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holiday-shop-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/the-guide-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/celebrations-occasions-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/waterfront-living-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holiday-shop-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/theguide-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/theguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holidayshop-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/celebrationsoccasions-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-fall-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-summer-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/survivethriveguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-spring-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/theguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-winter-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-fall-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/demdaco-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-summer-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holidaygiftguide-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-spring-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-winter-2019
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com