Winter 2021 - 70

MEET THE MAKER
in the past four decades. Our freestanding video displays and
YouTube video demos have taught hundreds of thousands this
phenomenon. The Spirit of Earth, Wind, Fire and Free Spirit
Boomerangs all have unique flight patterns - and all return. Our
Boomer Roomers can be enjoyed indoors, too. They all have
illustrated instructions, QR Codes to YouTube video demos and an
offer to join the US Boomerang Association.
What is the inspiration behind the concepts for each
product?
DH: Each wooden toy, game, puzzle and Edu-Tainment gift
is created by Channel Crafters' hands. This Channel of Crafters
starts with the idea of our customer - or a designer that has had
Channel Craft products and realizes that we have a collaborative
home for their product. I have worked with hundreds of crafters,
designers, artists and inventors of intriguing products. Our
cooperative relationships have resulted in unique products for
our customers' markets.
Describe the creation
process.
DH: Our design team works
on manufacturing parameters
within our three buildings -
and if we cannot fabricate a
certain part - we rely upon
our
crafters
nationwide.
Skilled weavers, turners,
tanners, molders, die casters,
metal and glass foundry's that
provide hundreds of crafters
skills to Channel Craft's
new products. This channel
of distribution is constantly
recruiting
new
talent
to
provide significant SKUs to
a very broad range of retailers
throughout America.
Free Spirit Boomerangs. Circle 252.
How long does it take from concept to design
completion?
DH: I'll invest up to 20 months in a product before bringing a
product to market. With all of our focus groups and merchandising
mentors we can be fairly certain of a product's success. However,
we can't convince everyone of our enthusiasm for all 20 new 2020
designs, so we guarantee their sales and our customers' satisfaction.
Do you ever retire products? If so, how do you know it is
time to retire a particular item?
DH: Channel Craft's " SOS " - Satisfied or Swap - stockbalancing
program offers every customer the opportunity to swap
70 WINTER 2021 MUSEUMS&MORE
Describe the process of creating a new line.
DH: Channel Craft creates new lines every year. Our focus
is on specialty retailers and our ability to provide significant
designs to fit their customers' interest. Over half of our
accounts are on the Atlantic, Pacific or Gulf Coast, so sea
life and nautical designs fit their market. Then there are the
mountain folk who identify with nature, wildlife and outdoor
adventure so we have a broad pallet of themes to work into
our toys, games, puzzles and activities.
American history has been my favorite Edu-Tainment theme
to work into game play and puzzle projects. This is where we
have the opportunity to expand our lines beyond toy and game
products. We have gathered a broad range of Edu-Tainment
gifts such as historic documents, coin replicas and rulers of the
out stock at any time. Museums
can keep fully stocked all the
way through their exhibit and
gift shops can keep stock right
through Christmas week, then
swap out for new designs in
Atlanta, Toy Fair or MSA Expo.
Those swapped SKUs are either
repackaged and sold or re-gifted
to Samaritan's Purse and Toys
for Tots each season. No gift is
left in the " Land of Misfit Toys. "
Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2021
