port melbourne-based wholesaler tamboril has been appointed the australian and new zealand distributor for bookjigs, a bookmark which clips to a book and keeps place with a secure ribbon.
the product was discovered during a visit to the atlanta gift show and instantly attracted tamboril because of its lovely designs.
“a few years ago we found other products in the united states and thought ‘what else is there?’ because everybody goes to china in our industry, so we thought if we break out of the box we might find something new,” says owner julia brampton. “then we saw these on a stand and thought ‘oh my goodness they’re absolutely beautiful’ [and] thought we could probably do something with them.
“we sell to quite a lot of newsagency groups here as well as i just thought it was a great product that could go to loads of places whether it be a book store, newsagency, pharmacy, gift shop, post offices, it’s such an easily post-able gift so we thought there are so many opportunities for it and it’s so beautifully done with their packaging and display stands.”
bookjigs were created in the us by a husband and wife team who wanted to provide employment opportunities for their two children who have learning disabilities. their products have proved a very strong seller in their home market with new designs on the way as well as matching notebooks.
tamboril will release the more summery bookjig designs at the melbourne august fair and the winter-style images in the following buying season. brampton believes the product is different from other bookmarks on the market. “from what i can see most of the bookmarks out there are just something that you stick in a book… whereas this is something that actually sticks in a book but then the ribbon goes through the middle of the book so it can’t fall off…
“it should stay on the cover or on the spine so it can just be sitting there and you can move the ribbon part of it wherever you get to with your place when you finish reading,” she explains.
while the product is yet to receive mass industry exposure in australia, it’s expected to interest a wide range of retailers and become a popular gift extra for consumers buying a present.
“i think that they’re going to be a beautiful gift,” brampton adds. “because of their size you can very easily pop them in a card or an envelope or if you are selling books they’re such an easy add on sell.
“…there’s a design for everyone – you can give one to a guy, you can give one to a girl, you can give one to a child or your grandma, there’s something for everybody really.”
