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Hi ,

Happy Mothering Sunday weekend from China, where Mother's day is no big thing, and not celebrated until May. International Women's Day, is a much bigger event. And when you think about it far more inclusive..

Last week I was telling you about Bali preparations for new year, and how the young people get creative building monsters for street celebrations. You can read it here.

Since then I have come back to China, to focus on Christmas buying for this coming season of goodwill.
In Shanghai right now, where the weather is distinctly spring like. The parks are full of OAP's doing tai chi exercises and taking pictures of the spring blossoms. Shanghai has a wealthy aging population, and I often think they are the happiest old people of anywhere. They dress up nice everyday, go down the park, dance, play mahjong or chinese chess and get up to all kinds of minor mischief. Even late well after dark you will find them dancing in the park.

Just walking through Fuxing Park in the French Quarter of Shanghai. All the signs are in Chinese, English and French. You can buy French bread and pastries, next to shops selling pigs heads and giant dried caterpillars. One guy is singing his heart out practicing Italian opera under the trees, another is playing saxaphone by the lake, both must be in their eighties. I often think, when I'm old this is where I'll live.

I often go and visit Madame Mao's Dowry, one of my favorite gift shops in the world. It's hidden away in Fumin Lu, one of the tree lined old streets in the French Quarter. The owner has made a line of gifts, out of gently poking fun at the old communist propaganda, it's both nostalgic and yet edgy. A larger than live old wooden statue of Chairman Mao is stands in the corner and is treated irreverently. Today he had a relaxing eye pillow on. I go to get inspired.. they have a great line in digital print cushions, using propaganda pictures and simple Chinese sayings. Really good quality kitchen aprons with similar designs and some great tongue in cheek prints. Nothing Chinese tacky in here.

Back to the present, now I have to catch the train to Yiwu, and focus on Xmas presents. Nothing cheap and tacky (we'll leave that to B&M) got to get in the mood now for Christmas 2014. What would Madame Mao do?

More news next week.
Have a great Mothering Sunday!!

David

These are colourful arty small cushions inspired by the latest trends. These Oh-So-Soft cushion covers are so cute that we can see them living quite happily anywhere on the bed,sofa or just as a display in the shop window...

These wholesale wooden incense display have been designed to hold our classic Nag Champa and Golden Nag Champa Incense but we are pretty sure you will find other great products to display in those great and yet simple stands.

Beautiful new Cinema Gothic Cushions have been added to our huge range of Oh-So-Soft Branded Cushion Covers. Arty yet nostalgic whilst being cutting edge fashion, inspired by Famous artists or special events.

These semi-precious agate slices are individually selected for their brilliant, banded, layered colours and crystalline “druzy” insides. The edges of each agate slice are then silver plated giving them distinctive character and individual charm.

These beautiful handmade multiple design and standard wooden jewellery displays in black have been personally hand carved for Ancient Wisdom using Rain tree wood. Brilliantly designed to display your Necklaces with a touch of class.

What makes these Aromatherapy Potion Bombs so special is that they are mixed with our top selling aromatherapy bath salts with wonderfully stimulating and refreshing blends of essential oils to create that relaxing bath experience.

A selection of fine quality optical crystal blocks featuring 3-D laser engraved images of various scenes. They are the perfect gift, they do not devalue with age and crystal keeps its purity and splendour forever and if you place them on our LED display stand they will create an amazing gift for anyone.

Take a look at this amazing range of Aura Geodes beautifully packed in resentation boxes with small informational leaflet. Geodes are known as Goddess Symbols as each geode holds a special energy gifted by Mother Earth that is released slowly for the user.

Excellent well made, nicely chiming wholesale gemstone wind chimes. Also great value for money and neatly packaged in picture boxes. Now all we need is a gentle warm summer breeze.

Take a look at this unique range of Tree Trunk Carvings from Bali. Intriguing tree stump log carvings feature the 'Man of the Wood' face and are fashioned from the trunks of Chinaberry (Jempinis) and Hibiscus trunks off cuts.