catching fireflies fun and unique gifts

Whimsical Gift Shop Works to Keep Carbon Down

By offering locally made goods, a diverse eco-friendly selection and sustainable shopping bags

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Berkley, Michigan, April 11, 2008 - Watching guests walk out the door daily with purchased goods in gift bags and boxes brought an idea to mind for local gift shop Catching Fireflies owner April McCrumb; Why not encourage customers to bring them back and if they do, give them a discount on their purchase plus a discount on a sustainable bag trade in?

In August McCrumb started an inspirational "going green saves you green" campaign.  Every box or paper bag was eligible to be brought back and if customers brought back two they'd get one buzz buck valid towards their next purchase.  In addition, if their gift purchases totaled over $30 they'd get half off a sustainable shopping bag to carry their goodies.

Energized by the "going green saves you green" promotion McCrumb turned her attention to reducing the store's carbon footprint by changing her buying habits.  Stocking the shop with more locally made items was one natural step.  Today, about a quarter of goods sold in the store are made locally.  This reduces shipping and freight distances and keeps carbon emissions down.  Some of the local artists include tile artisan Gretchen Kramp of Royal Oak, clock maker Duane Scherer of Lathrup Village, sculptor Dena Gillespie of Clawson and recycled media artist Marsha Filipiak, who makes angels out of old bowling pins.

To boot, the majority of locally made art wares sold come direct from McCrumb's wholesale company a.i. paper design, operating just down the street.  "In that case there is no shipping to worry about.  When the store gets low on a.i. paper design inventory, we just fill up the car and swing by the store as we travel home from the studio... it's less than a mile away."

Beyond the many locally produced art wares, the store has a diverse selection of products made from recycled materials.  One popular new item is a wine glass made from a reclaimed wine bottle.  The Wisconsin based company collects bottles from local wineries, restaurants and festivals, and using their patented technique turns them into gorgeous glasses and goblets.  Another company is Resource Revival of Oregon whose line of gadgets created from old bicycle chains has created quite the buzz among cycling enthusiasts.

In addition to offering green options for packaging and products, McCrumb also keeps Mother Earth in mind when it comes to merchandising.  The majority of the displays at both store locations, Berkley and Rochester, are created from old doors, windows and other flea market finds.  Repurposing these items means one less item that makes it way to a landfill or dump.

Catching Fireflies wants to work towards a greener Earth.  To learn more about owner/artist April McCrumb and her green ideas, visit her blog or website at www.catchingfireflies.com.  You can also stopover in person to either Catching Fireflies store, 3117 W. 12 Mile in Berkley or 203 E. University Drive in Rochester.  Store hours are Monday - Saturday 10-6 and Thursday 10-8

Care to interview April?

Contact her a 1 800 414 1654 or by email at studio@aipaper.com

4.2.07 - press release

It’s Paper Time!

Catching Fireflies celebrates 1^st anniversary with personality, paper & sensational savings!

Rochester, Michigan, April 2, 2007 – As local gift shop Catching Fireflies gears up to celebrate its 1^st anniversary, storeowner April McCrumb says it’s no coincidence that the traditional gift for the occasion is paper.  “I can’t imagine anything more perfect, this whole journey began when I started making handmade paper goods and now I have a retail store where I sell them and all sorts of other products made from paper like books, stationary and so much more!”

The 1^st anniversary celebration will be Saturday, April 21^st from 10-6 and the entire store will be 20% off.  The whimsical gift shop carries items for every occasion and season.  They have a great assortment of works by local artists, in addition to departments to stock your kitchen, cover your walls, decorate a baby or child’s bedroom, make a friends day, announce a pregnancy or inspire a graduate to make a difference in the world. 

The imaginative mix of products has a little something for everyone, old and young.  “We feel our store’s personality is paired perfectly with the town.  Our location in the historic depot building is truly inspiring.  The old hub is lively again, full of our retro wares and unique displays.  Patrons get to travel to a special place when they visit us…memory lane.”

That is what Catching Fireflies hopes to do anyway.  Their hope is that when you visit the store it’ll brighten your day.  Pay them a visit for their big birthday and I promise you’ll leave with a smile on your face.

Catching Fireflies is turning 1!  Come party & save, save, save!  For more info visit their website at www.catchingfireflies.com, or hop in to either store, located at 203 E. University Drive in downtown Rochester or 3117 W. 12 Mile in Berkley . Store hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10 till 6, and on Thursdays, they remain open until 8:00 pm.

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Care to interview the Owner?

Contact April at 1-800-414-1654

2.12.07 - press release

Local Gift Shop Owner Uses Blog to Connect to Customers

Catching Fireflies hands away savings and coupons via owner’s blog 

Berkley, Michigan, February 12, 2007 – April McCrumb, owner of Catching Fireflies, a whimsical gift gallery with two metro Detroit locations and a web store, has found a fresh way to connect to her customers: a community-influenced blog that regularly features new products, customer contributed recipes and music reviews, and McCrumb’s first hand experiences as owner/creator of the innovative retail shop Catching Fireflies.

The blog is a means for customers to get to know McCrumb and at the same time a means for her to get to know them.  She built her brick-and-mortar stores around being close to her customers, offering benefits like personalization, superior customer service, complimentary gift wrapping and special orders.  Now, with the web store, her customer base is expanding and a greater venue is necessary for communication.  “You simply can’t chat with online shoppers as they browse your goods, so instead, I blog as a means of communication,” she says. 

One of the many benefits of the blog is that it is a real-time promotional tool.  “I can create coupons or contests on a whim, without waiting while an ad and coupon are designed and then printed in a newspaper or magazine,” McCrumb says.  There is also the benefit of immediate feedback from customers about new products or even tips for future items.  Also it can serve as a tool to update customers of store closings due to weather or renovation.

For example the Berkley store will be closed from March 12th-16^th for renovations, during which the blog will feature photos of the process and most importantly, special discounts for the web store since customers will be unable to shop in person.  “I’m calling it ‘Spring Fever’ and my goal is to spread some sunshine as we say goodbye to winter,” McCrumb says.  “Promotions will range from free shipping to give-a-ways when you spend a certain amount, plus we’ll be giving out gift cards to people who subscribe to the blog.” 

That’s reason enough for me to put Catching Fireflies on my daily blog browse.

  Catching Fireflies wants to makes days brighter. To view April’s blog, visit her website at www.catchingfireflies.com, and follow the links.  To check out the brick-and-mortar stores to glimpse her personality, stopover in person at either Catching Fireflies store, located at 3117 W. 12 Mile in Berkley , and at 203 E. University Drive in downtown Rochester. Store hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10 till 6, and on Thursdays they remain open until 8:00 pm.

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Care to interview April?

Contact her at 1-800-414-1654 or by email at studio@aipaper.com

5.31.06 - press release

Catching Fireflies Goes To the Dogs (and Cats!)

Storeowners invite public to participate in a Pampered Pet Photo Contest

Berkley, Michigan, May 31, 2006 Do you have a CoverDog or CoverCat in your home?  Do you dress Kitty up the nines?  Does Fido have a face only a mother could love?  Catching Fireflies wants you!  Enter your four-legged model in Catching Fireflies' Pampered Pet Photo Contest by the June 19th deadline, and you could win a $25 Catching Fireflies gift certificate!  Plus, $25 will be donated in your pet's name to the Michigan Humane Society, and you'll win a brand spankin' new pampered pet photo frame!

Catching Fireflies owner and Chief Inspiration Officer April McCrumb is using the contest to launch a new line of pampered pet products and is selecting dog and cat photos to place in their handmade frames created by a.i. paper design.  "If your pooch or kitty is chosen," says McCrumb, "their furry face will be seen in various gift stores and pet boutiques across the United States, as well as in our two stores in Berkley and Rochester.  It will be featured on our website, too!"  a.i. paper has been making handmade paper goods since 1995 and began selling their items to stores in 2000.  "We currently sell to over 800 stores across the United States." says McCrumb.

The contest also serves a higher purpose.  "We know a lot of our beloved pets come from local Humane Societies, so we will honor their hard work by donating one dollar for each frame sold at our Catching Fireflies store locations," says McCrumb. "We adopted both our cats Tuesday and Piper (who often hang out at the Berkley store) and we're committed to those animals that need a good home."  Catching Fireflies sells a variety of cat and dog items in addition to the new frames.  The Pampered Pet frames will be available for purchase starting June 1, 2006.  They are made of vibrant paper, whimsical ribbon and stained wood.  For samples of the Pampered Pet frames, visit www.catchingfireflies.com.

Winners of the Pampered Pet Photo Contest will be notified via email or phone and will be announced in the Catching Fireflies July Enews.

Contest Rules:

o      Submit a 4x6 (1200x1800) horizontal photo of your cat or dog.

o      Include your pet’s name, age and favorite hobby as well as your name, address and phone.

o      All Entries must be received by June 19, 2006.

o      Mail: Catching Fireflies Pampered Pet Contest 3117 2. 12 Mile, Berkley 48072

o      Email: service @catchingfireflies.com (subject title: Pampered Pet Contest)

o      Drop off: Berkley or Rochester Catching Fireflies store locations

By entering, contestants agree to allow a.i. paper design to reproduce and use your photo in their frames as well as display your photo on www.catchingfireflies.com. All photo submissions will not be returned and become the property of a.i.paper design. No copyrighted images (professional photos) will be accepted.

Catching Fireflies is in the inspiration business (pets included!)   Visit their website at www.catchingfireflies.com , or giggle in person at either Catching Fireflies store, located at 3117 W. 12 Mile in Berkley, and at 203 E. University Drive in downtown Rochester.  Store hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10 till 6, and on Thursdays, they remain open until 8 pm.

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Care to interview the Chief Inspiration Officer?  Contact April at 1-800-414-1654

4.1.06 - press release

Trend Setters Follow Their Bliss to Commercial Success

Creative duo outsmart tough economic time and big-box stores with a handmade, carefree jaunt down memory lane

Berkley, Michigan, April 1, 2006 -- "To thine own self be true," quipped Shakespeare.  No one is more true to themselves than a six-year-old girl, brimming with ideas, hopes and dreams.  What if that youngster, busy constructing home-made Christmas gifts, grew up with that same sense of fun and freedom, and made a career out of it?  Well, just ask successful entrepreneur April McCrumb, and her husband, Steve McCrumb.  April's not a little girl anymore and she's married her business partner, but her childhood pastime has become more than a dream, it's become a success story.  With one thriving store in Berkley, April and Steve announced the opening of their second Catching Fireflies store in Rochester, housed in a refurbished train depot that was built in 1876.  In addition, their handmade products are sold in more than 800 stores nationwide.

Pop-culture guru Faith Popcorn has defined two trends for 2006.  The first is the notion of "cocooning", which is our desire to shelter ourselves from the harsh realities of our world, and spending time retreating to our past (nostalgia).  The second is the appearance of "creation consultants" in our life, guiding the consumer in everything from music to clothes to home accessories.  Well, the folks at Catching Fireflies aren't following the trend, they are setting the trend.  How do they do it?

"I have a recipe that I follow," says April McCrumb.  "Catching Fireflies is three parts whimsy mixed with two parts inspiration, one part nostalgia, one part humor, and one part handmade in the USA."

Catching Fireflies products exude joy, beauty and inspiration.  "Our name alone reminds people of how fun it was to be a child," says McCrumb.  "And then we demonstrate it in a variety of ways."  Catching Fireflies products are showcased in old treasures like antique front doors, windows, school lockers, pedestal sinks, and 1950's refrigerator doors.  Then, Catching Fireflies carry products that reflect the good old days.  "We have a 'penny candy' counter where kids of all ages can purchase slow pokes, mary janes, and jawbreakers, "says McCrumb.  "We carry retro cookbooks and tin signs.  Shopping here is like a stroll along the street where you grew up."

Inspiration flows freely in the stores. "A lot of our giftware items, books and cards have messages of hope and love, with a little day dreaming mixed in for fun," says McCrumb.  "Our goal is to give your heart a little lift when you're here."

Shoppers can't help but smile at Catching Fireflies homemade art wares, some made by April, Steve and their staff, and others fashioned by local artists.  "We believe in supporting our creative side," says McCrumb.  "It makes life a lot more interesting." Shelves are dotted with colorful tiles, stained glass boxes, wire sculptures, and handmade picture frames and photo albums.

They have another little secret - great customer service and reasonable prices.  "In this day and age of big-box stores, people trade customer service for a lower price," says McCrumb. "We believe in offering both."  Their friendly staff is eager to help and offers stylish complimentary gift wrapping.  You won't go into debt finding that perfect gift - prices range from $4 to an average not exceeding $36.  In addition, Catching Fireflies offers special shopping spree raffles and monthly discounts.  "Even in this struggling economy," says McCrumb, "We find a way to light up our customer's day."

Catching Fireflies is in the inspiration business.  For a trip back to your childhood, visit their website at www.catchingfireflies.com , or giggle in person at either Catching Fireflies store, located at 3117 W. 12 Mile in Berkley, and at 203 E. University Drive in downtown Rochester.  Store hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10 till 6, and on Thursdays, they remain open until 8 pm.

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Care to interview the Inspirator in Cheif?  Contact April at 1-800-414-1654