Finally back in the office and I had to share some great photos from our debut at the 2011 International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago. We were in a wonderful section of the show, Discover Design, highlighting products that blend beautiful design with great function. We wanted our booth to highlight the product and also stand out – our blue definitely popped out and the wood floor was a great way to stand out. Take a look:
What a week! This past Sunday through Tuesday, we made our first public debut with our reusable glass water bottles at the 2011 International Home + Housewares Show. It was an exciting time as so many people came to see our bottle and hear its two stories.
The Art Story
BottlesUp reusable glass water bottles were designed by nationally-acclaimed architectural glass artist Laurel Herter. More than 2 years ago, realizing the problems of plastic to our health and the environment, Laurel realized she had a solution right there in her studio – design a reusable glass water bottle. The glass water bottle is designed for the modern hand with a slight curviture and rings to be an easy, natural fit. Also, it has a rounded lip, like old-fashioned milk bottles, making it easy to drink from. But the art story continues, the bottles are made using ancient glass techniques in a modern facility. Unlike manufactured bottles, our bottles have the natural beauty of glass, made from one piece of glass, and placed in molds. The glass is finished with a ‘puff of air’ (this process is called semi-automatic) to ensure we get a consistent interior diameter so we can get a water-tight seal with the silicone cap.
The Green Story
BottlesUp glass water bottles have the lowest carbon footprint in the industry. The enrite product and our packaging is 100% sourced in North America. The glass in the reusable water bottles is made from a minimum of 75% post-consumer recycled glass, that is sourced on site in Pavisa, Mexico. (No slow boat from China for us or for you!) Glass is naturally BPA-free and PVC-free. The colorful food-grade silicone grippers and cap are made in Maine. We use minimal packaging that makes the most of recycled materials. You’ll find zero plastic in the product or the packaging – zero, zilch, nada.
We hope it’s the first of many times we get to tell our story.
Wow! What does this mean? It means of all the products in this massive show, that our reusable glass water bottle that blends art, function, and environmental responsibility was recognized by a juried group to be among the very best at this year’s show. It’s very humbling, surprising, and exciting.
And just like everything we’ve experienced with IHA, this event was superbly well done and highlighted the best in the retail industry. The joy on designers faces as their products were called, the sheer delight of retailers whose stores were recognized – it was outstanding. All of the people there are dedicated to bringing you the very best design and retail experience – that’s their work, their career, their joy.
As our name was called (and really, we were at Table 29, who wins from a table that far back?) we were shocked in a most happy way. We were just happy to enjoy the great food, cool band that was clearly talented, meet other great designers and retailers, and listen to an emcee who was as comfortable with Spanish as he was with Swedish as he was with Russian, That’s talent! As the spotlight shone on laurel and the whole room applauded, we too experienced the joy that good design can bring.
Congrats to every single honoree and finalist for the gia awards, we’re in great company!
BottlesUp booth at the 2011 International Home + Housewares Show
Today was Day One of the International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago, it’s a HUGE show. They’ve sold out the show – 60,000 attendees, 20,000 retail buyers from all over the world, 2,000 exhibitors. It’s easy to feel like a small fish in a very big ocean at this event, but the staff at IHA has been helpful, supportive and encouraging. It’s one team in the professional association industry that goes beyond and exceeds your expectations. But more on that later…
Today is the official launch of BottlesUp, a company more than 2 years in the making and a product that has the beautiful dual story of design and environmental responsibility. Did I mention we have the lowest carbon footprint in the bottle industry? We do. We’re located in a special invitation-only section called Discover Design, it’s 70 products that the association selected for to highlight their innovation, design and progressive efforts. IHA describes the Discover Design section as, “the area will highlight inspired design from around the globe and feature companies, many of whom are attending the Show for the first time, with creative products that push the envelope of the design spectrum.” Yes, that’s us they’re talking about. Again, we felt like a small fish in a very big ocean, yet, we knew we had a product and a story to share.
And today was that day to share it all. So here is our booth in iPhone photo form, our first ever trade show – I believe our introduction makes a handsome first impression. We made terrific connections with retailers who can bring our bottles to you. The bonus, every person we spoke to loved the bottles, loved the story of design and function and wanted to hear even more. It’s nice to be heard, welcomed and valued for the story you tell and the product you offer.
Glass artist Laurel Herter, the founder of BottlesUp, will be making appearances at the 2011
Laurel Herter, Glass Artist and BottlesUp Founder
International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago. She’ll be at our booth (S3971) in the Discover Design section to share the story of creating the first-ever art-inspired and environmentally-responsible reusable glass water bottle. Laurel will be sharing this passionate and personal story on:
– Sunday, March 6 9am, 1pm, 4pm
– Monday, March 7 10am, 2pm, 4pm
– Tuesday, March 8 9am, 1pm
If you’re heading to the show and want to meet Laurel and hear her incredible story, stop on by!
