Local Artisans Will Show Wares On Shopping Channel

Millions of television viewers across the country will get a chance to purchase wreaths, barbecue sauce, jewelry and other items from North Idaho this summer.

For a handful of local craftsmen, it’s a big break. QVC, the national home-shopping network, picked their products as part of a group of 20 Idaho items it will market in a program that will feature products from each state.

Joe Turner, owner of the Jewelry Works studio in Coeur d’Alene, made the cut with a sterling silver pendant in the shape of a high-domed, ornate Victorian thimble.

Now he has to have 1,000 ready to go.

“It’s bigger than our average order,” Turner said Thursday with a laugh.

Other North Idaho products selected for the program include:

All-natural solstice wreath, Marble Mountain Supernaturals Inc., Post Falls.

Sterling Cataldo Mission cross necklace, Idaho Silver by JC, Kellogg.

Ultimate cookie mix, The Basket Case, Coeur d’Alene.

Huckleberry BBQ sauce, Bumblin’ Bear, Coeur d’Alene.

Sun or moon clocks, Northern Country Woodworks, Coeur d’Alene.

The products were selected by QVC from among more than 150 items that Idaho-based small- and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs displayed at a Boise trade show in March.

QVC is the nation’s largest electronic retailer. The home-shopping channel is planning a program titled “The Quest for America’s Best,” running through products from all 50 states over the course of 50 weeks. The national broadcast featuring products from Idaho will air in July.

Bob Ford, project coordinator, said more than 500 Idaho companies called the state Department of Commerce for information and more than 180 companies met with QVC purchasing agents.

The 50-state program also will feature events from each state and will be broadcast from the QVC LOCAL, a customized 45-foot motorcoach with a mobile television studio.

QVC uses television to market products in such categories as home furnishings, fashion and beauty, automotive, electronics and jewelry. The company said it reaches 50 million homes in the United States and another 18 million households through joint ventures in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Other Idaho products and companies selected by QVC:

Folk art, wooden dogs, Sullivan Folk Art, Grangeville.

Tumble Bug compost bin, Environmental Applied Products, Boise.

Walnut and cherry jewelry box, Pre Taura, Boise.

Sourdough pancake mix and fruit syrups, Homemade By Dorothy, Boise.

24 pound potato sampler, Westom Corp., Mountain Home.

Pizza making set, Flying Pizza Pie, Boise.

Set of four mustards, Sun Valley Mustard, Sun Valley.

Carousel puzzle collection, Stosich Woodworks, Idaho Falls.

Fresh smoked trout, Silver Creek Farms, Twin Falls.

Low fat baking butter, Bateman’s Baking Butter, Rigby.