Best in State: Sweet Gift Basket Ideas Shaped Like Your State

If you ever travel to New Mexico, you must try a piñon roll (or three) from Buffett’s Candies in Albuquerque. Followed, of course, by their green chile cheese popcorn, piñon brittle, a Pecañero—and, really, anything else you can get your hands on. These specific items are unique to Buffett’s Candies and showcase the flavors of New Mexico.

During a Candy Clinic presentation, Patty Buffett of Buffett’s Candies shared that they bundle products that incorporate the flavors and ingredients of their state in a basket shaped like New Mexico. Buffett’s Candies sources their basket from WeaveCrafters of Texas—which makes handmade baskets in the shape of all 50 states and are highly recommended.

In addition to Buffett’s Candies, other RCI members show their state pride with these unique gift baskets.

 

Buffett’s Candies: New Mexico Basket

Described as “the best of New Mexico all in one basket,” Buffett’s fills their basket with some of their most popular items. If there’s any question where this basket came from (and we highly doubt there is), the large moulded chocolate in the shape of New Mexico clears that up quickly…and couldn’t taste sweeter.

 RCI members: Login at retailconfectioners.org/candyclinic to view Patty’s full Candy Clinic presentation from RCI’s Fall Regional Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Hilliard’s Chocolates: MassaCHEWsetts Basket

We love a good play on words, so Hilliard’s Chocolates pretty much had our attention at “MassaCHEWsetts!” Cued up as “the perfect gift basket for your out of town guests,” this basket is loaded with colorful salt water taffy (if you didn’t get the play on words before, hopefully now you have), a chocolate lobster, Boston Baked Beans and more coastal delights.

Winans Chocolates + Coffees: Celebrate Ohio Basket

What’s not to celebrate when your state is known for the buckeye!? In addition to some of their other signature products, including a moulded chocolate in the shape of Ohio, this gift basket is wrapped in cello, tied with a festive ribbon and accompanied with a greeting card.

These state-shaped gift baskets make great souvenirs, corporate and holiday gifts. If you love your state and you're proud to show it, why not show your state pride with a gift basket?

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Tip # 234: How to Apply Water Marbling Effect to Moulded Chocolates

For members looking to gain creative ideas at RCI’s 2017 Annual Convention & Industry Expo, Candy Clinic did not disappoint. Since the thirties, this member-exclusive event has allowed RCI members from across the United States, Canada and abroad to share their best ideas and gain inspiration from fellow candy makers. Keep reading for an idea that won the award for best innovation at the latest Candy Clinic.

Inspired by an associate’s manicured finger nails, RCI member Cher Diamond of Maurie’s Fine Chocolates of Madison, shared a creative technique for applying cocoa butter to moulded chocolates. Water marbling is a technique used to create a unique nail polish design by adding droplets of nail polish to water before applying it to the nail. A similar effect can be achieved with cocoa butter and water.

Start by filling a bowl with room temperature water. If you read tutorials online for water marbling, they recommend using filtered or bottled water. Get cocoa butter spray, shake it up and spray it into the water. Because the oils in cocoa butter resist the water, the cocoa butter will float on top of the water, allowing you to create a unique design with a variety of different colored cocoa butters. Drag a toothpick or other similar object through the cocoa butter, cleaning it after each use.

Once the desired marbleized effect is achieved, take a finished moulded piece or just the shell and run it through the cocoa butter. Let each moulded piece dry for three hours or overnight. You may finish the piece by applying a glaze spray, but according to Cher, the cocoa butter will not rub off or detemper the chocolate.

If you’re looking to create stunning chocolate pieces, give this simple and fun water marbling technique a try and let us know how it turns out by leaving a comment below.

Want to learn more innovative ideas like this one? Idea sharing is just one of the many benefits of membership with Retail Confectioners International (RCI)! Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business. 

Tip #199: Make Lemonade: Fresh-Squeezed Merchandising Ideas

Photo credit (bottom left to right):2015 RCI Fall Candy Clinic,Stephen Libs Finer Chocolates,
 DIY Lemonade Stand, LilLuna.com, Lemonade Sign, Burton Avenue

Every kid knows that setting up a lemonade stand in the front yard is an easy way to earn some added spending money for the summer. Why can’t the same idea be incorporated into your retail shop to increase sales this summer?

Draw inspiration from this iconic summer enterprise for your next merchandising theme. First, brainstorm ideas to display your lemon-flavored treats. Something as simple as draping one of your existing display table with a swatch of lemon-clad fabric and accessorizing with fresh lemons and a pitcher can set the tone for your lemonade-themed display. If you, or someone you know, is handy with a hammer and nails, erect an actual lemonade stand with scrap wood or old pallets. Don't forget, a hand-painted “lemonade” sign is a must! Click the following links to view DIY tutorials for the Lemonade Stand from LilLuna.com and the Old-Fashioned Lemonade Sign from Burton Avenue.

Take your lemonade stand to the next level by inviting a local children’s organization, like the Girl Scouts or Boys & Girls Clubs, to actually sell lemonade at your shop as a fundraiser, alongside your lemon candies, of course. Maximize the opportunity for PR, but submitting a press release to the local media and encourage the kids and their families to invite relatives and friends to visit your shop and support their cause.

RCI member, Stephen Libs Finer Chocolates of Evansville, Indiana shared this great idea, including the products they incorporated into their lemonade stand, at Candy Clinic during the 2015 Fall Regional Conference in Maine. Members can click here to login and view a video of the presentation by Marjorie Libs of Stephen Libs Finer Chocolates on our website.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business. Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker.