Looking over our assortment of Wisconsin-themed products made me think of a wonderful song by the Madison-based songwriting duo Peter and Lou Berryman.  As they explain about the writing of “Your State’s Name Here”, they perform around the country but usually their songs only feature their home state of Wisconsin.  The song was an attempt to create a local song for any state in the Union, and gently pokes fun at the fact that people everywhere are proud of where they live.

There has recently been quite a surge in products featuring the shapes of various states, and one of our favorites is a plaque from Sawdust City that uses Wisconsin as the “O” in HOME (and the signs are even made in Wisconsin!). I guess we’re lucky that our state name works well for that shape — using Delaware in that context would be a challenge.  It would also be hard to do a shaped ornament in which Wyoming was recognizable as anything other than a rectangle.

For those states that don’t have distinctive shapes, there is the option of using their name in an interesting font. The addition of graphics that represent features of the state help identify the product even closer with the location. We do well with the towels from Red and White Kitchen Company that have the retro look of a vintage map, complete with various state symbols.

There are a number of companies doing state-themed products for every star on the flag, often in pillows, signs and holiday ornaments. But the great thing about the name of your state, and the shape if it’s interesting, is that they are note subject to licensing. If you have an idea for a product with the shape of New Jersey on it, go for.  Want something that brings back happy memories to someone from Utah? Use those four letters however you want.  You can also use your city/town name to create exclusive local products, with no worries that a sports team licensing department will be coming after you.

We worked with Mira Fair Trade to design a red wire bowl with the state of Wisconsin in the center, and the word Wisconsin repeated around the sides, and it’s been a great seller for us.  Timber Green Woods is doing a snowflake for us with “Winter in Wisconsin”, and they also carry state-shaped key rings that are available for most states. Pamela Cassidy Designs adds a local name drop for us on their kitchen towels. We like the fact that these products are either fair trade or made in the US. Many of the state shape products, like 94% of all American flags, are imported from China. It’s nice when state pride and national pride also support can also support sustainable and/or American businesses.

Happy Retailing,

Carol “Orange” Schroeder