With additional reporting by Terri Hughes-Lazzell, Chris Lundy, Claudia Newcorn and Brenda Ruggiero
A fun piece of jewelry or a cute accessory is a great way for a kid to make a statement, especially if they’ve made it themselves. TDmonthly Magazine's October 2009 survey of best sellers found that a variety of craft projects, such as the Fashion Angels100% Cool Badge Maker and finished jewelry like Charm It! Bracelets from High Intencity and Disney consistently caught the attention of specialty toy-store customers.
While six of 39 specialty retailers interviewed said they do not carry any jewelry items, others reported strong impulse sales driven by counter-top displays and gift-topper suggestions.
“We suggest tying one into the bow of the package while we gift wrap,” said Pam Byrd, buyer for The Little Cottage Toy Shop in Franklin, Tenn., in reference to the mood rings her store sells around four dozen of every month. Here are the top-10 best-selling jewelry and accessory items.
Mood Rings - Heart, Flower and Other Designs by SCHYLLING
A well-recognized throwback to yesteryear, Schylling's Mood Rings combine glossy, color-changing cabochons with silver-toned settings styled with the 1960s in mind. The “stones” in the rings sense the mood of the wearer and change accordingly from anxious orange-black to content jewel-tone blue-violet. Styles are assorted, and the metal rings are made in the USA. ― “We sell dozens of mood ring pick-ups at the counter,” said Joe Berardoni Sr., owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., during an October 2009 survey. — In a September 2010 TDmonthly survey, seven of 44 retailers named mood rings a best-selling jewelry and accessory item, with one claiming sales of 43 a month. — In an October 2011 survey about best selling jewelry and accessories, 4 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that mood rings were their best sellers. They sold an average of 2 dozen each month.
Pink Poppy Strawberry Ponytail Holders by CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA
Sold in a matching set of two, these bright pink ponytail holders feature strawberries, in glossy plastic, that are studded with red and green gems for a little extra sparkle. The elastic bands are a matching pink. ― “I sold 60 pieces last month,” Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toy Store in Anchorage, Alaska, told TDmonthly in October 2009 of the Pink Poppy line. ― Of 39 retailers, four listed Pink Poppy as their best-selling line of jewelry and accessory items in fall 2009.
Snap Caps® feature a stretchy neon cord as a comfortable choker fixed with an anchor to which the interchangeable bottle caps lock on by a strong magnet. The Recycle cap collection includes four bottle caps decorated with different versions of the three-arrow recycling symbol with pastel colors and rhinestones. ― “I would have to say [Snap Caps] are the most popular one throughout the year,” Sandy Challinor, owner of Owl's Nest Toy Store in Southlake, Texas, told TDmonthly about her best-selling jewelry and accessories in October 2009. ― “We like those,” said Lesa Smith, owner of Whiz Kid Toys in San Luis Obispo, Calif., of Snap Caps by m3 girl designs. Smith reported sales of approximately 30 pieces per month in fall 2009, when three of 39 retailers named Snap Caps as a top seller in their stores. — Snap Caps are a best seller at Jonesboro, Ark.'s J. Christopher Toys, which sold 861 of them from August through October 2009, Owner Mary Horne told TDmonthly.
This kit makes 10 badges and is blister-packed on a card in 100% Cool packaging. Refills are available. ― “Fashion Angels does very well. We sell these weekly on a regular basis between both stores. I'd say we do easily 70 a month,” said Theresa Oppenheim, owner of Toy World in Wayzata, Minn., during an October 2009 survey. ― Three of 39 retailers told TDmonthly in fall 2009 that Fashion Angels is a top-selling accessories line in their stores.
Charm It! Safety Pin Bracelet by HIGH INTENCITY CORP.
In silver-toned metal finished with brilliantly colored enamel and matching rhinestones, Charm It!'s Safety Pin Bracelet circles the color wheel with seven glitzy safety pins. A funky accent piece alone, the bracelet can be personalized with any selection of Charm It! charms to suit a girl's individual styles and interests. ― “By far, Charm It!s are the best,” Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Ind., told TDmonthly when asked about her best-selling jewelry item in fall 2009. ― Three of 39 retailers said Charm It! is their best-selling jewelry or accessory item during an October 2009 survey.
Under the Sea Collection: Beneath the Waves Treasure Box by ENCHANTMINTS
This box is just right for treasures like note cards, stationery and mementos. Three drawers, one on the front and one on each side, could easily accommodate pencils, pens markers and crayons. Measures 10” x 6” x 2 1/4”. Launch date: 2009. ― Two of 39 retailers told TDmonthly in October 2009 that music boxes are their top-selling jewelry or accessory item.
Tiny characters molded in soft, colorful vinyl, Let's Hang Zipper Pulls easily clip onto a zipper, backpack, cellular phone, or any other place someone might want a little bit of whimsy. The characters include, but are not limited to, a wide assortment of foods and beverages printed with friendly faces. With 26 styles available, the assortment is sold in sets of 36 and packaged blind. — As of 05/12/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 8 customer reviews on Amazon.com. ― One of 39 retailers told TDmonthly Kidrobot Zipper Pulls are their best-selling accessory item, reporting sales of approximately 50 per month in October 2009.
Packaged with a wheel-shaped bead tray containing six colors of glass seed beads, Bead Rings includes all the materials and techniques necessary to make seven different styles of beaded rings. Endless combinations of colors and patterns allow for the creation of unique pieces every time, and the basic beading techniques taught in the book can be applied to other projects. ― During an October 2009 survey, Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer's Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly, “We do a lot with Klutz in the jewelry area.”
This is a classic, 24-karat gold-plated charm bracelet. The 7 ¾” bracelet comes with rhinestone-studded charms of characters Belle, Cinderella and Aurora with complimenting icons from their original stories: a slipper, a crown and a rose. ― “We do very well with Disney princess accessories,” said John St. Onge, owner of HodgePodge Toy Co. in Berkeley Springs, W.V., when asked about his top-selling jewelry and accessory items in an October 2009 survey of 39 retailers.
Forever Friends – My Friendship Scrapbook by ALEX BRANDS
Ready to be personalized, this friendship scrapbook is stocked with quizzes, slumber party ideas and a foam wheel and floss to make friendship bracelets. — Two of 39 retailers named friendship bracelets as a best seller for tween girls during a fall 2009 TDmonthly survey. ― Of 39 retailers surveyed in October 2009 about their top-selling jewelry and accessory items, one listed Forever Friends by Alex as their best seller.
Writer's Bio: Marie Raven has a long history with the specialty toy industry as a family business. In addition to freelancing for TDmonthly Magazine, she writes creative and technical material for various other businesses. Read more articles by this author
A fun piece of jewelry or a cute accessory is a great way for a kid to make a statement, especially if they’ve made it themselves. TDmonthly Magazine's October 2009 survey of best sellers found that a variety of craft projects, such as the Fashion Angels 100% Cool Badge Maker and finished jewelry like Charm It! Bracelets from High Intencity and Disney consistently caught the attention of specialty toy-store customers. 
Writer's Bio: Marie Raven has a long history with the specialty toy industry as a family business. In addition to freelancing for TDmonthly Magazine, she writes creative and technical material for various other businesses. Read more articles by this author
