Seattle-Area Gourmet Kitchen Store Poggi Bonsi Chosen by the Italian Trade Commission to Participate in "Tuscan Home," an Event Celebrating the Quality and Craftsmanship of Tuscany.

RENTON, WA, November 13, 2012 (Press-News.org) This summer, Poggi Bonsi, a woman-owned independent retailer specializing in imported ceramics and gourmet kitchenware, was selected by the Italian Trade Commission, Artex, and Promozione Toscana as one of 15 stores from across the country to participate in "Tuscan Home." This promotion was developed to enable small artisan manufacturers in Tuscany to connect with independent retail store owners in the United States. The "Tuscan Home" event featuring newly arrived Tuscan ceramics, hand selected during the promotion this summer, will run December 9-13, 2012 at Poggi Bonsi's store at The Landing in Renton. The highlight of the event with be an Italian-themed wine reception on December 13, 2012 from 6:30-9:00pm.

As part of the "Tuscan Home" promotion Poggi Bonsi co-owner, Michelle Codd, travelled to Tuscany in June of 2012 to meet with Italian artisans who craft everything from cashmere sweaters to papier mache masks of Michelangelo. "Naturally we were interested in the Italian ceramics." said Codd, "though it was delightful to visit a company called Egizia--in the town of Poggibonsi--which creates intricate silk-screened glassware." Through the contacts made on this tour Codd and business partner, Keli Sim-DeRitis, placed orders with four new Italian ceramic studios. Ceramics from these artisans will be arriving at their store in Renton in mid November 2012 and will be featured as part of the "Tuscan Home" event.

The Italian Trade Commission works to increase awareness of Italian-made products around the world. In the "Tuscan Home" campaign small shops in strategic American cities were chosen to bring Tuscan-made products to their customers and to help increase awareness of Italian quality and design. Poggi Bonsi is the only venue represented for this promotion in the Pacific Northwest.

Poggi Bonsi (www.PoggiBonsiGifts.com), is a direct importer of Italian ceramics, French pottery, Italian olive wood utensils, and fine European linens. In addition to its imported goods, Poggi Bonsi features an assortment of gourmet kitchenware, specialty foods, whimsical gadgets, wine accessories and home decor celebrating the Mediterranean lifestyle. The name Poggi Bonsi is taken from the village of "Poggibonsi" in central Tuscany. Owners Michelle Codd and Keli DeRitis have traveled hundreds of miles in the European countryside seeking out suppliers who practice their centuries-old crafts.