CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – The iconic bright colors and exquisitely made ceramics have been a trademark for Fiesta Dinnerware for generations, but now the company is branching out by adding a bed and bath collection to its long list of treasured products.

All the same bold colors collectors have come to know and love have been transformed into floral printed comforters, accent window treatments, ceramic toothbrush holders and more.

“It’s a lifestyle, not just a dinnerware,” said Rich Brinkman, the vice president of sales and marketing at Homer Laughlin China Co., the largest domestic pottery manufacturer and maker of the best-selling Fiesta Dinnerware.

The Homer Laughlin China Co. first introduced Fiesta Dinnerware in 1936.

Located in Newell, W.Va., the company takes pride in the fact that all products are labeled with a “Made in USA,” stamp.

Brinkman joined the company eight years ago and said adding a bed and bath collection to the Fiesta line was always part of the plan.

“When I first started I made a five-year plan of where I thought the company should be,” Brinkman said. “I have spent several years in the retail industry and a lot of that was in bedding, so it is very familiar to me.”

After working tirelessly for several months, the new bedding and bath collection was released in September 2013 at a textile market in New York. It was then released to department stores such as Belk and Kohl’s in April.

“We have been extremely successful with this new line,” Brinkman said. “Many thought we would just be a novelty item or something that was only popular with the younger generation, but that has not been the case.”

Whether it be dishes or sheets, Fiesta strives to produce the best product for its consumers. Before moving on to anything new, Brinkman said the company makes sure one product works and sells well.

“If you throw too much at people, nothing works,” he said.

For now, Brinkman said he is happy with the direction of the company and sees “bright” things in its future. Although he can’t make any promises, transferring the iconic Fiesta colors into painting products is something he would like to see next.

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Information from: Charleston Daily Mail, http://www.charlestondailymail.com

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AP-WF-05-28-14 1632GMT

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