Columnist Muriel Stevens: Sovietski reliably kitschy

Wednesday, July 31, 2002 | 8:26 a.m.

In spite of all of the war-related gear and the spy paraphernalia (who buys this stuff?), Sovietski Collection catalog has some pretty cool items.

Products run the gamut from such kitsch as lead-cast figurines of Stalin, FDR and Churchill ($199) seated as they would have been at the 1943 Tehran Conference. "Skilled Russian artisans" have hand-crafted and hand-painted each of the figures. Expressions on the faces are remarkably life-like; the details are wonderful -- Stalin's pipe, Churchill's cigar and Roosevelt's finely tailored suit -- to items that turn anyone into a minor James Bond.

Bodybuilding buffs can learn the secret of Russian strength training techniques through books or videos. The male-oriented tapes with "Master Sportsman" Pavel Tsatouline let the viewer see the theories in motion. The books include many illustrations, charts and photos.

My favorite things are the decorative and household items (this is such a crazy-mix catalog). I'm tempted to buy one of the tins of Kusmi tea, original 19th-century Imperial Russia blends. The Kousmichoff tea company has been in business since 1867. The various blends are quite exotic. Only natural fruit extracts and flavorings are used. These teas ($29.95) are imported from France.

Jewelry, shawls, toys, glassware and more. I love the admiral's tea glass holders decorated with sterling silver and 18-karat gold plating. The heat-tempered etched crystal glasses are replaceable.

German silver cases ($27.95) sized for business or credit cards are a retro design, but are new. A durable lacquer coating keeps the case looking new.

Sovietski catalogs are free. Call (800) 442-0002.

Red Envelope: Another good source for interesting gifts is Red Envelope. A new fall/winter baby collection includes such neat ideas as a silver-plated baby set ($35) that includes two child-sized spoons, a fork, a cup with plastic sippy lid and a small picture frame. A presentation box, wrapped with a ribbon, is included. Gifts for new parents and young children are also offered. The complete collection can be seen at RedEnvelope.com.

Consumer Reports: Track down a copy of the July Consumer Reports and read the shopping survey. More than 31,000 readers tested a variety of products at Costco, Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, Sam's Club and Kmart to learn which stores are best for small appliances, electronics, hardware, lawn and garden equipment and more. The overall ratings were a surprise, with Sears leading the pack.

More about shopping carts: Thanks readers, for the generous response to my column about the problem of shopping cart theft. I'm still getting calls and e-mails from concerned shoppers. Many of you had tried to help by returning carts and offering suggestions to stores, but as one man said, "after awhile I got tired of hauling carts back to stores." Another person spoke about a successful ploy being used elsewhere -- an employee is stationed at exit doors; he/she minds the cart until the shopper gets their car. The employee unloads the groceries and returns the cart. The cart never goes beyond the exit. Sounds good. What do you think?