The rain in Spain.

• Position: What's New? - Umbrellas from Shaw Creations, Inc.

Advances in electronics technology and computer wizardry, are, quite obviously, amazing. "The things they can do nowadays," as the saying goes. Yet, sometimes, it. is the simpler advances that bring beauty and artistry--and perhaps even safety--to our everyday lives. Take umbrellas, for instance. Once just pedestrian black or blown, they now not only come decorated in a multitude of vibrant colors, but with classic paintings or favorite cartoon characters.

Shaw Creations, Inc., New York provides both artistic genres of rain protection with its Great Artists & Totes collection, as well as Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Unlimited, and Looney Tunes lines. Van Gogh, Monet, Bougereau, and Renoir are among the featured painters whose works adorn Shaw's ladies umbrellas and matching tote bags. Our favorite is Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night," available in a 44" or 43" arc of easy to open and close polyester. The matching tote (17 1/2" x 16") is made of polyester and vinyl, with an inside pocket and zippered closure. Each sells for $6. For our more whimsical rainy-day moods, we decided on the Personality Pooh 44" are umbrella ($6.50), although...