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                                                                   Exhibit 10.29

[LETTERHEAD OF SELFIX]

         Mr. James Winslow                              October 18, 1994
         315 W. Noyes Street
         Arlington Heights, IL 60005

         Dear Jim:

         I am delighted that you have accepted the position of Chief Financial
         Officer with Selfix. Your financial and management skills combined with
         your entrepreneurial desire will clearly help us achieve the kind of
         growth that we all believe is possible for this company.

         The following will recap the particulars of our agreement:

         .     Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

         .     Salary: $170,000

         .     One-time bonus payment of $50,000 for 1995 only, payable
               quarterly in four payments of $12,500 each on the last day of
               each quarter.

         .     Bonus: In accordance with the Selfix management incentive plan,
               up to 50% of salary based upon corporate earnings

         .     Stock Options: 60,000 shares as follows exercisible in accordance
               with the Selfix stock option plan:

                  > 20,000 at $7.50 per share
                  > 20,000 at $10.00 per share
                  > 20,000 at $12.00 per share

         .     Additional stock options may by granted at the discretion of the
               Chairman

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[LOGO OF SELFIX]

         .     Severance: One year salary upon termination without cause. One
               year salary for non-cause termination upon change of control of
               corporation. Insurance benefits will continue throughout the
               payment period of the one year severance. Out placement will be
               provided for a reasonable time period. (Definition of "cause" is
               attached to this letter.)

         .     Selfix 401K Stock Plan

         .     Selfix Profit Sharing Plan

         .     Car Allowance: All expenses and maintenance excluding insurance
               will be paid by the company

         .     Car Phone: Cost of phone and all usage

         .     Vacation: Four weeks per year

         .     Insurance: All Selfix medical, dental and other coverage in
               accordance with Selfix senior management policy

         .     Dues and subscriptions for all professional societies and
               organizations

         As we agreed, your start date will be Thursday, October 27 and you will
         be taking several personal days in the first two weeks of November.

         Jim, I feel very strongly that you will make truly outstanding
         contributions as a member of our new senior management team at Selfix.
         I look forward to working with you both professionally and personally.

         Best Regards,

         /s/ James R. Tennant

         cc: Mr. John Rothschild

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.29

[LETTERHEAD OF HOME PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL INC.]

               May 15, 2000

               Mr. Jim Winslow
               Executive VP, CFO
               Home Products International

               Dear Jim,

               This letter is to confirm that we will be making consistent the
               severance package you would receive under a change of control
               and the severance package you would receive in the event you are
               terminated for reasons other than cause. To clarify, you are
               entitled to only one severance package, either upon a change of
               control or termination without cause. Your retention agreement
               executed during the company sale process provides the specifics
               of the payment calculation.

               Sincerely,

               /s/ James R. Tennant