I am so happy to present our latest Guest Star, the charming Arwa of Gemkitty!  Arwa Jumkawala is a life long lover of sparkly gems and beads, a former pilates instructor, and founder of Gemkitty, a custom jewelry e-boutique.  I had the pleasure of meeting Arwa at a CRAVE Portland event and we immediately started collaborating on ideas for Gem Kitty’s earring launch and a Guest Star appearance on The Proprietress.  She has some amazing (and easy!) ideas on how to re-wear your existing jewelry & for shop owners – new ways to merchandise/sell jewelry.  ENJOY!

*****

Captivate Through the Creative Art of Jewelry Rewear

As the owner of a jewelry e-boutique, I’m always looking for creative (and cost effective) ways to connect with my customers. One thing that’s really worked for me is engaging customers through the concept of jewelry rewear (figuring out new ways to wear or enhance jewelry you’re already selling).

Ways to puts rewear to work in your boutique:

Here are just a few examples to give you a flavor of how you can use the rewear concept in your own merchandising:

* Show the same piece of jewelry worn in different ways; the customer gets multiple looks for the price of a single item.

* Connect with customers who have purchased jewelry from you in the past and offer them a freebie to update their look (e.g. Remember that necklace you bought before the holidays? I thought you could update it with this cute flower pin. It’s free if you want to stop in and pick it up).

* Invite customers to bring their own jewelry in for a rewear workshop. You can provide free refreshments and crafting materials (such as flowers and ribbons), plus offer them a discount on new pieces of jewelry they might want to mix and match with their current collection.

A few rewear looks to get you started:

Look #1: The Twist
Take one strand, twist the other strand around it and secure clasp-to-clasp for a statement look. Each twist will shorten the length of the resulting necklace a tiny bit, so if the choker look is not your style, use a stretch of pretty ribbon to lengthen.

The twist technique can also help you create a woven bracelet. Simply wrap around the wrist twice and secure. If you need to lengthen, try a safety spin or even paper clip (or two).

Look #2: Tie A Bow On It.
Grab some pretty ribbon and tie on a cute bow, or two, or more:

Look #3: Rosette:
Affix a flower pin (or make your own with craft store rosettes and a safety pin) over a pendant:

Look #4: Roses And Ribbons:
Now that you have the hang of it, combine several of these looks to create a statement piece such as this:

Happy creating!

yummy!  i love that when i wrote Rubinia i found that we had known each other from the ooma days!  and what a delightful re-discovery she is.  with simple, modern and elegant designs in an array of vivid colored stones – her jewels are exactly what we all need to fell pretty in the dreary months of winter (and the rest of the year too!).

here’s a sampling of some of my personal favorites – and you’ll be impressed by the beauty and quality of her stones.   the mix of subtle pale topaz and sapphire stones with the gold metal looks so amazing – and refreshingly different.  how pretty with a creamy sweater and jeans.  $78

another winning color combo!  warm chocolate brown, bright ruby and a dreamy chalcedony.  love the stones swinging from a mini gold chain – a fun pop of color with a simple outfit.   $75

finally - the branches.  with the promise of spring and the elegance of a single faceted topaz – these are both dressy and casual enough for everyday wear.  $65

And these are just earring samples!  She also creates loveliness to grace your neck and fingers.

shoppers:  shop your heart away at her newly launched online store.

buyers:  she has a wholesale site  just for you.  10 piece minimum order – and you can customize most items with your choice of stones.  brilliant for merchandising with your apparel collections.

Hello to all the lovely and stylish people who read my blog.  i just want to thank you for reading and commenting and enjoying my musings on retail and clothes and jewels and the like.

I’m adoring a (somewhat) new jewelry line that i’ve become involved with called Stella & Dot.  and i’m happy to pass on a 25% off discount to you – my blog friends!  Enter FAMILY09 at checkout.  Good only Nov 25 – 27.

There are so many lovely items in this collection that i’m crazy about – thought i’d point out a couple of my favorites to add a little “somthin’ somthin’ ” to your holiday wardrobe.

i jsut got the Heirloom Bracelet for myself and it’s stunning.  it really looks like a vintage piece that’s been handed down for generations and ended up in your jewelry box.  it fits a little loose – has a slightly heavy feeling – as if it’s real diamonds!  it’s very decadent.

the Adrienne Chain earrings and sexy hanging from your ears.  kinda glam, kinda rock-n-roll and very eye-catching.  adds great sizzle to a simple and sleek outfit. 

the Natasha Bib necklace is a true show stopper.  it’s mix of fine bead work, sparkly gems, pearls,  and silk flowers make it hard to stop staring. 

And though all of these will add pizazz to your holiday outfit – keep them circulating on regular days too!  a tank top and jeans never felt so special when paired with any of the above (but please – not all!).

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

xoxo

~kate

they say diamonds are a girls best friend.  well – i say diamonds are gorgeous and all – but that metal made to look like a diamond is a much more interesting, modern and conflict-free friend.  Stephanie from Metalicious creates stunning faceted metal ”gemstones” that sparkle and delight in a totally unique way.

the earrings studs are perfect (and if you have an infant or small child – you may need to put your dangles and hoops in a drawer and just wear these until those grabbing hands find something else to do).  in a variety of traditional cuts (brilliant, emerald, oval)  and available in sterling silver and shiny vermeil.

and then there are the modern rocks rings.  it’s like having all the glam of a diamond – but with a little more edge (and a lot less moolah!).  served up in a variety of cuts and colors – these lovelies look amazing when stacked.  heck – i’d stack them with my real diamond!  that’s some serious POW!

though i’m focusing on the Modern Rocks collection- there are plenty more amazing goodies to be found at Metalicious.  From organic inspired looks – to perfectly cast circles – everything is as the name implies:  metalicious!

retail buyers:  contact stephanie:  metalicious@yahoo.com for line sheets and order info (hurry up for holiday orders – she’s having a baby very, very soon!)

shoppers:  you can buy online at Metalicious.

are you ready for a little ooh lala?  how ’bout a little vava voom?

you are in for  treat when you check out the gorgeous concoctions from miss ruby sue.  they are genius, elaborate, sumptuous.  they take your boring jeans and tank from zero to AMAZING in 30 seconds.

from awesome hair doodads to make-a-statement necklaces – this woman has some serious creativity coursing through her wares.

i’d order these in a nano-heartbeat if i still had my store.  they have some serious WOW factor.  plus – you can custom order most anything in any color to suit the style of your store and the tastes of your clients.  minimum order is only $200.  mention you heard about  m.r.s from the the Proprietress and you’ll score a free pair of rosie tosies (majorly adorable shoe clips).

wholesale pricesare 40% of retail as listed on her site.   enjoy working with miss ruby sue and email her direct to place your order or ask any questions:  missrubysue (at) gmail (dot) com.

voila!  perfect treats for the upcoming holidays.