Custom Orders Make Me Happy

I Love my customers.

As I try to find out their tastes-what they feel comfortable wearing-I really do get to KNOW them.  I start to look forward to seeing them again...They become Friends.

Today, a woman that I met over the Summer found my store . I could see the delight in her eyes as she walked in the door. I also noticed her eyes DART around looking for a particular piece that she was literally drooling over. As soon as she walked in I KNEW what she wanted, and I had to try to remember where I displayed it.

The Ruby Pendant she wanted was still available. I did remember that the one of the issues she had about it was how to wear it.

Another piece she liked was a Braided Silver Collar with a 26ct Pink Topaz-HOT PINK....Too Pink for her.

She kept going back to both, but I could see that neither was PERFECT-for her.

Light Bulb moment..."What if I dangle Your Ruby from them Braided Silver Collar?".  Hehehe "Your Ruby"

Her eyes stopped Darting. They Sparkled at that idea. I could see that we had a HIT!!!

I gave her a two week timeline for my finishing it, but I was so Excited by her Excitement that I stayed later after closing until I had it complete. Now I have to wait for her to come back to pick it up...TORTURE-in a good way

Yet One More Reason of Just Why I Do What I Do

Earlier I  had a Chat with a Friend from High School.  Her Daughter's Birthday was today, and she is finally old enough for "Adult Jewelry".  She was given my Business Card in her Birthday Card and asked what she thought it meant. Her First response was that I was coming for a visit-maybe Summer. Second was that she and her Mother were coming here to see the New Store.

I  heard that she was not disappointed when she found out that she was allowed to shop my Website and choose One Item.

Her choice, Turquoise Clover Earrings.

I am Honored, and think that there will be something extra special in the box when I ship it out tomorrow.

I still cannot believe that I have Friends that have kids-let alone old enough to wear my Jewelry.

You have got to LOVE your Family...

"It's like a Real Jewelry Store", my sister says when I show her the new rotating display stand in the window.  

Not all the shelves full of Pink Topaz, Sapphire, Herkimer Diamonds.  Not The Wall of Fine Silver Earrings.  Not the table full of Rings...It was that little Ebay purchase that made ALL the Difference

LOL. If only I knew, I would not have stressed so much over the Merchandising, worrying myself over just the right shade of paint or even having my Father build Furniture pieces.

Personal Style vs Fashion

Fashion Trends change from Season to Season. It drives some people crazy, others just laugh at the fickle nature of Fashion.

Style, Personal Style to be exact, is something that shows the World who we are-not who we want to be.
How many times have you seen somebody walking down the street in the Latest Design by whoever-something that we were told EVERYBODY should have-and they looked Ridiculous. Not because IT was Ridiculous, but because that person was not comfortable withe Fashion.

They were following the Trend instead of finding their own Style and adapting the Trend to that

I will not change my aesthetic just because some Fashion Magazines say that You should all be wearing this or that. My inspiration comes to me from any number of sources, but mostly Friends and Family pushing me to  discover new designs-which I am finding out are right on point with Fashion Trends for Spring.  Well, at least some of them.

Swarovski Fashion Update

I was brought up to be my own person. Have my own Style. Not to follow along with the crowd.

I am realizing that many of my Fans have been brought up the same way.  ADAPT FASHION TRENDS TO YOUR OWN PERSONAL STYLE...Whatever that may be.

That being said, I just want to give a shout out to Friends Family and Fans.

I would not be doing what I am, what I love to do, without any of you.

SPRING-I hope it Stays

Spring-like Weather has finally come to the City.  65 Degrees and Sunshine brings out all kinds.

The guy walking up the street brushing his teeth.
Joggers.
Dog walkers, pushing baby strollers.
People leaving the Bar at 3PM
Nuns.
Husbands and Wives walking hand in hand.
Mothers with their Teenage Sons.

Yes, I have seen all these AND more walking past my window.  AND you know what? Everyone of them has stopped and inspected-yes inspected-my Window Display.  Not just glance as they walk past.  Today I was able to have the doors open and heard them talking about this piece or that one.
I loved hearing the Nuns comment on the Rosaries made with a Cameo.
The one woman tell me that her 2nd paycheck in April will be shared with me-after she bought Grey Pearl Earrings.

With Saturday coming and more Nice weather, I am looking forward to meeting even more of my neighbors.  Maybe some of those Businessmen who earlier in the week glanced in while hurrying home in the Sleety/Rain of Tuesday and Wednesday.

I cannot wait to Meet them ALL

Since I have moved into the Store, and out of the Studio-aka our spare bedroom, I have found some materials that I forgot I had.  Actually did not realize I even owned some of these beads, and have forgotten what they are...LOL

One of the pleasant finds was 4 Lapis Lazuli Heart Beads.  I do remember buying them, but no idea why.

4 Hearts...What to do with them? Earrings, Necklace, and Bracelet.  A bit matchey-matchey, but you know what? These Lapis are SO pretty that you could not help but WANT to wear all of them at the same time.

There are other Great finds in the box of beads. Multiple strands of Jade, Button Pearls, Gorgeous Smokey Quartz, Opal and so many more. I cannot wait to finish organizing everything so I can REALLY dig in.

St Patrick's Drama

Well, after a week of Rainstorms, Flooding and finally SNOW, Today dawned with bright Sunshine and pushed the temperatures into the upper 50's.  Pittsburgh has the 2nd largest St Patricks Day Parade in the Nation-even in bad weather 200,000 people crowd Downtown Streets.  Is it any wonder that there were hundreds of Men, Women and Children decked out in Green walking the Streets of Mt Washington.

I expected this so I decked out my Sidewalk Signage with Green Balloons and opened my doors...AND WAITED...Until the Girl stole my Balloons.
Really?
Why would she do that?
BOOSAD!!!
OK. Done grumbling. Proceed to make the day a success.

I finished my Commissions.  Met my Daily Sales Goal.

Then came home took a nap, and gave DeAndreaDesigns.com a New Look.

My weekend starts now, well 2 days of the Store being closed.  Tomorrow? Make my sidewalk signage MORE Enticing

Some Things are More Important than Money

Today was my Niece's 9th birthday.  She is having a Roller Skating Birthday on Saturday afternoon. Good Times.  I wish that I could go, but Saturdays at the Store are just potentially too busy. Being so newly open I cannot go and not Open the doors on a Saturday.  I need to create some sense of predictability and normalcy.

That being said, I also want-No Need-to Celebrate these Events.  There is so much Negativity in the World these days.  Shootings in the Streets.  Drugs in the Schools.  People beating each other because they are different.

It is just too much-too Depressing.

So I closed the store early to go to have cake and ice cream with her and the rest of the Family. We did not stay long.  Really only long enough to give Her her gift, have a quick piece of cake and get a HUGE Hug.

But seeing Her Smile when we walked into the door, was Worth more than any Sales that may have happened in that last hour and a half of business.

I will let Her have her Day with her Friends Saturday. I had my evening with Her Today...AND THAT IS WORTH MORE THAN ANYTHING I CAN IMAGINE!!!

Why I Do What I Do

I first met Mac when he came into the last store I managed about 1 year ago. He was very impressed with my Woven Bezel and Gem Pieces, and continued to come back every couple of days. Finally, he asked   whether I would be willing to wrap a Stone he brought in.  "Of course."  What else could I say...LOL

And then he disappeared, I hadn't seen him since. Oh well, I work in Retail. I  KNOW.  Everyone-including ourselves-has said at one point or another "I'll be back" and never return.

Then all of a sudden last week, out of the blue, an email arrived asking the same questions again.

Again, "I can do it for you, bring it up to the New Space". Gave him the address and Hoped he would follow through.  He showed up today with a Very Pretty Aquamarine Cabochon to be wrapped as his Girlfriend's Birthday Gift.

I walked him around the entire 250 sq ft of my Store. Showed him his options within his price range. "Do whatever you like. I trust your Taste and Judgement".
He left completely confident in his choice of Me.

Now the pressure-actually as soon as I saw the Stone I KNEW exactly what I wanted to do-and I was allowed to do it.

Fine Silver Link Bracelet with Aquamarine Charm

I SUCCEEDED!!!

I have been struggling with trying to attach a Shopping Cart to my Website. Instead of referring potential customers to Etsy, Artfire or my Facebook page...I think that may have stopped those customers from purchasing.

After a couple of glasses of wine, I started exploring my Website. Started clicking on links, watching videos, and discovered a Tutorial that walked me though the whole procedure. So for the last 2 years I have been trying to figure it out, and in only 90 minutes I was walked through the first Cart and then EVERY Page thereafter.

I think that the wine was the key. It allowed me to not over-think the whole process.

So as my reward to myself?  Girl Scout Cookies and a cup of Tea.  After all I have already had a couple glasses of wine.

Never Ending-not a complaint

After working all day I am now, finally, home to "finish" my day off.  Sitting in front of the TV, working on the Website.

A friend had been looking though some photos from my Facebook Fan Page and commented on all the different views/photos of the Store that he had not seen. This gave an idea.

For all the people that shop online, that cannot make it to Pittsburgh, I thought I would make a Page devoted exclusively to those pictures. Try to give the experience of having visited the Store, even though you have not left the comfort of your living room...Or to entice you to visit IN PERSON.

In person or virtually, I like to show off my hard work

AQUAMARINE...The Stone of Courage

Or a Mermaid's most Treasured of Possessions.  And March's Birthstone.

This Gorgeous Blue Stone has been valued by everyone from the Ancient Greeks and Romans, Sumerians and Egyptians, to the Archangel Raquel.

Romans believed that this Stone would join those in Love and lead to Great things.  Carving a Frog into the stone would reconcile Enemies.  Greek Sailors believed that possessing an Aquamarine would provide Courage, as well as Safe and Prosperous journeys over stormy seas.  Both believed that Aquamarine had the Power to Reawaken the Love of Married Couples.

Sumerians and Egyptians valued the Stone because it was thought to enhance Happiness and provide Everlasting Youth.

The Archangel Raquel, "Friend of God"  is often pictured with Aquamarine and uses the Stone to heal Personal and Professional Relationships.

So is it any wonder that Today we have made Aquamarine the traditional gift for a 16th and 19th Anniversary Gift, with it's Promise to reawaken Love, provide Happiness and Safe passage over Stormy Seas, and Everlasting Youth???