Fashion's BIG Night Out

OK, I'll admit it...I've been a really, really, REALLY bad blogger! I haven't written anything here since May, and that's pretty shameful. I've been distracted by summer, trips to the Poconos & the beach with my dog, the endless search for places to swim (I have a labrador), and loving the quiet weekends in the city when everyone gets out of dodge. The summer in NY has been interesting. Lots of tourists strolling through Central Park and more people renting bicycles than I've ever noticed before. People seem to be opting for cheap, fun outdoor activity. The operative word here is CHEAP. Word on the street from some local retailers I've befriended is that no one is shopping. This isn't really news, of course, but how these small businesses have survived is amazing and due, I'm sure, to some innovative & creative ideas that have kept some cash flowing and doors open. One store I know of ran a promotion inviting their customers to bring in old clothes and accessories which would be sold on the store's eBay site in exchange for a store credit. Another offered a free pedicure with purchase at a neighboring salon - a "win win" for both, as no doubt the salon got a few new clients in the deal. There has been a lot of newly forged camaradarie in the jewelry world as well. Social networking has definitely opened up all of our worlds to bigger & better opportunities to meet and mingle (a/k/a/ network) with new friends in the industry. Information and idea sharing on facebook and twitter are critical to surviving and thriving in today's marketplace and any businesses not using these media are totally missing the boat!

All of this brings me to the point of this post -- FASHION'S NIGHT OUT! Tomorrow, Sept 10, is Fashion's Night Out -- a Global Celebration of Fashion. The mission of this event is to promote retail, restore consumer confidence & encourage folks to get out there and spend some money! You can even shop with me! Tomorrow, from 10:00 AM-11:00 PM, anything purchased from my online storefront will be 20% off! So, if you've been dreaming of a certain pair of sparkling cocktail earrings or a set of stack rings, now is your chance! See you tomorrow...Happy Shopping!

Viva Las Vegas!

My spring resolution is to post more regularly, beginning with this little report on the Las Vegas jewelry market.  I'm excited about the new work I am showing and the response has been very strong. It seems that many retailers are ready to shop for the upcoming season, be it back to school or holiday, and are focusing on timeless, collectible pieces that have versatile appeal. Classic seems to be the buzz word, in keeping with the times. People want to spend their money on pieces that they won't tire of, that have a sensible appeal, with a little sparkle and bling thrown in for good measure! Glad I brought my trusty cocktail collection!  My best selling group by far, the cocktail pieces are great from day to night and come in a vast array of colors. Here's a little selection (photo).  I am sticking to what I do best...color, color, color. I'm having a love affair with chrysoprase at the moment, which I have paired with gray and chocolate tones for winter - and in their warm 22K gold settings, the pieces just jump off the skin.  

Well, Vegas is certainly showing some encouraging signs in the jewelry world. Here's to a successful rest of the show!

What recession?

It's a magical thing when Spring arrives on a Saturday, as it has this sunny morning in New York City. I've been waiting for this moment for weeks, anticipating endless hours in the park with my dog, peep-toe shoes & a new pedicure, no more hat head, saying goodbye to my down parka forever...and of course, dreaming about what jewelry I'll be sporting in the coming months.  All I can think of is that I want HAPPY, sparkly jewels in bright, happy colors. I'm calling it recession mood-proof jewelry. A few months ago, I launched a fine silver collection. After years of being nudged (OK, annoyed) by my mother, who loves her vintage silver (think Art Smith and classic Hermes), and wanted some SAJewelry in a white metal, I gave into the pressure and, as it turns out, it wasn't such a bad idea! Fine Silver is a bright, white metal. It doesn't tarnish like sterling and the production process is very similar to working in 22K gold...it can be fused, and when it heats up, the color just gets brighter and whiter.  As a backdrop for colored gemstones, it's a natural. I like to give it a matte finish and the colors just jump off the surface in a certain happy, sparkly way.  Stores are loving the collection, and last month at the globalDESIGN show in Philadelphia, where buyers were focused on ways to offer their clients beautiful, designer jewelry in a happy, sparkly price point, the fine silver collection was a big hit!  

Spanish Vogue

Spanish Vogue's annual jewelry issue is on the newsstand now and features me and my work in a global talent round-up.  Here's a peek at the issue...