Archive for the ‘Valentines’ Category

I admit it. I am a sucker for gorgeous jewelry. When I met Magally last year, I was smitten.

I was walking by her booth at a show, and only caught it out of the corner of my eye, since I had pretty much finished shopping (read “had already exceeded my budget”). But there was a certain glint of silver…

Magally-designed silver bouquet bracelet

I walked back and looked again. Two smiling faces welcomed me as I took another look, a little bit longer one. There was something so magical about all the luminous dangling silver–so dainty and simultaneously modern–that took me by surprise.

Sure, I sell a lot of silver. But this was extra special. This silver shone in the booth. This was pure silver.

Magally earrings - Pure silver and rubies!

Pure silver is softer than sterling, but it is well suited for this jewelry. (FYI, earwires on Magally’s jewelry are sterling silver for added strength.) It starts as a fine thread and is transformed by hand into breathtakingly unpretentious, sophisticated jewelry.

Ruby Necklace

Magally, Claudia and I talked for about an hour–about Magally’s inspiration for her jewelry (her grandmother’s crocheting) and about each piece itself. I was fascinated by the tiny silver balls that comprise most of the pieces. They are not static so they move around (making them a bit challenging to photograph!). They do look very much like tiny grapes, but also remind me a bit of drippings on a sand castle, you know the way you take the wet sand in your hand and just drip it onto the castle you are building. Those little balls are an integral part of Magally’s jewelry.

More beautiful Magally Ruby Drop earrings

But those little balls reflect light and that is the genius and true beauty in Magally’s designs. No matter which piece you try on–and I tried on almost all of them–they bring light to your face and, usually, quite a nice smile! Magally’s pieces would make a magnificent present any time of the year, but especially at Valentine’s Day!!

Magally Ruby Lariat Necklace. 40 carats of rubies!

Four good-looking young women wearing “Wanna Get Lucky” t-shirts walk into a bar. This sounds like the beginning of a raunchy joke, but no, it’s the beginning of our videotaping for the guysguidetojewelry.com and thepassionatecollector.com.

It takes a bit of arm-twisting to get people to talk on camera. And, there are definitely the looky-loos who watch but don’t want to be taped. But with those brave enough to talk, you never know when you will go down an unforgettable path.

"Wanna Get Lucky" t-shirt

Women have this way of commenting that connotes a tenderness and emotional approval of what is said. It’s an “aahh” that doesn’t sound like a Schweppes commercial, but rather an intonation that signifies an inherent sweetness. We seem to respond to comments that are heartfelt in much the same fashion as we do to a beautiful puppy or baby that does something unexpected, and very, very endearing.

Some of our interviewees were very funny and warm, and almost surprisingly so, but the big, grown men who talked about having every day with their mates be so special to them, elicited that special “aahh” from the five of us (four young women and me!). It was interesting to me that we’d all simultaneously make that same sound–it must have some significance (although certainly it is not statistically valid). We also got some hilarious and truly unbelievable comments from people–you must take a look.

We will be posting the video very soon and look forward to your comments.

Btw, what do you think of these shirts? Want one?????

Okay. So we are back in the office. Back at the gym. Back thinking about all the things on the to-do list. I liked the little hiatus from reality where I went to a movie a day and tried really hard NOT to think about work-stuff. I really enjoyed cooking for my family (something that’s kind of a rarity these days) just to remind them that I actually do know how.

I used to have this recurring thought about how my tombstone would say “my mom could really boil water” or something like that, so I do want to cook for the family enough to have it reach their consciousness, at least on some level.

But we are back at work. And actually, I’m glad!

Gold Hammered Double Circle Earrings

First of all, it is great to be back with my cohorts at The Passionate Collector. We have a great time, laughing and gabbing, and working (I always try to slip that in there) and, most importantly, coming up with new ideas for the business.

The latest one (are you ready?) is putting together a video on Valentine’s Day experiences. We will shortly go around interviewing people about their thoughts on Valentine’s Day–good, bad or indifferent–and put together a video for our site. I thought that “the girls” would want to do this without me, but no, they want me to go out in public, too, and chat up the locals in SoCal. Maybe they just want to make sure I get into as much trouble as they do!??!

Got any experiences you want to share? Send us your own footage. Or, send us something written (we still understand written)–an email will do–and we will review and post to our site as soon as we can. Serious, sweet or clever; whatever you’d like to share–jewelry related or not–send it in.

Ruby Drop Earrings

I am sure we will have some hilarious things to share with you.

And by the way, I read yesterday that although men buy most of the jewelry on Blue Nile (85%), it’s the women who actually are driving the sales–sending what they like to all their girlfriends for comment and then, I guess when a consensus is reached, sending it to their boyfriends.

Okay girls; good for you.

So this is a really efficient shopping mechanism. Guys don’t want to look lame and get the wrong thing and they also don’t want too much angst when buying something for their women. They’d rather take care of business quickly and successfully. And all the better if they don’t have to work too hard.

And, you know what, that’s terrific!! The idea that men should have to guess or just know what we want is kind of absurb, so today’s enlightened woman just put’s it out there. Nothing wrong with that.

And we are here to help. It’s never too early to put your wish list together on The Passionate Collector and email it to your guy or your family members, or your friends. Or send them directly to the guysguidetojewelry.com and let them know what you want. We will lend a hand any way we can. Just contact us!

And let the games begin!!