Friday, August 22, 2008

store displays... or it's good to be green!

It is always a challenge to find new ways to show off merchandise in my store. I try to keep it an interesting store visually with unusual displays - I hate the ordinary "retail" looking things, though they are also necessary. Another qualification... cheap. Cheap is really good! I am creative, but sometimes even creative people need a jolt of inspiration now and then... and I got some back in July from a cool artist in Texas.

While at market and looking for something cool, unusual, not too pricey and just fun to add to my little shop, I met Sandy Parker. She's the artist behind a cool line of pendants made from Dominoes called (of course) Phenominoes! I had to have these - they are remarkable and oh so hip and beautiful. So I'm asking her whether she has any recommendations on displaying them and she mentions that she thinks they would be cute hanging on some old vinyl records! Fun idea!!!

I decided to make the display to hold all of the pendant lines I carry (I also carry Pick Up Sticks and my own line of crazy pieces). My husband, Lee, the studly "Mr. Sparkle" and genius idea guy, added to the idea by suggesting that I use the 45RPM records in my collection as the holders for the suede and silk cords I sell alongside all my pendant lines. Perfect!

So here is what I came up with...



I

I used a heavy duty puncher called a Crop-a-dile purchased at Hobby Lobby to put the holes in. Works great but it is TEDIOUS! Used craft wire to connect everything and then create the hooks to hang the pendants on.

And because I know you want to know... here is a list of the albums and 45's contained in the display... (don't judge... you probably had some of these too!)

The Albums:
The Grease movie soundtrack
The Xanadu movie soundtrack
Styx - Cornerstone
The Police - Synchronicity
The Sugar Hill Gang - Rappers Delight
Funky Favorite from Ronco
The Stray Cats - Built for Speed
Abba - Greatest Hits
The Stray Cats - Rant 'n Rave
The Story of Star Wars (yes, really...)
Olivia Newton John - Physical
Air Supply - The One that you Love
The Partridge Family - The Partridge Family Album
Walt Disney's Merriest Songs

the 45's

Grand Funk Railroad - the Locomotion
The Village People - In the Navy
Charlie Daniels - The Devil went down to Georgia
Yo-yo - The Osmonds
Babe - Styx
My Sharona - The Knack
Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
Maniac - Michael Sembella

I have had a few people take issue with the fact that I put holes in vinyl, but you know, they aren't taking up space in a landfill and I am finally getting some use out of them. The display is also a great conversation piece which I love!

Nice when you can do something that is cool, cheap and also good for the planet!

~m

Keeping up is hard to do!

So... about the time I resolve to completely keep up with this blogging thing I completely fall behind and the longer I wait, the harder it seems to be to get started again.

I am now resolving (again) to update at least once a week with something. Anything.

So it might get interesting here... or it might not. Let's hope its the former!

~meg

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

In praise of Stephenie Meyer

Have you ever had a vivid dream? The kind that sticks with you after you awaken... the kind you think about for days and seriously want to go back to sleep to experience more of? Imagine having a dream like that and turning it into a series of novels that touch millions of people all around the world... while remaining a wife and mom of 3 little ones... and also a really nice, sincere person.

That's what Stephenie Meyer did.

In case you live under a rock somewhere, Stephenie Meyer is the author responsible for the very delightful and obsessive Twilight series of books. (Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse) The books revolve around Bella, a wonderfully normal, clutzy, somewhat insecure teenage girl and the boy she falls in love with, Edward. Edward is no ordinary boy, however. He is a 100+ year old vampire in the body of a seriously beautiful 17 year old boy and he is madly in love with Bella. These books have it all - adventure, romance, humor, heart pounding tension and profound sadness. They are a roller coaster of emotions so excruciating that there is really no way to just read them once... you have to go back and experience them again... and again.

I could go on and on about the books and the stories contained but what I really wanted to talk about it the author herself. You see, I first became aware of Meyer and her books when I was just beginning a dramatic new journey in my life - quitting my 18 year career and starting my little downtown jewelry boutique. I read Twilight at the urging of a close friend and loved it. As I was learning more about the author I was intrigued to learn that the idea for Twilight had actually come to her in the form of a vivid, lovely dream. In fact that dream is fairly well preserved within the book as Chapter 13, Confessions (one of my faves!).

What I love and admire so much is that instead of having this lovely dream, thinking about it for a few days and then moving on with the day to day life she had already established, Meyer began to write. She had written only a few stories previously and nothing in a long time and was a happy wife and mom. But she found the time - spare moments when the kids were asleep and other times. Bella and Edward became a part of her, speaking to her. She shared her new "hobby" with her sister who encouraged her to pursue it. It is a lovely story as told by the author herself on her own website here but the end result is that in 3 months she had the first draft of Twilight complete and in another 3 months she had a book deal.

Re-read that. 6 months from a lovely dream, she has managed to change her life, and arguably many other people's lives, forever.

Changing your life in this way is scary. There are always parts of your old life you miss... it may be the quiet moments that no longer exist - I have seen the book tours wear on Meyer and feel certain she sometimes wonders if the madness will end! In my case, the lack of security, constant learning curve and , oh yeah, the investment of my life's savings in my business give me many moments of fear and angst. Still, there is so much more to gain by literally chasing your dream and Stephenie Meyer is a great role model for that.

Throughout 2007 as I was putting my store together, I was thrilled to watch as Meyer's popularity grew... as the books continued to sell more and more building to the great release of Eclipse which knocked the final Harry Potter book off the top spot on the bestseller's list. I saw Stephenie at a book signing and again was in awe of this woman. Remarkably down to earth, funny and just normal - she is the epitome of "every woman" except that she had simply chosen a new path one day and never looked back.

Her example inspired me on days where nothing went right (her book was rejected many times before her eventual deal - I would hate to be the names on those letters!) and all the times I questioned my decision to chase what I wanted to do over the career that I knew would support me. And her stories helped me escape now and then when I needed it as well.

I am now 6 months into running my shop and things are going remarkably well. We have had very positive feedback from our customers and we continue to grow. I am enjoying learning new jewelry making techniques and seeking out other great artisan jewelers to introduce to my customers. I am loving almost every minute of it and the good by far outweighs the bad. In a way I feel like Stephenie along with Edward, Bella, Jacob, Alice and all the other wonderful folks of Forks, WA have been along with me for the ride and I will always remember this journey as being intertwined with them.

I recently introduced a new fun line of jewelry - charms made from a variety materials including paper, crystal, metal and resin - that capture some of the fun and joy of the Twilight 'verse. You can check them out here. My favorite, by far, though is the one I made specifically for Stephenie. It says "It all started in the meadow" which was the location of that first dream. To me, it's a tribute to what a person can achieve if only they just do it and my way of saying "Thanks for the inspiration, Stephenie."



Meg

Remember to Sparkle whenever Possible!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Don't Forget Mom!

Mother's Day is May 11 - don't forget!

Sparkle! has lots of great gifts just right for remembering your Mom on Mother's Day! Want something inesxpensive and simple? For less than $20 you can purchase a Crystal Nail File with a beautiful dichroic glass accent, a Key Keeper so your Mom can always find her keys, a cool Pick Up Sticks Pendant, a beautiful gemstone Anklet, a Flat Wallet or a fun and funky Neckfluff!

Between $25 and $45 you can give mom a gorgeous sterling silver cross from the Cathedral Collection, fabulous handcrafted earrings from many of our talented artist lines, or a beautiful beaded purse!

Want to splurge on Mom this year? How about a fabulous bag from Doodlebug Dezines or Sisung-Callura, an amazing chain maille bracelet from Silver Box Designs or one of our new handcrafted rosaries?

No matter what your style or budget, Sparkle! has a great gift for Mom... and as always, gift wrapping is free!!!


Remember to Sparkle! Whenever Possible!
Meg

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Focus on: Sisung - Callura Designs

It is such fun meeting new people - and you never know where a chance meeting will lead! A couple of weeks ago, while at a breakfast meeting, I met a local gal who works at my bank . A few days later she was browsing in my shop when I noticed the cool purse she was carrying. She told me her friend made it and makes lots of great purses that she sells. She took my card and told me she would let her friend know about my shop.

Before I knew it I was face to face with this fabulous and talented lady, Kathi, who is the star behind Sisung-Callura Designs. It didn't take me long to realize I needed to carry this brand in my shop!

Some info from Kathi...


Sewing is my passion and a means for me to express how utilitarian objects can be both beautiful and fun to use.

Designing on a whim and thriving on change, my one-of-a-kind decorative creations are inspired by eye-opening color combinations, the unexpected use of prints and patterns, and a variety of textures. Attention to detail goes into the careful construction of my ever-changing pieces, insuring that each stands up to daily use.

It thrills me to create appealing objects of art that provides others with a way to express their own individuality.


The Hobo Bags made by Sisung-Callura are fun and functional with a cool designer flair... at a much better than designer price! They are fully lined - some have some heavier batting inside the sides and bottom and some don't - just depends on how much give you want! There are great pockets on the inside of these bags and here's the really cool part... they have a drawstring feature that doubles as backpack handles. They also come with a great shoulder "sling" strap and a smaller strap for hanging or holding by the wrist.


Check out Chloe with her hip Sisung-Callura Bag!




The large bags are 12" wide by 19" tall... perfect for someone who has a lot to haul around day to day, for that trip you are planning this summer, or for that shopping trip (to Sparkle??!!).

The smaller bag is 10" wide by 13" tall with all the same cool features. Many of the smaller bags feature amazing patchwork designs as well! No two bags are exactly alike!




I've added some of these great bags to my online store... and of course they are available at our retail location also. Come check 'em out!!!

Remember to Sparkle! Whenever Possible!

Meg