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

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

Small Business Perils

So apparently I haven't been all that good about blogging...it's been awhile! I even set up a friendly little Outlook reminder for once a week... but I have hit snooze on it more than I ever have my alarm clock!

When you own a small business, everything is your responsibility. From the big things like purchasing, merchandising and sales, accounting and marketing to the little things like cleaning the floors, sink, windows and shelves (where is all this dust coming from???) and making sure we have enough trash bags, ink and paper. Somewhere in the midst of all of this comes managing the website and blogging which, while very important, seems to be easy to hit the snooze button on!

So I will try hard to make this a priority once again... and for those of you reading right now, thanks for sticking around!!

Meg

New and Amazing!

I'm so excited about three new lines I picked up at January's Gift Market in Atlanta!

The first one is Pick Up Sticks. This is a fun and whimsical line of pendants created by a couple of cousins in New Mexico. The vintage look and girlie feel are simply wonderful whether you are 15 or 50. If you like several, just stack 'em! I have great sterling chains as well as suede and silk cords that these are fantastic on! The large pendants are $16.50 and the small "word candy" ones are $12.50. I have more than 35 different designs in stock!

Next we have Robin Goodfellow Designs. This designer makes the most delightfully sweet beaded necklaces! Wood Sprites are dainty little beaded drops on a pretty nylon necklace. The dragonflys are incredible and ornate with sparkles and iridescent wings and the pixie necklaces are simply adorable with their renaissance flair. These necklaces are affordable and like nothing you have ever seen! Wood Sprites are $20, Dragonflies are $28, Pixie necklaces are $44

Finally... Zulugrass is here!! This is an incredible line of jewelry with a wonderful story. The jewelry is handcrafted in Kenya by the Maasai women. After a terrible drought in the area, the people of this region were devastated. Philip and Katy Leakey, who live among the Maasai in the Kenyan bush, wanted to help their neighbors and to provide work opportunities without changing their culture. They came up with an imaginative idea that would utilize the excellent beading abilities of the Maasai women, and it used grass, an available sustainable resource, as the primary element. Read the rest of the story here.

The jewelry is amazing - colorful, sparkling and versatile. Each piece can become a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, a hair accessory and so many other things. Pieces can be combined for dramatic color effect. You can use your own pendants with this line or purchase one of the adorable clip on pendants/charms to go with your pieces. You are only limited by your own imagination!! Click here for all the ways you can wear this remarkable product! Zulugrass is $9 per strand or 5 strands for $40.

Come check these great new lines out in the store when you can! I hope to get a few pieces in the online store sometime soon as well!!!

Meg

Valentines Day Specials!

Don't forget your special someone on Valentine's Day! Sparkle! has lots of items online and in our retail store that will let her know you care without breaking the bank!

Online specials - Use code Vship for FREE shipping on any purchase made online OR use code Vneck for 10% off any necklace item. Both offers good through Feb 14. Your purchase will already come in a box, ready to wrap. Need us to wrap it for you? No problem - just send us an email and we'll wrap your gift, free of charge!

In store special - get 15% off any "heart" item you can find in the store. If it has a heart on it, it's part of the promotion! Gift wrapping for your Valentine's purchase is free! Special is good through 2/14.

Don't forget to use the wish list online or the Honey Helper cards in the store to make sure your special someone knows what you like!!!

Remember to Sparkle! Whenever Possible!
Meg