Brides and Empowerment

It's Labor Day weekend, and I'm prioritizing my three days. Mostly I'm thinking about the upcoming bridal show/fair, "Out of the Box Bridal" at Pavilion In The Park, September 10. I'm always leery of bridal fairs, but this one promises to be different, with a more intimate setting, fewer vendors, and just one of each type of vendor, and all of quality, like Stanley's.

I'm focusing on what information I'll take, what jewelry I'll take, and how we'll get the brides and brides' families attention. I considered making distinct Stanley cookies, with a diamond on top, but I think we'll give out mugs with Tazo tea instead. Who doesn't like tea? No one, I think.

Maybe the Stanley cookies will debut this Christmas! Maybe. For this Thursday, I'm going to bring beautiful white diamonds and some vivid colors, too. Also some fancy shapes, wedding bands, gifts for the bridal party, and something for mom.

Most importantly, I'm going to encourage the brides to open their own personal Stanley charge account, with a little help from Wells Fargo, because after 6 years of marriage, I know it's important to be able to buy myself a little treat and pay it off in a few months without stressing out the household account!

So, ladies, remember, it's not a bad thing to maintain your own personal gift account. You just buy something, pay it off, then buy something else. In this economy, if you can do that, without paying interest (6 months no interest with Stanley's), you are way ahead of the game. And you are allowed to buy him something with your account, too!

http://www.outoftheboxbridal.com/,
https://financial.wellsfargo.com/retailprivatelabel/entry.jsp if you want to preapply.

Thursday morning here in Little Rock, raining. I'm really excited about two things...we can all vote on the historic Hope Diamond's new setting, to be unveiled in 2010.

Go to http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/smithsonian/hope.html and cast your vote.

I like #1 the best...

Also Stanley's will be participating in the first "Out of the Box Bridal" event in Little Rock, on Sept. 10. It's at Pavilion In The Park, and if you are interested in attending, please let me know.

http://www.outoftheboxbridal.com/

It's a small, non-stress event, the polar opposite of local "Bridal Fairs."

Diversity

I spent a great weekend with jewelers and industry types from all regions of the country. I love that interaction! New York and Las Vegas sound so glam. Whitney Sielaff, Peggy Campbell, Ruth Batson are inspiring to be around.

But now I'm back at Stanley's, at my little desk, typing on my same old keyboard, doing my job, and I LOVE what I do here. So far today, I've priced some new Estate Jewelry for stock; I've special ordered a SuperFit adjustable shank for a customer's beautiful diamond ring, talked about several cool vintage watch repairs with the owners, and I'm shopping for an AGS Ideal Cut diamond for a soon-to-be engaged couple.

What other job involves such diversity, challenges, and such beauty? None, I think.

Ark Jewelers Association 70th Anniversary

It's jewelry weekend here in Little Rock! I spent a great day at the Doubletree Hotel for our state group convention yesterday, and today, we have a guild meeting of the local American Gem Society jewelers from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Misssissippi. We're the Arkla/Dixie Guild. I love meetings like this because it's a chance to catch up, get a new idea, and find out where jewelers have taken very cool vacations in the last year!

Yesterday, in a session, I realized the time has come for Laura to have a blog. So here it is.

I hope I won't bore you! More soon

Love, Laura