Jewelry Trunkshow Trials & Tribulations...

WHAT ARE THE REAL PROS & CONS TO TRUNKSHOWS? FOR DESIGNERS AND SHOPPERS?

Let's start with what a trunkshow really is. It used to be a term for when designers would bring their excess stock (literally in a trunk) to sell it off at one of their loyal stores. This way, you could meet one of your favorite designers and see styles that weren't currently offered in the boutique. Over time, that has unfortunately changed.

Trunkshows are often a way for stores to preview emerging designers without a commitment or investing in merchandise. Lots of good and bad to this... On the other hand, many established designers are still offering trunkshows to their quality boutiques so in some ways, you could consider it the best of both worlds mixing the old with the new...

Pros & Cons for the Shopper:

Pros:
- How much fun it is to meet a designer of products you enjoy, hear their inspirations, or even just meet one of their reps who can tell you so much more about a line?
- You can buy a myriad of styles that you've never seen in your favorite store before.
- Sometimes, discounts and incentives are offered at trunkshows as a way to help move stock when it's an overstock event.
- Or, you might be introduced to a new line you've never heard of!

Cons:
- If it's a one-time show, you'll never see that new merchandise again - good luck getting the matching style later
- If you want to return something, many stores will honor it, but others will consider it a final sale
- Many boutiques won't allow designer advertising (as not to compete with them) so if you happen to forget the designer's name, that might be the last time you ever see them.

Pros & Cons for the Designer:

Okay, I know you shoppers probably don't want to read this part, so feel free to skip it, but for you emerging designers, I'm going to give you the real scoop:

Pros:
- What a way to start introducing yourself to the market: You could potentially pick up new retail customers and even a store account if the show goes really well
- Word-of-Mouth Marketing - if you haven't read about it - START! It may all seem like commonsense, but the right word of mouth could open doors you couldn't dream of. A referral of a product from a friend is far more powerful than any ad you could ever run.

Cons:
- The unfortunate reality is most boutiques use this as a form of memo so you probably won't sign a new account from a trunkshow. They may offer you the option to keep returning for more shows though, or consignment options (something I don't recommend... I'll write more on this another day). With this in mind, if you keep agreeing to coming back without them purchasing any of your merchandise, where's their incentive to ever buy?
- Are you familiar with their terms? If not, find out quickly because you might assume that since you provided all the goods, did the work, and they collected the money that day, there would be no reason for you not to get paid at the end of the show. WRONG - especially with well-known stores - you will probably be paid in net 30 or even 60 days depending on how they normally pay their bills.

* Just a tip to remember when deciding whether to do a trunkshow: You need to account for your time as well as your material costs. Will your labor in combination your cost of goods be outweighed by your potential monetary return and word-of-mouth marketing? If so, go for it. If not, don't keep agreeing to be used and abused with trunkshows that don't pay off. It won't help you and it only promotes a faulty new evolution in trunkshows. It's the old school guys who knew what a trunkshow really should be.

Bruno's Back on Fashion...

This is Bruno (one of Sasha Baron Cohen's characters from the "Ali G" Show) reminding us to always depend on our hairdresser, never worry about consistency, and most importantly, that fashion saves lives (just remember to ship the fashion deviants away on a train)...

Lesson of the day: remember to eat and laugh!!

Ignite Change for the Good of Others & Your Wardrobe...

IGNITE CHANGE!!

It's time to help those around you... and your wardrobe while you're at it!

This collection has been a special project for me for quite a while, and I'm so excited to announce I've finally launched our Ignite Charity Collection!! It's food for your soul and wardrobe...

Our campaign, "Ignite Change" for Charity, is all about helping organizations raise both funds and awareness for their individual cause. We're dedicated 15% of all proceeds to go directly to three main foundations. Hopefully, in time, we'll even add more!!

When purchasing an item with a gemstone, your choice of color determines which organization will receive your generous donation:

Blue Topaz: Parkinson's Disease Foundation

Rhodolite: Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Peridot: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

If the item doesn't have a gemstone, like our "Blaze" Earrings and "Blaze" Pendant, we split the proceeds equally amongst the three foundations (5% to each).

Now you're probably wondering how we chose our first three foundations? Well, that's an easy question. All of them have a personal place in my heart. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation is a phenomenal resource for information on the disease. I have personally been very involved in this cause for many years as my father has been living with it for over 20 years. I also have two other amazing success stories with both of my grandmothers who have fought and won the breast cancer battle. And lastly, my world revolves around my "fur-kids." My husband (a veterinarian) and I make a special point to adopt animals from shelters, and we both feel very strongly about taking care of animals and preventing animal abuse across the U.S. so hopefully, this campaign will continue to help create awareness.

So now, it's time you kiss buyer's remorse good-bye knowing you've helped others with your purchase (and have a fabulous new piece for your jewelry collection)! Go "Ignite Change" without a worry... prices range from only $30-$140!

SHOP IGNITE COLLECTION

PS - I personally layer the fire drop necklace with a longer surge necklace (and why not mix colors if you want)!

The Grammys on Two Wheels...

So unless you're living under a rock, you probably know the Grammy Awards took place Sunday night. This year was filled with the usual amazing red carpet entries, designer stylings, and celebrities galore, but in case you missed it, I saw the red carpet on two wheels...and in some cases three.

That's because I'm here to share a little industrial and motorcycle design with you. My brother-in-law and AMAZING bike builder, Austin Weiss, was at the Grammys with a special preview of his fabulous designs. With recent customers including Lil John and Will.i.am (who couldn't resist bringing Austin to the awards with him), Austin has received more support and fanfare than most receive in a twenty year career. And did I forget to mention he's only 24? Austin is not just loved by the celebrities, but he's also recognized in the industry by magazines and awards for his designs including being selected as one of the 'Easy Riders Magazine's Master Builders' of the year on tour in 2007.

Being someone who designs on a reduced scale, there's nothing more exciting than to see full-scale creations come to life. Austin's work since starting Streamline Designs, Inc has been nothing shy of unbelievable and getting better each year. If you just want to share your love (or purchase the best ride of your life), Austin's definitely your man...

To Swag or Not to Swag...

ARE SWAG BAGS A GOOD DESIGNER INVESTMENT? WHEN TRYING TO GET CELEBRITY EXPOSURE, ARE SWAG BAGS A WORTHWHILE WAY TO SPEND MY SMALL BUDGET?

"Swag" bags are WIDELY debated in the industry. For jewelry, I have to say my opinion is normally to pass. If you are new to the industry, and wondering what "swag" bags are, then let me clear that up first. Swag bags are the give-away bags for celebrities at major events.

If you're anything like me, we all sit around plotting and thinking "If only SO & SO wore my jewelry!" Then, everyone would see it, and I would be golden! The longer I'm in the industry though, the reality strikes that this usually isn't true. You might be a fad with a celebrity sighting, but what they really do is legitimize your brand. Something which is very important to letting your customers know you are strong designer with quality products. Although some designers even think you can trick people into buying your poorly constructed products if you have a celebrity backing. That may be true for a day, but NO ONE continues to buy bad products. They just don't. There are too many quality designers out there today to keep going back to a fad that falls apart.

That being said, I have been asked to participate in more "swag" bags than I can even begin to count in the past few years. I have participated in some small things for charity, but those have always been for the donation aspect. Recently, I just participated in our first celebrity "swag", but we let celebrities choose the pieces they wanted, and I felt it was a great success. We had photos, and we knew what each celebrity had for future endorsement.

You must know that most swag opportunities don't present, nevermind guarantee, the option for a photo to support your claim of celebrity endorsement. Thus, be very careful. Many swag bags come with a premium you must pay to have the priviledge of giving away your products. Then, as mentioned, what are the chances you'll have a photo? If you don't have a guaranteed potential for a photo op, I always say pass. What good is it to make the claim someone wears your jewelry if you can't prove it? Besides, you want them to pick what they like. On the other hand, those that get lucky enough to have Oprah get their product, love it, then wear it on her show will usually argue the other view...

I personally feel the best celebrity support always comes from those who truly enjoy your product. I will always be greatful to Rachael Ray, Patricia Wettig, and Jennifer Beals as being some of the first major celebrities to wear and support our jewelry. It's the relationships you build that will really work for you, not usually a one time give-away where you aren't even sure they will like what you picked for them. How often do you love the gifts strangers pick out for you? Thus, to swag or not to swag?