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Western Illinois University issued the following news release:
The Western Illinois University Department of Art will offer its annual Ceramics and tiffany Jewelry Holiday Show and Sale Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 15-17 in the University Art Gallery.
The Fall 2008 display and sale, featuring hand-made, one-of-a-kind ceramics and jewelry created by WIU art students, will be open from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. in the gallery, which is located behind Sherman Hall.
Proceeds from the sale will support the Ceramics Club and Metals Club at WIU.
For more information, contact Kat Myers, associate professor of art and money clips Metals Club adviser at (309) 298-1510.
TNS MV45-090222-2233452 18MASHMarlyn
Given the market realities today, customers are increasingly asking jewelers to buy their Tiffany and co jewelry. Consumers are looking to use their unwanted pieces to acquire some ready cash or put it toward the purchase of new jewelry. What should a jeweler consider in this area to avoid liability and risk?
First, a jeweler should be aware that if purchases from the public and subsequent sale of precious metal, stones, or jewels in any one year exceed $50,000 in the aggregate, they will have to institute an anti-money-laundering program pursuant to the USA Patriot Act. (Visit the Jewelers Vigilance Committee Web site at www.jvclegal.org for more information.)
Next, there are usually state or local laws targeting the sale of stolen property that often require jewelers to acquire identification from the person offering the jewelry for sale and further require the jeweler to keep a log with a detailed description of the item purchased. Check with your local consumer protection agency or state attorney general.
Consumer expectations are frequently outlandish when it comes to the value of the bracelets jewelry they’re offering for sale. Often they come in armed with the current price for an ounce of pure gold and expect that you will base your offer on that value. Be sure to explain that the gold in the item offered for sale is not pure and that the labor that went into the manufacture of the item will not be a part of your purchase price. Instead, you will probably pay only the value of the precious metal contained in the item. If you address these often unwarranted expectations, customers will believe the transactions were safe and fair.
If you intend to resell the item as rings jewelry, be aware that retailers are often required to have a special license for this activity, usually called a “secondhand dealers” license. Again, check with your local government agency.
If you intend to sell the gold or other precious metal to a refiner, make sure the refiner is reputable and has an anti-money-laundering program in place, which is required by law. If a company does not, take that as a warning about its legitimacy.
Avoiding risks and pitfalls is usually easy. It just takes some thought, as well as knowledge of the requirements associated with this activity. For additional information about legal compliance in this area or others, join JVC. Visit www.jvclegal.org for membership information.
The 2009 awards drew hoards of industry leaders and professionals to recognize companies and individuals whose work promotes the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches to consumers. The JIC, the consummate authority on these products, specifically praised Russell for his Simmons tiffany jewelry Jewelry Co. collections that effortlessly fuse urban concepts with chic, of-the-moment design elements. LL Cool J emphasized Russell’s connection to numerous charitable endeavors worldwide. Stemming from his passion for both the jewelry industry and the development of underprivileged communities, Russell founded the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) in 2007. Funds from Simmons Jewelry Co.’s “Green Bracelet” provide crucial support for this educational initiative in Africa.
With Russell at the helm, the sophistication of the Simmons Jewelry Co. collections has drawn a new consumer to the jewelry industry — a consumer receptive and enthusiastic to his modern take on traditional jewelry. The embrace of Russell’s unique design will surely perpetuate the tiffany pendants jewelry industry’s relevance for generations.
About Russell Simmons:
Russell Simmons has been instrumental in brining the powerful influence of hip-hop culture to every facet of business and media. His groundbreaking vision has touched music, fashion, finance, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy.
About Simmons Jewelry Co.:
Simmons Jewelry Co. is where fashion meets fine bangles jewelry. The company is quickly emerging as an industry leader and design innovator in all jewelry categories. Simmons Jewelry Co. can be found in premier jewelers and fine department stores including Zales, Gordon’s Jewelers, Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Neiman Marcus and Macy’s East Department Stores. For more information about Simmons Jewelry Co. and retail locations visit www.simmonsjewelryco.com
SOURCE Simmons Jewelry Co.
The Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University issued the following press release:
A year ago, opening her own business to sell edible chocolate tiffany jewelry seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream to Stacey VanWaldick, a resident of Oswego. But after VanWaldick spent time at the Syracuse Community Test Kitchen (COMTEK), located in Syracuse University’s South Side Innovation Center (SSIC) on South Salina Street in Syracuse, her pipe dream began to take shape. Today, she is founder and sole proprietress of Promise Me Chocolate, which sells premium artisan chocolate gems, rings, and bonbons crafted from custom molds and using only the finest chocolate and fillings by Meyers Chocolates of Oneida, New York.
“I am very excited about how well received Promise Me Chocolate has been,” says VanWaldick. “People are enthusiastic about how good the chocolate jewelry tastes, and also about how unique they are. When people first see them, they ask, ‘Can I eat that?’ They are pretty amazed that not only is the jewelry edible, but that it tastes so good.”
VanWaldick’s success would not have been possible without the assistance from COMTEK and Lynne Foster, COMTEK’s product development director. Foster led VanWaldick through the steps of taking a favorite recipe and scaling it up for commercial sale. The process of transitioning from concept to saleable product required developing a business plan, troubleshooting and engineering molds, ingredients, processes, and packaging, establishing a target group, and creating a marketing plan
“Lynne Foster at COMTEK and the SSIC as a whole have been invaluable in the development of Promise Me Chocolate,” says VanWaldick. “They have helped me with everything from finding a co-packer to getting my product on the shelves of local stores. Now, my chocolates are currently being sold at the Village Candy Shoppe in Manlius.”
The seeds for creating edible chocolate tiffany rings were planted when VanWaldick was studying jewelry making and metalsmithing at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. From Parsons, VanWaldick began teaching art and jewelry making at Oswego High School and was able to hone her idea while earning her master’s degree in fine arts from SU, where she began working with materials other than metal and was introduced to the process of mold making, Mold making and a love of chocolate were instrumental in the development of Promise Me Chocolate.
“Promise Me Chocolate is a great example of what COMTEK can help a budding food entrepreneur accomplish,” says Foster. “Stacey had an interesting idea and the passion to pursue it, and COMTEK helped turn that passion into a reality. I’m proud to say all our clients have products in various boutique grocery stores around Central New York, and we are looking forward to helping them grow their businesses even further outside the CNY area.”
In conjunction with the SSIC, COMTEK also offers training for accurate costing, pricing, sales and marketing, and other related issues critical for success in the competitive food industry. COMTEK is a joint partnership with the Whitman School of Management at SU and the Nelson Farms subsidiary of Morrisville State College. The project is funded in part by a grant from the US Small Business Administration.
For more information about COMTEK, contact Lynne Foster at (315) 443-8629 or lcfoster@syr.edu. tiffany bracelets For more information about Promise Me Chocolates, contact Stacey VanWaldick at (315) 559-0107 or visit www.promisemechocolate.com/page/page/6427641.htm. All media queries can be directed to Amy Mehringer, director of communications, Whitman School of Management, at (315) 443-3834 or aemehrin@syr.edu.
The only way to survive the recession is to demand more from your employees than ever before. Over the past year, we have mystery-shopped jewelry stores across the country, and the results we witnessed were not encouraging. Aside from a laundry list of retail sins committed by salespeople behind the tiffany jewelry counter, what concerned us most was the general acceptance of substandard performance. The poor economy has forced many businesses to adapt and change their rules and standards, and it doesn’t look as if the situation will improve any time soon. Why so many in the jewelry industry seem afraid to raise the bar in terms of staff performance standards and expectations remains a mystery.
We believe the widespread lackluster commitment to customer satisfaction we have seen, and much of the reason why salespeople are underperforming, is directly due to a lack of training, expectations, and accountability. We believe this points directly to ineffective management and leadership. From our observations, many store owners and managers lack the necessary training and passion to be effective themselves, and this has trickled down to their associates.
Nevertheless, it is possible to put an “A” team in place, performing to the best of its abilities and your expectations. Here’s how:
First, evaluate your staff. Assess whether you have any “A” players worth investing in, and consider replacing those who are not-even if it means restructuring your entire sales staff.
Next, sit down with each staffer individually. Thank them for their previous hard work. Let them know, however key rings, that in this tough economy, you’re raising the performance standards you expect from them. Just because the economy has taken a downturn does not mean your customer satisfaction levels should as well. Set the standard, give them a timeline to achieve it, and inform them of the consequences if they don’t. Set timelines between 30 and 60 days. Stick to the date, or you and the program will lose credibility.
Present expectations in the form of store numbers, performance, and everything that goes with them, including sales, gross margins, profits, average sale, add-on sales, repair sales, average event, largest store sale, training ability, associate accountability, personal sales, conversion rates, employee turnover, shrink, etc.
Both performers and nonperformers know who they are-the numbers don’t lie. Although it’s important for the owner or manager to offer help, encouragement, and solutions as needed, make it clear that it’s up to each associate to achieve the objectives you’ve set forth. Make sure your managers understand and agree with the new standards.
Do a similar assessment with your managers. Raise the bar on your expectations for them as well, both in terms of team leadership and personal objectives. Stress that if the team is not performing, it reflects on them.
Once you have your new goals in place, you should know within a week who will rise to the occasion and who won’t. For the underperformers, put in motion your back-up plan (which you should always have in place) to find their replacements.
The silver lining in this dark economic cloud is that it presents the ideal opportunity to necklaces perfect your staff. Expect nothing less than greatness from them. If they are not performing to your expectations and you have given them sufficient warning (both verbal and written), do not hesitate to replace them.
Make sure replacements are better performers, or you’ll be back where you started. This may mean upping your compensation to ensure you attract the best, or utilizing the services of a recruiting firm. The investment will be worth it. Consider the time and money you would spend trying to jump-start an underperformer who may revert to his old ways after a few weeks or months. Compare that to the increased sales and opportunities that recruiting and hiring a top performer can generate for your business.
A 19-year-old man is under arrest after police say he stole a watch from a downtown Tiffany and co jewelry story Sunday after he told an employee he had a gun.
Milwaukee police said the suspect entered the Gold’N Jewels store at 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. about 2:30 p.m. He initially asked to see a ring but then asked to look at a $150 Super Techno-brand watch, which he put into his pocket as he claimed to have a gun, according to Milwaukee police Sgt. Mark Stanmeyer.
The suspect threatened to shoot the employee as he demanded money, but then ran off.
Security workers from the Shops at Grand Avenue ran after the man and flagged down two Milwaukee police officers, Nathan Jurvelin and Timothy Ptaszek, on Wisconsin Avenue.
The officers caught the suspect inside the Doubletree Hotel, 611 W. Wisconsin Ave., where he was arrested. No gun was found.
J. Spencer’s stores at Utica Square and south Tulsa will both host trunk shows for Ayala Bar tiffany jewelry this week.
The show will be Thursday at Utica Square, then Friday and Saturday at the 8303 S. Memorial Drive location.
This season’s collection features whimsical floral fabrics and beautiful seasonal colors, said the store’s namesake, Julie Spencer. Bar, an Israeli designer, has added some very interesting and unique metal elements, as well.
Plus, her collection has introduced new, lower prices “for women to indulge without feeling as guilty,” Spencer said.
For more, call either the Utica store at 749-2919 or the south Tulsa location, 250-5587.
You can also visit tulsaworld.com/jspencer.
Single? Get your bidding britches on — and make a wish.
Oklahoma Magazine will present its fourth annual “Single In The City” party 6 p.m. earrings Friday at Jewel, 3340 S. Peoria Ave.
In addition to live music, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue at Utica Square, the event features a charity auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Also, 12 of the area’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes will participate in a live singles auction. Proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish.
Tickets are $20 in advance at the magazine’s Tulsa office, 2424 E.
21st St, Suite 150. Or you can pay $25 at the door the night of the event.
For more, call 744-6205.
Lancome at Belk in both Tulsa and Owasso will each host a makeup artist event March 3-7.
In addition to offering free makeovers to customers, Lancome counters will introduce the line’s newest mineral makeup, spring color and a new skin-care launch, said Stephanie Harrison, the Lancome counter manager at the Tulsa store.
It’s also gift-with-purchase time, she added. With any $29.50 purchase, you get Absolue day and Absolue night, as well as two lipsticks, key rings four eye shadows and a mascara. And when you order more than $55, you receive a bonus gift of a lipstick and three Juicy Tube lip glosses.
For more, call either the Tulsa Belk at 447-6823 or Owasso’s, 272-0062.
You can make room in your closet for new spring stuff and buff your karma at the same time.
That’s thanks to Goodwill Industries International, who’s partnering with Ann Taylor Loft stores for the “Out with the Old, Save on the New” event.
From Monday through March 8, customers who donate their gently worn pants at any Loft store — including those at Utica Square and Woodland Hills Mall — will receive $15 off each full-price pant purchase. All donated pants from the partnership will be sold in Goodwill retail stores, and the revenues will help fund Goodwill job-training programs and support services.
The event will feature fit experts at Loft stores to help clients discover their perfect pant personality. Loft offers three feminine and fashionable pant fits to suit virtually any body type: Ann, a classic fit; Marissa, a modern fit; and Julie, a curvy fit.
For more, visit tulsaworld.com/anntaylorloft.
Women seeking natural hair-care alternatives have a new choice at drug and grocery stores.
Pantene recently introduced its Pro-V Nature Fusion collection. The Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion shampoos contain the proprietary cassia complex, which leaves hair naturally radiant and strong against damage. The Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion conditioners contain naturally derived ingredients to help improve manageability and leave hair beautifully conditioned.
The new line also includes the Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Smoothing Creme, a styling aid that primes hair for styling. The rich formula creates a sleek finish by combating frizz and helping lock in moisture, while also resisting humidity ($5.99).
It, along with the shampoos and conditioners ($3.99 each), are available in drug, grocery and mass-market retail stores nationwide starting this month.
For more, visit tulsaworld.com/ necklaces.
– Jason Ashley Wright,
World Scene Writer
A local custom jewelry shop is the first in Florida to receive new technology aimed at bringing customized tiffany jewellery to the masses.
Customers now can alter designs through a Visual Display Case, a touch-screen computer with more than 1,000 designs.
“Our clients don’t want run-ofthe-mill stuff,” said Joshua Griffin, Creative Gems co-owner.
Griffin and business partner Nick Adamson have been producing pendants jewelry at Creative Gems, 203-B, W. 23rd St., since they opened in 2006. The idea was to have the newest technology and designs. The VDC allows the shop to hold less inventory and offer more designs.
In May, Griffin and Adamson are the first store owners trained to use the VDC, said Matt Lauzon, president and founder of Paragon Lake, which created the VDC. About 45 stores nationwide have the VDC, he said.
“This is an opportunity to get new and fresh inventory,” Lauzon said.
The display is updated with designs from about 75 designers every two weeks. Custom Gems has its own custom jewelry line, Bellamore, which is uploaded to the digital display. Jewelry can sit unsold for years, so having the digital earrings jewelry display case saves stores money, Lauzon said.
Lauzon said mass-customizing jewelry will be a market trend. Everything from cars to business cards are being customized, he said. “More and more customers are leaning to personalization,” Lauzon said.
Paragon Lake gets about eight orders daily, courtesy of the VDCs. At the jewelry shop, customers can scroll through earring, bracelet, pendent and ring designs, selecting different metals and gems. Once an order is placed, Paragon Lake creates the piece and mails it to the store, where the client picks it up.
Creative Gems has a high-tech, interactive Web site and software and hardware for customizing, but Adamson still creates hand-made pieces, repairs jewelry and watches and sketches new designs on paper with his father, who is a retired jeweler.
“We have the VDC, which is an awesome technology, be we also have hand-made key rings jewelry,” Adamson said.
“We still do old school.”
“We could spend millions in promotions, like the competition — or we can put the cash in our customers’ pockets. We prefer to pay our customers higher prices,” says Michael Gusky, whose company, GoldFellow.com has a top rating from the Better Business Bureau, while other gold buyers have consumer complaints listed against them on the BBB’s Website at www.bbb.org.
Gusky created GoldFellow.com to provide consumers with a safe, competitive and easy method to sell unwanted gold, sterling silver and platinum.
A 30-year gold industry veteran who sold his gold buy tiffany jewelry manufacturing company to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway in 2007, Gusky attributes GoldFellow’s(TM) success and rapid growth to a higher level of trust achieved through his company’s transparent business practices and higher payments.
According to the company’s Web site, www.goldfellow.com, GoldFellow’s(TM) competitive differences include providing every customer with free FedEx(R) shipping and insuring each package for $1,000. Its complete online payment schedule is updated daily and, unlike many competitors, GoldFellow(TM) customers must see and accept their offer before they are paid.
“We pride ourselves on being the most responsive to gold sellers and offering some of the best prices and practices in the industry,” says Gusky, who strongly recommends reading a gold buyer’s Website and comparing policies and pricing before choosing where to sell their gold.
“Ask how much you will be paid for one pennyweight of 14 karat gold bangles jewelry and compare prices. Ask if you will be notified of your value before you’re paid,” he suggests.rings “And for goodness sake, never agree to drop your valuables in a regular mailbox. There’s no record or proof that it has been mailed — and it’s not insured although many of our competitors would like you to believe otherwise.”
The city of Mission Viejo issued the following news release:
The Planning and Transportation Commission on Monday gave the green light for demolition of a 5,663-square-foot vacant commercial building along Marguerite Parkway, clearing the way for construction of a 5,937-square-foot Jared tiffany jewelry building.
Jared Jewelry, which opened is first store in 1993, touts its superior customer service, selection of well-priced jewelry that is said to be five times the selection of competitors and overall shopping experience. Jared the Galleria of Jewelry necklaces, a division of Sterling Jewelers, Inc. with its parent company, Signet Jewelers Limited, is the largest specialty retail jeweler in the world.
The new building, which will be housed in the former Sid’s Steak House site, will feature green building methods that fall in line with proposed improvements for College Center along with architectural elements reminiscent of the City’s Civic Center. The proposed architectural style incorporates Coronado stone treatments and earth-tone colors along with a tower element, mahogany stain wood trim, eagle roof tile and burgundy awnings.
The building will have a maximum height of 35 feet to the top of the tower.
For more information about the project, contact Paul Wolenski of Sterling Jewelers at 330-668-5006 or project architect Ron Underwood of Bickel Underwood at 949-757- 0411. For more information about US Fed News contract awards please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, US Fed News frank gehry, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.
Chuck Wilson, 949/470-3024.
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