Gold Fill vs. Gold Plated

I sell items that are 14kt gold fill, the chain I use, the metal I use to make pieces, etc.  When I do shows most people never ask what the difference is between gold fill and gold plated.  I usually ask them if they know, and they often say "no", but still don't ask me to explain the difference.

Why do I think it is important for someone to know the difference, well because it's like understanding the difference between non-fat milk and regular milk, you want to know what your getting.

So, gold plated is a base metal with one layer of gold over it, it rubs off quickly.  I recently bought a necklace in vegas that was gold plated, and let me tell you within weeks it was the color of the base metal.

Gold fill is a base metal with layers of gold-pressure bonded to it.  It lasts for a long time and is worth more than gold plated, although many people think they are the same.

Vermeil is a layer of gold over sterling silver, but it, like gold plated, wears off quickly, but at least you have sterling silver left at that point.

So now you know.  It's important to know.  You don't want to walk away with regular milk when you want non-fat!!

Christmas Eve

I think I have mentioned that I have a little boy.  He is the love of my life and also 2 and a half years old.  What does that mean?  Well he is on top of everything, climbing, running, and just plain so active.  I love it, never dull, and thus far I have been very fortunate that he hasn't got hurt, until today.

He busted his lip, not just in one place, but in several.  Blood everywhere and that is no exaggeration.  I mean all over him, me, his mouth was full of it, my sweatshirt, his shirt, ugh, and I think that made it worse.  So then it was about stopping the bleeding, does he need stitches?, and all the other crazy things that come with it.  Not to mention that he was wearing one of his favorite truck shirts, its a crane, he loves trucks!  So far, I don't think he needs to get stitches, but I am also not a doctor, ha ha, although I like to think I know what I am doing.

The poor little guy kept saying, "Mommy I am hurt, I have coco." My heart breaks.

So, there it is, the first, of what I am sure will be many, accidents.   If I am lucky maybe this will be the last one, I will keep him in a bubble.  :)  #protectivemom #lovemyboy #loveofmylife #bubbleboy

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

Instagram and RGD

I am not much of a social media gal.  Actually, I find it hard to keep up with what I am doing, much less everyone else.  But I have found a friend in Instagram. 

I love Instagram, it's quick, fun, easy to use, and I can get my point across in just a few taps/clicks on the phone.  Facebook sometimes seems so cumbersome, and let's face it, people aren't on FB like they used to be.  But with Instagram, I get to put up my thoughts, post a pic that goes with them (or not) and walla you have a little story that goes with your jewelry.  Simple and easy.

Now if I could just link my Instagram to my FB to my Twitter to my...... LOL. #instagram #socialmedia #enjoytheride

So Blessed

I have had my business now for 10 years, which is a long time.  It is something that some months I think I am doing this and others I think "why?!", but I love designing/making/crafting jewelry, whatever you want to call it.  And there are many who love my work so then I think because it's fun.

But just recently I started to get some coverage for my little business.  I have a great PR firm who sought me out and they took me on.  I believe through them I have received more exposure then ever before, but recently Glamour UK magazine contacted me and then ELLE UK magazine.  Can you say "wonderful!".  So with that here is a sneak peek at the January issue, a few more to come, but I am excited.  Just a little mention, but a big deal for RGD!!

My Focus...

My focus has changed so much in the last few years.  For those of you who are moms, you get it.  Prior to my son, I spent all my time on me.  I once had someone ask me, "What do you do all day without children?", I thought it was a funny question, but now I get it.  And I only have one child, she has multiple and grandchildren, so I can only imagine.

I used to take long showers, go to the bathroom alone, read magazines, garden leisurely, take random trips, eat out whenever, go out whenever, but all that is different now.  Yes, my son is 2.  But for me, I have found, that he always comes first.

Before I go out to eat I make sure I have good healthy food for him, before I go anywhere I make sure his nap isn't coming, long showers are really unnecessary (nice, but not with the drought now) and most often he will call "mama" while I am in the shower, usually because he needs something. It's very cute and sweet. 

It's funny the things that I do now, or don't do, because of him.  I would rather spend the morning at the zoo now, or the afternoon at the children's museum.  I often take him to the play area at the park, the mall, or figure out what he might enjoy and we do that.  I love it!  Showing him the world is far better than my world before.

My little blessing, life is good!

Las Vegas was good

Las Vegas Accessories the show was good. I met some amazing people, made some new friends, and got some new accounts. As always I learned a lot. It's half the fun of doing the shows. What did I learn:

1.  I never know what a show will be like
2.  To laugh a little more at the shows
3.  To realize most of us are in it together
4.  That regardless of why I am in Vegas, I love that place

I had my son during the show so after the show each night we went to Circus Circus which is fun. To the mall. And just lookig around and running around the hotels. I even got out a little one night, some adult time.

So whats next?  I dont know. We will see.

Pictures say a 1000 words

One of the things I love about doing shows and selling my designs is the people I meet.  In some ways I gain more from them then anything else about a show.  I meet the store owners of course, and often develop good relationships with them.  They meet my son, I get to know about them, their lives, stores, etc.  It is nice to have constant new people in your life.

Then there are the other exhibitors at the show.  I learn so much from them.  I have learned the ins and outs of shows, what ones are good, what shows are out there, better ways to market, how to develop contracts, line sheets, the list goes on and on.  I have learned that I know so little, and still to this day I don't know much, about the business.  I have also met people who have helped my business literally.  They don't come around often, but trust me they are out there.  And when you do meet them, be gracious.

Recently another exhibitor, introduced me to her photographer, and that is why I have these lovely pictures now.  It's fabulous!  Her name is Sarah Kitsner and she takes amazing pics....and let me tell you, for me, her pictures say at LEAST 1000 words! 

Jewelry and the Ocean

I was recently fortunate to spend some time in Mexico.  Cabo San Lucas to be exact.  There are lots of places people love to go, but I love the ocean.  If you have seen my jewelry then you probably get that feeling, that I am inspired by the ocean.

During my time there, I was able to do nothing but relax, well relax as much as a mother of a 2 year old can, but that is far more relaxing then I do at home. 

I was able to get a massage (the 2nd in 2 years), I ran on the beach, I stayed up later then usual, as did my son.  It was a great time!  But there was nothing as good as spending time on the beach, with the waves, in the ocean, with the sky above and the wonders below.  Oh it was spectacular!  What was even better about it was that I got to spend that time with my son.

It is fun to watch him fall in love with the sea as I have.  He says "ocean" and it is so sweet, but it also sounds like "oh shit" when he says it, which you can't help but laugh.  He speaks Spanish so he calls the beach playa and beach of course, but he loves the sand.  He loves in under his toes, in his hands and in a bucket.

Overall our time was great!!  I wouldn't change if for the world, well except to spend more time there!!

I Ubered It....

I finally did it.  I Ubered it.  Not sure if that is how you say it, but I did it.  And it was great!  It was quick.  I told my partner that we were trying something new, and he looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Uber isn't new".  Ok, so new to me.  How is that!!

We got picked up with ease and we were taken back home with ease while everyone was waiting for a cab.  I love this little app.  I want to create an app that does something like that.  So if you haven't tried this "new" thing called Uber.  You should so get on board.  It's quick, cheap, and way better than driving anytime!!!

Yeah to Uber!!

Running...In the Morning?

I used to get up every morning around 430/5 and run.  I loved it!  Ask anyone who knew me then and they knew that was what I did.  Then I had my little one.

Now I ran every morning until I was 7 months pregnant, then I switched to the elliptical trainer.  It was a hard switch but I made it.  After my little one was born, I had a C-section, I had to take 2 weeks off, then another 4 before I could run.  Then my running became a whole new game...running with a jogger.

Yes, it can be done.  And turns out it is a great way to get into shape.  5 months after my LO, I ran my first 1/2 half marathon post baby and did good.  Not as well as I had done the many years prior, but my body had been through a baby, so I had to give myself a break.  And since then I have run 5 more.  This last time with my best personal time: 7:51 min mile.  I was in heaven.

But what I have found is that being a mom, parent, there are stages.  I am now back to running in the mornings early, 445/5, once or twice a week and I enjoy it.  But there is a part of me that missed pushing my LO on those days.  It is good for me to run with friends and get out, but my life, though different, is so much richer now, pushing that wonderful jogger!!!

San Francisco

Is just around the corner.  It feels like every time it is around the corner I begin to blog.  Well for good reason, at least from my view at this time.  I love my new collection.  It is feeling more and more like me everyday.  My display is going well also.  Which is a much needed relief.

So here are a few pieces to be seen at the show: 

Amazon.....com

So it turns out Amazon.com is a big deal.  I have to say as a mother of a now 2 year old, I didn't spend much time shopping online the last two years.  I am a little old school, I like to touch things, make sure they are exactly as I want, before I but them.  Buying online is scary to me.  And so unsure.  Interesting that I sell my jewelry online isn't it?

So my son and I had a play date yesterday and we got to my friends house and she had some great toys.  I asked her where she obtained such toys, since they weren't at the local Toys R Us, that I have spent many an hour at as of recently.  She said, Oh we shop on Amazon.com.  I said what is this Amazon.com that you speak of....and abracadabra 5 hours later I am on Amazon.com.

So yes, I know I am late to the party.  I usually am, either physically, mentally, or in someway, mostly because I like my little world.  LOL.  But this is one party I find interesting.  I ordered a couple of things for my son, and we will see if they are what they say they are, if not, well I am sure you can guess the outcome of that.

Selling and buying online isn't easy.   Sometimes I wish people could see a 3-D picture of my work, I think it would help sales, and of course, touch it online, wouldn't that be fabulous!!!!  Someday!

I am back....

There is no way I haven't blogged in 5 months.  How can I possibly stay relevant?  I can't.

So what have I been doing.  I did the SFIGF and it was great, good new customers, faithful repeats and then of course my normal orders in between.  I just finished with that 2 weeks ago and was going to take "time off" but there is no such thing as time off when you own you...r own business.

So now I am planning for my next show.  Currently it will be POOL in Las Vegas at the Magic Show, but now I am wondering if I should to ATS at the same time, instead.  Oh what will be best.  The cost about the same....but who knows where the buyers will be. 

Trial and error can be very costly...and crazy.  Shows aren't easy, you sit there or stand, and try to stay in the moment.  Try not to get to out of the positive mode, but doing it for 4-5 days is a long time.  Some people are great at shows.  I am probably in the middle.

So what am I obsessed with right now??....new designs (that's always the case), but also what makes my line stand out.  I know that people will say oh well this one looks like yours, but usually I look at it and say...no that really doesn't.  But I am just thinking it all over.

Also trying to decide if I should open a 3rd shop, this one on Shopify.  But will need to get some help again.  I think. 

The one thing I do know, juggling it all is crazy!!  And sometimes the balls just drop to the floor.  But that's ok, I just pick them up again.  I promise not to wait another 5 months.

Finally It's Back?

I have for quite some time now been lost in my jewelry world.  And I don't mean that in a good way.  I mean that I haven't known if I like what I am doing, the designs, the textures, the amount of this, that and the other!?

But I feel as though I might be coming around.  How did it happen I don't know.  I got stuck in this place where people are always asking me, can you do this, can you do that?  And I would try to accommodate. It really started to take me out of a place that I was enjoying designing.  I wasn't enjoying doing it, because it wasn't me.

Now I know my jewelry isn't for everyone.  Or for that matter, even most people.  But if you know me, or have met me, I would think that you would say that my jewelry is a reflection of me.  That is what I want it to be.

So now, with show season upon us, I am back doing it, but not for others for me.  Which is nice.  I plan to continue but we will see.  Take a look....

I never thought I would

Be one of those moms who enters her child into a child cutie contest, or whatever you call them.  But I am, and I have.

I have people all day long that tell me my son is so cute, that he should model for GAP, or be on TV, etc.   Now many times you think people say those things to be nice, but I have to say, the kid is pretty cute.

So yesterday I fell into the trap and entered him into the cutest kid contest.  It's funny how personal it all becomes and you just wonder if he will win or not.  But regardless, he is mine and I think he is the cutest kid in the world!!!!
Happy New Year!!!