Posted by Monica on February 27, 2015 -
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Ringly has arrived. I was so excited to see that box, after months and months of teaser emails (“more delays in securing our required stone quality…”), that I may or may not have shredded the cardboard getting into it. I placed my order for Ringly after reading significant…
Posted by Monica on February 9, 2015 -
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Tourmaline, tsavorite, Paraiba, beryl. Druzy, rutile, slabs of agate. Specimens as big as a couch. Jewelry designers in tshirts and sunglasses, spending their entire budget in their first 5 hours at the show. Famous jewelry personalities eating tacos from food trucks…
Posted by Monica on February 3, 2015 -
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If you’re been following my adventures on Instagram, you already know that my recent visit to the VICENZAORO jewelry show in Italy was pretty much a treasure trove of gorgeous jewels. VICENZAORO’s tagline is “The Future. Now.” I saw some definite…
Posted by Monica on January 30, 2015 -
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I am leaving my first VICENZAORO jewelry show with that singular mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. The exhaustion is likely from trans-atlantic travel and an exciting pace of activities that VICENZAORO show organizers set up. The exhilaration…
Posted by Monica on January 15, 2015 -
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In one week, I’ll be on Italian soil. About an hour from Venice, there is a town with an illustrious goldsmith tradition: Vicenza, Italy. This city is now synonymous with an international jewelry tradeshow: VICENZAORO. I’m so excited and honored to be able to attend and see a truly…
Posted by Monica on December 23, 2014 -
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Have you read the recent Vanity Fair article about Angelina Jolie? According to the author, as the ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, she shows up early to UNHCR meetings, ready to take notes. She travels to some…
Posted by Monica on December 22, 2014 -
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Graceful transition is a theme for Malak Atut of ZAIKEN Jewelry. Personally, she embodies modern transition through her roles as jewelry designer, mom, business owner, and President of the Contemporary Jewelry Design Group. She spends her days…
Posted by Monica on December 10, 2014 -
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It’s hard not to love Julie Romanenko of Just Jules. She has a vibrant personality and flawless style (and plenty of baked goods at her trade show booth). I especially admire the way she re-purposes vintage jewelry that is unloved or unworn, by giving it new life in rings, pendants…
Posted by Monica on December 8, 2014 -
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For this Holiday Season, I will be featuring a different designer, experience or idea each day. Over the six years of this blog, I’ve done jewelry gift ideas under $500, and Luxury lists, and everything in between. This year is about…
Posted by Monica on December 1, 2014 -
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“Karibu!” This word means welcome in Swahili, and welcomed I was throughout my visit to Tanzania. The word feels like a hug when spoken by the generous residents of Arusha. I traveled to Tanzania for the November 2014 Arusha Gem Fair…