Hello friends!

I was delighted to re-visit a store where I have a personal history and to see how they have remained relevant and true to themselves at the same time. 

It is architecturally evocative of a jewelry box opening to reveal treasures. Hale's does not disappoint on any level. 

For me the space is defined by a suspended sculpture that creates a luxurious atmosphere conducive to a high-end jewelry store. The voluminous curves respond to the changing natural light throughout the day and function as lighting somewhat akin to the floating candles of the dining hall at Hogwarts. Yes, it is magical. And I can think of no better place to make a memorable jewelry purchase. As it should be!

James Moseley of The Heirloom Companies was commissioned to created the lighting by DP3 Architects, both local firms. Even the custom-designed rug was made locally by Milliken, just up the road. 

​If you are driving through the Carolinas on your way to anywhere, do stop by. 
​They are at the very convenient crossroads of I85 in Greenville SC. Say hello to Shannon and Lucian, and bask in the diamonds and that sigh-worthy lighting.

Have a lovely weekend, y'all. 
Here's the link.

The overwhelm that 1900 experienced as he looked at New York from the gangway resonates. Overwhelm, which feels so 21st Century, is nothing new. However, the expectations created by social media is a new phenomena and unchartered waters. 

In Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem, Kevin DeYoung states "The biggest deception of our digital age may be the lie that says we can be omni-competent, omni-informed, and omni-present...
We must choose our absences, our inability, and our ignorance-and choose wisely."

Let's all take a breath and breathe that one in. That requires more time and attention than the energy it takes to double tap a heart. All those webinars and all those white papers that promise a deeper understanding really just cause us to be superficially knowledgable about more.  
 
I recall being very deliberate at the start of my jewelry career to know as little as possible about watches. I knew gemstones and focused on pearls. I also got realistic about my inabilities. Bookkeeping and some bench activities were delegated pretty quickly. Marketing was not going to be outsourced. I drilled down deeply into the nuances of email marketing. Twitter was eschewed. Likewise, Facebook. Instagram embraced on my terms.    

​In another view from New York City on the pervasiveness of social media, Fran Lebowitz, who has a landline and a physical address... no social, no smart phone, no devices, said it well in her collaboration with Martin Scorsese on the Netflix original Pretend It's a City: "I don't have these things not because I don't know what they are. I don't have these things because I do know. That's why I don't have them." 

{As a side note, the very best part of Pretend It's a City is not Lebowitz's one liners. It is Scorsese's infectious laughter that punctuates their conversations. He chuckles, giggles, guffaws throughout the entire series. An unintended consequence: I'm pretty sure I'll hear his laughter in the background the next time I watch one of his movies.}

When everything seems possible, very little really is. 
Choose your 88 keys and choose wisely.    

I re-visited this movie and if you haven't seen it, I hope you can treat yourself to it this weekend. And do share your feelings about this unsung masterpiece.
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There's a beginning and an end.
It's 2 hours and 50 minutes.
​That's finite. And transcendent. 

The same man who said "There are no second acts in American lives." also gave us these timeless words excerpted here. (Scroll to the bottom to see the entire quote in digitally antiquated letterpress.)
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I prefer the more optimistic of the two quotes... 
Second acts are American at their very core and this article celebrates the accomplishments of three designers: Gina Ferranti, Emily Kuvin, and Robin Labb. Each brings innate intelligence, talent and drive to their jewelry businesses. They also bring something else to the table... proven skill sets from previous careers.
​And this makes all the difference. 
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​Three amazing designers.
​Three inspiring stories.
Three distinct aesthetics. 
And lots of  mouth-watering, wearable jewelry that you'll want in your jewelry box and on your body. 

Click on the image to be taken to the digital edition of Jewelers Suite Magazine. ​
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Please reach out to me if you'd like me to put you directly in touch with Emily, Robin, or Gina. They're as nice as their jewelry is beautiful.
​I'd love to connect you. 
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As promised, the quote in its entirety. 
Could his words be more contemporary for a weary and divided world, emerging from a pandemic?
These sentiments are perfect for 2021, for spring, for where ever you may be in your journey. 

And always, many thanks to Ann Glynn at Jeweler's Suite Magazine for guidance and patience during my third or fourth act. I've lost track... 

On an early morning walk in Falls Park I spied with my little eye an amazing piece of signage that intrigued me. The tasteful logo led me to case after case of beautiful writing instruments. And I fell in love with fountain pens all over again. My old Pelican took a turn in the ultrasonic on my bench.

For the jewelers reading this, see how this innovative retailer leverages all things digital. Pernicious comparison to another jeweler isn't going to happen here. Relax, read, and simply observe and learn. 

For anyone planning a trip to Greenville, this store is a must see to make your visit complete. There are plenty of gateway pens to begin this creative journey. The charming downtown is completely walkable with interesting places to explore all along the away. Truphae is at the top of Falls Park, just off South Main Street and on Instagram @truphae_inc.

Tap the pages below to be taken to Jewelers Suite Magazine.

Flip on over to page 30 for a three minute read.

I'd really love to know how you are hiring differently since 2020 and what digital adaptations you'll be making. 
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I'm not accident prone.
Really. I'm not.
Things just happen. 

So ever use the scotch tape method of removing a splinter from your finger successfully? Me neither. Now imagine being given a roll of duct tape. 
Same principle, but I've gotten ahead of myself. 

February was feeling a little off this year. 
I'm not suppose to be here. I'm suppose to be in Tucson. 
It's more than a tradition, it has become part of the rhythm of my personal and professional lives, something I have basically taken for granted. Don't get me wrong. I admire all the efforts at a virtual Tucson, and I want to support everyone that I can, but the sense of place for all things Tucson is integral for me and at this point, my screen fatigue for Zoom and IG is real. 

Tucson 2020 was approached with a "wait and see" attitude and then an abundance of caution was exercised once I decided to go. There was this thing lurking... known then as the Corona virus. Abundant hand washing solved all worries.

​I went with a designer who had never been as her Tucson sherpa. Knowing her taste, her nascent collections, and her upcoming events, I was able to tailor the Tucson experience for her by getting her in front of the right vendors at the right shows as efficiently as possible. And taking pictures along the way documenting her journey. It was wonderful seeing Tucson through her eyes.

I also thought I was exercising an abundance of caution as I moved in for the close up of a bird nest at the airport. A delicate shelter, precariously built among the needles of a cactus. An architectural wonder that would prove safe shelter from any predator or overly eager tourist with an iPhone. 

Masks were still a novelty and largely unworn. Social distancing was still not really a thing and besides, in what other city could an event like Tucson even take place? It is precisely the sprawl between all the events that make it possible. We were there for four days and covered a lot of ground. Pacing photo opps with buying and visiting with new friends and old. 

Tucson really is the "Happy New Year" to the jewelry industry. It's when we get back to business after Christmas sales and the recovery and planning period of January because one cannot buy and invest properly without a plan. I call it my "script." I can deviate from it, because let's face it, Tucson is there to show you things you hadn't even dreamed of! But at least it helps structure your time there. Don't leave home without it.  

The slow, gentle pace of the Caribbean came to an end and life in Atlanta resumed to the strange, slow pace of the COVID lockdown. There was yet another trip in this back to back month of travel. This time to a gray and snowy Tennessee.  

One minute I'm talking gemstones and design by an outdoor fireplace, watching a glorious Tucson sunset, the next I'm discussing wedding plans with my daughter-in-law in Brazil, and then a name in my caller ID appears and I knew instantly what it meant. There was that call from a friend in Atlanta letting me know our mutual friend had died.

I was stunned. Not shocked, her health had been precarious. But entirely unready for the conversation that ensued. He knew that, but he also needed help contacting people and making plans. In reality, I did very little. 

It was the beginning of the repercussions of loss and grief. 
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It's the hilarious texts I probably miss the most. And the long conversations filled with her brilliant insights and wicked sense of humor. The times we prayed together when I knew I had indeed been prayed for. Her innate bravery as she faced the daily betrayals of her body. She's still around, active in my thoughts and memories. More sweet than sad, I know that she is truly alive, now more than ever. 

February 2020 was a blurry study in contrasts. The inspiration of the desert temporarily populated with gem dealers. A happy occasion marked by walks along the surf. Followed by the mountains of Tennessee for a formal goodbye that began a year marked by waves of grief that swell and recede with no predictability.

So much transpired that month... in minutes, in hours, and in days. 

And here we are.
March 2021.
Birds are singing, the buds are firmly set on the trees, and brave flowers are starting to bloom. 
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Be brave, friends. 
Be brave. 
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Hey Y'all. 
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HNY and Happy MLK day!

It's bracingly cold in the Upstate of South Carolina. I'm always more than a little surprised at how raw even 50 can feel when the wind and the humidity and lack of sun conspire together to give us winter... Southern style.
My daughter in Michigan, where they haven't gotten above freezing in weeks, has reminded me of just how ridiculous I am to complain. Still, it makes "cozy" a lovely priority. 

Two new articles published in Jeweler's Suite Magazine are linked here.  
The first, Make/Made is a store that has COVID-proofed their business with a trifecta of revolving gallery retail, custom design/repairs, and an educational roster that keeps people coming back for more. You'll find that article on pages 26-28.

In the second article, I reviewed a few planners for 2021 and talked to lots of very busy and productive people (Duvall O'Steen, Patricia Mweene of Inonge Zita, Lawrence Roth of Virtual Diamond Boutique, Gigi Ferranti and Nico Glover to name a few) in the jewelry industry about their favorite ways to stay on course. I took a look at Michael Hyatt & Company's Full Focus planner and also Sacred Ordinary, which feels more timely than ever. I have been using the Simplified Planner by Emily Ley for a few weeks now and I declare it the Goldilock's Winner... not too granular, not too vague, not too big, not too small, but just right! It dovetails beautifully with how I use Evernote, Trello, and my google calendar. Simplified encourages prioritization and so it doesn't let me over plan my days and weeks. For that, I'm grateful. That story appears on pages 4 - 8 and is linked below. ​

​In the next issue I'll be exploring the state of trade shows and their alternatives: virtual, private events, and smaller shows. The interviews have begun, so please forward me any questions you have about the near-future of trade events! At the time of this writing, JIS Miami is a go and so is the Atlanta Jewelry Show. Tucson, an integral part of my calendar for many years, has been effectively cancelled by the majors. February will feel strange without it. In an upcoming blog I reflect on my Tucson experiences. I'll let you know when I post. 

The Jewel Vox is developing a lot of useful tools for designers and stores to download as you continue to develop your businesses and tell your stories.
Stay tuned. Stay warm. And have a great week.  

​Kindest regards, lwM

Hey Y'all.

Hard to believe it is almost Thanksgiving and that we are homing in on December! I've been busy with writing (mostly website content), consulting (mostly designers), and coaching (again, mostly designers) and enjoying every minute of it as we prepare for an end of year unlike any other.
 
Linked here are two recent articles that were published for the November/December issue of Jeweler's Suite Magazine. Ann Glynn is at the helm and she is creating something good for the industry. A publication that is practical and insightful for the jewelry professional.
 
Ann asked me to cover the grand opening of the Anna Zuckerman Luxury boutique in Boca Raton. It's gorgeous and bound to be the jewelry shopping  destination this season. AZL is uniquely poised as a brick and mortar, online seller, and a manufacturer/wholesaler. I got to meet Anna at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in October. She's even prettier in person, funny, charming and obviously smart. Meeting her was a highlight of the show. Special thanks to Duvall O'Steen for coordinating interviews and images. The image above is linked to the article. 

Secondly, in a series "of conversations with prognosticators, visionaries, and super smart people who know our industry and seek to make us better and smarter" I got to feature Daniel Black and Glass-Media. Not a household name in the jewelry industry, not yet anyway, Glass-Media is transforming the storefront to drive more traffic. And once in the store, Glass-Media creates an atmosphere limited only by your imagination. To read more, tap on the image below to open the November/December issue of Jeweler's Suite Magazine. 
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So here are the quiz questions: 1. Does the AZL Collection mesh with your current inventory to round out December sales? 2. Which applications of augmented reality do you see gaining traction in the jewelry industry?

Tell me in the comments below or at lwM@thejewelvox.com
As always, thanks for reading!