What's New With You (or me)

Howdy friends!  Sneaking in a quick second to give a "What's New With Me" update.  As some of you know, my husband and I own a small business - a fine  jewellery store.  He's the jeweller, designer, watchmaker, and all-around big boss man.  His 75 year old father still works 4 days a week doing watch repairs and restorations.  I am sales, marketing, social media, and the face on the front line.  After months and months of deep discussions, we made a BIG announcement yesterday.  This went out as a blast on our facebook and to our customer data base:

ANNOUNCEMENT! 

To all of our much valued clients and supporters,

After almost 12 years in North Sydney, the time has come for a new venture. Pola Jewellers have made the decision to close shop when our lease expires in December 2016. We have come to know so many of you as friends, and we have loved having the opportunity to work with all of you over the years.

Starting Wednesday, the 31st of August (today!), we will be slashing prices on all of our stock. We have a lot of items to move, and it is a perfect opportunity for anyone who wants fine quality jewellery at a ridiculously low price. Hurry in because stock won't last long.

We would love to see each and every one of you before we go, if for nothing else than to have a chat and let you know what the future holds. Pop in, have a look, and say hello.

Looking forward to seeing all of you,
Neil, Graham, and Erin Pola

P.S. Neil and Erin will be starting a new and exciting business venture early next year, and we will update you as those plans fall into place.

Here's our shop...................

We have received an overwhelming amount of response, support, and sales.  The last two days have been busier than Christmas Eve sales. 

Yesterday, when we left the store (4 hours after closing!), I said "I didn't even get to read any blogs or do book challenge stuff today!"  Neil's response......well, really, it doesn't need to be repeated.  He just doesn't understand why blog & book challenge stuff is so important, well, during business hours at least.  haha!

And, we have A LOT more designs and stock to get manufactured and into the windows.  I've been organizing all of the gemstones we own, and Neil and I have been working together on designs for him to create.  You know, in his spare time. 

So, I may be a little absent from my usual blogger interaction.  I enjoy this space and many of the relationships I've developed, so I won't be totally absent.  Just not around everyday as much as usual.  You understand.  I know you do.  In fact, I feel stupid for even writing this paragraph.  Moving on.

Hey - want to see some pretty sparkly things?  Check us out:  http://www.polajewellers.com/

Linking up with Kristen and Gretchen:

That's what's new with me!  What's new with you??

Helpful Tips Before You Visit Your Local Jewellery Store or Watch Repair Shop

(Yes, I spelled that "Jewellery"; I bounce between American English and Australian English; judge me all you want.)

My guy made this - how good is he??

For the last five-ish years, I have been working at my guy's shop.  Quick rundown: My guy is a manufacturing jeweller and watchmaker; his dad is a watchmaker; they are business partners.  My guy primarily makes, repairs, restores, and redesigns jewellery.  His dad repairs and restores watches.  I pretty much do everything else.  We have one part-time employee.  We are a small family business.  We pride ourselves on that.  Between the three of us, we have over 75+ years in the jewellery trade and customer service industries.

Working in a retail shop, we get all kinds of customers walking through the doors from the sweetest and kindest to the rudest and dumbest...and everything in between.  Admittedly, there were some things that I was ignorant about or just hadn't been in the market myself to research or know about watches and jewellery.  So, I've listed some things that might help you be a more informed customer and get better service from your local jeweller and/or watchmaker.

WATCHES

• When your watch battery dies, get it changed at a proper shop preferably with a tradesman on site.  Do not believe the marketing machine of branded watches that tell you that you must take it back to them; they only want more of your money and usually charge you more than a local shop does.  Also, if they have to send it off site for repair, usually you are charged more (due to courier and processing fees).  
• When your watch battery dies, get it changed right away.  Some people leave their watches in a drawer or on a shelf for months before taking it in for a battery change.  (I used to do this myself.)  Old/dead batteries can leak and corrode if left too long in the watch.  
• If your watch is 50m, 100m, 200m (5atm, 10atm, 20atm) water resistant, pay the small extra fee for a water resistance test.  (We charge $18 for a water resistance test; we've heard of businesses charging $60 for the test itself. My personal opinion, that is over-charging, but I'd rather pay for good service that is done correctly, than not have it done well.) If the test is performed, they should be responsible against any water entry for a set period of time.
•  Most watch batteries last approximately two to two and a half years.  Yes, some are designed  to last longer, but if you are getting two and half years battery life, you're good.
• Do not go into a small local store and spend a lot of time with the sales associate asking product knowledge questions and trying on a lot of watches if you intend to go straight to the internet to search for the watch at a cheaper price.  It's rude.
• Many old watches that you may inherit have the possibility to be repaired or restored.  You may have to pay a little bit of extra money, but if it is a sentimental piece, it may be worth it (depending on the brand and/or movement or spare parts that are needed, a full service on an older/vintage watch may cost somewhere in the $120 - $750 range).

 JEWELLERY

•  If something is priced too good to be true, it probably is.
• You get what you pay for.
• Quality jewellery pieces and labor are going to cost money.  
• When working within a budget, find a jeweller that you can talk to and trust.  They can and will give you options to achieve what you want at a sensible budget (based on what you want and can afford).  
• Time and personal contact is valuable.  If you want personal time and personal attention to your jewellery item, be willing to know there is value in that. 
• Do not go into a small local store and spend a lot of time with the sales associate asking product knowledge questions, trying on a lot of jewellery items, and taking pictures of items if you intend to go straight to the internet to search for that item at a cheaper price.  It's rude.  It IS a part of this business for people to look at different items, try on different styles, and consider their purchase.  But, don't be discourteous and use a person that is providing quality customer service, if your intention is to buy it from the cheapest online store.
• Remember the six above rules for jewellery purchases, and you will be ahead of the game.

Jewellery is a little more difficult to write in just 5 or 6 bullet points, because there are a lot of variables to consider depending on why you need a jeweller.  I could list things to know if you're buying a diamond; things to consider if you're buying a gift for someone; things to prepare yourself for during a redesign or custom made piece, things to know when getting something repaired, the importance of sincerity, integrity, and communication between client and jeweller...and the list goes on.

All jewellery pieces in pictures were designed and created by POLA Jewellers.

If anyone in my blogosphere has any questions about this topic, don't hesitate to ask.

List #22 - Sparkle and Shine at The Oscars

I sell jewelry/jewellery.  My guy is a jeweler/jeweller.  (I really get confused between my American/Australian spellings sometimes.)  When I watch awards shows, I'm often looking at the jewels.  It's no secret that most (pretty much all) of the jewels worn are lent to the stars as a marketing scheme, and I love looking at the stunning creations.  This year's Academy Awards may have been the best in my recollection for "wow" pieces of jewellery.  I kept notes while I watched the red carpet and awards show.  These are the 10 pieces of jewellery that made the biggest impact in a positive way (there were a couple of statement pieces that I wasn't digging, but I'm keeping this post positive).  In no particular order:

1.  Oprah Winfrey's earrings - The first time they showed Miss O in the audience, I gasped at those earrings, and I wanted to know more.  Is that white and rose gold?  Are those pink diamonds?  I'm not sure because I can't find jewellery credit anywhere (and I'm writing this late enough that there are definitely plenty of articles out there listing jewellery sources).  In my make believe world, I'm going to say since Oprah has more money that the rest of the folks on this list combined, that she might actually own those earrings.  But, that's just a wild guess. 

2.  America Ferrera's earrings by Irene Neuwirth - She was the first celebrity that Ryan Seacrest interviewed for E's red carpet special.  I couldn't stop looking at the one-of-a-kind earrings - the use of the opals surrounded by interestingly set diamonds - they are a gorgeous color set against America's dark locks.

3.  Common's brooch by Fred Leighton - I think he was the best dressed man of the night giving the best speech of the night wearing the best brooch of the night, a sapphire and diamond stunner. 

4.  Jessica Chastain's necklace by Piaget - After Jessica is finished with this diamond choker, Piaget can ship it to me to borrow anytime. I love the way the marquise cut diamonds lay in this necklace.

 

 5.  Laura Dern's ring by Bulgari - Laura Dern was nominated for her part in the movie "Wild" based on the story written by Cheryl Strayed.  This masterpiece of a ring was worn in honor of Strayed's mother who died of lung cancer (and who Dern portrayed in the movie).  It was created using the American Lung Association's symbolic color.  Read more about it here.

6.  Kerry Washington's earrings by Fred Leighton - When Kerry presented during the awards ceremony, I'm pretty sure I didn't listen to a word she said.  I was too distracted by the pink sapphire and diamond ear pendants.

7.  Nupita Nyong'o's pearl bodice by Calvin Klein Collection - Reportedly, this dress consisted of 6000 pearls.  It is a work of art and perfect for her skin.  How heavy was it?  How many fittings?  Was it comfortable to sit in?  I don't know, but she looks absolutely incredible, and these pearls only enhance her beauty.

The final 3 - Well, the Aussie gals who couldn't be beat................

8.  Naomi Watts' earrings by Anna Hu - Gimme, gimme, gimme these sapphire and diamond showstoppers!  That's all I gotta say.

9.  Cate Blanchett's statement necklace by Tiffany & Co. - Seriously.  I can't imagine this necklace worn by anyone else for this event.  Turquoise, aquamarines, and diamonds.  All enhancing the color of her eyes.  

10.   Margot Robbie's necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels - Originally commissioned for the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson - well, doesn't that say it all?  It was created for royalty.  Diamonds, Gold, Sapphire tassel, with a zipper styling.  You could tell Margot felt like one lucky girl to be wearing this piece of art.

Photo sources:  getty images, zimbio, dailymail.co.uk, hollywoodreporter.com, fashionmagazine.com, fashionsizzle.com

Hi ho, hi ho...it's off to work I go

Work.  I'm not cut out for work.  I should totally be a lottery winner who splits her time traveling, shopping, cuddling animals, volunteering, going to concerts, eating, and reading.  BUT...I haven't won the lottery, and there's no trust fund that I'm aware of.  Work, it is.

My guy is a jeweler/jeweller (I'm a Texan in Australia; there's two spellings for things that my mind bounces between) who owns his own store.  He is jeweller, problem solver, designer, watchmaker, bill payer, and more.  I am his right hand WO-man.  I sell shiny, sparkly things.  I'm the visual merchandiser for the store, take care of the customers, run our facebook page (shameless plug: POLA Jewellers on facebook), and more.  I'm not all that tech savvy, but guess what I did... I created our website, and I think it looks pretty dang good.  Shout out to wix for making it as user-friendly as I could ask for. I worked really, really hard on it...so if you care enough to read this post, then you should care enough to go take a look at the page -----> POLA Jewellers.  Here's a piece of what you will see there: