Sue Runyon Designs has been an official business for two months. Word is getting out and business is picking up. Thanks so much for all the support!
I have added many new items to my website and will continue to add new things every week. Keep checking back and remember that if something you see isn't quite what you want I can usually customize.
I have also added new features and services to the website. There is a "recommend this website to a friend" link at the bottom of each page, a very informative "Pearl Care Guide" and now you have the option of choosing complimentary gift wrap and of typing in special instructions at checkout.
JEWELRY TRENDS
According to fashion trend forcasts, the hot new colors to wear this Spring will be neutrals in the full range of natural skin tone colors from the palest ivory to deep mahogany. These neutrals will be beautifully set off by brights in berry, melon and citrus colors with a sprinkling of sky and water blues. Grey, which was so popular during the Fall and Winter, is not on the horizon for Spring and Summer except in the lightest platinum grey and silvery metallics. Jewelry pieces with lots of sparkle and shine are the hottest items. Swarovski and Czech fire polished crystals are becoming extremely popular since they come in a tremendous range of colors and add a brilliancy to any designer piece.
This past month I had the opportunity to travel and attend the big gem and mineral show at the Tucson Convention Center. There I noticed a couple of noteworthy trends:
1) Pearls were highly overpriced. For instance, the same premium quality keishi pearls that I have on my website for $225 were $450 at the booths of several different vendors--and theirs weren't strung properly. Strands of very poor quality freshwater rice pearls were selling for $20 each at a few booths. I wouldn't have wanted them for free. I did find one or two vendors with OK prices, but they were few and far between. Buyers beware!
2) A natural gemstone called Larimar was everywhere. It's a stone that is found only in one small plot of land in the Dominican Republic and it's a gorgeous pale sea blue with whispy veins of white making it look like sun reflecting off the bottom of a clear blue swimming pool. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for some good quality Larimar beads.
JEWELRY BUYING
When purchasing a necklace or bracelet, length is so very important. I'm providing charts below as a general rule of thumb, but some ladies like a bracelet to fit snugly and others loose, some like to wear a necklace outside a buttoned collar and others inside. If buying for someone else, take note of their preferences. Remember, I have a 60 day money back guarantee in case something doesn't quite suit and I can often customize an item to your preferred length. If you receive an item and then decide it really needs to be a different length, please contact me about re-stringing. I want you to be happy.
BRACELETS
7" small 7 1/2" medium 8" large 8 1/2" extra large
NECKLACES
Child's 13-14"
Choker--worn above collar bone 13-16" depending on the woman. Most chokers must be custom to fit correctly
Princess length--most popular length--worn below collar bone 16-18" depending on the woman. I have a small neck and prefer 15.5"
Matinee length--20-24" Often preferred by woman who have trouble with clasps--if this is the case go with 23-24" length so the necklace fits over the head. Called "continuous" if it does not have a clasp.
Opera length--30-32" or longer. A wonderful length to double with a "shortener clasp", knot, twist and wear in several different ways
Rope or Lariat--45" or more. Very versatile like the opera length, but more showy
Feel free to share this newsletter with your jewelry loving friends. Remember to visit my site and look at new items including golden confetti keishi pearls mixed with aqua Swarovski crystals, sterling silver beads and other beads and a delicate pearl bracelet with aquamarine Swarovski crystals and gold filled beads. www.suerunyondesigns.com
NOTE: If you would like to respond to this newsletter, please e-mail me at sue@suerunyondesigns.com. Hitting "reply" will just make the e-mail bounce back to you from the server--sorry.
