Chic Gems Jewelry and Anglo Couture Trunk Show

Photo provided by Carrie Wildes

Join Chic Gems Couture Jewelry and Anglo Couture for a Bridal Trunk Show

Saturday July 24, 2010 10am-5pm

Sunday July 25, 2010 11am-4pm

Anglo Couture Studio

17116 US 19 North

Clearwater, FL 33764

Questions? Call 727.526.5800

Brides to be, come view and try on the perfect bridal gown and veil by Vicky Anglo of Anglo Couture. Vicky will personally style you to help you achieve your dream look for your big day.

Discover the perfect jewelry for your wedding by designer Sarah Radford of Chic Gems Couture Jewelry. Sarah specializes in bridal and bridesmaid jewelry.

Enjoy 10% off your gown and jewelry purchase at this trunk show.

All the very best,

Sarah Radford

CEO/Designer

Chic Gems Couture Jewelry

Designer Jewelry for Brides and Bridesmaids

Mother's Day Specials at Chic Gems Couture Jewelry

The Chic Gems "Design Your Own" Pearl & Crystal Necklace

A Best Selling Gem that is sure to make Mom smile!

(Matching Earrings & Bracelet are available online)

This year, get Mom something that will really make her smile!

This necklace by Chic Gems Jewelry is the perfect gift this Mother's Day.

You can choose Mom's favorite colors!

Choose from 4 pearl colors & 12 crystal colors!

Choose her birthstone or favorite color...

This necklace is only $65.

We are offering $15 off* any purchase by using the code CHICMOMS at checkout.

Hurry-offer expires May 1, 2010.

*Offer valid online or by phone only, not valid towards previous purchases, no cash value, cannot be combined with other offers, cannot be used at stores that carry Chic Gems.

Click here to buy this necklace now.

Order online at ChicGemsCouture.com or by phone at 888.801.8265.

About Chic Gems Couture:

Sarah Radford is the designer behind Chic Gems Jewelry. Sarah started Chic Gems as a side project in 2002, while she worked in Medical Sales.

Her passion in life has always revolved around fashion. Sarah has worked for fashion companies including BCBG Max Azria, Express, and Judith Ripka Jewelry.

Sarah has many options of affordable jewelry online

and she creates custom pieces for brides & bridesmaids, charities, sororities, and more!

Contact Sarah directly to learn more, 888.801.8265 or visit her online at ChicGemsCouture.com

Click here to see our upcoming events.

Thank you for reading our Blog.

All the best,

Sarah Radford

CEO/Designer

Chic Gems Couture Jewelry

Designer Jewelry for Professional Women

Meet Tami from TamTam Design Studios, Review by Sarah of Chic Gems

Click here to visit Tam Tam Design Online



I recently had the pleasure of meeting Tami Rasmussen of Tam Tam Designs.
She is an amazing woman and I wanted to share her Entrepreneurial Story:
From Hallmark Cards Designer to Entrepreneur

-From the Desk of TamTam-

Background information/How TamTam Started:

I grew up in Chicago and knew I wanted to be a greeting card designer in elementary school.
I set my sights high on landing my dream job at Hallmark Cards while in school and moved to Kansas City 3 months after my college graduation. I designed Boxed Christmas Cards at Hallmark - which was so perfect since it's still my most favorite occasion to design for!

Eventually I got the itch and the never-stop-moving-and-growing side of me was begging for a new adventure. So what's a girl to do? This one picked up and moved to Dallas, Texas. I spent the next year in Texas and I can honestly say that after just 4 short months of being there I knew I wanted to: A. Move back to Chicago and B. Start my own greeting card company. TamTam Design Studio opened shop on Sept. 27th, 2008. I moved back to Chicago on May 14th, 2008. TamTam came home with me and the rest is history. I sure miss my Margarita's and 80 degree January's - but there really is no place like home! I have never been happier.

Why you started your biz/ About TamTam:

A greeting card to me represents one of the smallest, simplest pleasures in life. How exciting is it to open up the mailbox and find a cute little colored envelope inside with your name on it! That's what TamTam is all about! What's interesting to me is that when you send a card it's both an expression of feelings - to who you are sending it to - and it's also an expression of self- what have you decided to send? I wanted to create a line of cards that would help today's style conscious consumer not only their personal thoughts- but also be able to share their exceptional taste with one another, as well. My hope is that TamTam Greeting Cards always offer creative and imaginative solutions that do both!

Of course the real reason I started my own business is so that I could do everything my way! Haha, I'm only kidding. But what I did want to do was contribute to the American economy by producing and assembling only here in the States and to manufacture only the highest quality products utilizing only environmentally friendly materials and processes. Because of this - our papers are always at least 30% post-consumer recycled, we print using only soy-based inks - all in the U.S. of A! That is something that I am extremely proud of!

Challenges Faced:

I can honestly say that I have never worked so hard in my life! But again - I have also never been happier. That's not to shabby of a bad trade-off, in my opinion. Even if the hours don't get to me though, the business side of business for an artist - is umm... challenging to say the very least. I'm learning something new everyday though - somedays its about accounting, somedays it's about myself. I also struggle with living up to the expectation that I am creative 24/7.

I'm not! Shhhh.....

Overcoming those challenges:

One of my new secret passions is buying motivational posters! Self-help wall art- I suppose! Haha. My current favorites say "Home is Where the Art is" and "Keep Calm and Carry On." When I'm fried- I can just glance up and refocus. Other things I love to read: Sark, Desiderata, and Domino. Seriously, the combo is a killer motivational cocktail.

Another way to combat the "new business blues" is to surround yourself with those that share your passion and network, network, network. Your setting yourself up for success both financially and mentally if you can achieve these two things. The work/life balance is a little different when it's your own business - but remember your in charge and it's up to you to make it happen. The reward and satisfaction of that should far outweigh the obstacles you face. Even challenges are rewarding when you remember that you are doing what you want to do!

Final notes from Tami:

P.S. Please stop by our website at TamTamDesign and sign up for our mailing list in the top right corner of the home page, as well as check out the latest and greatest happening at TamTam on Our Studio Blog.

Now is the perfect time to stop by and check out our great Christmas and Holiday Designs - we sell them in set's of six that come in a cute ribbon tied wallet! What's more is that we are also available for all of your custom invitation design needs, babies, weddings, holiday soiree's - you name it! Feel free to email Tami directly, click here to email with any comment or needs!

We would love to hear from you!

P.S.S. A special thanks to Sarah and Chic Gems - for your support, kindness, and

encouragement since TamTam began!

xoxo, tam

All the very best!

Sarah Radford

Designer

Chic Gems, etc.

Designer Jewelry for Professional Women

Meet Jenny from Evlove Intimates. Review by Sarah Radford, Chic Gems, etc.

http://www.evloveintimates.com/

Interview with Jenny Dombroski of Evlove Intimates
I have had the pleasure of knowing Jenny D for over a year. She is an inspiration to all women who desire to own their own business.
Here's her story:

How did you get into underwear design? And at what age did you encounter your interest in designing underwear?

I’ve always been in love with lingerie. Every woman has their indulgence whether its handbags, shoes, jewelry…mine was always pretty little underthings. I never imagined myself designing and in fact initially wanted to open my own store selling other designers wares. After researching the market here in Chicago, I discovered that there were many fantastic boutiques already, so it seemed pretty risky to open up shop in a traditional manner. The custom design aspect was an opportunity for me to have fun with lingerie in an innovative way, to offer a creative and intimate experience along with a great quality product. Giving my customers the ability to design their own lingerie is truly what differentiates Evlove from everything else in the marketplace.

Let’s talk about your design. What do you think is the most important element?

There are really two very important elements in my design – comfort and beauty. As a consumer of lingerie and intimate apparel, I found that there was this underserved niche of product lines that offered something luxurious in addition to being pretty. When I became the designer I knew I didn’t want women to have to choose between being comfortable and feeling sexy, so the fabrics I use are soft-against-your-skin and stretchy to hug your body and the embellishments allow you to add that touch of elegance. The best part is that because you can design it yourself, you can choose the look that’s most unique to your personal style.

What was your best experience as a designer?

My best experience as a designer has been getting to watch my product come to life at the lingerie parties. I’ve been invited into the homes of women who are celebrating a bride, a girlfriend, or just their friendships and have been amazed at the combinations of color and style these gals have come up with. There’s nothing more rewarding than people having fun with your brand and loving your product.

What are you working on right now?

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the incredible demand for the custom lingerie parties all over the country, so I’m feverishly working on getting training in place for hiring lingerie stylists. Women are looking for unique ideas for the bachelorette parties, bridal showers and birthday parties they’re in charge of planning and I’m always disappointed when geography gets in the way of helping them. I’m expanding locally right now and will soon be working on other cities where I’ve received the most requests.

Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life?

My family has collectively been a source of inspiration – they truly are my biggest cheerleaders and from the very start have always believed I could accomplish anything I set my heart and mind to. I also get constant inspiration from numerous women entrepreneurs in my network. Their stories, challenges and triumphs keep me motivated and focused.


Could you tell us what does your average day entail?

An average day for me usually starts with a 6am workout and then I create a to-do list for the day starting with the things that require the most brain power first. Alongside those items are my goals or intentions I have for accomplishing those things, sort of like a “what” and a “why” list. It’s really important that I have this list so I can start out my day in a positive way. The rest of my day is usually shuffled between answering emails, assembling online orders, taking lingerie party requests, picking up/dropping off orders, responding to press/marketing inquiries….. I’m still a one-woman show so I wear many hats!!

Do you have any current fashion obsessions?

I’m really in love with many of the fashion designers I’m seeing develop here in Chicago.
Chic Gems for jewelry, Kate Boggiano has great shirts…and a great find for multiple designers is a sample/overstock boutique here called Beta Boutique.


Who is your customer and how do they find you?

My customer is typically between the ages of 20 – 40, but I’ve definitely deviated from that. Age is not so much what defines my customer, it’s more her sophistication and desire for something unique or exclusive. She’s someone who’s looking for a great shopping experience in addition to a great product. They’ve found me mostly through word-of-mouth, but also searching online.

Favorite place to see art?

Chicago has so many great art galleries and museums, but my favorite destination spot is the Around the Coyote Gallery. I’ve seen some of the best emerging artists there and it includes not only visual arts but theatre, dance, and poetry.

Would you like to add anything for the Japanese fans?

Evlove has an interactive, online design studio where you can experience the fun of designing your own lingerie right from your computer! I haven’t yet expanded internationally but if I knew I had some Japanese fans, I’d be very excited to make Japan the very first offering!

Thanks Jenny!
We look forward to designing our own pretty lingerie!

All the very best!
Sarah Radford
Designer
Chic Gems, etc.
Designer Jewelry for Professional Women