Midori Jewelry

Now Available at Macy's

2009-11-23T16:56:00.009-10:00

Hi everyone...

I know it's been awhile, but I just wanted to let you all know the reason for my absence. I'm very excited to announce that Midori Jewelry will now be carried in select Macy's stores in Hawaii. Offered at great prices, with *twinkle* earrings starting at $24, you can even score extra discounts when you use your Macy's card. Select and custom pieces, with a large selection of *twinkle* Collection items will be available at Macy's in Ala Moana, Waikiki, Pearlridge, Kahala Mall & Kukui Grove on Kauai.

Because of this new venture, my holiday show schedule will be scaled back to accommodate adequate representation at Macy's stores. An updated stock list of stores that currently carry Midori Jewelry is available online. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there are specific pieces you are looking for.

Also included in this local showcase of Island Jewelry at Macy's, are luminous lovelies from Mahina Pearls and botanical beauties from Rhoda J. All artists are carried in different locations, so please contact me or any Macy's store for availability. Mahalo for your continued support of Hawaii independent artisans.

Malama pono,
Traci
Midori Jewelry

Trade Show Lessons

2009-08-28T12:03:00.016-10:00

Hi Everyone,

As many of you know, I returned last week from my first trade/wholesale show in NYC. It was a great experience, rich with many new found friends, life lessons, and orders. Yes, I did garnish a nice number of orders, more than I thought I would having done no advertising. In these challenging times, people are going with their tried and true performers. Buyers are very hesitant to take on any new lines at the moment. So I was extremely thankful to the buyers that have taken a chance on an unknown gal from Hawaii.

I got a lot of pointers from my lovely neighbors, who were nice enough to share their knowledge and experience with a trade show newbie. Jennifer from Silver Spoon Jewelry, Angela from AMR Designs, and Dagmar & Lisa Marie from Atlantis Jewelry were all the most fabulous neighbors a neophyte could hope for.

They gave me a lot of pointers and didn't grow annoyed at my sometime Bambi-ass naivete. At least, if they did get irritated, they were kind of enough to snicker at me when I wasn't looking or while I was getting to know a buyer. =) Reorders are the key to making profit, marketing is a must, and perfect price points were the main lessons of the show.

Price Points: While a 5-figure investment during a challenging economy might be questionable, I have no doubt that I did the right thing. About half of my new accounts are veteran retailers. Owners and buyers who have been riding the wave of US economy for several decades, and it is clear they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Now while I love buyers across the spectrum, these folks have been around the block several times. Most of them bought very carefully, as I am a new vendor. They placed conservative orders focusing on filling price point voids in their stores.

I was encouraged that many of the veteran buyers were interested in my freshmen trade show efforts and applauded my ability to provide a wide range of styles and price points for every budget. The *twinkle* Collection was definitely the star of the show, with people coming back again and again to these tiny favorites.

Reorders: Some of my buyers were new store owners, who had known nothing of the economic hey days of yesteryear. All were filled with a renewed sense of hope by the way "things were slowly staring to pick up more and more" and an unwavering feeling of accomplishment in opening a successful brick and mortar store during a difficult time when stores were closing left and right. I was, in turn, inspired by their individual triumphs, that like them, I could thrive in these times despite my rookie status.

Jennifer kept telling me that over her many years of doing the show, she has seen a ROI (return on investment) several times over and that if you keep coming back, buyers will take notice of your lasting and selling power. She has maintained many of the accounts that she had secured from her first show.

Marketing: Jennifer also encouraged me to place an ad in a trade magazine. This is something that I had wanted to do when I first found out the show had a space for me. But getting the marketing material that I actually brought with me done in time, was a challenge enough.

Not many people actually hand out catalogs. Most exhibitors like to vet the buyers before giving them a catalog or line sheets, unless they actually write an order. Printed catalogs and line sheets are extremely expensive to produce, and they shouldn't be given away lightly. In order to make sure the buyer has some tangible object to take away with them, and hopefully materialize into an order sometime down the road, exhibitors make postcards.

Mine has a picture of my model, Giselle, with my wholesale terms on the reverse side. This little piece of marketing material can also be mailed out to current and prospective buyers when you have a show coming up or are having a promotion. I also give them to potential buyers that I meet at retail events, like this past weekend at the Made in Hawaii Festival. I made contact with several buyers interested in carrying Midori Jewelry.

Several buyers that grabbed my post card have followed up with me afterward. It's important for the card to be eye-catching and memorable, sticking out amongst the stacks of business and post cards that were hastily grabbed. I don't think anyone can say that Giselle, decked out island-style in her Midori Jewelry isn't eye-catching.

Stay tuned for an updated list of retailers carrying Midori Jewelry. Thank you all for your continued interest and support.

Mahalo,
Traci
Midori Jewelry

Labeling Hell

2009-08-10T00:06:00.003-10:00

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to thank you all for supporting me w/ your emails and well wishes. I will be leaving on a red eye Wednesday night, so I am doing last-minute preparation. I've been so busy the last few weeks that I think I haven't had time to sit down and freak out yet. But I have been sitting and typing at my computer for a good 1.5 hrs now, pounding out labels for my hang tags & earrings cards. In my attempt to prevent a freak out scenario, I am trying to think about why what I am doing at this moment is so important.

For those of you who've purchased Midori Jewelry before, you know that I label all my jewelry w/ materials information. This simple feat takes longer than you'd think, but it accomplishes several things:

1. I don't have to tell the customer what the materials are.
-Many times, customers feel hesitant about asking me questions at a show. They feel more at ease shopping "alone" and sometimes don't want to feel pressured, which I totally understand. Putting it right in front of them, in black and white, alleviates all of those feelings.

2. Sometimes, I am not physically there to tell the customer what the materials are.
-One of the main reasons I label is to help salespeople have an easier time selling Midori Jewelry in a retail brick & mortar store. Having been a retail worker at the big blue box, I know how much product knowledge needs to be recalled to land the sale. I try to make it as easy as possible for them. No one has times to memorize all those gemstones, types of pearls, and the differences between gold-fill and vermeil (to be written about in a later post).

3. It captures a store owner/buyer's attention.
Let's face it store owners have little time on their hands. By the way all my buyers sound out of breath and frantic over the phone when I speak to them, I know they are busting their humps helping their store(s) thrive. At a trade/wholesale show, you have about 3 seconds to capture their attention. Many buyers love that I provide all this information for easy selling, they always tell me that the jewelry "sells itself." I love hearing that!!!

But for a trade/wholesale show, I don't post the retail prices. Buyers want to see the wholesale prices for items. Most times, you will see them do calculations quickly in their heads to see if they can turn over your product in their store(s) for their standard markup. Buyers who have trolled my booth at retail shows do the same exact thing.

For the New York International Gift Fair, I decided to put the item #s, name, and descriptions on the self-adhesive labels only. I will put the price on a colored sticker, separate from the label. This way, I can always change my prices up or down, depending on the outcome of the show and the feedback I get from buyers.

One day, I will have all this automated so I won't have to do it the way I am right now. I won't delve into details about it, because you all will surely be feeling sorry for me. Ok, I've procrastinated enough -- back to work!!!

Thanks for caring,
Traci
Midori Jewelry

Preparing for Market Part I

2009-07-31T17:27:00.012-10:00

Ok, for all the people who have been bugging me about posting more often on my blog -- here it is -- and I am so glad I did it. I have returned from almost one year of not posting anything, and I've forgotten how therapeutic it is. The current economy has been a challenge for me to tackle, which doesn't mean that I haven't been doing well and had to get a part time job. In fact, things are quite the opposite and going very well. Instead of getting a part-time job, I am going to be giving someone a part-time job very soon.

But when the economy is not as robust as we'd like, in order to crank out the same numbers as I have been, I've had to put in more hours -- put in more hours for marketing, more hours for strategizing, more hours for production, more hours following up on leads, more hours closing sales, more hours calling people for late payments. It has been hours upon hours of just work, work, work.

To top it off, I will be participating in my first trade/wholesale show at the New York International Gift Fair in two weeks. Now people hardly wonder how their favorite brick & mortar store gets all these incredible goods. Well store owners & buyers from all across the globe "go to market." Market is rows upon rows of goods of all kinds from interior design to gift items to imports to baby care to handcrafted artisanal products.
After many hours (again) of research, I decided to book my first trade/show with the NYIGF. Usually, applicants are juried into a particular division based on their proposed booth display, their catalogs, recommendations from current buyers, and photographs of their products. I applied and was accepted into the coveted Handmade Division last year in October, which flaunts a 7-9 year waiting period once you're accepted. I was on the waitlist for about 10 months.

Now being that we are in this current economic situation, many people have decided to forgo the trade show circuit this year to keep their costs down. Well, I looked at this as an opportunity to move forward while others will be pulling back. Coincidentally, this is the slogan for the NYIGF this year. I took it as a sign and snagged literally one of the last booths.

There are astronomical expenses for a small/one person business to take on. Here is a running tally of my show expenses:

1. Booth Fee $2700
2. Airfare $1360
3. Rented Tables $360
4. Rented Lights + Electricity $471
5. Jewelry Displays $323
6. Postcards $120
7. Price Lists $97
8. Catalogs $630
9. Professional Photo shoot $1200
10. Posters to hang in my booth $132
11. NYC Shuttle Service $68
12. Booth Displays $134
13. Model for Photography Session $600
------------------------------------------
sub-TOTAL: $8195

This is not including cab fare for NYC, hotel (b/c I am staying with a friend), shipping goods back to Hawaii, personal booth decorations, food and drink (for my sanity and celebration) and lastly, the costs of materials + making samples to display. But this is what the big guns do, so I figured that I would get out in front of more buyers' eyes and hopefully be represented in a slew of more fabulous brick and mortar stores. My neighbors who will be sharing the floor with me boast stock lists that top 300+ locations. Many of them sell in the top luxury stores like Barneys, Saks, Henri Bendel's, and Neiman Marcus.

This mob of people is included in the 30,000+ registered buyers/owners that make their way to NYC for the Summer Market Month, which includes Intermezzo, Accessories the Show, Coterie, ENK, Brighte (in LA), and a slew a other fabulous shows that I hope I will be able to afford one day in the future.

I will be documenting the trials and tribulations, the celebrations and snafus, and the drops of sweat and tears expended by a market neophyte. Please come along w/ me for the ride.

Malama pono,
Traci
Midori Jewelry

The Handcrafted Wedding

2008-08-07T21:43:00.009-10:00

Hi Everyone...

I think it's always fun to Google yourself and find juicy tid bits about you on the Internet. I got an order this week from a gal that said she found me on a wedding blog, but wasn't sure which one. She had visited so many recently b/c she is getting married later this month. After Googling (I think this is an official verb now) Midori Jewelry, I found the blog in question. It is called The Handcrafted Wedding.

Because I run an e-commerce website and am constantly online, there are few blogs that impress me so much and that I get an RSS feed for updates on new posts. This blog is an exception and is done with classic style and taste. It makes a welcome departure from just the ho hum discussions of Vera Wang dresses, appropriate appetizer sizes, various calligraphy styles, and the shades of difference between ecru and eggshell.

The blog's author, Lynn, said such nice things about Midori Jewelry...the compliments made me blush. Lynn claims that she would like bid farewell to the mass-produced. Now while I am a firm believer in Free Trade, with the pervasive "Wal-Mart" mentality nowadays, it is sometimes difficult to get people to see the value in your handcrafted items. I have made small steps of progress with help of supporters like Lynn from Handcrafted Wedding, Leigh from hapa | hale, and Liana from Mixed Plate. These blog babes really bring attention to the handcraft market, and they exhibit our creations with style and write about them with contagious enthusiasm and humor. It is apparent they are true lovers of handcraft. From handcrafters and artisans everywhere, trying to make a living doing something we love with vim and vigor, we salute them with a round of big MAHALOs. Thanks girls!!!

Back From Hiatus

2008-08-06T09:20:00.008-10:00

Hi Everyone,

I know I haven't been keeping up much with the blog lately. But mostly I've been busy using the summer months to concentrate on marketing. It seems to have been paying off, as I've been swamped with orders for stores and for my online store.

*NEW* sale section: I will be marking 4-10 items down 50% for one week, every week from now one. Please check back regularly for new items marked down for a limited time in limited quantities.

I have a bunch of retail events to get ready for this month:

Made in Hawaii Festival

Aug. 15-17 @ Neal Blaisdell Center

Fri & Sat : 10am-9pm

Sun: 10am-5pm @ Booth #251

Bodega Art & Wine Festival

Aug. 23-24 weekend

Watts Ranch

16855 Bodega Highway

Bodega, CA

10am-6pm @ Booth #T11 (big Tent)

Oakland Art & Soul

Aug. 30-Sept. 1 Labor Day weekend

Entrances at: 14th Street & Broadway

11th Street & Jefferson

16th Street & San Pablo Avenue

noon-6pm

Booth #TBA

Jewelry Items: Dionysia bracelet Reg. $54, Sale $27 ; Pearl & Amethyst earrings Reg. $20, Sale $10. Check out other items in the Sale section at the Midori Jewelry website.

As always, please email me with any questions or join my newsletter to hear the latest news with Midori Jewelry. Malama pono...

New Stocklists at Nohea Gallery

2008-05-09T18:04:00.004-10:00

Hi Everyone,

I know it's been forever and a day since I've posted, but I have been getting the last of the orders out from the Midori Jewelry website relaunch. Thank you so much for all of your patience!!!

If you get a chance, I have just updated my stocklists at Nohea Gallery. Operating since 1990, Nohea Gallery is a locally-owned family business. This small gallery chain offers products from over 450 artists from across the US--over 90% of which are based in Hawaii. Most of the items in the stores are offered at about the same as at the local art & craft events. Midori Jewelry pieces are sold at the same prices here as online and at retail events.

Midori Jewelry will now be offered at all gallery locations including Ward Warehouse, the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, and Nohea Island Arts in Kailua. The staff is warm, friendly, and knowledgable about all of mediums they sell. You will find hand-turned koa bowls, oil paintings, metal works, photography, and much more. Each piece in the gallery is artistic and beautiful and each tells a story. Support local business and artisans!!! Thank you for your patronage.

Enchantment Necklace: $128 @ Ward Warehouse. Please call (808) 589-1174 for availability.

Aloha,
Traci
Midori Jewelry

"I Love Kailua" Town Party

2008-04-26T12:17:00.006-10:00

Hi Everyone,

I will be at the "I love Kailua" Town Party on Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 11am-4pm. This will be a block party type event, with vehicular traffic being closed down along Kailua Road. The proceeds from this event go to the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle--a non-profit community organization that utilizes volunteers efforts towards the beautification of Kailua and Lanikai.

I will be at Booth #40A in front of the First Hawaiian Bank and the former Straub on the mountain side of Kailua Road near the triangle. I have tons of new jewelry designs. Come and join me for a great cause, ono food, local Hawaii artisan, and Island-style fun for the whole family.

Give me a call on my cell phone (808) 221-1842 if you cannot find me.

New revamped Website Up!!!

2008-04-07T23:28:00.003-10:00

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for being so patient in waiting for the new Midori Jewelry website. You will find tons of new items, marked with a cute little red cherry icon. Sign up for the "Green Girls" newsletter and get a nice discount coupon code. Coupon code is only valid until Friday, April 18, 2008.

Many items are stocked in limited numbers, so take advantage of the cool code while it lasts.

Mother's Day & Graduation Day are coming up fast. Treat a special someone to a great piece of handcrafted jewelry to let them know how much you care. Gift items can be exchanged. Please see the Policies page for details.

As always, mahalo for supporting an independent Hawaii artisan.

Malama pono,
Traci

New Website!!!

2008-03-27T17:56:00.002-10:00

Hi Everyone,

I will be launching my new website next week. If you would like to be put on my email list to receive the "Green Girl" Newsletter, please send me an email request. Stay tuned for great new features and lots of new jewelry designs.

Thanks again for all the well wishes and suport!!!

New Website Launch: March 31, 2008 (tentative)

Booth Location @ Honolulu Festival

2008-03-14T21:46:00.005-10:00

For the Honolulu Festival this weekend, I will be at Booth #111 at the Honolulu Convention Center in Exhibit Hall II. This is on the opposite side of the stage, in the yellow section. It's also located on the Ocean side of the Convention Center, closest to Ala Moana.

If you cannot find me, please give me a call on my cell phone (808) 221-1842 or ask any of the event staff to assist you. See you all there!!!

Next Event:

Honolulu Festival
Honolulu Convention Center
Exhibit Hall I & II
March 15-16
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 10am-3pm
Booth #111

14th Annual Honolulu Festival

2008-03-10T20:30:00.016-10:00

Hi Everyone,

This weekend I will participate in the 14th Annual Honolulu Festival. The Honolulu Festival is Hawaii's premier cultural event, promoting understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim region. Each year, the Festival draws thousands of new and returning spectators who are looking for an experience beyond Hawaii. Through educational programs and activities sponsored by the Honolulu Festival Foundation, a non profit organization, the Festival continues to successfully share the rich and vibrant blend of Asia, Pacific and Hawaiian cultures with the rest of the world.

The 2008 Honolulu Festival concludes with the Grand Parade. The parade starts at Saratoga Road and continues along Kalakaua Avenue. And as always, the cultural performances and the floats will both be spectacles to see. Some of the highlights of this year’s parade include appearances by Miss Hawaii, the Cherry Blossom and Narcissus Queens, performances by top Hawaii high school bands, hula, and a variety of dance troupes representing the Pacific.

I will be in the Craft Fair, which is a representation of over 100 artists from Hawaii, Japan, and the Pacific. I will post my booth # ASAP. Here are Tina and Brian, two fellow HAA members from a previous Honolulu Festival.

I will have a ton of new necklaces and earrings from the Twinkle Collection. Jewelry from the Twinkle Collec tion features simple, everyday necklaces for $50 or less and earrings for $30 or less.

I will also hold off posting new items until my new website launch at the end of this month. I can't wait to show you all!!! The new site retained some of the charm from the previous one, but it's chock full of new elements to make your shopping experience easier and more enjoyable. I will start holding Monthly Contests, Featured Items of the Month, and lot of other exciting features. Stay tuned...

Tentative New Website Launch Date: March 31, 2008

Next Event:
Honolulu Festival
March 15-16
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 10am-3pm
Honolulu Convention Center
Booth# TBA

Please visit Midori Jewelry online to see more jewelry items, event schedule, and stocklists.

"Storing Your Jewelry" (Part 3 of 3)

2008-03-05T09:53:00.008-10:00

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it's been so long. I had a rough couple of weeks trying to fulfill several wholesale orders, one still on the back burner so I can attend to my sorely neglected blog. To those of you who came to visit me at Kapiolani Park in February, I had my BEST month ever there. It was an amazing weekend--beautiful weather, wonderful artists, and fabulous customers. I never get tired of meeting people who love jewelry and who appreciated the handcrafted aloha that goes into every piece of Midori Jewelry. Thanks so much!!!

Now, onto "Storing Your "Jewelry" -- this is the last segment in my run of "How to Care for Your Jewelry." As I've emphasized before, these are merely recommendations. You can feel free to take what you like, and leave what you don't. These instructions are mainly geared towards handcrafted or bridge jewelry.

All precious metals tend to oxidize over time. For sterling silver (the kind of silver I used in Midori Jewelry), silver has a chemical reaction to sulfur or sulfides that exist in the atmosphere in small quantities. When silver comes in contact with normal air, it reacts to hydrogen sulfide and causes the silver to tarnish.

Before I continue, tarnish is not necessarily a bad thing. It doesn't cause irreparable damage to your treasured pieces. I've already covered how you can clean the tarnish off, and your jewelry can regain its previous sheen. But to retard the oxidation process even further, be careful how you choose to store your jewelry.

Some people opt to store their jewelry in Ziploc bags. I personally don't care for this tactic. If your jewelry contains fresh or salt water pearls, your pearls can become dehydrated and crack. Pearls need to breathe and be in contact with moisture in the air. It's much easier to clean a tarnished piece of jewelry than trying to crazy glue a cracked pearl!!!

Instead, opt for a closed jewelry boxed. It's better if the jewelry box is lined with velvet or some kind of soft material to prevent gemstones and pearls from getting scratched. If your jewelry box isn't lined, you can store them in a soft cloth inside your jewelry box.

Try to remember to close your jewelry box, as some gemstones (depending on their composition and/or treatment) can loose their color when exposed for prolonged periods to sunlight.

Never, EVER dump your chain necklaces into a heap on your nightstand, bathroom, or in your jewelry box. I've had countless customers come to me to cut apart some of the necklaces to try and salvage others. Despite what you think, they WILL get tangled. And sometimes in a mess so severely mangled, you'll be seeing stars before you free them from each other.

Now these 3 posts may seem like a lot of information, but my feeling is that you spent a lot of money on your handcrafted jewelry pieces. You thought they were special, you bought them and brought them home for a reason. If you continue to treat your treasured pieces with some TLC, they will return it many-fold by giving you years of lasting wearability. You could very easily hand down your handcrafted jewelry (especially the Midori Jewelry pieces) to your daughter and your granddaughters. Yes, handcrafted artisan jewelry is meant to last. And it will if you follow some of the tips you've read here.

Next Event:

Honolulu Festival
March 15-16
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 10am-3pm
Honolulu Convention Center
Booth# TBA

Please visit Midori Jewelry online to see more jewelry items, event schedule, and stocklists.

Happy Valentine's Day!!! (How to Love Your Jewelry--Part 2 of 3)

2008-02-14T17:47:00.013-10:00

Hi Everyone,

I was so happy, I got red and white tulips delivered to me today from my hubby. It's been two years since I got flowers, so I was so excited when the delivery guy knocked on the door. This is the first year that we met-- although we've had our ups and downs, there is no one else I can imagine spending my life with. I can feel all the love in the air, and I hope you are spending this special day with someone you love.

I am continuing my post on caring for your jewelry. Just as before, most of my tips will be in reference to handcrafted or bridge jewelry, because that it what I make. Please take what you like, and leave what you don't. It's up to you, as the owner of a treasured piece, to decide what's best to ensure its long-lasting beauty and durability.

"Cleaning Your Jewelry" (Part 2 of 3)

1. All metals tend to oxidize over time. You can clean your jewelry with polishing cloths made especially for cleaning precious metals. These cloths will remove oxidization and add a shine back to your sterling & fine silver, gold-filled, and full-carat gold pieces. When polishing vermeil, rub very gently. A little polish goes a long way, and you will keep the bright golden sheen longer if you rub w/ care.

2. Every gemstone and pearl has a different chemical composition. Chemical composition determines their color, their hardness, their entire physical makeup. For this reason, I do not recommend using any kind of solvent cleaners on handcrafted/bridge jewelry. Pearls and gemstones will have different reactions to chemicals. Many of your pieces will have a mix of elements, therefore it's impossible to tell how a piece will react with a cleaning solution. Err on the side of caution.

3. Instead, use a mild soap (Ivory or even baby soap) and warm water to wash. If you need to, use a soft cloth to wipe any residue or oils off. Do NOT use a toothbrush. It can scratch some of the softer gemstones.

If you have any questions regarding jewelry care, please email me. If you need polishing cloths, I have these Moonshine cloths for sale. At $4 each, they can last several years, and are a great investment. Please email me traci@midorijewelry.com or visit Midori Jewelry to request one.

I will be at Kapiolani Park this weekend for the monthly Handcrafters & Artisans Alliance Art Fest. I have tons of new jewelry items, including some cool pieces including the above necklace with sterling silver skeletons keys in them. As always, give me a buzz if you cannot find me (808) 221-1842.

See you all soon!!! Remember, if you love your lovely, it will return your affections 10-fold for years to come...

Next Event:

HAA Art Fest
Feb. 15-16 (Presidents' Day weekend)
Kapiolani Park (behind the bandstand)
9am-4pm
Booth #2 (right in front of the Vietnamese food booth)

Please visit Midori Jewelry online to see more jewelry items, event schedule, and stocklists.

Punahou Carnival Whereabouts???

2008-01-30T21:31:00.001-10:00

Hi Everyone,

For those of you who don't know the Punahou campus very well, both the Art Gallery and the Silent Auction will be housed in the Mamiya Science Center (formerly known as McNeil Hall). The Art Gallery will be open during Carnival operating hours, Fri & Sat Feb. 2-3 from 11am-11pm. The Silent Auction will only be on Sat Feb. 2 from 2-5pm. Admission to the Carnival is FREE. Please check out the Punahou homepage for more information.

I will be showcasing some exclusive pieces for each event. This is a small sample:

Thank you for your support of Punahou School!!!

Punahou Carnival & V-day Promotions

2008-01-28T20:54:00.001-10:00

Hello Everyone,

It's that weekend of the year again, time for the Punahou Carnival!!! If you all are keen on a bargain, please visit the Silent Auction. I will be donating a small collection available for purchase. The proceeds of this entire event (including the donated items at the Silent Auction) go toward student scholarships and financial aid to assist students get THE BEST education in Hawaii. For those of you who don't know, I am a 1996 Punahou graduate. I was even shocked to learn that there is a Wikipedia page about Punahou.

I am so happy and proud to give something small back to a special place that played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. I have held my memories of Punahou in the fondest places of my heart, including those at the annual Carnival--mud and all!!! Please come and support my alma mater--eat some malasadas, see the Variety Show, ride on the Zipper, and maybe nab a great deal on a Midori Jewelry piece at the Silent Auction.

I know a lot of you have been asking if I was going to have a Valentine's Day Promotion--so here it is:

I do not have a craft fair before Valentine's Day, so instead--you can take 20% off ANYTHING in the online shop that is pink or red. If you are uncertain about a certain color, PLEASE ask me before you purchase. All jewelry with garnet, rose quartz, pink or red freshwater pearls, pink amethyst, and any other gemstone or pearls in shades of red or pink are included.

This offer will expire on Monday, Feb. 10, 2008. This will give me ample time to pack everything up and drop it in the mail to make it to you and/or gift recipients by Thurs, Feb. 14, 2008. Remember that the USPS will be slower during that time. Your 20% discount will be given in the form of a rebate. Please entry the code "bemine" to get your discount.

Thanks for stopping by, and mahalo for supporting an independent Hawaii artisan. Malama pono...

Next Event:
Feb 16-17 -- Sat & Sun
HAA Art Fest
Kapiolani Park (behind the Band stand)
Along Kalakaua & Monsarrat Ave.
9am-4pm
Booth #2

To see an event schedule, policies, retail locations, and other misc. info check out Midori Jewelry online.

Pacific Island Arts Festival this weekend

2008-01-16T09:52:00.000-10:00

Hi everyone,

I had such a blast last weekend at the JCCH New Year's Ohana Festival. What a great event--if any of you didn't get a chance to go, make sure to attend next year. The craft fair section was so well-organized by Kerri-Ayn Kaya. She did an absolute wonderful job, and also happens to be a CPA and former co-worker of my Mom at Alexander & Baldwin. If you need help with your taxes this year, give her a call. You can email me for her contact info.

I made A LOT of new friends at the event, and it was great to see some old friends as well. I hope you all are enjoying your new Midori Jewelry goodies.

The HAA Pacific Island Arts Festival is this weekend at Kapiolani Park. For those of you who don't know, I belong to the Handcrafters and Artisans Alliance. This group was founded in 1999 by artists who banded together to offer their products to the people and visitors of Hawaii every month. Like me, most of the members make their entire living by selling their handcrafted products. Please come to support Hawaii small business--buy LOCAL. There will be over 100 booths featuring handcrafted products made in Hawaii with aloha, as well as ono food and local entertainment.

I have some new items to share, including the new sets shown here. I know a lot of you have been asking me for more sets, so of course, I am delivering them as promised. I will be in my usual location, and it you cannot find me call me on my cell phone (808) 221-1842.

Next Event:

Pacific Island Arts Festival
1/19-1/20 (Sat & Sun)
9am-4pm
Kapiolani Park (behind Bandstand)
Booth #2

Jewelry shown: "Afterglow" set $128, "Haku Lei" set $98

Happy New Rat Year!!!

2008-01-11T20:58:00.000-10:00

Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a safe and wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. I enjoyed a well-deserved vacation, and got to spend a lot of time w/ my little one and my hubby. My son turned 3 this Christmas, and our tree was getting pushed over with the mounds of gifts underneath. I'm glad that no one short-changes him. He properly receives 2 gifts from all of the people that love him--and he really understood this year that it was Christmas AND his birthday all on the same day. He was sooooo happy.

I am introducing a new collection at my first event of 2008. It features organic and whimsical sterling silver charms, pendants, clasps, and various other components. These special pieces will only be available at my craft events and at my Et sy shop. They will still feature premium gemstones and freshwater pearls, but be reasonably priced at $20-$50. These jewelry items will officially be part of my Twinkle Collection, but only offered at my Etsy shop.

For those of you who haven't heard about Etsy, it's a wonderful website that is dedicated to direct sales of handcrafted items. From crocheted baby booties to stylish messenger bags and hand-stamped cards, Etsy is the one-stop shop for lovers of lavishly handmade everything. All of the items featured in my Etsy shop are discontinued , on SALE, or are items exclusively offered via Etsy. Please stop by and peruse through all the handcrafted goodies homegrown with love.

My first event of 2008 will be the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii's New Year's Ohana Festival. We will ring in the new Year of the Rat and share in Japanese culture, art, and cuisine. There is FREE parking at the UH parking structure and a FREE shuttle going to and from the festival site from 9am-5pm.

Jan 13 -- Sun only
JCCH's New Year's Ohana Celebration
Japanese Cultural Center
2454 S. Beretania St. and Mo'ili'ili Field
10am-4pm
Tent # 8

If you cannot find me, please give me a buzz on my cell phone (808) 221-1842. See you all there!!!

Mele Kalikimaka!!!

2007-12-17T09:34:00.000-10:00

Ho ho ho everyone,

Sorry for the HUGE, astronomically GIGANTOR gap in posting from my last. I have been swamped with the holidays. I am so happy I will finally have some time to spend w/ my son and the nights free for my hubby. He has been such a wonderful partner in his support of me and Midori Jewelry.

Thank you all for a great holiday season. Just as a reminder, today is the final day to shop online and get your jewelry gifts to the mainland by Christmas Eve day. I will be making a final drop at the Post Office today at 5pm to make the last pick-up time. All jewelry items come with complimentary boxes and gift tags.

Mele Kalikimaka and see you all in 2008!!!

PS: For all of you that sent kind reminders for my Vacation pics, I haven't forgotten. I will be posting them soon...=)

Next Event 2008:
Japanese Cultural Center
New Year's Ohana Festival
Jan. 13, 2008 Sunday
10am-4pm
Mo'ili'ili Community Park

I'm Back!!!

2007-10-29T11:18:00.000-10:00

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all of your well wishes for my first vacation in 7 years!!! The hubby, Cade, and I all had a blast. No, we weren't caught in any of the fires--although my prayers go out to all those affected. There were a whole bunch of them in the Irvine and San Diego areas where we were. We made it through 10 days of family, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, SoCal road ragers, and other great adventures. I will be posting pictures very soon...my hubby took several 1000s.

Mahalo for your patience with email correspondence and filling orders. I will get to all inquiries and orders in the chronology that they were received. Here's to a wonderful start to the 2007 Holiday Season!!!

Next Event:
What: Season's Best Craft Fair
Where: Ali'iolani Elementary School (corner of Waialae & 6th Ave)
When: Sat. Nov. 3 9am-2:30pm
Booth #: 90

"How to Care for your Jewelry" (Part 1 of 3)

2007-10-15T09:47:00.000-10:00

There is a lot of advice out there on how to care for your jewelry. In this post, I will concentrate mostly on handcrafted jewelry--obviously that is what I make. Many of these thoughts can be applied to most bridge and/or fine jewelry as well. It's up to you, as the carer, to come up with a routine that you can live with and that will keep your jewelry looking as good as the day you bought it.

"Handle with Care"

1. Don't put any jewelry with pearls in ziploc bags. Pearls need to breath, otherwise the nacre becomes dehydrated and can crack. The natural oils in your skin will help to keep them lubricated and lustrous. Wear them often--they will last much longer.

2. Put your jewelry on last. When you are getting ready for work, after you've showered, plut on lotion, applied your makeup, doused yourself in perfume, spritzed your fluffy coif, and sprayed on your deodorant...THEN put your jewelry on. There are many chemicals in our primping products that can be harsh on your jewelry's metals, gemstones, and pearls. Doing this will also make sure that you don't snag your jewelry on your favorite blouse or scarf.

3. Take off your jewelry first. After you've come home from work, from a great date, from a night out w/ the girls, take your jewelry off first. I've heard many a story when someone came home at the wee hours of the morning, and jumped right into the shower and then into bed. Earrings and necklaces can get really tangled in hair when you sleep, and even more tangled in WET hair when you sleep. Wearing your handcrafted jewelry in the shower will surely wreck them. Take care in the investment of your handcrafted accessories and they will return the favor by gracing you with years (even decades) of usage.

Please email me if you any questions or concerns about caring for your jewelry. Stay tuned for "Storing Your Jewelry" and "Cleaning and/or Polishing Your Jewelry."

Malama pono (take care)...

Style Bakery selects Midori Jewelry as one of its "Designers on the Rise"

2007-10-08T09:21:00.000-10:00

I am thrilled to announce that Midori Jewelry has been selected for Style Bakery’s elite group of “Design ers on t he Rise.” Launched in April 2004, Designers on the Rise continues to be an overwhelming success. It generates thousands of visitors a day and has proven to be a valuable resource for style-savvy women searching for clothing, accessories and beauty products created by up-and-coming designers and websites.

Published biannually, this special invitation-only feature is conveniently divided into seven sections, providing for maximum visibility for chosen designers and ease of use for readers. The sections are: Jewelry, Handbags & Accessories, Apparel, Beauty & Spa, Gifts & Home, Hip Boutiques and Babies, Kids & Moms.

It is an honor to be selected, and I am so thrilled at the prospects that this accolade will give Midori Jewery. I’ve already received a dozen orders referred by Style Bakery. Please visit the DOR page, and received a special code for a 20% rebate on purchases. I hope this is just the beginning of new and exciting opportunities for Midori Jewelry.

Queen Emma's Summer Palace

2007-10-04T08:52:00.000-10:00

I will be at a special event this weekend. "A Day at Queen Emma's Summer Palace" is hosted by the Daughters of Hawaii . "Hanaiakamalama" or Queens Emma's Summer Palace, as it is known today is nestled in the Nu'uana Valley. It was the mountain retreat for Queen Emma between 1857 - 1885, and for her husband King Kameameha IV and their son, Prince Albert Edward. At one time, the house was set to be demolished and its land turned into a baseball field. At this time, the Daughters of Hawaii purchased it, restored it, and turned the palace into a monument of Hawaiian history.

The house's framework was done in Boston, and shipped to Hawaii in 1848 via Cape Horn. It has 6 rooms, one story, and a porch (you can see in the picture above) with Doric columns from the Greek revival period.

After Queen Emma's death, the home was purchased by the Hawaiian Monarchy Government. While in its ownership, the house the was set to be torn down. The Daughters of Hawaii purchased the home in 1913. It is now used as an educational museum and helps them to carry out the organization's mission "to perpetuate the memory and spirit of old Hawaii and of historical facts, and to preserve the nomenclature and correct pronunciation of the Hawaiian language."

The Daughters of Hawaii were founded in 1903 by seven women who were daughters of American Protestant missionaries. They were born in Hawaii, and were citizens of the Hawaiian kingdom before annexation, and witnessed the inevitable loss of much of the Hawaiian culture. The Daughters of Hawai'i is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supported by donations, dues, admission fees and fundraising events.

Their main fundraising event of the year, is this one--"A Day at Queen Emma's Summer Palace." Admission to the event is $5 for adults and $1 for children and will go toward the upkeep of this historic building. The event will have ono food, a fashion show, Hawaii crafters and artisans (including Midori Jewelry), and local entertainment. The music lineup will include performances by the Punahou Glee Club (my alma mater!!!), Ka Hale | O Kahala, Keola Chan & Friends, Halau Hula Olana, the Royal Hawaiian Band, and Jerry Santos & Friends.

Please come and support this wonderful organization. The Daughters of Hawaii pledge their full efforts to the preservation of this wonderful place that has its roots firmly planted in the history of Hawaii. Mahalo!!!

What: A Day at Queen Emma's Summer Palace
When: Saturday, Oct. 6
Time: 9am-4pm
Where: 2913 Pali Highway, Queen Emma's Summer Palace
Cost: $5 adults, $1 children
Why: To help support the Daughters of Hawaii in their mission to preserve aspects of our Hawaiian history, culture, an heritage
Booth: Midori Jewelry will be at Booth #5

Opal, oh Opal, how do I love thee???

2007-10-01T19:51:00.000-10:00

Ok, some of you might think that the title of this post is silly, but opal has becoming one of today's hottest gemstones. With the most popular kind being of the Peruvian variety, this gemstone has taken the world of fashion jewelry by storm.

Peruvian opal comes in several colors including clear, white, pink, green, blue, and with dendritic veins it it like the "Tributary" earrings above. Dendritic comes from the word "dendrite", which is a rock or mineral mass with branching, treelike structure or markings on it. It originates from French, which took its meaning from the Greek dendron, which mean "tree." Opal also happens to be the birthstone for October, which is why this stunning gemstone is the star of my post today. The Opal derives its name from the Latin word "opalus," meaning precious jewel. Prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light, the Opal was called Cupid Paederos by the Romans, meaning a "child beautiful as love." One legendary explanation for this gemstone's origin is that it fell from heaven in a flash of fiery lightning.

The Opal dates back to prehistoric times. It is a non-crystallized silica, which is a mineral found near the earth's surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. As the hot springs dried up, layers of the silica, combined with water, were deposited into the cracks and cavities of the bedrock, forming Opal. This gemstone actually contains up to 30% water, so it must be protected from heat or harsh chemicals, both of which will cause drying and may lead to cracking and loss of iridescence. These green opals in these "Celestine Glow" earrings shimmer with a subtle shine.

Most of the world's Opal deposits are found in Southern Australia. Other sources of this gemstone are Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia and Nevada. A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness and confidence. And the powerful energy radiating from this fiery gemstone will surely illuminate any occasion!

An alternate birthstone for October, Pink Tourmaline seen in these "Tourmaline Falls" earrings. Tourmaline has the seemingly magical property of pyroelectricity. Scientifically speaking, this means that when heated, the gem takes on a static electric charge, making it capable of attracting lightweight objects. No wonder this gemstone was revered for its mystical properties centuries ago! Considered the "stone of the muse," it was believed to stimulate the creative process of its wearer. Pink varieties of Tourmaline range in color from pastel pink to ruby red and are mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Burma, and India. A gift of this stone is symbolic of hope.

You can see all these earrings or custom order them at the Midori Jewelry website. Mahalo!!!

NEW items just posted!!!

2007-09-28T15:07:00.000-10:00

Hey everyone,

Sorry it's been a whole week since I've posted. Cade got sick w/ a really high fever, so I've been working overtime to make sure he gets nursed back to health. Days masquerading as a nurse and nights moonlighting as a photographer and editor. Oh please, I wish I had the skills to call myself a "photographer" or an "editor." LOL.

Anyway, here are the latest items freshwater from the digital camera and from my work bench just a few weeks ago. I know we are gearing up for the 2007 Holiday Season too. I have a lot of great new pieces that will be perfect for your heartfelt gift-giving this year.

I will also be having several Holiday promotions for both my website and at retail events. Usually, I have FREE USPS First Class Shipping in Nov. and Dec. on the Midori Jewelry website. Items $35+ qualify for FREE shipping. You can have up to 3 difference addresses shipped to for FREE.

I also run a promotion during the holidays at my retail events. Last year, it was a FREE pair of Twinkle earrings for every $100 you spent. So if you spent $328, you would get 3 pairs of FREE earrings. And all items came with complimentary gift boxes. You can give the FREE earrings away or you can give them to yourself for being a good girl this year. You know you deserve them...and maybe more.

Stay tuned for the official word on the Midori Jewelry 2007 Holiday Special Promotions...

I will also be posting my Christmas retail schedule soon.

Jewelry Items (from top to bottom, left to right): "2 carrot earrings" $45, "Verdure" $62, "Bubbly" $42, "More Black Magic" $72, "Deep Sea" $62, "Cinnamon" $42

Art Fest this Weekend @ Kapiolani Park

2007-09-21T09:06:00.000-10:00

I will be having my month event at Kapiolani Park w/ the Handcrafters and Artisans Alliance (HAA) this weekend. I'm always at Booth #2, which is right in front of the food booths. Show time is from 9am-4pm. I will have a lot of new designs as I am gearing up for the holiday season. Hopefully all my sparklies won't get blown away. It's going to be gusty this weekend. Stop by and say "hi." I always enjoy seeing familiar faces!!! See you there!

Not so "Camera Happy"

2007-09-20T10:11:00.001-10:00

As many of you know, I've been struggling with my digital jewelry pics for awhile. I thought I had a formula down, but when I inspect them more carefully, they aren't all that great. Although I admit I've come far w/ my digital pics in the passed 18 months, my pics are no where near where I'd like them to be.

The bracelet pic to the left is a recent pic I took. It looks ok and is a long cry from the pic on the right that was taken from my first ever photography session. While the bracelet is about a billion times better, it still doesn't jump out at me screaming "Buy me, buy me!!!" So until I've reached that level of picture-taking. I will keep trudging forward.

I am now on the hunt for a new camera. I am wondering whether it's user error (which it probably is), camera limitations, Photoshop skills, lighting, or any other area I am hindered in that is not allowing me to take the pics I would like.

Now this pic, was taken with a digital SLR camera. See the difference??? There is depth of field, the gold looks brilliant, the gemstones look vibrant and sparkly. I am also experimenting with different backgrounds and something that will highlight the jewelry , but not detract from the customer's attention too much. Something complementing, but still subtle.

If anyone has suggestions, please feel free to share them. I would appreciate any help I could get.

New "Looks" for New Year, What's the harm in "creating?"

2007-01-03T17:34:00.000-10:00

Hello all,

Well, today I sketched out some new design concepts for 2007. It's imperative for me to evolve as a jewelry designer, but to retain my fundamental style to keep my old customers while simultaneously gaining new ones. I am thinking of developing a signature line for retail locations--which is sort of evolving right now.

I am really happy, b/c a fellow Punahou alumni, and distinguished jewelry designer, has sort of agreed to be my mentor. It's funny reading her tidbits about Punahou and the accepted forms of success that we should conform to. It is something that I constantly struggle w/ as an artisan. As some of you may know, I am a law school dropout. I was on my way to Bay Area to begin my legal education, when I found out I was pregnant w/ Cade.

Cade just made the BIG 2 on Christmas Day. And even though two years have passed, I am still struggling w/ the release of my former ambitions regarding law school and becoming an attorney. When you graduate from Punahou, the only truly acceptible forms of success come in acronyms: M.D., J.D., M.B.A., or Ph.D. Well, I guess I should have included C.E.O. or C.F.O.--but it has to be w/ a Fortune 500 company. If we don't succeed in any one of aforementioned areas, we are perceived as failures.

No one really takes me seriously if I tell them that I make jewelry for a living. They think I do it for side money, or so I can buy a new pair of Jimmy Choo shoes every month or so I can get a new MacBook Pro. I used to get really annoyed, but I am sort of used to it now. I am not ashamed. People have told me that it's such a waste that I don't follow through w/ my original plans of going to law school. People have said I am wasting my intellect by doing what I am doing. And quite frankly, I am tired of defending myself and my choices. I have a beautiful son, loving boyfriend, supporting family (well, they are almost there) & friends, and I do something I am passionate about for a living. I love my life, and I wouldn't change anything about it--not for a six-figure salary, or the approval of others, or the prestige of an advanced degree.

Someone give me an "AMEN!!!"

"What is a Blog?" , Part 2: Cold Blues Go Away...

2007-01-02T20:04:00.000-10:00

This is my first every blog post, so for those of you veteran bloggers, please be patient with this blogging neophyte. I am not even really sure what purpose a blog serves, so to make it easier, I will just define what I intend my blog to be for. Selling retail goods via the Internet sort of neglects the personal banter that goes on during a physical transaction. A big part of selling jewelry that I create with my own hands that I love, is the interaction I have with potential customers. A patron picks up on something about you...your wit, your humor, your intelligence (or maybe the lack there of), your appearance, your product knowledge, that is lacking from a website transaction. My blog seeks to provide a peek into my world, my life--some little tidbit or anecdote that I would normally share with a customer I meet. And in that instant, your prospective customer sees you as a real person. A person with a significant other, with a child, with hardships and triumphs, with goals and ideals...a person with life. And suddenly, you are no longer a faceless entity trying to peddle some useles trinket onto them.

So I want this blog, to give you the opportunity, or more, to give me the opportunity to share myself with you--whoever you are, wherever you live, why ever you are reading this. With that in mind, let me begin...

Happy New Year!!! I love, love, love the New Year. First of all, it's the start of the "easy" season for me being that another successful Christmas has come and gone. Hallelujah!!! I have to start planning my son Cade's 2nd Birthday party. He was born on Christmas Day, which makes it doubly difficult for Ed and I. Being in retail means hectic times from late September until Christmas, which in turn means another late birthday party again for Cade. Last year, we had his birthday party like a month after Christmas. Somtimes it makes me feel like a bad parent, but really when I think about it, parties for kids that young are just an excuse to receive another deluge of gifts. I am sure in his coming-of-age memoir, he won't be venting about his childhood trauma that stemmed from how his Mother gave him birthday parties later than all the other 3-year-olds at the day care center.

Speaking of Cade, he just got a little cold yesterday. We spent the entire day in the house, watching "Curious George" about 200x. I have to say though, that I was surprised at how much I liked that movie. I wasn't a huge fan of George growing up, but I really appreciated his tenacity and precocious nature in this movie. I also liked seeing the Jack Johnson video in the bonus material, since he was born and raised in Hawaii. Represent!!! He is so cute too in a natural, bare-foot, crew-cut, guitar-toting way.

So back to the "cold blues," my son Cade is an extremely good-natured boy...so the few times when he has and does catch a cold, he is unusually cranky and bratty. I am not complaining, as I know it is part of toddlerhood. But I try to find the balance of being comforting without being doting. And it is really difficult, being that I am not the most patient person. I can say w/ all honesty that Ed is the patient parent. But patience is one of the many things that I'm attempting to learn on this maiden voyage of motherhood. I am trying to be patient with myself, while I learn to be patient.

So, instead of being miffed that I don't get to spend a glorious day making beautiful jewelry for the New Year, I will enjoy another day inside. I will relish being buried in a pond of pillows and comforters with Cade as plastic animals are strewn everywhere and holding a half-drunken bottle of apple juice while we watch "Curious George" for the 201th time. I will laugh at Cade as he picks up the $5 ukulele his Popo bought at the Swap Meet, and strums imagined accompaniment with Jack Johnson--both of the them barefoot, with little hair, and cute as buttons.