Welcome Debra!!

Say hello to the newest Tigerlilly girl, the fabulous Debra Orlowski!

{from facebook...}




So, Debra was a little shocked (horrified??) that I was serious about using the above hilarious sunglasses picture, but people, she is a fun girl and I love it. She is going to be wearing many proverbial hats with Tigerlilly, including special liason to our stores, marketing and pr (you will not believe what we are working on right now! Hint - events include fashion week, high profile celeb parties, and the *ultimate* red carpet event!!) and general helpfulness with fashion and jewelry advice for brides to be.

Debra is engaged so she knows exactly what you brides are going through - she's right there herself. She can't wait to get to know all of you! We're really excited to have her part of our team.

The Casablanca necklaces... finally!

To refresh your memory, we were working with the Casablanca 1914 dress for Gina's Bridal Boutique in Michigan. I wanted to come up with something to mimic the swirly m shape on the bodice using crystals and rhinestones, so my interpretation was a 2 stranded necklace with no pendant, so that it would lay on your neck like 2 "U"s (the upside down version of the swirly shape on the gown. But I also love a pendant with this dress, so I combined 2 necklaces into 1 layered look.




Now we'll be sending it off to Gina with the other accessories we come up with for this dress, and hopefully she can take a picture of everything together for us!

MIA

So much for my resolution to blog every day! Want to hear my lame excuse? We're moved into the new studio/showroom! It's taking up all of my time while trying to continue everyday business functions. I'm SO tempted to blow everything off and decorate the space... which I admit I'm doing just a little bit. But it's starting to come together and I'm so very excited. I can't wait to show you pictures!

So if we're a little slow with emails and blogging, it's because I'm dangling off an 8 foot ladder hanging a dozen paper globes from the ceiling and Andi is hooking up the new VOiP phone and all of the computers and printers and everything whilst trying to make it all look pretty!

One useful tip if you're looking to save money - totally not wedding related - in the new space, there was no internet or phone, and it's zoned commercial so comcast was going to be charging an outrageous amount per month for voice and internet (plus we were going to have to sign a long contract!) Verizon and several other companies don't even service the area! I found a really cool and easy alternative, clearwire. It's internet through cellular towers, but actually I think it's just magic. Anyway, you just plug it into a wall outlet and voila! Internet for $29.99 per month and phone for an additional $25, with no contracts.

*Custom* Bling this Dress - Casablanca 1914

I asked several of our favorite stores to send me images of some of their favorite dresses, and Gina of Gina's Bridal Boutique in Milford, MI sent me this one (sidenote: if you are a bride-to-be anywhere in Michigan, go see Gina!!) I am going to create custom accessories for this dress and post them tomorrow, then send them along to Gina for her store.

This dress is so pretty! Here's a picture of the back:



To me this dress is intricate, light, feminine, sparkly... so I want to design pieces with the same qualities. I like the necklace they paired with it already, but I have another idea that adds a little bit to it. Do you see at the waist of the dress, there are 2 half circles that look like the top of a heart? I want a necklace that will pick up a little bit on that... so I'm going to design 2 necklaces, one will be 2 graduated strands with no pendant so they'll lie on your neck like a half circle, and the other necklace can be worn with it, and it will be the same design but longer and with a pendant (teardrop shaped).

The earrings will also mimic the half circle and will be dripping with briolettes in a chandelier style. Both necklaces and earrings will have a light and airy feel, even though they'll be somewhat statement pieces. I'll also design a simple bracelet to coordinate with the necklace/earrings, and possibly a set of hairpins or a comb.

So... we'll see how my vision translates into reality on tomorrow's blog!

Tigerlilly Flagship Store!

Happy New Year!!

I have some really big news for you today... we're opening a store in Richmond! I just signed the lease today. Tigerlilly is coming soon to 321 Brook Road, Suite A in downtown Richmond, VA in the gallery district. We'll be available by appointment, and we seriously can't wait to meet you and show you all of our jewelry in person! Our studio will also be located here, so we'll be able to sit down and figure out custom designs, showing you all of the available crystal colors, pearl colors, and all of the hundreds of gemstones, filigrees, feathers, veiling, flowers, everything right there to play with! What fun - I can't wait! We'll also be introducing a small collection of everyday jewelry and one of a kind pieces that will only be available in store.

Our new space will also allow us to schedule private parties for you and your bridesmaids, where we can sip some bubbly and design custom pieces for you and all of your girls, moms, flower girls, everyone!

Be sure to give us a ring or email to schedule an appointment if you'll be in the Richmond area! 1.800.230.9115 or sales@tigerlillyjewelry.com. We hope to be open by January 15, but I'll keep you posted here :)