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Thursday, August 6, 2009
Jewelry Talk Moazen Jewelry is all about balance
Posted By Samantha Webster on Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Sure, Charlotte has hundreds of people peddling their handmade wares, hoping to make a buck in this economic mess, and while Moazen Jewelry is a part of that figure, there is something that is setting Moazen apart from the rest. With the yin and yang twin dynamic, and such a personable, inviting atmosphere, the business is making waves in the Charlotte boutique scene. Blame it on the location (right inside Charlotte art scene's Area 15), or on the sassy/classy attitudes of the owners, Hope and Faith Rivers, but something is bringing in the customers.
Upon walking into the tiny office space that is now occupied by Hope and Faith, you are bombarded by not only enormous amounts of handmade jewelry and accessories, but also by artwork, nature, and two beautiful, bubbly sisters with personality and heart. Even in such confining walls, the girls have managed to make their store a place to sit down, relax, and share your life histories with each other. Have some water and snacks, leave with some new earrings and some new friends. How many jewelry stores offer you that?
Moazen, which is the Hebrew word for balance, is the perfect name for this partnership. With such differing personas, what aspects one twin may not be strong in, the other picks up the slack. Hope bounces around, beaming, and steadily chattering with every customer, while Faith sits behind the desk, focused on beading, creating, and smiling, enjoying her surroundings and welcoming everyone new. And as far as working with family? "We wouldn't have it any other way," Hope shares. "You have to understand that you aren't going to agree all the time, and you'll have differences and you just have to embrace it and work together," Faith adds.
Hope and Faith have always been creative children. They recall that while in school, they would make jewelry out of paper, as well as painting and spraying bleach on their jeans for a customized effect. That is what could easily be called the start of their entrepreneurship. They would end up customizing classmates' jeans for around $10 a pop, because everyone wanted what they had made. Still not taking it 100 percent seriously, the girls continued on, eventually going to CPCC for degrees in design (Faith) and business (Hope). The marrying of those two fields into a business is essentially a perfect combination, and when adding in the family dynamic, success can certainly, at the least, be expected. So, even while tackling being full-time students, as well as full-time employees, the twins became full-time entrepreneurs and launched a catalog of their goods. Moazen was becoming their go-to for school projects, which beautifully incorporated building their business into their study time. Much of the marketing and design work came from assignments given to the twins by their college professors, who never knew what a lucrative project their hard work would end up being.
Slowly Moazen transformed from print, to Web, to a real-life retail environment ... in an old office. All of the twins' hard work has begun to pay off. Now they freely own and operate Moazen without the need for supplemental jobs (though Hope does also have a small night bartending gig). Customers flock to the store, not just for the unique, personalized jewelry, but also for the companionship and loyalty that they know they will get with their purchase. Hope and Faith offer a warranty on their jewelry, something most have never seen in the jewelry market. Usually the attitude of accessory vendors is that if you bought it, and it breaks, it's your problem. Not with Hope and Faith. The girls will fix any broken piece for free, first time only, with a small restringing fee of $5 for any occurrence after that. And let's be honest, we live recklessly and forget how delicate jewelry can be, so having such an affordable service is quite the business strategy.
That exact idea is only one of numerous reasons why you will see people hanging out in Moazen. The beautiful, semi-precious stone and wood jewelry is definitely something to behold. With three main lines in Moazen (Urban, Signature, and Earth), there is plenty to pick from to compliment your personality. You can even begin to see the girls' personalities seeping through into their works as well. Faith employs the use of wire ("I love it!" she exclaimed) in most of her work, while Hope just likes to play with whatever is in front of her. But no matter what techniques or materials they choose, the personality and ambiance of Moazen will keep the customers coming through that old office door.
Moazen is located at 512 E. 15 St. Contact them at 704-222-1011 or www.facebook.com/MoUptown or www.moazenjewelry.com.
Sales / Sale of the Day / Summer item Sale of the day: The Red Door
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 10:45 AM
With summer winding down, even your favorite erotic boutiques are having summer sales. Check out The Red Door's summer blow-out sale, with select styles up to 75 percent off.
200 W. Woodlawn Road, Suite 1
704-523-5332
5301 E. Independence Blvd.
704-566-8898
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Features / Summer item Hotel debuts swimwear vending machines
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Life is about convenience, isn't it?
Not long ago, I wrote about vending machines in the UK that offer after-party slippers (which, I want to reiterate, is a great idea).
Well, TalkingShopping.com is reporting that The Standard Hotel in L.A., Miami, Hollywood and New York now has vending machines that offer Quiksilver swimwear poolside.
So let me get this straight. If I'm on vacation at a fabulous spot and somehow forgot my swimsuit, I can just mosey on down poolside, slip a few dollars into the good ol' snack machine and out will pop a bikini (or swim trunks for dudes)?
Of course, if The Standard wanted to offer in-case-of-emergency swimwear for guests, they could have just snagged some Walmart styles to sell and called it good, but not this luxury hotel chain! They only offer the best, and we've got to say, the styles they offer for men and women are actually pretty awesome! Women can purchase a too-cute black bikini that is available in three different sizes, and men will be able to purchase one of four different styles (depending on their location), made with Quiksilver's Diamond Dobby stretch material, which is supposed to prevent rashes, in waist sizes 30 to 36! The swim trunks will cost you $65, and the bikini will cost you $84.
Boy ... I can just imagine having to feed the machine 84 $1 bills, one at a time. Then you know that a lot of times the machines get huffy and spit your dollar back out at you.
Yeah. If I forget my swimsuit the next time I'm staying at The Standard (which I doubt will be any time soon), I'll just make the trek to the local Wal-Mart.
News / Sales Charlotte Warehouse Sale coming up
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Tax-free weekend is almost upon us (click here for specifics) ... have you chosen the select stores you're hitting up (because you know the stores and malls will be packed and it's best to have a game plan before potentially drowning in those crowds) ?
Ladies, I suggest you hit up the Charlotte Warehouse Sale on Friday, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Save 75 percent to 90 percent off women's and children's designer clothing. Here, let me bold that for ya: 75 to 90 percent off the original price. Need I say more?
OK, maybe I should.
They accept cash and credit cards only. The minimum purchase for credit card transactions is $100, and anything less than $100 can only be purchased with cash only. Of course, all sales are final.
Location:
5400 West WT Harris Blvd., Suite R
(in between the Shoppes at Davis Lake and Old Statesville Rd. )
For directions, please call Toll Free 866-795-7990 Option 706.
Happy back-to-school shopping!
Sales / Sale of the Day / Summer item Sale of the day: Sun & Ski Sports
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 11:35 AM
There's a summer clearance sale going on at Sun & Ski Sport. For all apparel, buy one get one 50 percent off. Also, take an additional 25 percent off all clearance shoes.
Concord Mills
704-979-6500
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Clothier's Corner Your image: Perception is reality
Posted By William Wilson on Tue, Aug 4, 2009 at 11:35 AM
As I have said a number of times, image is conceived perception. You are what people think you are — at least in their minds. And in the world of business, those are the minds that count. Corporations spend millions of dollars to have companies consult them on their image and the best ways to project it to the masses. If they spend that kind of money just on their images, wouldn’t you agree it is obviously important?
This not only applies to corporations, but in our personal lives, as well. You are your own brand. You are your own company. At any given time, you are on display. You never know when you will meet your next client, next employer, or significant other. So it would behoove you to make sure you are always dress and act accordingly.
Get it? Until next time, God bless and dress well.
William Wilson is a nationally respected men’s clothier and image consultant. His clients include professional athletes, CEOs, and corporations. His homepage is www.WilliamtheClothier.com. Follow William on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/theclothier or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/williamtheclothier.
Sales / Sale of the Day / Summer item Sale of the day: WallerBears Surf Shop
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Tue, Aug 4, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Men's walk & boardshorts 20 percent off
Massive amounts of T-shirts buy 2 get 1 free
All women's summer fashion 20-40 percent off
8334-106 Pineville Matthews Rd
704-341-3414
Monday, August 3, 2009
Hot Spots / Videos Video tour of BeadLush
Posted By Samantha Webster on Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 2:10 PM
If you're into jewelry-making, or are just a lush for beads, check out a tour of this Plaza Midwood shop, with owner Lydia Stern.
1217 The Plaza
704-376-3331
News Bra bandit in Gastonia
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I didn't know there was a black market for Victoria Secret bras.
Here's a case Gastonia police are trying to bust -- the theft of $7,200 worth of bras Saturday afternoon from the Victoria's Secret store at the Eastridge Mall.Police say managers at the store reported about 150 bras missing, at an average cost of $48. The bras were of various styles, police say.
Read more here.
Sale of the Day / Summer item Sale of the day: I.C. London
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 10:06 AM
SUPER SUMMER SALE!
Select sleepwear 30-75% off
Swimwear 30-75% off
Select bras and panties 60-75% off
Ballantyne Village
14825 John J. Delaney Dr
704-369-5210
