Jewelry boutique Embellish opened its doors in the summer of 2006.
Laura Jacobs, the store's owner, said it was always her dream to work for herself doing something she loved.
“Embellish was my brain child, and I still love it,” she said.
Embellish is a place where jewelry lovers can make their own accessories, whether they want a necklace, bracelet or earrings.
Classes offered include stringing, bead weaving, fused glass and wire wrapping. Students can learn the tricks of the trade while making a piece to add to their jewelry collections.
The cost of classes ranges from $20 to $40, with some advanced classes requires two classes. Class selections constantly change; a selection of current offerings can be found on the shop's website.
“Our drop-in policy allows you to create your own class by coming in and working off our set menu of project offerings,” Jacobs said.
Jewelry parties can also be booked at Embellish. Jacobs said ladies' nights and birthday parties are top party choices.
“Some are as small as four to five attendees and some groups are as large as 25 or 30,” she said.
Embellish holds special events for customers as well, offering them something new to try and an enjoyable way to spend time with friends.
“We also hold occasional ladies' nights, which combine jewelry making, food and wine sampling and sometimes even chair massages,” Jacobs said.
Embellish hosts trunk shows periodically. These limited shopping opportunities feature special beads, such as Kazuri beads of Kenya.
Jewelry can make or break an outfit, so it is a treat to be able to make your unique piece.
“We're seeing more and more jewelry made with gunmetal, and we've added several styles of gunmetal chain to keep up with the trend,” Jacobs said. “Also, we've had more requests for metal stamping, which is a fun way to personalize jewelry.”
Trends come and go in the world of fashion. Making your own jewelry can add pizazz, craft a lasting piece to your jewelry wardrobe and somewhat control cost. It all depends on how much you spend to create a one-of-a-kind item.
“With our pricing model, you could make a simple project for under $10, or a more elaborate one for $100. It's up to your imagination and budget,” Jacobs said.
Don’t ask Jacobs what her favorite jewelry accessory is. It’s not an easy answer because she said it “depends on the day.”
“And it also feels like picking a favorite child! I love too many to pick just one, but I can tell you my rings and Art Clay pendants tend to be front-runners,” she said.
