Buzz Session

Here’s What Is Bringing Jewelry Retailers Joy Right Now

From grandkids to booze to getting their nails done, jewelry retailers sound off on what’s making them happy.

Published

4 years ago

September 28, 2020

INSTORE Staff Instore October 2020 Issue Online Extra

My greatest joy right now is cooking. Delicious food is love. — Alice H. Klein, TKO Designs, Bethany Beach, DE
Yardwork, walking in sunshine, being outdoors. — J. Mason Cutchin, J. Mason Custom Jeweler, Chapel Hill, NC
Happy customers and a spotlessly clean store! Also, that we are blessed to be able to be healthy and to stay in business during this crazy pandemic. — Theresa Peregoy, Classic Facets, Edgewater, CO
I grow wine grapes, and harvesting and crushing are on the agenda now. — Karen Fitzpatrick, Harris Jewelers, Rio Rancho, NM
Dance. I joined a local dance group for adults just looking to have a good time together, and it’s been a wonderful outlet. — Jennifer Hornik Johnson, Miller’s Jewelry, Bozeman, MT
Seeing women coming in with their daughters teaching them to love gemstones and jewelry. And chocolate … that also brings us joy. — Rebecca Larson, Barry Peterson Jewelers, Ketchum, ID
Seeing people come closer together during these uncertain times. Lots of engagements and pregnancies. — Elizabeth Saba, Presley Co. Fine Jewelers, San Diego, CA
Music, art, and young couples in love buying engagement rings. Oh yes, and my dog Marilyn. — Robin Lies, Burnell’s Creative Gold, Wichita, KS
Jewelry transformation projects, more quality time with my family, getting my hair and nails done again! — J Christina Baribault-Ortiz, Baribault Jewelers, Glastonbury, CT
Coming to work. Take it away from me for two and a half months, and it makes you appreciate things so much more. — Michael Kanoff, Michael’s Jewelers, Yardley, PA
The fact that I’m walking! I broke both legs in May, dirt bike accident. Sometimes we take for granted the simple things in life! — Tom Duma, Thom Duma Fine Jewelers, Warren, OH
Booze. — Ronnie Ware, Ware Jewelers, Auburn, AL
Pretend you hear a snort of derision. — Loann Stokes, Stokes Jewelry, Stillwater, MN
Water skiing. Driving to national parks with our new Airstream trailer. I am a jeweler/camper now. — Steven B. Goldfarb, Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler, Bellevue, WA
Knowing that one day soon I can retire. It’s really tough hearing that $8 to solder a chain is just too much money! — Tommy Thobe, The Village Gem, Perry Hall, MD
Smaller experiences. Savoring the flavors of a meal prepared with seasonal produce, picking up interesting stones on a beach stroll, riding my bike in the woods, watching my indoor produce garden grow. — Ellie Thompson, Ellie Thompson + Co., Chicago, IL
Business is booming, pumpkin spice lattes and sending my kid back to school … BYEEEE!! — Julie Terwilliger, Wexford Jewelers, Cadillac, MI
The fact that it’s almost fall! Fall always feels like new beginnings to me, and I think we all desperately need a fresh start. — Becky Bettencourt, Blue River Diamonds, Peabody, MA
Joy is wherever you find it. For the last 20 years, I have had a Park Model trailer on the Mississippi River about seven-and-a-half miles from the store, and I spend a lot of time there. Sunrises and sunsets are my favorite time of the day. Currently I am building a storage building (11 x 11 feet) by myself, designing it as I go. It is kinda therapy, and I will have something other than a doctor bill when finished! — Edwin Menk, E.L. Menk Jewelers, Brainerd, MN
Thinking about Trump being led away in handcuffs. — Mark Thomas Ruby, SunSpirit Designs, Loveland, CO
Any time to be with friends, and socialize, after not being able to for months. — Kim Hatchell, Galloway & Moseley, Sumter, SC
Walking with my dog, 7-10 miles a day. — Mark Neumann, Ross Designs, Highland Park, IL
Sports coming back. — Gene Arthur, Arthur’s Jewelry, Reidsville, NC
Our bridal business has increased, so we are seeing couples who are so happy and in love. This has always been one of my favorite parts of my job. — Valerie Goodwin, Vaughan’s Jewelry, Edenton, NC
Working on my ranch. Riding my bicycle and my horse. — Kas Jacquot, Kas A Designs, Jefferson City, MO
Working in my gardens, and cooking. I have decided I make better leftovers than most of our area chefs can put in a to-go box. I am beginning to enjoy the quietness of my life, too. — Jo Goralski, The Jewelry Mechanic, Oconomowoc, WI
The beautiful, opal-like sunsets here in Ohio. — Beth Cevasco, Scott’s Custom Jewelers, Fairlawn, OH
My late-night quiet time on my new riverfront porch with God … all by myself, just me and Him … I have a newfound peace about my life and this crazy world. — Alan Perry, Perry’s Emporium, Wilmington, NC
Riding my bike listening to Tara Brach meditations. Cooking and eating the clean keto way and loving the conversations with my friends and family. I have noticed my creative moxie is showing a COVID emergence, which is truly welcomed! — Denise Oros, Linnea Jewelers, La Grange, IL
Seeing the younger employees stepping up offering to handle more responsibilities and doing such a great job. — Kevin Kelly, Kevin Kelly Jewelers, Peoria, IL
Grandchildren for sure. — Christine Matlack, E.G. Landis Jewelers, Boyertown, PA
Having my kids at home in the mornings rather then running off to school. — Chad Elliott Coogan, Gems of La Costa, Carlsbad, CA
Pretty much everything! My life is great. I have incredible appreciation and gratitude for the place I am right now. I love making jewelry, I love scrolling Facebook, I love hanging out with my adult son, I love my dog, I love to read, I love TV, I love my rocking chair, I love my house and my neighborhood. So much joy! — Janne Etz, Contemporary Concepts, Cocoa, FL
We recently were named the area’s best jeweler for the past 12 years, as well as best customer service of ANY local area store for the eigth year in a row!! We are SO proud! — Mary Jo Chanski, Hannoush Jewelers, Rutland, VT
I’m scared all of the time. If it’s not the pandemic, it’s the anticipation of more destruction and looting, or the craziness that has been allowed by our President. My joy is seeing my grandchildren, but I’m not allowed to even hug or kiss them! — Garry Zimmerman, Windy City Diamonds, Chicago, IL

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If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. jewelry store, you’re invited to join the INSTORE Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the jewelry industry. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

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