Inbox Thoughts on Trade Shows, Lab-Grown Diamonds and More Reader Letters Several readers were looking forward to the spring selling season. Published 1 year ago on May 24, 2023 By INSTORE Staff Instore May 2023 Issue Share Tweet Enjoyed your story about injecting personality into your store, and there are some creative ideas! — Annette Kinzie, Leonard Jewelry, Stillwater, OK Loved the ideas people use to make their stores memorable and glad you posted them for all of us. Doing lots of custom and it is so enjoyable! That’s why I got in the business to begin with and I’m so glad I love what I do every day! — Susan Eisen, Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry & Watches, El Paso, TX I’ve felt myself and other jewelers talk about our love/hate with trade shows more lately. Shows can all start to look the same and ultimately don’t offer anything unique to us outside of their location. However, the very best of trade shows is when the organizers purposely create community and extended time for us retailers to connect with each other. The more shows can do this, where we are really building friendships and alliances with each other, the more excited I am to go to that show! — Kyle Bullock, Bullock’s Jewelry, Roswell, NM [In that case, Kyle, I hope you’ll join us at The INSTORE Show! We have several community-building events planned, particularly our Brain Trust Workshop and networking reception. – Ed.] Looking forward to August and The INSTORE show! — Loann Stokes, Stokes Jewelry, Stillwater, MN We’re excited about the spring selling season! The bright, energetic colors of the season in the industry right now are inspiring. We love the vivid magentas, hot pinks and oranges we see. The pop of color brings excitement to the sales floor and the opportunity to educate our customers on gemstones they wouldn’t traditionally purchase. — Beth Greene, Conti Jewelers, Binghamton, NY I feel like it’s almost daily that I think to myself, “Wow, that would be something great to write about in INSTORE’s survey,” but then I can never remember what exactly it was because there’s too much. Almost every day there’s a situation with a customer, vendor or employee that I could write about, but it becomes overwhelming, and I get writer’s block when I fill out this survey. Don’t worry: A good story will come to me just as soon as I hit submit. — Marc Majors, Sam L. Majors, Midland, TX I am very excited to visit Las Vegas this year! It’s always wonderful walking through the aisles and getting a sense of what’s new in the industry! Spring is a great time for a change and growth, and we are all looking for new inspiration at this point. I hope it comes to me at JCK and Couture! — Daniela Balzano, Water Street Jewelers, Guilford, CT It’s always a great thing when your magazine arrives. It’s my quiet time during my 10-minute lunch break!!! — Tommy Thobe, The Village Gem, Perry Hall, MD Share your thoughts with INSTORE. Email us at editor@instoremag.com Related Topics: Featured INSTORE Staff Since launching in 2002, INSTORE has won 89 international journalism awards for its publication and website. Contact INSTORE's editors at editor@instoremag.com. click to Comment(Comment) Up Next On Estate Jewelry, Lab-Grown Diamonds, the Vegas Shows and More of Your Letters Don't Miss Worry Over Warranties, Diamond Debate and More Reader Letters Advertisement SPONSORED VIDEO Moving Up in the World? Wilkerson Can Help You Get There You may like Readers Share Their Thoughts on the INSTORE Design Awards, Summer Selling Season, Problem Clients and More Readers Sound Off about Gold Prices, Lab-Grown Diamonds, Politics, and More Readers Write in About Security, US Customs Regulations, ‘Just Looking’ Customers and More Promoted Headlines Moving Up in the World? Wilkerson Can Help You Get There Wilkerson Affordable Gems – Bringing Rare Colors to You Affordable Gems Jewelers on Why Melee Matters White Pine Advertisement Latest Trending Videos Headlines2 hours ago Digital Signage Market to More Than Double: Forecast Press Releases2 hours ago In Memoriam: GIA Governor Dr. Rodney Ewing Press Releases3 hours ago Wholesaler Refuses to Sell Jewelry Through Retailers Who Carry or Promote Lab-Grown Diamonds Headlines4 days ago Jewelry Store Clerk Shot to Death in Florida Shane Decker1 week ago 10 Action Items to Sell More Diamond Engagement Rings to Millennials Best of The Best1 week ago Next-Generation Jewelry Retailer Updates Park City Store Sponsored Content2 weeks ago Moving Up in the World? Wilkerson Can Help You Get There Sponsored Webinars3 weeks ago Podium Presents: 6 Proven Strategies to Win More Customers in 2024 and Beyond Sponsored Content1 month ago When the Kids Have Their Own Careers, Wilkerson Can Help You to Retire Advertisement SubscribeBULLETINS INSTORE helps you become a better jeweler with the biggest daily news headlines and useful tips. (Mailed 5x per week.) Latest Comments Most Popular Headlines4 days ago Jewelry Store Clerk Shot to Death in Florida Shane Decker1 week ago 10 Action Items to Sell More Diamond Engagement Rings to Millennials Best of The Best1 week ago Next-Generation Jewelry Retailer Updates Park City Store America's Coolest Stores1 day ago Houston Gem Dealers Make Commitment to Retail Best of The Best1 week ago Long’s Wedding Band Weekend Becomes New England Tradition Shane Decker1 week ago Want to Close More Sales? Understand the Plan, Process and Purpose Headlines1 day ago Jewelers Mutual Acquires Union Life & Casualty Insurance Agency Ask INSTORE1 day ago Is Sunlight the Best Light to View a Diamond, and More of Your Questions Answered