Tickled Pink... Our Valentine's Day Giveaway and Promotion

Who doesn't love winning something? Who in all the world doesn't think, even if you only admit it to yourself, that receiving something special from anyone on Valentine's Day, even if it's you treating yourself, is pretty fantastic? We thought so too, so Laura Gibson has decided, for a limited time only, to give away one pair of our sweet and feminine rose pink and smoky quartz earrings! These lovely darlings are accented with fresh water pearls and are enhanced and hung from the finest sterling silver.. who wouldn't be tickled pink, red or purple to win these earrings?

OK, so here's the teensy little catch; we want you to share with us you most interesting, romantic, tender, hysterical, even disastrous Valentine's Day ever, and post your comment here; we will read each and every one and make our selection at the close of this promotion. Remember, now, something uniquely memorable to you - this is what will inspire us to send you these sparklers in time to enjoy yourself, or give to someone you adore and admire to start their special Valentine's Day just right.

The giveaway begins February 3rd at midnight EST and will close promptly at midnight February 11th; this way I can pack up your winning earrings and ship them off to arrive by the 14th.

Oh, we almost forgot; we are going to offer you as well, a nice discount on all Laura Gibson jewelry via our website during this limited time giveaway for all purchases over $150.00. The discount code is good for 30% and all you need to do is enter the word "LOVE" (corny yes we know, we know) and your discount will be taken off at checkout.

OK, start sharing!

We're Giving Away the House

Well, not quite my house really, just everything in my collection is being blogged about these days, all because I and my marketing people decided to give select pieces of my jewelry away! It's really been rather fun, seeing all the new life in my work and the new interest from shoppers who may not have known about Laura Gibson Jewelry... here's a current online giveaway happening now, go see for yourself and tell me what you think!

More to come on this front since we've adopted the attitude "it really is better to give than receive (even if it is only for a fun online promotion)!"

The UnBride Promotion and Giveaway closes on January 26th; click here to participate! http://theunbride.com/2010/01/giveaway-laura-gibson-freshwater-pearl-earrings/

New Beginnings

“There are things that we never want to let go of, people and places we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of what you know, it’s the beginning of a new journey of discovery - only new beginnings can be the door the opens to the possibility that we might just hit it this time."

I really identify with this quote. I thought about it as we wind down our family gatherings this holiday season, realizing that the shear joy and excitement of a New Year is only days upon us! We have so much to be thankful for, and so many wonderful plans for the spring and summer seasons that I cannot wait to share it all with you here as the days and weeks progress. New styles, designs, pricing and a direction very fresh for the company... check back with me, I promise to share all the fabulous details as they unfold.

Beginnings. A new chapter is always something to look forward to.

Cheers.




Silver, opal chalcedony, coral, carnelian and apatite earrings from the Laura Gibson collection. $130.00 retail. Available online at; http://www.lauragibson.com.

Quote above courtesy of an anonymous author.

Just adore an Affair to Remember

Was up far too late last night, finishing up a few last minute custom requests, when I did a bit of channel surfing in hopes of finding a nice, mindless distraction to lull me to wrap things up and go to bed. Not so lucky, in that I came across a beloved movie classic, An Affair to Remember. You know what happened of course, I sat through the entire thing, captivated for the millionth time, (was there ever a man who could wear a suit sharper than Cary Grant?) crying and feeling completely nostalgic all the while... don't you just adore that movie? Oh, and the dresses... Deborah Kerr was absolutely stunning in every ensemble, ever scene, really. I can only imagine how beautiful some of my collection pieces would have been, paired with such a striking actress and her wardrobe for that picture.

Such is the season for late nights (usually gift wrapping or last minute card-writing) and wonderful holiday classics like this one.

Necklace from the Laura Gibson Quails Collection.

Beloved Icon Collection Goes to Auction

The era of Hollywood stars who truly captivated and entranced a world of adoring fans has long been passed, but every now and then I'm reminded of how wonderful those days really were. Legend in film as well as fashion muse, Audrey Hepburn was such a individual and her dress collection is going to auction to benefit her charity, the Hepburn Children's Fund. In a meeting at the studio yesterday we were actually speaking of creative, catchy names for a collection I'm thinking of doing, and while we probably won't go with it, "Gigi" came to mind - fitting that I read this story today...

From today's New York Times, Dec.01; A Givenchy Haute Couture white point d’esprit ball gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in the opera scene of “Love in the Afternoon” in 1956 will be on auction in December.

Out would spill the spoils of celluloid fame: little black dresses, sleek and sculpted or crusty with lace; slender evening gowns in fresh sorbet colors; snug hats, bobbing with tassels; and the occasional personal items from the gamine movie star, like a striped matelot sweater or a herringbone tweed coat in which she would walk her Yorkshire terrier Famous.This cache of clothes, kept for over half a century, including a letter by Audrey to her friend, sharing her stage fright before her “Gigi” debut on Broadway in 1951, comes up for sale at auction next week.
“They chart her rise to fame from rags to riches,” says Kerry Taylor, curator of the “Passion for Fashion” sale. The Audrey Hepburn collection goes under the hammer in London on Dec. 8, after a touring exhibition in association with Sotheby’s. Read the article in its entirety here; http://tinyurl.com/yklsk6s

I thought about my own collection and imagined Audrey enjoying the soft, delicate colors and simple, elegant workmanship knowing this was her taste, her own sense of style - to be worn by such a remarkable woman would have been a wonderful thing indeed.

Photo image of a Givenchy Haute Couture white point d’esprit ball gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in the opera scene of “Love in the Afternoon” in 1956 will be on auction in December. Our 18K gold and semi precious stone necklace of peridot and aquamarine can be found on the Laura Gibson site; http://www.lauragibson.com

The Romance of Winter

Periodically I'm asked to share my thoughts or ideas, however obscure and random, on blogs authored by my clients, friends and various artists throughout the design community. I was particularly interested in the opportunity to expound a bit on this blog, authored by well known jewelry designer, Laura Gibson, because I truly love the fact that she spends so much time with her family at their second home in Nova Scotia. I personally have not had the grand pleasure of visiting this wonderland of peacefulness and scenic splendor, but as someone who 'once upon a time' hailed from the regions of New England, I long each day for the changing leaves, the snap of the crisp cold winds that invariably kick up this time of year, and the snow... ah yes, the blankets of thick, billowy snow.

These photos are by Nova Scotia photographer Peter Rachman and each one evokes the very emotions I feel this time of year, the yearning for comfort reminders so beautifully captured in each frame. I know Laura speaks of her lovely Nova Scotia and travels there as often as her schedule allows... maybe someday I too will have the shear joy of romping through the mounds of white splendor and can sit back on the banks of the river and relish each special moment this glorious land provides.

Remember, Laura is now on Facebook as; Laura Gibson Jewelry, she's Twittering courtesy of @lauragibsongems and you can take advantage of some amazing discounts this holiday season on her gorgeous collection at; http://www.lauragibson.com.

Guest Post November 29th, 2009
Lisa Pool
cc101
creative client representation

Simple is Simply Stunning

When asked (and I often am) what pieces of my bridal collection go best with certain dresses and gowns, my reply is always the same; "simple, clean lines are the most elegant and will be remembered for years." I really mean this. Designers that can take exquiste fabrics and blend them to create garments that make every woman feel gorgeous, is much like how I combine my pearls, stones gold and silver - the concept is to enhance the bridal ensemble and bring out every beautiful feature of the special female on her special day...

These remarkable gowns by Adele Wechsler, Monique L Huillier and Ulla Maija all express exactly what I mean when I say simple is simply stunning.

My collection pieces shown here combining pearl, rose quartz, labradorite and moon stone are seasonal favorites of many brides and are currently available on my website.

I love how these designers use the fall colors...

My husband and I went with our two girls to Nova Scotia a few weeks ago (I think I mentioned earlier we have a little place there) for Canadian Thanksgiving and the fall colors were so gorgeous and vivid. It reminded me that the site outside my window there four years ago had inspired my Autumn Collection – rich greens, saffron yellows, carnelian oranges, ruby reds and deep, chocolate browns, mimicking the heady fall colors in the leaves. We only had a chance to stay few days, but we had such a great time building fires every day and all day... So funny to have that experience and then come back to the crazy Tucson heat!

And now, as fall winds down and we move into winter (well, we're supposed to be in winter by now), I think of all of the organic earth tones that I like to wear at this time of year and started to go hunting for some choice designers out there thinking the way I do; I can just see all of my Earthly Collection pieces on any one of these stunning creations - Diana Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Eileen Fisher, even the hip design house Rebecca Minkoff is doing all their fall lines in the rich colors I've loved for years.

You can find a wonderful selection of my designs currently on sale too, just check the website for all the details.

Gorgeous Fall Colors on Sale Now

I've got to take some time this week to elaborate on my passion for the fall season and all the gorgeous colors that remind me of this beautiful time of year, but for the moment, here are a few pieces from my collection that are currently featured on my website. They are 60% to 70% off retail which is such a wonderful incentive to add these stunning colors to your wardrobe!

 

My Signature Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet

It's cliche to say something is "near and dear to my heart" but quite sincerely, breast cancer awareness, research and treatment is very important to me, cliches and all. To honor all the women who live with, survive and conquer breast cancer, I create a signature bracelet of beautiful and supremely feminine fresh water pearls, rose quartz and pink tourmalines. The stones and pearls are wrapped in fine sterling silver, and additional styles I've designed to compliment this piece, come in a limited edition variety of bracelets, pendants and earrings.

$25.00 from the sale of this bracelet goes directly to benefit the Susan B. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research - each time you wear this lovely item, or when you choose to give it to someone significant as a gift, you're helping us help them make a real difference.

Robin Roberts, co-anchor of Good Morning American wearing Laura Gibson.

Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearl, Rose Quartz, Pink Tourmaline Breast Cancer Bracelet
Bracelet measures 7+1/2 inches long
Price: $125
$25 Donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research

It's all about the Color

Thought I'd take a moment and share a couple more images of the colored gemstone pieces I design... ask anyone who knows me, I always come back to "it's all about the COLOR."

Enjoy.

Here it is - the Laura Gibson Jewelry Blog

So here it is, my very first blog entry - if you'd asked me two weeks ago if I'd be online sharing my thoughts, ideas and ramblings in a blog, well, I would have just winked and thought, "Sure, that's going to happen!" But then I started reading and then writing, and now here I am - an official blog author.

Until now I'd never blogged before and barely understood what it was until I saw the film, "Julia Julie" (or is it Julie Julia?) starring the incomparable Meryl Streep and the lovely Amy Adams. But now that I understand it, I can genuinely see how important a tool it is for staying in touch with my loyal customers, and I'm really excited about getting started. So here's a bit of "me" to share. Ever since I was a child, I liked making things with my hands. I made macrame in the 60’s (I know this dates me but who cares, 50 is the new 40 right?) and would string turquoise Heshi beads in high school, and learned to knit when I was pregnant with my first child. My home is filled with needlepoint pillows and tons of colorful afghans that I 

crafted over the years.

I actually didn't start making jewelry until 1996 when I tried my hand at beading with Swarovski crystals; it was always about the amazing COLORS that got me goin

g (and still is), though now I use 18K and 22K gold as well as sterling silver and genuine gemstones. I have always played with color, from the time I was very young – draping my mother’s chiffon scarves into dress designs, and using all of the purple and teal colored crayons in the box to create an abstract design. I think my sense of color came from my mother and grandmother; my mother sculpted (see, it really does run in the genes) and my grandmother painted. I wasn't particularly drawn to either, so I never considered myself as having ANY artistic talent. It was not until going to the Tucson Gem Show in 1996 that I discovered not only a hidden talent, but my true passion!

I am often asked by my customers what inspires me? The answer is pretty simple – COLOR. Sometimes its the falling of autumn leaves or the tones of color in a woman's dress; most ofte

n though, I just take one of my many t-shirts (and there are many

 I assure you) and select interesting color combinations that will go with it. Recently I was doing a great deal of traveling to trunk shows for my boutiques and shop owners and I wanted to wear something that would go with all of the t-shirts and sweaters I'd planned to bring. That season, I mostly had red, hot pink, orange and teal blue tops. Those hues and tones inspired a totally new color combination which I truly love. Other times I just want to design a piece that will look beautiful with a particular coloring; my brother always loved women with red or strawberry blood hair and blue eyes and I made a piece for my sister in law that would capture all those vibrant shades – of course that is her coloring! Imagine those bright, rich colors in stones done in a piece on a strawberry blond with blue eyes - stunning.

I always tell women to choose whatever compliments their hair and eyes OR goes with the colors they like to wear. I have gray hair and brown eyes so when all else fails I wear deep black tourmalines, watery, sparkly labrodorite, and bright quartz; all of these look so great with whatever I have on. I never fail to get a compliment when I wear these gemstones because they bring out the color of my eyes and hair.

Simply put, mostly I just love bright, dynamic colors so I incorporate so many var

ieties of color in my designs, so that they will go with the many bright scarves, tee's and clothing I wear.

Well, that wasn't so scary, I guess I'm going to get the hang of this blogging after all.