IT'S MARKET TIME!

It's hard to believe it is time for us to head back to the summer Atlanta market. This is the largest market in the country with over a 7 million square feet of vendor space, and growing! We will be at market from Friday, July 10Th until Tuesday, July 14Th. Even with 4 full days (8:00am-8:00pm) we still do not see all the market has to offer. We always make appointments with our key vendors. But, we also make sure we have ample time to search out new vendors with the latest high design trends to bring back to the shop. There are several exciting seminars we will attend to learn the best way to merchandise and operate our shop. We also meet many talented professionals and share success stories and "war" stories. We are planning many exciting special events for the shop this fall and we will be searching for the perfect treasures to showcase at these events. Most people think we will be buying Christmas, but in actuality we will be buying Spring and Summer 2010. Our Christmas 2009 was purchased in January and has already arrived at our shop. We have sorted and marked our Christmas treasures and will showcase them at our open house in November. I know you are going to love the unique gifts, jewelry and decorations we have for this Christmas! Check back with us next week and see my daily snapshots from the market. We will be closed Friday, July 10Th through Tuesday, July, 14Th. We will reopen Wednesday, July 15Th for all your gift giving needs!! We hope to see you next week! In the meantime, check out our website at http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ and become a fan of ours at http://www.facebook.com/ and search evelyn's jewelry & gift shop.

Buy Smart, Buy American Made

Have you noticed recently that most products being sold are made in China and other foreign countries? What has happened to made in USA? Our town of Barnwell has recently felt the effects of industries moving their factories to other countries. This greatly hampers not only our local economy, but the economy of our country. Let's send a message to these companies by finding alternative products that are made in USA. But, this is not an easy task. I recently read an article about a man who went to one of the "big box" stores to find a shirt that was made in USA. He asked the assistance of a sales person and they were unable to find any type of shirt that was made in USA. He stated that if everyone asks for made in USA products in every store we shop, we will send a message to the company buyers to add more made in USA products. I have taken up the challenge to do this at Evelyn's. I have marked all the products that are made in USA with a special sign in the shop. These signs will make it easy for you to find these great products. We are going to market soon and finding made in USA products will be our major focus. Let's put the pride back in owning made in USA products. Visit us at our website, http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ to see a sampling of our made in USA treasures. Lets all make a positive difference to our economy. Remember to buy smart, buy made in USA!

GRADUATING TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

It seems like yesterday that today's graduates were learning to ride their tricycles and their biggest decision was what flavor Popsicle they loved best. When I graduated, computers were a mysterious huge machine that no one had in their homes. We hand wrote everything in cursive writing and typed on the "newest" electronic typewriters. Things have changed! But the one thing that will never change is our pride in all our graduates as they begin their new adventures in adult life. We want to hold them close to us and are excited to cheer them in their new adventures. You will never see a more proud face than that of a parent as their child walks up to receive their diploma.

We have many special ways to congratulate the graduates you love. Our personalized collections are always the most popular gifts at graduation. We always offer complimentary engraving on any of our unique treasures. Our monogrammed collections include monogrammed: jewelry, bags, towels, jewelry boxes, license plates, bath wraps, pens, pocket knives, key rings, money clips,and so much more. Our newest travel bags and accessories, CindaB, are on every graduate's registry. Check out this new collection (this is being featured on the new bachelorette starting 5/18) that has so many pieces you will love! Come by the shop soon and let us help you choose the perfect gifts for all you special graduates!

We always offer complimentary monogramming and gift wrapping!

Hope to see you soon!

EVELYN'S EVENING OF DESIGN

On Thursday, April 30, we hosted our first EVENING OF DESIGN benefiting the Animal Advocates of Barnwell. Our sold out audience learned how to create breathtaking table settings and centerpieces to complete their next party. Each guest enjoyed our delicious appetizers as they learned great tips on hosting the perfect party. We are so thankful for such a successful event that raised $600.00 for the Animal Advocates. Guests left our fabulous event with wonderful gifts from Evelyn's and tasty pet treats from the Animal Advocates. We are planning our next Evening of Design event for September. Be sure you are on our e-mail newsletter list to learn about the exact date before anyone else. Limited tickets will be available for our September event "Decorating for the Holidays". To sign up for our e-mail newsletter visit our website http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/.

As requested, the following is one of our requested appetizer recipes:

TORTELLINI SALAD SKEWERS

1 (9oz.) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 (8oz.) package frozen sugar snap peas

68 (4in.) wooden skewers

1 pt. grapes tomatoes, cut in half

1 bottle champagne vinaigrette

(1) Cook tortellini according to package directions. Rinse under cold running water.

(2)Place sugar snap peas in a small bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Microwave at HIGH 2 minutes. Rinse under cold running water.

(3) Thread each skewer with 1 sugar snap pea, 1 tortellini, and 1 tomato half. Place skewers in a 13x9 inch backing dish. Pour vinaigrette over skewers, turning to coat. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.

Transfer to serving platter and discard vinaigrette.

BE JEWELED THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

Can you believe it is almost Valentine's Day? Where has the time gone? We have been busy finding you the perfect and most unique gifts to give and receive this Valentine's Day. Our handmade sterling silver jewelry by artisans in Philadelphia is one of our most unique offerings this Valentine's. We have many heart designs in necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. And if you are not a "heart" person, you will love our collection of designs in coin pearls, aventurine, and more!

If you are searching for a Valentine's gift to give a special friend or teacher we have the following perfect gifts: luxurious European soaps, Aromatique lotions and fragrance diffusers, Patience Brewster Valentine's guest towels, Willow Tree angels, and delicious gourmet treats!

So come by the shop soon and let us help you choose the perfect gift for your Valentine! Remember, we have all the wonderful Hallmark Valentine's Day cards you love!!

Visit our collections on our website: http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/

WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT

We just got back from a busy market in Atlanta and have found many great treasures you will have to have! And at each market we find out what is hot for the new year and what is out. The following is our list of what will be in for 2009:

What's In:

Monograms, Inspirational Gifts, Scarves, Aprons, Traditional Prints, Spectacular Serving Pieces like Arthur Court Designs, Unique Lamps with Interesting Shades, Vintage Looks in Distressed Wood and Iron, Mercury Glass, Recycled Glass, Owls, Penguins, Fragrance Diffusers, Rustic Glamour, Mixing Styles and Periods, All Shades of Green, Black/White/Silver, Copper, Nature Themes, Luxury Soaps and Lotions, Made in USA.

What's Out:

Flip Flops, Vera Bradley Bags, Jar Candles, Printed T-Shirts, Fake Looking Flowers, Giraffe and Zebra Print Bags, Muddy Earth Tones, Victorian Themes, Boring Lamps, Cheaply Made Accessories, Cheap Imports, Primitive Themes, Matchy-Matchy , Imports.

This will be a year to pamper yourself with affordable luxuries. We have a wonderful collection of soaps, lotions, fragrance diffusers, delectable gourmet treats, and soothing Cd's to help you relax in luxury. We also are going back to what we know we do best. We are increasing our offerings of unique home decor at prices you will not believe. Our new collection of lamps, prints, linens, and decorative accessories will help you redesign your living space in high style. So, come by the shop often and see all the new treasures we have just for you!! Visit our website http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ to see the beginning of our new collections.

IT'S A GREAT NEW YEAR AT EVELYN'S

Where did the year go? Can you believe it is already a new year? This new year will be an exciting and mysterious time as our country prepares for a new president and recover from the recession we have been suffering through. We would like to thank you, our valued customers, for helping us have a wonderful Christmas season! As the "big box" stores were struggling, you helped us have a profitable season. Many of you told us you were shopping locally and we are greatly appreciative for your generosity! We hope you were excited with our unique collections of personalized gifts that you gave and received. Our monogrammed jewelry was our star this Christmas. If you didn't receive any for Christmas, don't fret. Valentine's Day is soon approaching and cupid will be listening for hints! We are going to market soon to find many treasures to bring back to the shop. We try to continue offering you the most unique and trend forward gifts, decorative accessories, and jewelry that you will have to have! Future posts will show you our unique finds. Spring will bring a new look for the shop and several special events you will want to attend. Check our website http://evelynsjewelry.com/ for upcoming shop events. If there is ever anything you are searching for, let us know. We will try our best to find it for you.

Everyone at Evelyn's hopes you will have a blessed new year!