By the way, Mother’s Day is a week from Sunday and I have got you covered!!!! Read on!

I will be gone from my studio from May 26th THROUGH June 30th.

I’m so excited to see friends I haven’t seen in 20 or more years, too. I plan on learning to sea kayak – a longtime dream – and maybe paddle boarding, too. (Even though I have horrible balance!) Enzo and I will take long walks and I hope to run on the beach daily. Lots of sitting outside in the sun, reading, sitting at coffee shops (and bars!) and shopping are the “big” plans. I’ve earned it, trust me. I haven’t had a vacation in about 14 years. No lie. I’m due.

I WILL be bringing all my jewelry and shipping materials to fill orders while I’m gone! The only delay in shipping will be on my drive there and then on the way home.

IF YOU’RE IN THE AREA from May 27th through June 26th AND WANT TO COME TO A MAKESHIFT “TRUNK SHOW” GIVE ME A CALL TO SEE IF I’M AROUND AND YOU CAN SEE THE JEWELRY IN PERSON AND TRY STUFF ON! My cell: 970.227.9794

(Think of me driving 1400 miles with Enzo and Milo. I’m sure we will have stories for the next newsletter!)

It’s time to do a good deed before I leave!

Several months ago I donated the proceeds to the sale of one of my very popular dog charm bracelets to Harley on Facebook to help fight against puppy mills and also to fund a rescue trip.

This time, I’d like to do the same thing but for my friend, Sarah, who runs a Fort Collins rescue called A Soft Place to Land.Click here for the link to her Facebook page, too.

I know Sarah personally and can vouch for her in every way. She is amazing and I cannot believe the sacrifices she makes for the dogs she rescues. Plus, she’s always helping other rescues place their dogs.

You can choose the “Vintage Dogs Charm Bracelet with Pink Poodle” or “Vintage Dogs Charm Bracelet with Silver Scottie”. I will donate the $250 to the rescue as I know Sarah always has vet bills. It will be a win/win/…you get a cool one-of-a-kind bracelet and Sarah gets a little cash for very needy doggies.

I love social media. I know that is not very cool to say out loud but I don’t care. I use Facebook for my personal and business stuff. I use Twitter for business stuff and Pinterest of course! I was late to the game for Instagram, though. But, I’m all in now! I’m only using it to post jewelry-related photos. Since I’m still addicted to my Olloclip macro lens, I particularly like to use it to post macros of pretty things to Instagram.

Go follow me on Instagram. And, if you aren’t on Instagram, you won’t miss out since I have a link on Facebook that shows all the photos I post anyway!

Also, just in case this will help you buy something special for yourself or, I guess, someone else, (whatever!)….You can now take more time to pay using the Paypal “Get More Time to Pay” link. You can have 6 months to pay for orders over $99 on my website with Paypal! I have this little box/link on every product on my site so all you need to do is click it and follow the directions. Try it. You’ll like it.

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

As I wrote last month…Desiree is a really good customer. REALLY good. This month, she snagged a bracelet when I posted a sneak peek on Facebook.

As she is always so sweet to do, she posted this photo and note on Facebook:

“It’s here and lovely to boot. I think I might need one of the bird bracelets to keep it company! . Thank you for the beautiful stuff you do. It made my day.”

(For one similar to the one Desiree bought…click here! I just listed it 2 days ago!)

Melinda bought these 2 necklaces last month! The “Celluloid Cameo and Ivory Rose Repurposed Necklace” was the Necklace of the Month for March and she snagged it almost on the last possible day at 20% off!

And, much to my, (and eventually her), delight, she also couldn’t resist the “Blue Asymmetrical Festoon Necklace”! The Facebook earrings of the day - “Smooth Blue Sapphire Navette Earrings” happened to match that necklace perfectly clinched the whole deal!

She had me do a little lengthening on both necklaces, which I was happy to do, and mailed them off to her.

On Facebook she posted:

“OMG!!! I just looked at the USPS tracking site and my package is supposed to be delivered today. How can I wait until 5:00 to get it?”

But the best email came after she received them:

“Paula -
What can I say? They are magnificent. The necklaces fit, the lengths are just perfect. I could hardly wait to get home that night and then I had to work late. It was very difficult knowing that my package was waiting at home for me.

I know the saying is ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ but when it comes to your creations, a picture does not do them justice. You do an excellent job of photographing them for the website with the different angles and close-ups but I am amazed at the difference when I see them in person.

I love the Blue Asymmetrical Festoon Necklace and the Smooth Blue Navette Earrings. I am a September baby and sapphire is my birthstone. I love most blue stones, especially dark blue, and these are perfect.

Of course again last month, I debated on the Celluloid Cameo Ivory Rose Choker since the minute that you listed it. Both my mom and I collect celluloid dresser sets and I love cameos. Every day I would go back and forth on it, especially when you posted a reminder about it. Then when I saw the Blue Festoon Necklace, I decided since no one else had picked it up, it must be waiting to come to my home. I am glad it did!!!

If you ever have a set of cameo earrings, let me know. I would love them!

Thanks again for allowing me to own some of your creations!

Melinda”

I love that.

(p.s. I made another blue asymmetrical festoon necklace this week! More on that below…keep reading…)

Here’s a screenshot of feedback from a purchase from my Etsy shop:

But wait…there’s more love! Repeat (and repeat and repeat, etc., etc.) customer, Cory, posted this photo and note on Facebook: “I had to find a jewel box that was fitting for your pieces. I finally found it. Box top – and contents. Notice that there is space for more. ” How nice is THAT?!     Sandi, bought these “Aqua Givre Simple Drop Earrings” and after she received them she sent me this email:   “I received my wonderful earrings yesterday and as usual am so impressed with your fast shipping and beautiful work! I had to choose my outfit in blue today to match my new earrings! I love that they are old and can only imagine who must have worn these stones before me. Maybe a queen! Well probably not, but I’m sure they were wonderful then too! Thanks Paula and I’m so happy your business is doing do well…you definitely deserve the success!!“   (And, Sandi ordered 3 more pairs of newly listed earrings yesterday that I mailed today to her!)             Last month I wrote about the toy cowboy watch bracelets I made that started a stampede! I ended up making 7 total and all went to anxious recipients.Jean bought this one and posted it on Facebook with this note:“… I am wearing it for our daughter’s rehearsal dinner/Hitchin’ Party. It at the zoo’s jaguar exhibit and is catered by one of Houston’s best BBQ restaurant’s! So it will be perfect! Thanks!” Last, but not least….an email from new customer Vonnie, who bought “Rhinestone Button Bracelet #15″: “Just to let you know ‘Rhinestone Bracelet #15′ arrived! It’s even better than the picture! Very beautiful piece Paula. Thanks for making Mother’s Day great!”   Awesome! And, that bracelet has been pinned an astonishing 294 times on Pinterest!   I currently have ONE left if you want it…you’d better hurry!       It was another good month!         My customers rock.

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. (This sold bracelet, for example, has been pinned 83 times!) If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go follow me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! So fun, right?

Go see what the QR Code coupon is for May! (It’s a really good one, too!)

(You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For May I offer the following necklace at 20% off! (And the World’s Best Mother’s Day present in history!!!)

It’s called, “You’re So Tweet Repurposed Birds and Nest Mourning Necklace” and it is 20% off for May or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

This will make a statement. It will be an heirloom piece. You can tell all admirers the story behind it.

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Tuesday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On(re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page.

You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY* (through Sunday) is NEWLY LISTED…“Mum’s the Word Repurposed Chrysanthemum Necklace”!

It is regularly only $200.00 but with the special facebook coupon it is $160.00 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today! Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself or someone else something pretty!)

By the way, Mother’s Day is a week from Sunday and I have got you covered!!!! Read on!

I will be gone from my studio from May 26th THROUGH June 30th.

I’m so excited to see friends I haven’t seen in 20 or more years, too. I plan on learning to sea kayak – a longtime dream – and maybe paddle boarding, too. (Even though I have horrible balance!) Enzo and I will take long walks and I hope to run on the beach daily. Lots of sitting outside in the sun, reading, sitting at coffee shops (and bars!) and shopping are the “big” plans. I’ve earned it, trust me. I haven’t had a vacation in about 14 years. No lie. I’m due.

I WILL be bringing all my jewelry and shipping materials to fill orders while I’m gone! The only delay in shipping will be on my drive there and then on the way home.

IF YOU’RE IN THE AREA from May 27th through June 26th AND WANT TO COME TO A MAKESHIFT “TRUNK SHOW” GIVE ME A CALL TO SEE IF I’M AROUND AND YOU CAN SEE THE JEWELRY IN PERSON AND TRY STUFF ON! My cell: 970.227.9794

(Think of me driving 1400 miles with Enzo and Milo. I’m sure we will have stories for the next newsletter!)

It’s time to do a good deed before I leave!

Several months ago I donated the proceeds to the sale of one of my very popular dog charm bracelets to Harley on Facebook to help fight against puppy mills and also to fund a rescue trip.

This time, I’d like to do the same thing but for my friend, Sarah, who runs a Fort Collins rescue called A Soft Place to Land.Click here for the link to her Facebook page, too.

I know Sarah personally and can vouch for her in every way. She is amazing and I cannot believe the sacrifices she makes for the dogs she rescues. Plus, she’s always helping other rescues place their dogs.

You can choose the “Vintage Dogs Charm Bracelet with Pink Poodle” or “Vintage Dogs Charm Bracelet with Silver Scottie”. I will donate the $250 to the rescue as I know Sarah always has vet bills. It will be a win/win/…you get a cool one-of-a-kind bracelet and Sarah gets a little cash for very needy doggies.

I love social media. I know that is not very cool to say out loud but I don’t care. I use Facebook for my personal and business stuff. I use Twitter for business stuff and Pinterest of course! I was late to the game for Instagram, though. But, I’m all in now! I’m only using it to post jewelry-related photos. Since I’m still addicted to my Olloclip macro lens, I particularly like to use it to post macros of pretty things to Instagram.

Go follow me on Instagram. And, if you aren’t on Instagram, you won’t miss out since I have a link on Facebook that shows all the photos I post anyway!

Also, just in case this will help you buy something special for yourself or, I guess, someone else, (whatever!)….You can now take more time to pay using the Paypal “Get More Time to Pay” link. You can have 6 months to pay for orders over $99 on my website with Paypal! I have this little box/link on every product on my site so all you need to do is click it and follow the directions. Try it. You’ll like it.

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

As I wrote last month…Desiree is a really good customer. REALLY good. This month, she snagged a bracelet when I posted a sneak peek on Facebook.

As she is always so sweet to do, she posted this photo and note on Facebook:

“It’s here and lovely to boot. I think I might need one of the bird bracelets to keep it company! . Thank you for the beautiful stuff you do. It made my day.”

(For one similar to the one Desiree bought…click here! I just listed it 2 days ago!)

Melinda bought these 2 necklaces last month! The “Celluloid Cameo and Ivory Rose Repurposed Necklace” was the Necklace of the Month for March and she snagged it almost on the last possible day at 20% off!

And, much to my, (and eventually her), delight, she also couldn’t resist the “Blue Asymmetrical Festoon Necklace”! The Facebook earrings of the day - “Smooth Blue Sapphire Navette Earrings” happened to match that necklace perfectly clinched the whole deal!

She had me do a little lengthening on both necklaces, which I was happy to do, and mailed them off to her.

On Facebook she posted:

“OMG!!! I just looked at the USPS tracking site and my package is supposed to be delivered today. How can I wait until 5:00 to get it?”

But the best email came after she received them:

“Paula -
What can I say? They are magnificent. The necklaces fit, the lengths are just perfect. I could hardly wait to get home that night and then I had to work late. It was very difficult knowing that my package was waiting at home for me.

I know the saying is ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ but when it comes to your creations, a picture does not do them justice. You do an excellent job of photographing them for the website with the different angles and close-ups but I am amazed at the difference when I see them in person.

I love the Blue Asymmetrical Festoon Necklace and the Smooth Blue Navette Earrings. I am a September baby and sapphire is my birthstone. I love most blue stones, especially dark blue, and these are perfect.

Of course again last month, I debated on the Celluloid Cameo Ivory Rose Choker since the minute that you listed it. Both my mom and I collect celluloid dresser sets and I love cameos. Every day I would go back and forth on it, especially when you posted a reminder about it. Then when I saw the Blue Festoon Necklace, I decided since no one else had picked it up, it must be waiting to come to my home. I am glad it did!!!

If you ever have a set of cameo earrings, let me know. I would love them!

Thanks again for allowing me to own some of your creations!

Melinda”

I love that.

(p.s. I made another blue asymmetrical festoon necklace this week! More on that below…keep reading…)

Here’s a screenshot of feedback from a purchase from my Etsy shop:

But wait…there’s more love! Repeat (and repeat and repeat, etc., etc.) customer, Cory, posted this photo and note on Facebook: “I had to find a jewel box that was fitting for your pieces. I finally found it. Box top – and contents. Notice that there is space for more. ” How nice is THAT?!     Sandi, bought these “Aqua Givre Simple Drop Earrings” and after she received them she sent me this email:   “I received my wonderful earrings yesterday and as usual am so impressed with your fast shipping and beautiful work! I had to choose my outfit in blue today to match my new earrings! I love that they are old and can only imagine who must have worn these stones before me. Maybe a queen! Well probably not, but I’m sure they were wonderful then too! Thanks Paula and I’m so happy your business is doing do well…you definitely deserve the success!!“   (And, Sandi ordered 3 more pairs of newly listed earrings yesterday that I mailed today to her!)             Last month I wrote about the toy cowboy watch bracelets I made that started a stampede! I ended up making 7 total and all went to anxious recipients.Jean bought this one and posted it on Facebook with this note:“… I am wearing it for our daughter’s rehearsal dinner/Hitchin’ Party. It at the zoo’s jaguar exhibit and is catered by one of Houston’s best BBQ restaurant’s! So it will be perfect! Thanks!” Last, but not least….an email from new customer Vonnie, who bought “Rhinestone Button Bracelet #15″: “Just to let you know ‘Rhinestone Bracelet #15′ arrived! It’s even better than the picture! Very beautiful piece Paula. Thanks for making Mother’s Day great!”   Awesome! And, that bracelet has been pinned an astonishing 294 times on Pinterest!   I currently have ONE left if you want it…you’d better hurry!       It was another good month!         My customers rock.

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. (This sold bracelet, for example, has been pinned 83 times!) If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go follow me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! So fun, right?

Go see what the QR Code coupon is for May! (It’s a really good one, too!)

(You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For May I offer the following necklace at 20% off! (And the World’s Best Mother’s Day present in history!!!)

It’s called, “You’re So Tweet Repurposed Birds and Nest Mourning Necklace” and it is 20% off for May or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

This will make a statement. It will be an heirloom piece. You can tell all admirers the story behind it.

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Tuesday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On(re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page.

You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY* (through Sunday) is NEWLY LISTED…“Mum’s the Word Repurposed Chrysanthemum Necklace”!

It is regularly only $200.00 but with the special facebook coupon it is $160.00 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today! Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself or someone else something pretty!)

(In a strange coincidence, as I type this, I ran up to my bedroom to get the holy card from Marybel’s service to verify her age and saw that she died on the same day as my husband, Chuck, on April 22nd. This year will be 20 years that she’s gone. Six for Chuck.)

Pedro and I are Facebook friends and I didn’t even know he knew I was making jewelry and here comes this nice order late on a Saturday night. He wasn’t in a giant hurry for the bracelets as he was shopping for events down the line but, I mailed them on February 12th and checked on the package a few days later to make sure everything was okay and saw that it was “out for delivery”.

Several days later Pedro emailed me to ask if I could check on the package because it never arrived. WHAT THE WHAT?!!!

Yes, 3 of the 4 bracelets were damaged but not beyond repair. I fixed them and the next day used FedEx to get the to Pedro at the SAME ADDRESS I used originally. And, speaking of Pedro….

He was so patient and calm then entire time. He would not allow me to refund the money and was just so easy and wonderful about the entire thing. I’m positive that had it been almost anyone else or a brand new customer, I would have lost that very nice sale. After he received them he sent me this email:

“Paula:

The bracelets are GORGEOUS!! Even more so than I expected. I can’t wait until I see the faces of the lucky recipients when I gift them. And so meaningful that they were made with your hands.

Thank you so much!

Pedro”

Told ya. Happy ending. (I have 72 more gray hairs and my blood pressure was up for a month but let’s not ruin this ending now).

I started another mini-firestorm this month with this funky, silly, fun bracelet!

I bought those 3 little vintage toy watches, all with a cowboy/western theme on a whim. I loved them. Had no idea what I was going to do with them but still bought them. They are all toy watches meaning they were never working watches but the kind kids wore in, I’m guessing, the 1950′s and 60′s. The dials and hands spin and, on the center one with the Lone Ranger, the little image in the circle at the bottom changes, too!

I ended up making this bracelet, on the left. I posted a photo on Facebook and the comments started flying! When all was said and done I had 6 people in a lotto to buy it. The winner was Nina and, happily, it was her birthday week and she was so excited to get it. Here’s the email I received after she got it:

“Oh, Paula, my bracelet came today! I am overwhelmed….gorgeous….outrageous…..so evocative of my childhood! I loved the Lone Ranger and Gene Autry. The bracelet is a fabulous (re)purposed piece, (I have a Cinderella or is it Mickey, my memory does not serve) watch circa 1950′s, should send it to you!

You are without peer, so talented and you will succeed beyond your dreams!”

Well, I’m smarter than I look so I started shopping to find more watches so the other 5 people on the wait list could get one, too. I made the 3 on the right and then, in order, allowed the next lotto “winner” to pick which one they wanted and went down the line until they were gone. I’m actually ready to make the last 2 this week so all 6 will get one!

So, repeat (and repeat customer, DeAnn) got first choice of these three and she chose the one on the far right with the cool horse and rider shaped watch! She posted this photo and comment on facebook and tagged me in it after she received it:

“Actually, I didn’t get the first one. She made more, and I was able to pick this one. That wasn’t easy, as they were all very cool. I had a week of worrying, so the timing was perfect for me…..except for my rule about not spending money. oops.”

If YOU want one, shoot me an email and if you’re willing to wait a few weeks or so, I’m happy to make you one! (They are $160.)

MILESTONES:

In other very cool news….I have sold over 500 things via my website! I was pushed over the edge last week and was super excited. I have sold way more than 500 things total – via Etsy and custom work and things I post on Facebook that never make it to my website – but I really love seeing that number on my Sold link! (Thanks, Melinda for being the 500th and 501 and 502!)

And, the week before, I reached 2000 “likes” on Facebook! I made it to 1000 on New Years Eve so it’s doubled in less than 3 months! Oh, the power of social media. It’s awesome.

Repeat (and repeat and repeat, etc.) customer, Cory Fausz, posted this on my Timeline on Facebook this week as I approached the 2100 mark:

“Look at you! Well over 2,000 likes. Congrats! And well-deserved. ”

Also, just in case this will help you buy something special for yourself or, I guess, someone else, (whatever!)….You can now take more time to pay using the Paypal “Get More Time to Pay” link. You can have 6 months to pay for orders over $99 on my website with Paypal! I have this little box/link on every product on my site so all you need to do is click it and follow the directions. Try it. You’ll like it.

One last cool thing before we get to the “Happy Customer Updates and Quotes” section…

Andrea, a friend and customer, posted a photo on Facebook using her new little Olloclip lens for her iPhone. I’ll let you go to the website and see for yourself but, after seeing her photo using the macro lens, I had to have it! Consequently, I’m a touch addicted and have started posting macro photos of the items I use for jewelry every day (almost) on Facebook. They are so incredible. Truly. I have even started using a macro photo as the 5th photo of bracelets on my website and the next batch of earrings will have the same treatment. Here are a few of my favorites so far:

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

Desiree is a really good customer. REALLY good. She asked me to make a rhinestone button bracelet but with all different colored buttons. I told her that 99% of the ones I find and buy are the clear kind. (Hence the fact that I’m currently selling my 16th one!) But, she got me looking out for more of the colored ones. I eventually gathered enough to make a bracelet, sent her a photo and she snapped it up.

And, truth be told, I had enough to make 2 so the second one is MINE ALL MINE! I loved hers so much I had to have one!

In this photo that Desiree posted on Facebook , it’s the one on the bottom of her wrist. She’s wearing it with a previous purchase of one of my clear button bracelets.

Here are 2 of her posts on Facebook:

“Oh my gosh! It came out gorgeous! I can’t wait to wear it. Although it might just be to this blasted jury duty I think I have tomorrow. I’ll just have to rock it anyway…it is going to be awesome with the rhinestone bracelet I got first…thanks again!”

And then a couple days later with the photo:

“Feels like spring! Love the gorgeous variety of buttons and it looks beautiful with the rhinestone button bracelet. Thanks again. ”

And then a bit later:

“Just wanted to tell you I wore my lovely new bracelet again today (the one with all the colors) and it just makes me smile. Of course, I pair it with the rhinestone one! The rainbows that the 2 bracelets make when the sun hits them in the car is stunning. Thanks for the pretties you make me.”

See why I say Desiree is a really REALLY good customer?

D’Ann bought this “3 Strands Waterfall Necklace with Blue Stone Pendant” and needed me to size it a bit. After she received it, I got this email from her:

Hi Paula,

I watched the tracking number and saw the necklace on its way. It is absolutely gorgeous. The crystals sparkle in the light and the blue pendant is unbelievable. I love the watch chain and the little clasp in the back is precious. It is the perfect length and I thank you so much for making the adjustments. I got 3 compliments on it last night alone! I’m not even sure that anyone will see me without it for at least a month.

Thank you again – I adore it.

D’Ann

I love that.

Long time customer (and friend), Marilyn, bought 2 pairs of earrings in one week. Her first pair, the “Big Red Heart Repurposed Earrings” and she wrote this email to me:

“…The Big Red Heart earrings arrived yesterday. Pretty, pretty, really pretty. Red is my color, and that heart is bigger than I thought it might be. A good thing indeed.”

And then she ordered the “Off the Chain Fleur de Lis and French Landmarks Earrings” 4 days later and sent this email to me:

“Hi Paula,

The second pair of earrings (in the last week, ahem . . .) just arrived, a KNOCK-OUT complement of elements. The sparkly and unusual fleur de lis and the bookchain really make the earrings extra special.

Thanks so much for your vision and high-quality craftswomanship.”

Here’s a screenshot of a couple of Etsy purchases from the feedback page:

Donna, a repeat customer, and a friend since high school (!) bought these, “Black Rose and Black Heart Repurposed Earrings”! She posted this on Facebook after she received them:

“love, love, love my earrings paula!! even prettier that the photo!! they are fantastic! thanks once again!”

But wait…there’s more love! Repeat (and repeat and repeat, etc., etc.) customer, Etta, was ready on the trigger when I posted this necklace on Facebook one Sunday afternoon. She emailed me, said she wanted it and it was hers! (See why I keep telling you to “like” me on Facebook? I put stuff there every day!)   Anyway, when she received it I got this email:   “Hi Paula, I have to admit that I gasped when you first posted the picture of this necklace online and, as you know, wasted no time in letting you know that I had to have it. When it arrived and I opened the box I gasped again. Gasp worthy. Love it. Etta”       Another screenshot from Etsy: Karri is my friend. She surprised me by ordering a bracelet and earrings recently. Yes, I said bracelet. Here’s the photo and note she posted on Facebook:   “OMG! After wearing my new Paula Montgomery bracelet on my wrist all eve, I attached a raw brass neck chain to wear it like this! LOVE IT!!! I knew I need some o this!”               And last, but certainly not least, there is Maureen. She went a little crazy on my site a couple of weeks ago. It started when she was in the lotto to get one of the aforementioned cowboy watch bracelets.   She ordered this, “Love, Love, Love, Love, Crazy Love Vintage Locket Necklace”. She ordered these, “Bird and Flower Puffy Heart Earrings” to go with the necklace. She ordered this, “Rosary Cross Repurposed Bracelet with St. Teresa” to bring her luck when she plays bridge. (Not kidding!) When she got her order she posted these notes on Facebook: “Christmas in March!!!!! i got a fantabulous package today, filled with 4 glorious goodies … yeay! i got Love Love Love Love Crazy Love vintage locket necklace (vintage puffy hearts, or repousse), the puffy heart earrings (again, repousse), the rosary cross repurposed bracelet…, and a cowboy watch (glad i went with the Lone Ranger!). they’re all really different and really cool … i know i’ll get lots of compliments on them, just like i do when i wear my other PM jewelry ”         It was another good month!         My customers rock.

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. (This sold bracelet, for example, has been pinned 83 times!) If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful. And, speaking of wonderful….

This past week I received this amazing note from Maxine:

“Someone pinned one of your bracelets today and Wow, I’m so glad I found you. You do gorgeous work!!! I shared your website on my page!”

Please go follow me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! So fun, right?

Go see what the QR Code coupon is for April! (It’s a really good one, too!)

(You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For April I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called, “Collage Repurposed Necklace with Dumb Friends Medal” and it is 20% off for April or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Tuesday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On(re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page.

You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY is….”Vintage Rhinestone Button Bracelet #16″!

It is regularly only $90.00 but with the special facebook coupon it is $72.00 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today! Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself or someone else something pretty!)

Like I said, it’s going to be short and sweet with just some pretty pictures to entice you…. It’s what I do, sorry!

The “Necklace of the Month” is still available. What the what?!

Necklace of the Month:

For March I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called, “Celluloid Cameo and Ivory Rose Repurposed Necklace” and it is 20% off for February or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

So, yes, the center is a repurposed celluloid “cameo” with a classic profile of a beautiful girl and a rose motif border. It’s a fantastic creamy color and is the perfect neutral.

The double “chain” is made up of the following: triangular components from a vintage rhinestone bracelet, black Swarovski crystal connectors and diamond-shaped vintage glass connectors and cushioned rectangular and round crystal segments from a very vintage deco festoon necklace.

“Faux” ivory roses from a vintage bracelet mimic the roses on the cameo and interrupt the chains. More crystal segments and black glass and sterling silver chain join the ivory roses to vintage sterling and actual shell cameo links from a vintage filigree necklace.

More crystal and black/sterling segments join to 2 more of the rhinestone bracelet components and all join to a very vintage rhinestone clasp.

What’s not to adore? Even the Dowager Countess would be envious!

Each “chain” is approx. 7 1/2″ including the clasp. The cameo pendant is 2 1/4″ in length. I could possibly make this choker longer if need be. Send me a note at checkout if you need it to be lengthened.

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

That’s all! Told you it would be short and sweet!

(Go buy yourself or someone else something pretty!)

I don’t know what it was but I’m not going to fight it or argue about it. All I know is I was super busy making lots of new pieces to replace all the things I sold. I am still sticking with my “retirement” plans, though. Essentially, all that means is that I’m making

On the left is a photo of my packing station one particularly busy day! Look at all the happy orders waiting to get wrapped and shipped!

Some local people may know that EsScentuals in Old Town Fort Collins usually has most of my jewelry on consignment. I happened to be down there picking up some pieces that sold on my website the week before Valentine’s Day and this was in their window! That’s one of my very favorite necklaces, “Be Still My Heart”, on the mannequin/angel. (Sadly, it didn’t sell at EsScentuals but you can click here and go get it!)

Here’s a photo of Enzo, my boy, “helping”me out in the studio. Actually, that is the “whenareyougoingtoputdownthoseshinyobjectsandtakemeforwalkies?” look. He’s great company no matter what I’m doing. And, yes, he was my Valentine yet again!

Before I forget… I put 4 more things on sale at 50% off and I still have 3 items left (from 20 I started with!) but they are still really great items and the price cannot be beat. Plus, you can use any coupon code you might have to get an even bigger discount! Click this link and go snag a great deal!

So, this cool thing is happening right now….

I’ve written before how author, Kami Garcia, has purchase jewelry from me before. I even made a custom necklace for her last year. Since then, Kami and her writing partner have seen one of their books become a major motion picture, Beautiful Creatures! How cool is that?

Well, Kami is now writing as the solo author and her first book in the “Legion Series”, titled “Unbreakable” comes out in October. (Yes, it can be preordered on Amazon, too!)

Where do I come in, you ask? Well, Kami bought 2 necklaces from me and together we are tweaking them a bit to go with the themes in “Unbreakable”. She is going to wear them as her signature pieces on her book tour! We are still in the process of designing them and should be done soon. I’m honored that Kami has entrusted me with this task!

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

Last month I wrote about the custom vintage cat charm bracelet I made for Lisa in New Zealand.

In November, Lisa wrote and asked if I could do a vintage cats charm bracelet. I explained the dilemma of how difficult it was to find cat charms, etc. She was in no hurry so I could spend time finding the perfect charms. I did a lot of searching and also raided my little personal stash and Lisa even mailed me one she had and this is her bracelet!

She received it shortly after I sent the February newsletter and I got this nice email from her:

“Hi Paula,

My spectacular kitty bracelet arrived yesterday and I LOVE IT !
Thank you so much it really is just what I wanted and each charm is adorable!”

Trust me. I know how many cat bracelet I could sell if I could find enough charms. But, if you aren’t in a hurry and you might want one, send me an email and I’ll tell you the price, etc.

Cory Fausz buys quite a bit from me and is wonderful about posting her reviews on my Facebook page!

She wrote this to me:

“Oh, Paula. The beauties arrived today. Simply amazing. Where do I start? The mini lockets (!!!) with the rose charms -complete with saints on their backs – I know now why I have coveted these for so long. The aqua givre drops and the fleur de lis – omg, how they speak to me with their frost and patina. The black diamond and Eiffel Tower dangles transport me to a time and place in Paris that I will always cherish. And the aqua drops with tiny rhinestones are incredible. INCREDIBLE. So glittery. So elegant. So (expletive deleted) perfect! It’s been a lonnnnnng work month and each set of earrings is a just reward. Can’t wait to see what you create next!”

On Valentine’s Day, Cory posted this sweet note about the locket earrings on Facebook:

“Wearing these today, PM. Still so jazzed that these are actually lockets! Happy Valentine’s Day to you. ”

Awesome.

Later in the month, Cory bought a couple more pairs of earrings and posted this photo and note:

“Yup. I think they’re going to go perfectly with this jacket. Thanks so much, Paula!”

Wait. She buys earrings and thanks ME! What? Thank YOU, Cory! And, yes, indeed, they do go perfectly!

Nancy Williams has also been a customer of all my crazy endeavors and past businesses (as is/was Cory and many of my jewelry customers!) but she has very sensitive skin and cannot wear jewelry with certain base metals. But, a friend told her that steel should be fine so she took a chance and bought this “Buckle Down Repurposed Shoe Buckle Bracelet” at 50% OFF from my Sale section.

After she received it she sent this nice email:

Karen was the lucky purchaser of the February Necklace of the Month! It was the, “My Dear, My Deer, Vintage Repurposed Necklace with Roses” and was offered at 20% OFF and FREE U.S SHIPPING during February. Truly, this was one of my very favorite necklaces ever.

Here’s her sweet note to me after receiving it:
“Wow, what an amazing Valentine’s Day present I got (ok, for myself). My Dear, My Deer is gorgeous! It is much more delicate in person, and gorgeous. The clasp is, as you say ‘off the hook’ and gorgeous. The deer pendant and celluloid rose are to die for. I’ll never be sorry I stretched myself to own this. Let the bidding begin from whoever wants to be remembered in my will ”

It’s good to be me sometimes.

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. (This sold bracelet, for example, has been pinned 83 times!) If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful. And, speaking of wonderful….

This past week I received this amazing note from Anne:

“Hi Paula,

Just found your jewelry on Pinterest (what did we do before Pinterest!) and all I can say is wow! Everything is spectacular and I feel like you got inside my head and created things I’ve always loved. I too, had a fascination for old things and jewelry and often kept old broken pieces of cool ‘things’ thinking I’d one day make them into SOMETHING! The combinations you use are just spectacular and since everything is one of a kind, I could see being a little wistful when one is gone!

Ill keep checking your site from time to time. My jewelry collection is massive and varied! I don’t need one more piece but when I see something like your creations it makes me think there’s room for at least one more!

Hope Pinterest is helping get your designs seen.
Kind regards,
Anne O’Sullivan”

Please go follow me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! So fun, right?

Go see what the QR Code coupon is for February! (It’s a really good one, too!)

(You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For March I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called, “Celluloid Cameo and Ivory Rose Repurposed Necklace” and it is 20% off for February or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

So, yes, the center is a repurposed celluloid “cameo” with a classic profile of a beautiful girl and a rose motif border. It’s a fantastic creamy color and is the perfect neutral.

The double “chain” is made up of the following: triangular components from a vintage rhinestone bracelet, black Swarovski crystal connectors and diamond-shaped vintage glass connectors and cushioned rectangular and round crystal segments from a very vintage deco festoon necklace.

“Faux” ivory roses from a vintage bracelet mimic the roses on the cameo and interrupt the chains. More crystal segments and black glass and sterling silver chain join the ivory roses to vintage sterling and actual shell cameo links from a vintage filigree necklace.

More crystal and black/sterling segments join to 2 more of the rhinestone bracelet components and all join to a very vintage rhinestone clasp.

What’s not to adore? Even the Dowager Countess would be envious!

Each “chain” is approx. 7 1/2″ including the clasp. The cameo pendant is 2 1/4″ in length. I could possibly make this choker longer if need be. Send me a note at checkout if you need it to be lengthened.

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Tuesday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On(re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page.

You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY is….”Asymmetrical Leaf Buckle Repurposed Necklace“!

It is regularly only $150.00 but with the special facebook coupon it is $120.00 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today! Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself or someone else something pretty!)

I’ve made a lot of jewelry this month (more on that below) so you’ll have plenty to pick from. I suggest you just find what YOU want for Valentine’s Day and send the link to your significant other with the words “HINT HINT HINT” in the subject line. Or, just buy it for yourself and hand it to them! I gift wrap every purchase so they won’t have to do a thing! Plus, that will guarantee that you will get what you want and not a water softener, toaster or, the horror….a teddy! (And I’m not talking the bear variety.)

I clipped this little photo out of the most recent issue of InStyle Magazine. I know I certainly fit into that 35%! I think it’s even more romantic to know that the items I use to repurpose jewelry were worn in another era but another fashion-forward woman. And, who knows? Maybe her piece was given to her by a lover.

Go find yourself what YOU want for Valentine’s Day!

Quick reminder… I put about 20 things on sale at 50% off and I still have 4 items left but they are still really great items and the price cannot be beat. Plus, you can use any coupon code you might have to get an even bigger discount! Click this link and go snag a great deal!

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

It’s awesome when my customers write to tell me how much they love what they bought. There were a lot of happy people in January!

First, here are 2 custom vintage charm bracelets I did this month.

I made an all Scotties vintage charm bracelet for Cathy Etter. Scotties are really the only breed I could ever do this for. I’m not sure why but Scottish Terrier charms are to be found in abundance and in many colors and forms. Look closely and you can see the little black Scottie, above the blue one, that has a tiny compass embedded in it!

Here’s what Cathy wrote on facebook after receiving her bracelet:

“I have been trying to take a photo AND find the words to express the deluge of emotions I’m feeling………. It seems so very shallow to be moved so deeply over an object considering everything that’s going on in our world……. but I will try and yes, most assuredly, with every fiber of my being, i love it……………….”

I get a lot of flak for only making vintage dog charm bracelets. I am a cat owner and (sort of) lover so I promise that I’m not discriminating! The explanation is simple…cat charms are really, really, REALLY difficult to find. And, when I do find them, they are $$$ and there is not nearly the variety that I can get with dog charms.

In November, Lisa in New Zealand wrote and asked if I could do a vintage cats charm bracelet. I explained the dilemma to her. She was in no hurry so I could spend time finding the perfect charms. I did a lot of searching and also raided my little personal stash and Lisa even mailed me one she had and this is her bracelet!

I don’t think it has arrived in New Zealand yet but I did send her to facebook to see her bracelet before I mailed it off to her. She emailed me this sweet note:

“…it was SO worth the wait, its FABULOUS, love it already. THANK YOU so much for your trouble. I am most grateful.”

Trust me. I know how many cat bracelet I could sell if I could find enough charms. But, if you aren’t in a hurry and you might want one, send me an email and I’ll tell you the price, etc.

Deb Delaney received this “3 Strand Bracelet with X Marks the Spot” for Christmas via Etsy. She wrote this to me:

“Yay! My Christmas gift! Soooo gorgeous! More wonderful than the pic shows! Amazing!”

My friend, Andrea Deibler-Gorman, bought her first pair of earrings from me – these, “Blue, Bermuda Blue, More Blue, Vintage Repurposed Earrings.”

Here’s her sweet note to me after receiving them:

“I am, at this moment, wearing the beautiful earrings I ordered that arrived yesterday. The perfect shades of blue, the perfect combination of old and new, the perfect mix of fancy and casual. I absolutely love them and the workmanship is terrific. They arrived so beautifully packaged it was almost a shame to open it all up – almost. I know that these will be my go-to earrings on days when I have something special, or when I just want to feel special. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I adore them, and I especially like having a piece made by you.”

It’s good to be me sometimes.

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. (This sold bracelet, for example, has been pinned 83 times!) If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go follow me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! So fun, right?

Go see what the QR Code coupon is for February! (It’s a really good one, too!)

(You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For February I offer the following NEWLY LISTED necklace at 20% off!

It’s called, “My Dear, My Deer, Vintage Repurposed Necklace with Roses” and it is 20% off for February or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On(re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page.

You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY* is..“Vintage White Button Bracelet”.

It is regularly only $90.00 but with the special facebook coupon it is $72.00 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today! Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself or someone else something pretty!)

Since everyone has sales after Christmas, I’m having one, too. Truth be told, I put about 20 things on sale at 50% off last month and forgot to write about it. I think I still have 9 items left but they are still really great items and the price cannot be beat. Plus, you can use any coupon code you might have to get an even bigger discount! Click this link and go snag a great deal!

And…as I type this on New Year’s Eve afternoon, I have 998 “likes” on Facebook! I hope to hit the 1000 mark before midnight tonight! Go see if I made it and, if YOU haven’t “like”d me yet, just click it while you’re there!

Next, a follow-up to the Harley story from last month…

I wrote that the previous week (which as the last week in November) Harley posted that he is working on a fund raiser. I had just finished posting a newly finished vintage dogs charm bracelet on my site and…blinding flash of the obvious…sell the bracelet and give the money to Harley!

Well, repeat (and repeat and repeat, etc.) customer, DeAnn, bought the bracelet! However, the fundraiser has been put on hold for a bit as Harley’s human grandfather passed away right before the holidays. His people are regrouping and will be starting the campaign soon and I will be able to donate the first $250 thanks to DeAnn!

To refresh your memory…

On facebook, I came across Harley. Harley has completely captured my heart. His story is beyond sad but, in a nutshell, he is a rescued puppy mill chihuahua who spent the first 10 years of his life in a cage. He never saw the sun, his feet never touched grass. As you can see he lost an eye, too. You can read his biography if you click the Harley link. I would encourage you to click the “like” button, too. (The video of Harley in “A Sunny Afternoon in November” is just wonderful).

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

I had so many happy customers, AGAIN, this month!

Here’s the post from repeat (and repeat) customer, Karen, on my business facebook page after receiving her latest bracelet, “3 Strands Bracelet in Reds and Pinks”!

Karen wrote: “Paula, I got the red ad pink bracelet and it was definitely worth the wait! I love all the charms, especially the gorilla, monkey, and little deer – just in time for Christmas! I like your things way too much ”

As I told Karen, there is not such thing as liking my things too much!

I know I had a quote from Cory last month but this month she ordered this bracelet from the “Sale” link – at 50% OFF! When she received it she sent me these 2 photos and notes:

“Simply stunning, Paula. I love that voodoo you do so well!”

And…“The box’s cotton makes a good cat toy, too! ”

Win/win.

But wait…there’s more love! Brand new customer, Renee, bought this “Trudy, Trudy, Trudy and Evey Repurposed Vintage Bracelet” on Etsy. She left this quote in the feedback section:   “Just beautiful. Even better in person. Merry Christmas!”   And, another new customer, Michelle, purchased this “Vintage Horse Charm Bracelet with Blue Rocking Horse”. She hasn’t received it yet but posted this sweet note on Facebook: “I love love love this piece. I am the proud owner of this bracelet. I purchased it in honor of my Christmas Tennessee Walker…’Chance’. Paula, your creative senses are wonderful.”     It was another very good month.

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. (This sold bracelet, for example, has been pinned 68 times!) If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go follow me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! So fun, right?

Go see what the QR Code coupon is for January!

(You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For January I offer the following NEWLY LISTED necklace at 20% off!

It’s called, “If You Need Me, Just Whistle, Vintage Repurposed 3 Strand Neckalce” and it is 20% off for January or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On(re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page.

You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY is…“Aqua and Emerald Vintage Repurposed Earrings”!

They are regularly only $45.00 but with the special facebook coupon they are $36.00 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today! Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself or someone else something pretty!)

On Thanksgiving morning, one of my friends who lives in Michigan, posted a note on facebook: “An article featuring YOU showed up in my local paper this morning! ”

Huh?! OH, YEAH…a sudden recollection of something the PR agency had mentioned months before. My earrings and my jewelry were featured in a syndicated article meant for Holiday Gift Guides for “Gifts under $50″. It is essentially a little feeder article for newspapers all over the country use as they see fit. In this case, probably in the Style Section. (Here’s an online version of the print article I found but I erased all but the stuff about me!

Shortly after Michele posted her note on facebook orders for earrings started coming in! I already didn’t have many earrings left to sell but by the end of the day I was almost sold out! I also got a couple of orders for earrings from Alaska and Connecticut that same day, too.

I realized that I had to strike while the iron was hot, as they say, and start making earrings before some state like California started running this same article! So, I did. Currently, I have 22 pairs of earrings that are $50 or under!!!! (But, as I type this I have 30 total pairs of earrings to sell!) Remember, they are all one-of-a-kind and would make perfect stocking stuffers for you or your BFF!

As you probably have gathered over the years I’m a dog-lover. If Enzo wasn’t so happy being an only dog I wouldhave 10 more right now.

On facebook, I came across Harley. Harley has completely captured my heart. His story is beyond sad but, in a nutshell, he is a rescued puppy mill chihuahua who spent the first 10 years of his life in a cage. He never saw the sun, his feet never touched grass. As you can see he lost an eye, too. You can read his biography if you click the Harley link. I would encourage you to click the “like” button, too. (The video of Harley in “A Sunny Afternoon in November” is just wonderful).

Harley’s mom and dad post the sweetest updates, written as Harley, and they bring a smile (and sometimes a tear) to my face every day. They currently have 4 puppy mill chihuahuas, Harley is their “spokesmodel”. Here’s a recent post of Harley “gittin’ all clean and shiny…”

Last week Harley posted that he is working on a fund raiser (post pictured here). I had just finished posting a newly finished vintage dogs charm bracelet on my site and…blinding flash of the obvious…sell the bracelet and give the money to Harley!

I emailed Harley’s mom and she’s onboard! So, here’s the deal…you buy the bracelet. I give all the money (except the shipping costs) to Harley.

Here’s a photo of the newly listed bracelet. I only have one. All the money goes to Harley.

Okay, on to jewelry news!

Going back to my decision to “retire”, friend and customer, Sandi Marr posted this on my blog:

“Congratulations on your decision Paula, I’m glad you are at peace with it. Yes, life is way too short at times and it’s good to see you able to come to a comfortable decision. Your jewelry is so creative and there is so much love put in each piece that I just know you will continue to enjoy making it in a more relaxed way. Sometimes you have to get the pressure off yourself and just enjoy doing what you love rather than making it a “job”. You will be fine, and good things will come to you.”

So sweet and I do hope she’s right!

I have implemented a “wait list” on my site. Here’s how it works:

When an item is not available for immediate (within 5 days) delivery, I will mark that item as sold…kind of.

If you see something you want but see the red “Not sold! Click me!” that means it’s on an editors desk or otherwise not in my possession. If you click it you will be taken to a screen to fill out your email address and when it comes back and is available for me to send you will get an automatic email to tell you that! Sweet!

You’ll see.

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

I had so many happy customers this month!

Here’s the post from repeat (and repeat) customer, Cory, on my business facebook page after receiving her SECOND rhinestone button bracelet!

I had made 3 of these type of bracelets at the same time. Cory bought 2 of them to wear together (smart girl) and then, the last one, pictured here, was purchased by Maureen.

Cory wrote: “Maureen, being the owner of 2 of these rhinestone beauties now, I think I can safely say, you will love this!”

How nice is that? And, very luckily, I attended an antique show last weekend (more on that below) and was able to find enough rhinestones buttons to make another bracelet. Maybe two! Check back later this week to see! I will also be making a black button bracelet and, quite possibly a blue one and a white one!

So, let’s just say that Maureen did a little shopping with me this month. Actually, she bought this “3 Strands Bracelet with Hand and Hearts” in November for herself for her birthday. She wrote on facebook:

“look what i got in the mail yesterday!!!! just in time for my birthday, too
it’s really pretty, and amazingly lightweight … i can hardly tell i have it on. and Paula was so sweet to add a couple of links, which made all the difference. plus the box had a bow on it and everything. what more can one ask? i’m just loving it!! and now i’ll be shopping for more … she’s such an enabler ”

Then, after she wore it…

“i wore it yesterday when i was out celebrating my birthday, and got lots of compliments on it! so of course i went shopping again this morning ”

And, that she did!

Among other things she bought this “3 Strands Bracelets with Rhinestone Bow”. Maureen wrote:

“i’ve been eyeballing this for weeks, finally decided to buy it after all the compliments i got on my first 3-strand rhinestone bracelet. oh oh, i think i’m in trouble now.”

I won’t out her any more but, let’s just say, Mo was very very good to me this month!

But wait…there’s more love!This bracelet, “3 Strands Bracelet with Rosaries” was a Facebook Fan One Day Only offering. There is more on this at the very bottom of this email but, every day I list one piece of jewelry that is 20% OFF and has FREE U.S. SHIPPING on facebook. I listed this bracelet recently and, almost immediately, it sold! And, it sold to Christina, who was a former student of mine at my first teaching gig at Sun Valley Junior High – over 30 years ago! I wrote a note to thank her and she wrote this back: “I love it and keep missing the great sales! SO excited to wear it with pride =)” After she received it she posted this sweet note on faceook:   “hi! I got my beautiful rosary bracelet and have received SOOOO many compliments on it today! I LOVE IT and have to say since it’s the small details that make all the difference, the packaging, story of the bracelet and even the red bow on the box was amazing! thank you for the beauty of your art!!” Repeat customer (and friend), Karen, bought this “3 Strands Bracelet in Blacks and Whites and Creams”. After she received it she posted this on facebook: “Paula, I love, love, love my black and white bracelet! All of the critters are so cute, and the cabochons are great, too. I will get plenty of wear out of this. Your stash, and your creativity, never cease to amaze me ♥” Brand new customer, Debbie, bought this “Serious Bling, Baby, Vintage Repurposed Brooch Necklace” . Debbie read about me in her Michigan newspaper in the aforementioned holiday gift guide! And, since receiving it, came back and bought a pair of earrings that I just mailed out to her! She posted this on facebook after receiving her necklace: “I am so excited that I found your site!! I love my new bling necklace – can’t wait to wear it. It’s perfect and totally fits with my style. Thank you so very much!!!” And, speaking of vintage dogs charm bracelets…. Lily bought this one and also commissioned me to make another one as a gift to her friend who just lost her beloved Great Dane, Pluto. I was able to find some vintage charms of the Disney Pluto in 2 different colors and made the bracelet. It was a very good month.

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. (This sold bracelet, for example, has been pinned 68 times!) If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go pin me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! So fun, right?

Go see what the QR Code coupon is for December!

(You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For December I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called, “Be Still My Heart Repurposed Match Safe Necklace” and it is 20% off for Decmber or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up. On Mondays, I will be changing quotes from 3 of my favorite quote books. These little quotes are on the left side of my blog. Check back on Tuesdays to see the new quote.

Taxi Driver Wisdom has quotes from conversations with New York City cab drivers. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes hysterical, sometimes philosophical.

On 20/20 Vision: “As soon as you meet someone, you know the reasons why you will leave them.”

Beauty Parlor Wisdom has quotes from conversations with stylists, barbers, manicurists, waxers, etc. Again, philosophers, all of them.

On Making Judgments: “The color of someone’s skin doesn’t tell you nearly as much about them as the color of their nail polish.”

Don’ts for Wives has tips from the early 20th century that offer advise on achieving marital bliss. We’ve come a long way, Baby.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On(re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page.

You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY, Monday, December 3rd is ..“3 Strands Bracelet with Boy on a Bike”!

It is regularly $110.00 but with the special facebook coupon it will be $88 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today! Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself or someone else something pretty!)

Along this journey, several friends have said something like, “what are you going to do if your jewelry gets published in one or more magazines at one time?” My retort, each time was, “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there”. Idiotic. Either I thought I never would really have that bridge to cross and, therefore, why was I doing all this, spending all this money from my savings, etc., if deep down I thought it might not happen? Or, conversely, I thought it would happen but somehow, magically, everything would be okay and I could keep up with demand all on my own. Again, idiotic.

But, I’m no quitter and have always given my all when I undertake something. In early October, I consulted with an expert who said, “Fish or cut bait”. I said, “I want to fish!” But, at that meeting something was said that didn’t sink into my peabrain until the following week. When faced with the hard numbers it became apparent that to “fish” it would cost a lot. That means I would need to earn a lot. Which means I would have to make a lot of jewelry. Which means I would have to work a lot. A whole lot.

For those of you who have known me in some shape or form through these past 20 years knows what I’ve been through during the last 5, in particular. Life is short. Enough said. So…I’M CUTTING BAIT! But wait…that’s not a bad thing. It’s a great thing! I’m still going to be making jewelry but am not going to treat it like it’s my job or career any more. It will be on my terms, when I want. You probably won’t notice any difference at all as I love making the jewelry and want to continue doing what I’ve been doing. Technically, however, I’m saying that I’m retired. The day I finally decided I cried and cried. The next day I woke up and felt fantastic and, at peace. It’s the right thing for me. Plus, now, I’ll actually get to keep some profits! What a concept!

A totally unexpected thing happened when I told my PR agency that I would not be renewing my contract..they want to still represent me! So, who knows? Maybe something will still happen but now I have a plan and I’m going to stick to it.

Okay, on to jewelry news!

I have implemented a “wait list” on my site. Here’s how it works:

When an item is not available for immediate (within 5 days) delivery, I will mark that item as sold…kind of.

If you see something you want but see the red “Not sold! Click me!” that means it’s on an editors desk or otherwise not in my possession. If you click it you will be taken to a screen to fill out your email address and when it comes back and is available for me to send you will get an automatic email to tell you that! Sweet!

You’ll see.

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

Here are screenshots of the tweet I got from repeat customer, Kami Garcia!

She’s a big fan of my “complicated necklaces”.

Very cool.

From repeat customer, Katy Caldwell, via email after she received this “Old Rose Repurposed Vintage Necklace”:

“I love love love the necklace. It was my birthday to me from me gift and it’s better than it looked in the photo. Have a good weekend. Thanks again. Love it.”

But wait…there’s more love!I sold these, “Pearls and More Pearls Earrings” on my Etsy store to repeat customer, Connie. Here’s her review on Etsy:“What a lovely pair of go-with-everything earrings! Wonderful colors and bead combos! Always a happy event to get a package from you!”

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go pin me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! I’ve already posted it on facebook and had someone use it right away! So fun, right? Go see what the QR Code coupon is for October!

(You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For November I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called, “Free as a Bird Repurposed Rosary Necklace” and it is 20% off for November or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up. On Mondays, I will be changing quotes from 3 of my favorite quote books. These little quotes are on the left side of my blog. Check back on Tuesdays to see the new quote.

Taxi Driver Wisdom has quotes from conversations with New York City cab drivers. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes hysterical, sometimes philosophical.

On 20/20 Vision: “As soon as you meet someone, you know the reasons why you will leave them.”

Beauty Parlor Wisdom has quotes from conversations with stylists, barbers, manicurists, waxers, etc. Again, philosophers, all of them.

On Making Judgments: “The color of someone’s skin doesn’t tell you nearly as much about them as the color of their nail polish.”

Don’ts for Wives has tips from the early 20th century that offer advise on achieving marital bliss. We’ve come a long way, Baby.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On (re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page so, you have to be a fan to see it! You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY, Thursday, November 8th is newly listed…“3 Strands Bracelet with Hand and Hearts”.

It is regularly $100.00 but with the special facebook coupon it will be $80 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today through the weekend. Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself something pretty!)

Case in point….

While I was in NY at the desk-side meetings, an editor from “T – The New York Times Style Magazine” took 2 bracelets for a story they were working on that very day. I was ecstatic. A couple of weeks later my PR agency sent me an email saying forwarded from the editor at “T” saying, “we’re obsessed with Paula’s work!” We were crossing all our body parts because I cleared hoop #2 and the bracelets were photographed. However, the art director and editorial department did not choose those photographs for the story. Sigh. Heavy sigh.I was so disappointed. Still am.So, while there are a couple of actual green lightsin the works, I’m not writing about them until I actually see something in print with my own two eyes.

Currently 6 publications have a total of 29 of my pieces in their possession under consideration for publication. I am not a patient woman.

Okay, on to jewelry news!

So, as you may have read last month…due to the fact that I’ve been sending pieces to editors in hopes of being published, I have to temporarily take them off my website until they are returned.

We implemented a “wait list” on my site. Here’s how it works:

When an item is not available for immediate (within 5 days) delivery, I will mark that item as sold…kind of. In the photo on the left is a current pair of earrings that is at Real Simple. I don’t know when I will get them back but I will eventually. If you see something you want but see the red “Not sold! Click me!” that means it’s on an editors desk or otherwise not in my possession. If you click it you will be taken to a screen to fill out your email address and when it comes back and is available for me to send you will get an automatic email to tell you that! Sweet!

Currently 27 (2 of that 29 figure I quoted above were things I made for myself but were taken right off my neck!) of the 123 items I have for sale are available via the wait list. You’ll see.

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

While I’m still on the subject of “T” magazine….

When the two bracelets they had were returned I put the one on the left on sale for 20% on facebook like I do every day. “Serendipty Repurposed Buckle Bracelet” was purchased by Karen and she sent me this email a few days later:

“…I just love it, and put it on right away. I felt so special while running errands : ) As usual, your work is wonderful, and I now have two items from each category. Lucky me! When you are famous, my pieces will be collectibles!

Thank you for adjusting it, the fit is great. I have a cameo ring that my mother bought for her mother, that’s one of the things that drew me to the bracelet – but it’s so much more.”

I do so appreciate the repeat business, which truly is keeping me afloat right now. It’s such an honor to have customers come back time and time again.

By the way, the one on the right is the other one that “T” took and photographed and were “obsessed” about and it’s still available. (Just sayin’). It’s called, “It’s a Fine Time to Leave Me, Lucile”. (psst….if you’ve read this far then you deserve a little surprise….if you want this bracelet -on the right – at 20% off and FREE U.S. SHIPPING click the link and use the coupon code: IREADTHENEWSLETTER when you checkout. It expires on October 5th so don’t dawdle.)

New customer, Margie, purchased this “Don Quixote Repurposed Buckle Bracelet” a few weeks ago.

She sent me this email upon receipt:

“Hi Paula,

I just wanted you to know the bracelet arrived! I love it! It’s very different from anything else I have and I know it will be a conversation piece when I wear it.

Like I mentioned, I feel like I’ve been tilting at windmills for the past two years, so this bracelet with the Don Quixote theme is very meaningful to me as well as beautiful!

Thank you,
Margie”

I’ve noticed that many customers are buying my jewelry because it reminds them of something or evokes a certain feeling or commemorates something they treasure, especially an important memory.

I love that.

But wait…there’s more love! Last month I had just mailed off this custom dog bracelet (with 2 cats) to Dee in Hawaii when the newsletter went out. Here’s what she wrote to me upon receiving it: “The dog charm bracelet featuring my two cats arrived today. It is so wonderful. Can’t wait to wear it. Going to Napa Valley and San Francisco on Friday and will take it along. Thanks for creating such unusual jewelry.” And, here’s one to chalk up to “truth is stranger than fiction” category….! A week or so ago I came home from walking Enzo and had an email in my inbox from….wait for it….Paula Montgomery! Huh? Yep, another Paula Montgomery and she wanted a custom dog bracelet! Hilarious. Her timing was perfect because I’d been buying charms and was waiting for one last purchase and knew I could make 2 bracelets. I sent her the photo here and let her choose and she chose the top one which I have mailed off to her. (We did have a funny exchange when I inadvertently emailed her instead of me when the damn autofill picked her name while I was cc’ing myself on an email to my webmaster!) I’ve since trained it back. I think. So….doing the math…YES, I have a dog charm bracelet for sale right this minute! Step right up, no waiting! (It has a very cool blue dog nodder, too. His little head bobs up and down. Ridiculous but true.) Remember…if you want your very own custom dog bracelet, they are $250. and I need about 3 weeks or so to get them made. Shoot me an email! I love shopping for the parts and making them. I do. And just to tease you before you see all the pretty photos below….I made horse charm bracelets this month! Please tell your horse-loving friends!

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Recently, Etta, repeat (and repeat and repeat, etc.) customer pinned one of my jewelry designs to a board on Pinterest. Just out of curiosity, I clicked through and was so happy to see the name of her board: Fabulous Jewelry by Paula Montgomery! Wow!

How nice is that?! (Uh, I won’t mention that I think she owns many of those pieces, too. Oh, wait, I guess I just mentioned it. Plus, as I type this, she bought a brand new bracelet last night that I had just listed yesterday! She’s outta control! Me likey.)

Please go pin me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! I’ve already posted it on facebook and had someone use it right away! So fun, right? Go see what the QR Code coupon is for October! (You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For October I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called, “Ooh La La! Repurposed Souvenir Necklace” and it is 20% off for October or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up. On Mondays, I will be changing quotes from 3 of my favorite quote books. These little quotes are on the left side of my blog. Check back on Tuesdays to see the new quote.

Taxi Driver Wisdom has quotes from conversations with New York City cab drivers. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes hysterical, sometimes philosophical.

On Checking Yourself Out in the Rearview Mirror: “If your driver have nothing interesting to say to you, maybe because you have nothing interesting to say to him.”

Beauty Parlor Wisdom has quotes from conversations with stylists, barbers, manicurists, waxers, etc. Again, philosophers, all of them.

On Goals: “Start at the ends and work your way back.”

Don’ts for Wives has tips from the early 20th century that offer advise on achieving marital bliss. We’ve come a long way, Baby.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my PaulaMontgomery – On (re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for th

at day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page so, you have to be a fan to see it! You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY, Tuesday, October 2nd is…Rose, Rosary, Rhinestone, Repurposed Shoe Buckle Bracelet! They are regularly $50.00 but with the special facebook coupon they will be $40 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today through the weekend. Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself something pretty!)

Let me esplain, Lucy….My trip was to have scheduled “desk-side”, one-on-one meetings with jewelry/accessories editors from some of the major publications that I would really like to get published in. I did get several emails from people asking how I managed that. They wanted info and details. Well, as I’ve explained in previous email newsletters, I have hired a whoop-dee-do PR firm. That’s how. And, when I use the word, “hire” it means that I’m paying them. I’m paying them a great deal. Two of the four months I’ve been with them I have been able to pay out of profits from selling jewelry. The other 2 months and the over $2,000 this trip cost me (expenses only, I didn’t have to pay to meet with these editors), came out of my savings.This industry is very difficult to break into. The more I learn, the more I realize that it’s still a very long shot. However, as I have mentioned before, I chose to give this a go, to “go big or go home.” I’m working incredibly hard and taking a huge financial risk. After this past week and the reactions and comments, I’m confident that somethinghas to happen! And, if it doesn’t I can’t say I didn’t try.

I left for NYC on Tuesday morning and was lucky enough to sit next to the nicest guy on the plane -Mike. It’s a long flight, we chatted about stuff and after I explained what I was doing on this trip he asked to see photos. I pulled out my iPad and he was generally interested. For a guy he asked great questions, took my business card, and told me he was going to have his wife look at my site. (More on that in a minute!)

I arrived in the afternoon, checked into my hotel across from Rockefeller Center (with a view of 30 Rock!) and had the “fun” chore of pinning more than 50 pieces of jewelry onto velvet boards that nested into velvet boxes that stacked into the traveling jewelry case I had to buy for this trip. (Oh yeah, add $300 to that $2K above). I got it mostly done and then tried to catch a cab to meet dear friends and sisters, Nina and Roseanne, at Eataly. It was rush hour. No cabs to be found so…I took a pedicab! What an adventure! I videoed it on my iPhone with snarky commentary from me as I prayed for my life. I mumbled something about contacting my next of kin (I have none) and wondering if those 12 years of Catholic School would pay off. Obviously, I made it and had a lovely dinner with old friends. I stayed up late and finished pinning jewelry to boards and hoped that I did it well enough so that as I walked around NYC in this rolling cart they would stay put. (They did!)

On Wednesday morning, I met my force-of-nature PR gal, Lindsay. We had never met before but had spoken on the phone many times. I loved her immediately! We met at the Meredith Bldg and had meetings with Family Circle and then More Magazine. (More is my dream magazine to be in…well, one of them, but in the top of my top 3!) We then ran over to the Conde Nast Bldg. and met with W Magazine! We broke for lunch and Lindsay and I talked about how I was doing, was I making a fool of myself, etc. Apparently, not! She said it was going better than great and we still had 5 more meetings after lunch!

After lunch we met walked to the Time-Life Bldg and met with Health, People Style Watch and InStyle! Things went great again and I was feeling pretty cocky and hopeful. We jumped in cab and went to the NY Times Bldg (!!!) and met with an editor at T – The New York Times Style Magazine! We ended the day at Glamour. Wow. WOW!!!

My impressions of that first morning was that is was just like on “Ugly Betty”! If you watched that show, there were these glass doors with “Mode” on them. It’s exactly like that! Each floor has one or 2 magazines on it. You get off the elevator (after getting official badges, showing ID, putting your bags through security, etc.), look to the left and there is one magazine and maybe looking right, too. Or, look to the right and there is another huge magazine. You get buzzed in there, too, by the editor, or their trusty assistant. People are busy in cubicles typing away on computers, clothing, jewelry, housewares, etc., are strewn on floors, pinned on walls, stuffed on rolling racks, etc. It was fantastic! Everyone was dressed in 4″ heels and fashion-forward clothing and were 12 years old. Well, compared to me they are!

That night I barely made it back to my hotel in time to shower and change and see “Clybourne Park”. I didn’t even have time for dinner so I ate a Luna Bar in the cab and just made it to the 7:00 curtain! At intermission, I checked my email and, much to my surprise, Mike’s wife, Laura, (the nice guy who sat next to me on the flight) ordered a necklace! In the comments field on my online checkout form, she typed: “My husband met her on a plane!” Awesome.

That next morning, on my fan page on facebook, Lindsay posted this: “Your presence in the media is flawless and impeccable. Looking forward to doing it again with you today. In awe of your talent and grace Paula! Thanks for the talks and the inspiration. xo”

Super nice.

On Thursday morning, sadly, 2 of our appointments canceled but we still met with Allure and Teen Vogue. Again, great meetings. I spent the rest of the day window shopping, eating a giant peanut butter cookie filled with peanut butter cream at Bouchon, removed all the jewelry from the boards and then took a much-needed nap. I took myself out for dinner and drinks and then took another pedicab to see the musical, “Once”, which was amazing. I sure packed a lot in for 2 1/2 days! (Frankly, I was just happy to be in regular clothes that didn’t have Lycra or the Nike swoosh on them as I had been spending 5 days a week at boot camp!)

I was so honored that all these wonderful people took their very-valuable time to meet with me. The interest and feedback was all positive, glowing, in fact. As before, time will tell, but, having them see the jewelry in person made all the difference in the world and that’s what I had hoped. To summarize….currently 6 publications have a total of 29 of my pieces in their possession under consideration for publication. Hoop #1! And, as of yesterday, I heard that one of the biggies has actually photographed pieces (Hoop #2)! Now, we just need a few Hoop #3′s to materialize and maybe I can rest easier about this grand experiment!

Phew.

Okay, on to jewelry news! I made a lot of new things specifically for NYC that didn’t get listed on my website until I got back last Friday!

So, as you may have read last month…due to the fact that I’ve been sending pieces to editors in hopes of being published, I have to temporarily take them off my website until they are returned.

We implemented a “wait list” on my site. Here’s how it works:

When an item is not available for immediate (within 5 days) delivery, I will mark that item as sold…kind of. In the photo on the left is a current pair of earrings that is at Real Simple. I don’t know when I will get them back but I will eventually. If you see something you want but see the red “Not sold! Click me!” that means it’s on an editors desk or otherwise not in my possession. If you click it you will be taken to a screen to fill out your email address and when it comes back and is available for me to send you will get an automatic email to tell you that! Sweet!

Currently 27 (2 of that 29 figure I quoted above were things I made for myself but were taken right off my neck!) of the 123 items I have for sale are available via the wait list. You’ll see.

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

As I type this on Friday morning, August 31st, I just sold my 300th piece of jewelry via my website! I’m kind of shocked! (I have sold many more pieces than that as I was selling things before I had a website and I do quite a few custom pieces that aren’t online.) But, 300 seems quite momentous!

Here is the “Tour de France Repurposed Souvenir Necklace” that Cory recently purchased along with a pair of earrings.

She was kind enough to post this fabulous photo of herself modeling the necklace along with this wonderful comment:

“Paula: ‘Tour de France’ is a tour de force! I adore this piece and wear it often. It commands attention, yet is so light weight and lovely …

Thank you for the care you took in creating it. Romantic and transportive to another time, it’s a true treasure.“

Just days before, when she received her order she posted this glowing note:

“”Wow, wow, wow. My pieces are even better than the pix, Paula. And the pix are REALLY good! I love the intricacies of the souvenir elements in the necklace and the sparkle of the intermingled beads and the overall drape on the neckline. And, well, the puffed hearts on the earrings are exquisite. Love owning pieces of history elegantly reassembled by your talented hands. Thanks much!”

So. Incredibly. Nice. I think it looks incredible on her and with that neckline…VaVaVaVoooom! You are rocking it, Cory!

And, because I’m a temptress (not my words but words used to describe on facebook just last night!), I do have a similar necklace still for sale! It’s called “Ooh La La! Repurposed Souvenir Necklace”. Just sayin’.

And, while we’re doing French-inspired pieces….

I sold this “Silver Souvenir of France Repurposed Bracelet” to new customer, Shannon.

She sent me this email:

“Greetings~
I just want to let you know that the bracelet arrived and I adore it.

Thank You~
Shannon”

Short and sweet and so nice.

And, yes, as luck would have it….I have a similar one newly listed waiting just for you!

It’s called, “It’s Nice in Nice Vintage Repurposed Souvenir Bracelet” and is pictured here, on the right. Yummy.

Last night I got an email from brand new customer, Raymie:

“Paula, stumbled upon your blog while looking for ‘buckle bracelets’, just wanted to write you and say how much I love your stuff. I am getting married in Hawaii in February and am looking for something unique, and made in the USA.

I think you are fantastic and I am looking to purchase one of your bracelets for my wedding!

Just wanted to give you rave review, I will “pin” your great stuff as well!!”

And, minutes later, she bought this bracelet, “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, Vintage Repurposed Shoe Buckle Bracelet!” for her wedding!

From repeat (and repeat and repeat) customer, Etta, who bought this bracelet, “3 Strands Bracelet with Reds”, 12 seconds after I activated upon returning from NY:

“My new bracelet arrived and it is every bit as wonderful as the others I have purchased from you. You have a gift, Paula. Always use it for good I think I’m going for patron status. I love everything you do!!”

I’m especially happy that Etta loved it because she bought it to cheer herself up after having to put her sweet American Eskimo doggy, Joe, down, earlier that day. There are lots of little dogs on this bracelet and I hope that it will bring her happy memories of her boy.

Speaking of American Eskimos….

My friend, Sarah, runs a small dog rescue here in Fort Collins. It’s called “A Soft Place to Land”. She does amazing things and lives and cares for mostly puppy mill dogs on donations alone. I don’t know how she does it. Anyway, she’s been caring for Violet, the sweetest little American Eskimo. Last year, Violet had major surgery for a congenital defect in her nasal passages. It cost a ton of money but she cared for Violet and V. has been with an amazing foster mom ever since. However, 2 more surgeries are now necessary and it’s going to cost another $5,000.

On facebook, last night, I shared the link to donate and Etta donated in memory of Joe! I tell you…. my customers are the best of the best! If you’d care to donate, here’s the link. I can vouch for Sarah without pause and you can read all about Violet’s history and what she needs on the donation website. Thanks for listening.

But wait…there’s more love! Linda bought the last of the vintage dogs charm bracelets that I had listed for sale on my website recently for herself, for her birthday. I received this note via email this week: “Okay, I made myself wait for my birthday to open, it was last Saturday. OMG, it is so wonderful. I love the little guy whose eyes pop out, he is so fun. I just love it.” Similarly, Etta (yes, the same Etta as mentioned above!), bought the other vintage dogs charm bracelet I listed for sale for her husband for his birthday but, just in case he didn’t like it, she would keep it! LOL! I received this email from her: “Hi Paula! My bracelet arrived yesterday just in time for me to wear it to my sewing guild meeting today in which the theme was ‘dog days of summer’. It was one of my show and tell items and got many oohs and aahs. I love it!! You have such an eye for mixing different elements to make each piece beautiful and unique! Unfortunately, I think the bracelet is going to be confiscated by ‘birthday boy’ and re-gifted in October. Oh well, Happy Birthday to me!! I love everything I’ve gotten from you. Etta” Of course, this led to 3 more custom dog (well, “dog”) bracelets…. My friend, Sonja, a Professor of Veterinary Dermatology, commissioned a “doggy” bracelet. I use quotes because she kept adding different types of animals to her request. It ended up with many Shepherds (Sonja has two), a bunny, a camel, a penguin, horses, a ram (for CSU where she used to teach and how I met her) and a Bulldog for her current school, UGA, in Georgia. I just got this posting on facebook from her: “My new bracelet arrived. Mostly dogs, since it is made for me, it has mainly shepherds and one bulldog, horses, a rabbit for Brownie, a cat for Connor and Zoey. Of course a Ram for CSU and Colorado, a penguin for my grandma and a camel, since that is my favorite animal. I love it Paula, thank you!” The one on the right went to Deb. She’s been missing out the last few times I listed these bracelets and so I made this one for her especially! I received this via email the other day: “Hi Paula, I just opened my box with the most amazing dog bracelet. My son was as excited as I was. He said it was like watching a kid in a candy shop. It is my new favorite! Thank you. Deb” And this last one was for Dee. She has 2 cats so I made sure to put 2 on her bracelet! I just mailed this to Hawaii this week! Remember…if you want your very own custom dog or “dog” bracelet, they are $250. and I need about 3 weeks or so to get them made. Shoot me an email! I love shopping for the parts and making them. I do. And then there is Desiree…. I don’t want to get her in trouble, but, let’s just say she went a little wild this month and bought many bracelets. I lost track but I think it was 5. Maybe six. Anyway, I love that and encourage that behavior! Although, she has called me “evil temptress” and “mean” but all in good fun. I think! She bought this “Rhinestone Button Bracelet #2″ last week and I received this post on facebook: “Wore the gorgeous crystal button bracelet today. What a beauty it is in person! Can’t believe the other one is still waiting for a home!!! ” And, yes, there is another one that is almost identical! Here’s the link! (HINT, HINT!!!)

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go pin me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! I’ve already posted it on facebook and had someone use it right away! So fun, right? Go see what the QR Code coupon is for September! (You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For September I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called “Two Birds, One Rose, Vintage Repurposed Necklace” and it is 20% off for September or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

The two swallows is a heavy sterling silver repurposed brooch. It has a sort of gold wash on it so it reads as gold but is stamped “sterling” on the back. They are detailed and just lovely.

I wire-wrapped, with gold-filled wire, a vintage repurposed “faux” ivory rose brooch to the swallows. In between are tiny gold-filled stardust beads and a sterling silver stardust rondelle embedded with CZ’s.

The swallows are wire-wrapped to a vintage repurposed rhinestone brooch that reminded me of feathers and is a bit asymmetrical. Again, more wonderful beads in between.

The “chain” is formed with more wire-wrapped beads, 2 very vintage crystal connectors and lengths from 2 different vintage watch chains.

The clasp is made with a repurposed circle brooch and a fish hook. Two vintage crystal connectors join the chains to the clasp, too.

Overall length is approx 8″ without the bird/rose section, 11 1/2″ with.

Oh mama.

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up. On Mondays, I will be changing quotes from 3 of my favorite quote books. These little quotes are on the left side of my blog. Check back on Tuesdays to see the new quote.

Taxi Driver Wisdom has quotes from conversations with New York City cab drivers. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes hysterical, sometimes philosophical.

On Light at the End of the Tunnel: “Death is an end and a beginning.”"

Beauty Parlor Wisdom has quotes from conversations with stylists, barbers, manicurists, waxers, etc. Again, philosophers, all of them.

On Being Decisive: “If you don’t have an opinion, you wind up with something you don’t want.”

Don’ts for Wives has tips from the early 20th century that offer advise on achieving marital bliss. We’ve come a long way, Baby.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my Paula Montgomery – On (re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page so, you have to be a fan to see it! You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY, Tuesday, September 4th is…Rose and Peach and Aqua Repurposed Earrings! They are regularly $50.00 but with the special facebook coupon they will be $40 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today through the weekend. Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself something pretty!)

I landed in Fresno early on a Wednesday morning and Sue and I drove straight to the park.We didn’t really have a plan as to where we were going to do it but I knew, somehow, that I’d know it when I saw it. It’s summer in Yosemite. There are tourists. Lots and lots of tourists. We just kept driving until the crowds thinned out and we both just said, “there!” Sue pulled over and parked. I scattered Chuck and this is the view looking left and right. El Capitan will watch over him and the view is spectacular. I think he’d approve. I had written him a little letter and folded it into the tiniest envelope while I was in Colorado. I tucked it under a very large rock before we left. Sue’s fiancé, Tony, had packed us a wonderful picnic lunch so we sat down and ate and shared a few funny memories. It was very cathartic for me and I was so grateful that I was with someone that knew and loved him, too.

By the way, the black and white photo was taken from my iPhone with a Hipstamatic filter. It’s the place where everyone stops when entering Yosemite. When I posted this on facebook, so many friends were wowed and called me Ansel and asked what camera I used! (Ironic, I thought, since Chuck worked with Ansel Adams). But, as I wrote on fb, it’s impossible to take a bad photo in Yosemite. Everywhere you look is grandeur and beauty. Well, as long as you point the camera over 7 feet to miss all the tourists heads, that is!

And, to lighten the mood a bit….

Milo, my Manx cat, was declawed when we got him from an ad in the paper. So, when he catches mice I think it’s quite amazing. A few weeks ago he brought this one, on the left, into the house, as I was eating breakfast. (I had left the door propped open so he and Enzo could come in and out at will). Uh, not good. I picked him and the saliva-drenced mouse and took them outside where Milo dropped him and continued to “play” with him. Without getting into the details, let’s just say I have proof that the mouse is no longer with us.

The very next day I look out and see him with this mouse (on the right)! This one was frustrating him because, well, he didn’t live quite as long as the previous one.

My almost 10 year old cat with a serious heart murmur, Milo, ridding the world of varmints, one meece at a time!

Okay, on to jewelry news and the OMG in the subject line of this email!

I don’t know where to start but here goes! I’ve written in the past about the PR firm I’ve retained to get me some much-needed publicity. I’ve also mentioned that they are not cheap. (Understatement of the century.) We are just finishing 3 months of our 6 month contract and July seemed to be the month where stuff started to happen. I have a new go-getter on my account and it’s made all the difference in the world. She is ON IT and a lot of wonderful opportunities are opening up.

When I got home from my trip I had to overnight jewelry to 2 different editors at InStyle Magazine! One wanted 3 of my “complicated” necklaces! (When you click this link you’ll see that 3 of them are not available to purchase now and are on my new “wait list” – more on that in a minute – because those are the 3 at InStyle. The one I do have available…oh, just keep reading to find out!)

The other editor wanted 5 statement necklaces! From what I’ve been told these may (or, sadly, may not) end up in an article OR actually on a celebrity or model in a photo shoot with a stylist! Super cool, I think. I adore InStyle Magazine and have been a subscriber since I can remember.

I also had to overnight 4 pairs of earrings and a bracelet to Family Circle Magazine for potential inclusion in their Holiday Gift Guide of gifts under $100.00! I’ve also overnighted 5 pairs of earrings to Real Simple Magazine, also for the gift guide but already heard back that while they loved them they needed me to guarantee 1000 pairs of that same earring to have available to sell. Well, since I only make one-of-a-kind items that isn’t going to happen. I could maybe find components to make 10 pairs if I was pressed to but never 1000. We’re hoping that Real Simple will find somewhere else to use my earrings, though!*

(*Yep, they are considering them for something else! I just got a confirmation email about that! Yahooo!)

Anyway, please keep good thoughts that something happens soon! Patience is not my strong suit.

The other thing that happened this month was another New York City PR event like the one I did in April before I signed with the agency. This time, I didn’t attend but I did make 24 new things (more on that below…3 things are already gone and i just listed them!) to send! I barely got them finished and photographed before I flew to CA for the wedding, etc. When I came home I was able to get them all listed on my website but they weren’t really available because the event was just last Thursday. Added to all these pieces I was sending to editors, I was going nuts keeping track of who had what and if I took all those pieces off my website I’d have 4 things for sale!

That’s when I turned to Cameron, my trusty webmaster, to come up with a plan. He implemented a “wait list” on my site. Here’s how it works: when an item is not available for immediate (within 5 days) delivery, I will mark that item as sold…kind of. In the photo on the left is a current pair of earrings that is at Real Simple. I don’t know when I will get them back but I will eventually. If you see something you want but see the red “Not sold! Click me!” that means it’s on an editors desk or otherwise not in my possession. If you click it you will be taken to a screen to fill out your email address and when it comes back and is available for me to send you will get an automatic email to tell you that! Sweet!

Currently 18 of the 101 items I have for sale are available via the wait list. You’ll see.

There are some other very wonderful things in the pipe, too! I don’t want to count my chickens but am getting a little excited!

And, I’m going to New York City from August 21-25! I’m having “desk-side meetings” with jewelry and fashion editors of all the “biggies” and will be showing them my jewelry in their offices with my go-getter PR gal! Coolness!

I’ve planned dinner with friends in the city and bought myself tickets to the Tony-award winning play and musical of 2012 for the other 2 nights as a pre-birthday gift to myself. Last time I was in NYC, in April, it was less than 48 hours and all working. This should be really wonderful and I’m hopeful that the editors will be receptive and say what everyone always tells me: “Your stuff is so much better in person!”

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

Here are the “Fleur de Lis and Pearl Drop Earrings” repeat customer, Marilyn Shultz, bought and the wonderful email she followed up with:

“Bonjour Paula,

Desirée Young bought both of these newly listed bracelets almost the minute I posted them! In fact, I had several emails from other facebook followers who had their eyes on them and wanted to know if they were available or sold. Sold, sorry. But, I will be making more and am just waiting for the chain for the middle rows to come in. I promise!

She posted this yesterday on my facebook page:

“I got them this morning! Thank you the bracelets are gorgeous. I got to wear one of them to work…got lots of compliments. ”

But wait…there’s more love! Last month I wrote about how I had made yet another custom vintage dog charm bracelet and when I posted the photo on facebook a friend of mine ordered one, too! Well, here it is. I forgot to take a photo but Lisa Hoffman, who bought this, posted this on her facebook wall with this note: “My talented friend, Paula Montgomery, made this amazing bracelet from vintage dog charms. Before you die of jealousy, she has a couple more!…act fast cause these babies FLY…. here’s her site:paulalmontgomery.com“ She was right about the couple of more part, too! While I was making one I just went ahead and made 3 since I got lucky on finding great charms! Lisa lucked out because she came over and chose hers first! The other 2 that are for sale are here and here. And, here’s a screenshot of some recent feedback from sales on my Etsy store:

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go pin me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! I’ve already posted it on facebook and had someone use it right away! So fun, right? Go see what the QR Code coupon is for August! (You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For August I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s the only “complicated” necklace that I currently have available, in stock, to sell and ship immediately. As I mentioned above, the other 3 are with an editor of InStyle Magazine at her request!

It’s called “It’s Complicated #12 – 6 Strand Repurposed Necklace” and it is 20% off for August or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up. On Mondays, I will be changing quotes from 3 of my favorite quote books. These little quotes are on the left side of my blog. Check back on Tuesdays to see the new quote.

Taxi Driver Wisdom has quotes from conversations with New York City cab drivers. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes hysterical, sometimes philosophical.

On Identity Crises: “Whatever you become, someone will long for what you were.”

Beauty Parlor Wisdom has quotes from conversations with stylists, barbers, manicurists, waxers, etc. Again, philosophers, all of them.

On Diplomacy: “Never try to come between a woman and her ideal haircut.”

Don’ts for Wives has tips from the early 20th century that offer advise on achieving marital bliss. We’ve come a long way, Baby.

This was a crazy busy month but I did find time to blog about an AMAZING find I scored in early July! Here are just 2 teaser photos but you have to go read about this find!

Sometimes, I Get Lucky….Oh man. This has to be one of my all time favorite scores! I recently bought these 3 velvet boards with salesman samples of shoe buckles and scarf clips. From France. From the 1800′s. Be still my heart!The lady I bought them from bought them in Paris 35 years ago while she was traveling. They are pretty amazing. One board has (read more…)

I am currently crazed making jewelry with these buckles to take to NYC in 3 weeks!

Go subscribe to my blog! You’ll see the “subscribe” link at the top, on the right OR scroll to the bottom right and sign up via “Google Friend Connect”!

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my Paula Montgomery – On (re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page so, you have to be a fan to see it! You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY, Thursday, August 2nd is…“Don Quixote Repurposed Buckle Bracelet!” . Yes, THAT Don Quixote! It is regularly $140.00 but with the special facebook coupon it will be $112 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING! But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today through the weekend. Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself something pretty!)

Something blanc…

And something bleu…(more on bleu below! No, I don’t mean Enzo’s collar!)

I’m going to start off on some personal stuff, if you’ll indulge me.I wrote in May how Enzo had had surgery and that I was still waiting for pathology reports. Well, I’m still waiting actually but, in the meantime, here is the scoop. As our prior dog dermatologist (who has moved to Atlanta), Sonja, told me, “only your dog would get this.” In a nutshell, Enzo had unexplained hair loss. He was getting lesions that weren’t open or dangerous. They weren’t itchy. I’ve had dogs with allergies and I knew this wasn’t an allergic dog. But, after 6 months of trying everything ($$$) I agreed to have about 8 biopsies done on him to get to the bottom of the problem. Poor guy, he looked like a patchwork quilt as they took chunks from all over his body. (In this photo, a couple of days after surgery, he’s picking up satellite signals from Mars as he sunbathes!) Of course, when they get all the pathology results the good news was: no cancer, no allergies, no thyroid problems. The bad news:

“We’ve never seen anything like this. “Great. AARRGH!

And, I might mention, I live in a town with one of the best vet schools in the country and that’s where Enzo has been getting cared for. Three on-staff derms put their heads together and still didn’t have a clue. So, the dermatologist says they are going to send the biopsy results off to some other dermatologist who is the guru of skin disorders and, while she is crazy busy, she likes these mysteries. Our doc said it might take 3 or more months for her to look at them and as long as Enzo is doing okay and not in pain we’ll just take a wait and see approach.

That same day, she and I are emailing back and forth about this when she innocently asks, “By the way, Paula, by chance does Enzo sleep on a heated kennel mat?” Uh, yeah, he does. In fact, when we had all 3 basenji, they all 3 had heated mats with arthritis pads on top along with blankets. They’re African. Heat is their power source! While Rhubarb and Olive loved their mats and pads, Enzo would always pull all the blankets and pad out of his crate and sleep directly on the mat. We finally gave up and just let him. He’s 8 1/2 years old so he’s been doing this for his entire life. Well, as you may have guessed by now, there is a “disease” caused by continued sleeping on a heated surface. It’s called “erythema ab igne”. People get it too and can turn into cancer but, dogs don’t usually live long enough for it to turn into that. So, I asked the doc, “what’s the treatment?” She said, “unplug the mat”. DOH! Well, yeah, that I knew! So, I unplugged the mat, put regular dog bedding in his crate and now that all his fur has grown back from the surgery, he is all good! The fur won’t grow back where the original lesions were but he’s happy and perfect. I added up all the costs since the beginning and it was $2200. And, just as a funny anecdote…the doc they sent the pathology off to actually was the one who discovered this disease in dogs and one of her 5 case studies….a basenji! Sigh.

I had more Enzo trauma a couple of weeks ago when I found him on the lawn barely breathing, eyes half shut and he was barely able to stand or lift his head. Fifteen minutes before, he’d been throwing his stuffed toys in the air and running around. It was in the evening, I scooped him up, drove him to CSU vet hospital and it was like an episode of ER – a vet and 2 nurses were waiting for us outside (I had called ahead to tell them the circumstances), they grabbed him, took him in the back and gave him Benadryl. They think he must have gotten bit or stung by something that he had a severe reaction to. They kept him overnight on IV fluids, did full blood and urine panels and kept in CCU on constant watch just to be sure it wasn’t something else. Suffice to say, I was a wreck. He almost died. Before I left he was running around and fine but I wouldn’t have slept a wink if I’d brought him home. Turns out I didn’t sleep a wink anyway as I just stayed up worrying about him. I picked him up the next morning and after 3 days of Benadryl, he was back to wrestling Milo in no time.

I would be remiss to not mention the horrific fires that have had Colorado on the news every night. The High Park fire was quite close to me in miles (at one point, just 6 miles away) but the city of Fort Collins was never in any danger. As I type this on July 1st, the fire just became 100% contained (which does not mean it’s out, just contained, and it will take an “act of nature such as a prolonged rain or snowfall” for it to be controlled, meaning out. It burned over 87,000 acres in 3 weeks and as of today has cost over $38 million to fight. There was one death and 257 homes lost. The Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs has proved to be even worse in terms of lives lost and homes lost and is still raging. The latest stats I could find were 346 homes and 2 lives lost. The air was horrible for weeks and we’ve had an unprecedented heat wave, no rain to speak of…it’s all been incredibly sad and stressful and almost unbelievable. All we can do is hope for a huge rainstorm.

Okay, on to jewelry news! (Finally!)

Well, it’s been long enough for me to have given up on the W Magazine dream. Even my PR people think our “window” is gone. Bummer. I won’t lie, I’m sad about it. But, I guess I need to look at the bright side (not my strongest attribute) and say it was awesome that they liked my stuff well enough to even consider having it brought to the photo shoot. But, there are other good things in the pipe and I’m learning a lot about the politics of this business. Hopefully, my investment in this PR firm and my continued efforts will pay off down the road. I just keep making jewelry and hope something big happens.

I did get some cool reviews on a couple of fashion blogs this month!

I got a tweet with @paulamontgomery mentioned and it was this great review from a fashion blog called Fashiontribes. Here’s the link!

“This “Pretty in Pink“ necklace by Paula Montgomery is made from an old-school fur clip with various pins and pendants attached & then strung on a chain fashioned from a vintage choker of rose cut-glass.

All of her jewelry is made by hand and, obviously, one of a kind, which makes it that much more special.”

And a few days later from Style Goes Strong blog…

“I’ve been on something of a repurposed kick lately, following/fanning all of these great sites on Facebook and Pinterest that have good ideas on how to creatively reuse things we don’t need. But this repurposed vintage jewelry is definitely the prettiest idea I’ve seen.

Paula Montgomery’s vintage pieces are elegant, feminine and oh-so-right for my lifestyle. While I already have plenty of pieces in things I love (like turquoise), it’s these one-of-a-kind creations that I crave.

The necklace, pictured left, comes with 6 strands of repurposed vintage jewels. I love that it’s slightly messy (all things messy are trendy, like the messy bob) because that makes it more youthful than straight-up vintage pieces. This piece is called It’s Complicated #9 and it includes a lovely jumble of silver, brass, mother of pearl and crystal. It’s $250.

The earrings, called Bird & Flower Repurposed Puffy Heart earrings, $90, are also one of a kind (and I really hope nobody buys these before I can….) They feature a Victorian puffy heart, one with a flower, one with a bird. I love that the earrings don’t match: very unique.

Paula Montgomery features lots of other great vintage jewelry like intricate and original bracelets, necklaces and earrings.”

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

Here’s the “Vintage Puffy Heart Locket Necklace” Josh bought for his very pregnant wife as a “push present”. I received this email from him a couple of weeks after:

“My wife loved the necklace – she appreciated the fact that it was a one of a kind, just like the birth of our new baby boy, Cashton — we just had some creative baby pictures taken and actually incorporated the necklace in a few of them, I’ll email you one when we get them — thanks again for providing the perfect push present for my wife…..”

Where do they grow guys like that? I need to order one, stat!

Pat bought this, “Sacred Heart of Paris Vintage Repurposed Bracelet” and sent me this note:

“Paula, the bracelet just arrived and I must tell you, it took my breath
away!!!!!!! What an eye for art and a talent for putting it all
together you have. I am ore than pleased, I am gobsmacked!
Thanks so much.”

But wait…there’s more love! And from Mo who bought these, “Pink, Black Diamond and Roses Repurposed Earrings”: “i just received my first pair of fabulous Paula earrings. needless to say i’m thrilled and can’t wait to wear them!!” Early in June I got an email from Tara. She somehow found my dog charm bracelets and asked if I ever did custom ones. Why, yes, Tara, I do! Tara wrote: “Your dog bracelets were by far the best I’ve found and I looked hard!” She also has a horse and wanted a couple of horse charms including one she wanted to send me to put on it. She has Jack Russell Terriers and I told her I’d do my best to find some JRT charms but those old charms, for the most part, are just “dogs”. The popular breeds of the time like Scotties and Retrievers are easy to find but I had a mission! My price for these bracelets is $250. I’ve made enough of them now to know what to charge based on how difficult to find and how pricey these little charms are. I was all done finding charms for Tara’s bracelet when I happened to find the Jack Russell cufflinks (see them both in the photo of the finished bracelet). I was in awe! But, they were $60 including shipping. I emailed Tara to see what she thought and I told her I would only charge her exactly what I paid and she agreed. They are incredible and such a great addition to her bracelet. The horse charm in the middle was hers but I added one on the very end of the bracelet, too. She loves how it turned out as do I. So, I posted this photo on my personal facebook page because it was in my phone and….2 of my friends ordered one! You, too, can have one…send me an email! It’s $125 down and the balance due upon completion. I will take special breed requests but cannot promise anything. If you have a Scottie, you’re in luck! Speaking of horses… An old friend, Marisha, who had moved to Connecticut about 4 years ago, was back in town and asked if we could do a horse necklace together. She’s a rider and jumper and her only requirement was to somehow include this little horse with her name engraved on it that her parents gave her when she was very young. Six, I think. I got busy buying horse items and a week ago we spent the day designing and making her necklace. It came out so great and we totally lucked out on prices. (Her budget was looooooow). I also had some old glass horse intaglio cabochons, as did she, and at the end we had plenty to work with and she wore it that night when we went out to dinner! (See the “Marisha” horse, which we patina’d hanging off the back. She has short hair so all that cool stuff on her neck will totally show!)

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go pin me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! I’ve already posted it on facebook and had someone use it right away! So fun, right? Go see what the QR Code coupon is for July! (You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For July I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

And….finally, et bleu!

I made it especially for July and just finished it on Thursday!

It’s called “Don’t Be Blue Vintage Repurposed Necklace” and it is 20% off for July or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up. On Mondays, I will be changing quotes from 3 of my favorite quote books. These little quotes are on the left side of my blog. Check back on Tuesdays to see the new quote.

Taxi Driver Wisdom has quotes from conversations with New York City cab drivers. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes hysterical, sometimes philosophical.

On Finding a Mother: “Women choose who they love the most. Men choose who loves them the most..”

Beauty Parlor Wisdom has quotes from conversations with stylists, barbers, manicurists, waxers, etc. Again, philosophers, all of them.

On Lipstick and Lovers: “If you don’t know immediately, it takes forever to find the right one.”

Don’ts for Wives has tips from the early 20th century that offer advise on achieving marital bliss. We’ve come a long way, Baby.

Busy Weekend Adventures (Part 1 of 2):Why is it feast or famine? Two money-sucking events happened in one weekend!

On Friday, I drove to Denver for the International Gem & Jewelry Show. It’s always overwhelming and while fondling a string of shiny objects your eye catches 3,000 more! In other words….heaven.

This time I came with a list. Ha! No, seriously, I did. It helped keep me focused and, since this is the 5th or 6th time I’ve attended this show…(read more).

Busy Weekend Adventures (Part 2 of 2):

So, my money-sucking weekend continued with a trek north to Cheyenne, Wyoming…. I would have normally typed, “an easy 40 mile drive”. But, the GPS in my car took me to a dead-end road nowhere near the fairgrounds where the show was!

I have a horrible sense of direction and am so happy my new car came with GPS. However, last year when I drove to this show I used the GPS on my iPad and got there without incident. Yesterday, as I’m hopelessly lost in Cheyenne I was so mad I didn’t bring it. It was in the mid-90′s and I didn’t want to leave it in the car nor did I want to carry it around. Next time…..I will! I stopped at a gas station (so old school!) and asked the mechanic who gave me crap directions and got me even more lost. Finally, just by luck, I ended up finding it on my own. Not a fun way to start the day but it got better because I got to shop for stuff…again!…(read more).

Nice Rack!

My rent-a-husband, Bill, finished this little project for me a few weeks ago but I kept forgetting to take photos and post!

Last month I “found” this old blackboard in my basement. Now, it’s not that I didn’t know it was there. I did. I just hadn’t really considered it before. It actually was covering up an opening behind the heater but, for whatever reason, I dragged it out and dusted it off. (My house is 102 years old….treasures abound!)

I had also purchased these 7 old factory shoe molds more than a year ago…(read more).

Go subscribe to my blog! You’ll see the “subscribe” link at the top, on the right OR scroll to the bottom right and sign up via “Google Friend Connect”!

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my Paula Montgomery – On (re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer a different piece of my jewelry for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page so, you have to be a fan to see it! You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY, Monday, July 2nd is…“Caught Red-Handed Vintage Repurposed Necklace”! A PERFECT necklace for summer and beyond!

It is regularly $200.00 but with the special facebook coupon it will be $160 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING! But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today through the weekend. Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

(Go buy yourself something pretty!)

I just finished my first month with my new PR agency and we are just starting to get things rolling. I had a lot of “homework” and prep work and, hopefully, something “big” or at least fun and interesting will happen soon.But, the most interesting thing, at least for me, that happened this month was a huge spike in the number of sales. And, so far, this was all generated by me! Sales on Etsy are picking up and I’ve had a lot of repeat business which, to me, is by far the best feeling in the world.

One of my friends from back in the Rubber Baby days, Sandi Marr, just bought her first necklace and she wrote:

“…I had to get something of yours because you are going to be totally famous very soon!” 

Ha! (But secretly hoping she is right!)

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

As I mentioned above, sales in May were GREAT! 

Here’s the “Long, Lovely, Luminous Simple Repurposed Buckle Necklace” Sandi bought and here is what she wrote on facebook after receiving it:

“On Saturday I received my absolutely beautiful necklace from Paula…talk about quick service.

The necklace is stunning, and I wore it Saturday night to a family birthday dinner and got lots of questions and compliments on it! Beautifully packaged and fun to wear a piece so interesting.

I like to think of the people who might have had joy from wearing the various pieces in past years that this necklace was made from.

Thank you Paula, you are the BEST!!!

DeAnn Woodruff Foster purchased this “Skate Dancing Test 2 Repurposed Necklace” a month or so ago and wrote on facebook:

“… I love my skate dance necklace. I was happy to wear it to a wedding party soon after I received it. Your packaging is so much fun. Random thank you mail gifts are also fun. Thank you! I think I will shop again right now..

But wait…there’s more love! And, Erna Timmer Jensen from Denmark bought this, “Paris Souvenir Repurposed Bracelet with Joan of Arc” and a pair of earrings. I received this email from her: “Just a short note to let you know that your stunningly beautiful jewelry has arrived. I love it! It is absolutely worth waiting for though you live on the other side of Earth I will be back to you site to check for more treasures – you did an awesome job on these.”

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go pin me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! I’ve already posted it on facebook and had someone use it right away! So fun, right? Go see what the QR Code coupon is for June! (You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

Necklace of the Month:

For June I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called “3 Strands Repurposed Necklace with Shoe” and it is 20% off for June or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind!

(I have a confession….I wore this the other night to dinner with friends and kind of adore it. Plus, everyone wanted to know what each little thing was and there were lots of ooh’s and aah’s!)

(This necklace is here and ready to ship immediately! Hurry up! Mother’s Day is next Sunday!)

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Let’s take it strand by strand, shall we? The longest strand (12″ drop) is a vintage, brass chain with a lovely texture. Hanging from that is a vintage celluloid shoe with a hidden knife inside. I’m sure this was some sort of advertising giveaway from times gone by. Super cool.

The middle chain (10″ drop) is a gunmetal vintage rosary! The whole thing! Where the crucifix would be I hung the most amazing (AMAZING!!) vintage, French silver pencil. It’s probably sterling but I don’t see a stamp stamp. It is stamped “depose” which means, essentially, made in France. The little hidden pencil is in stellar condition and fits tightly in the holder. The outside is adorned with 2 fleur de lis and in the center is the crowned ermine, a symbol of the Brittany region of France. It’s truly remarkable and a very rare find, indeed.

The shortest chain (8″ drop) is vintage brass chain and has a wonderful sterling silver (stamped) medal of reward and reads “Second Place for Efficiency in Writing Gregg Shorthand”. When’s the last time you saw a sterling silver medal for 2nd place in anything let alone shorthand!!! I also hung a little amazing sterling silver and shell cameo a little further up on that same chain.

Again, the 3 strands are attached at the clasp as if one necklace. Easy peasy.

What a conversation piece this is!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. )

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up. On Mondays, I will be changing quotes from 3 of my favorite quote books. These little quotes are on the left side of my blog. Check back on Tuesdays to see the new quote.

Taxi Driver Wisdom has quotes from conversations with New York City cab drivers. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes hysterical, sometimes philosophical.

On Carpe Diem: ”Time goes. That’s it.”

Beauty Parlor Wisdom has quotes from conversations with stylists, barbers, manicurists, waxers, etc. Again, philosophers, all of them.

On Approaches: “There are two schools of beauty – acceptance and denial.”

Don’ts for Wives has tips from the early 20th century that offer advise on achieving marital bliss. We’ve come a long way, Baby.

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my Paula Montgomery – On (re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer different piece of my jewelry on facebook every single weekday and offerering it for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page so, you have to be a fan to see it! You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY, Friday, June 1st THROUGH SUNDAY, June 3rd is…“She Sells Souvenir Shells by the Seashore Repurposed Purse Necklace”! A PERFECT necklace for summer!

It is regularly $275.00 but with the special facebook coupon it will be $220 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING! But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today through the weekend. Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

 (Go buy yourself something pretty!)

Last month when I sent the April newsletter I had just returned from my first PR trip to NYC and wrote about the potential contacts I had made. Well, I did leave out one huge thing because it was just a “maybe” and, quite frankly, as I type this, it still is.

(Look, there’s Clive Owen on the cover of the current W. I think I need a moment. But, I digress…)

Cut to the following week….my poor Enzo had been scheduled for surgery (nothing serious I don’t think although I’m still waiting for further pathology results) and I brought him home from the vet hospital, got him comfortable on the couch (he had 8 or more chunks of skin removed from 8 spots on his body for biopsy so he was looking like a patchwork quilt), I’m sitting next to him checking my email, it’s 7:30 Mountain Time and…there’s an email from W Magazine! They attached photos of the jewelry from my table at the event along with a request to overnight them all the next morning! The next morning I was at FedEx and sent the 35 pieces they requested! Thirty-five pieces! It was almost every single thing I had brought with me! I had actually sold 6 of the pieces that previous weekend so I added a few that I hadn’t brought to NYC that I thought would work for the photo shoot in the woods of Oregon.

Being new to this process and this industry I had no idea what came next. First of all, I thought…“Hmmm…do I get these things back?!” I do. Phew. (It was almost $7,000. in jewelry!) I knew from watching The September Issue, a wonderful documentary about the making of the September issue of Vogue Magazine, that there are a ton of hurdles to jump before even one of these 35 pieces actually make it into the print magazine. The next step was getting past the stylist who was styling this shoot in the woods in Oregon. They did! So, that’s kind of where we are right now. They are very hush-hush about all of this and I have no idea of any of my jewelry actually ended up on a model or in any photos. W sent back all the pieces this morning (that’s why this email newsletter is a few days late…I was hoping they’d be back by the first of May but they are here now! ) so they are ready for you to buy!

In fact, since I’ve been posting this cool news on facebook from the start, I already sold 2 necklaces that were still at W to customers who asked specifically which pieces were there! In related news….since the response was so wonderful from other top-notch magazines, bloggers, etc., I have officially signed with a big-time PR agency! Time will tell and it’s definitely a process but I signed a 6-month contract and hope that even if this W Magazine thing doesn’t work out that I will have more fantastic updates like this in the future that will. This is not an inexpensive venture. In fact, it’s very, very expensive. (Go buy jewelry…Go buy jewelry…Please go buy jewelry!) But, you know what? Go big or go home, I say. And, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” I say that, too.

Happy Customer Updates and Quotes:

Sales in April were fantastic! I don’t know why but, hey, who am I to argue?

As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, I made this custom vintage dog charm bracelet for friend and customer, Jean Wrightnour. Here’s what she posted on facebook after she received it:

“Paula!! My pooch parade bracelet (with two black cats!) arrived safe and sound today. I’m still sitting with that ‘excitement blast’ in the pit of my stomach. I am blown away. I love everything about it! Thank you so much for listening to my every whim. It fits great and I will be wearing it tonight and for many more occasions.

I must say, the enclosures were amazing too. Everything coordinates with everything else and your art/paper background surely shows through the glassine envelopes, the custom box/ribbons/ties. I love all that stuff too (as you well know).

Beautiful job….even the balanced elements on the bracelet are appreciated. Color, size…

Oh, and btw, that Mother of Pearl dog head with the golden collar and rhinestone eye? Now I see why you thought twice about including it. It is gorgeous. The photo just doesn’t do it justice!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!”

What could be better than that? (Well, besides getting in the fall issue of W Magazine, that is!)

Also, remember….if you want a custom charm bracelet with vintage charms in a theme of your choosing just shoot me an email and let me know your thoughts. I love a challenge and, quite frankly, I love to shop. It’ll be a win/win!

But wait…there’s more love! One of the coolest things that has been happening is repeat business. Hey, I didn’t just fall of the turnip truck. I know that money is still tight and, obviously, jewelry is not food or gas so when customers come back over and over it blows me away. (Note to self: start selling gas and food.) I have 2 new customers who have been doing just that!   One is Kami Garcia. Not only is Kami buying up all my multi-strand necklaces* she is a published author AND a major motion picture by Warner Bros is in production on her “The Beautiful Creatures” novels by the same producer who did The Twilight Saga! Kami is my first celebrity! *I currently have ONE left but will be making more soon! (More on that one below!)   Then there is Pam. Pam found me on Etsy. She bought this bracelet. This is the review she left for me on Etsy: “This piece is beyond beautiful!! I am totally in love with it and would love to buy more jewelry from Paula. She has been a pleasure to work with. Her communication and willingness to work with me and then her quick shipment makes me very happy!” Well, it didn’t take her long to come back. She bought 3 pairs of earrings and a necklace. When she got those she wrote me this:   “Hi, Paula, I received all my beautiful goodies today. I may turn into your number 1 fan!! I am very happy with every piece. I love your work…your communication is prompt and even entertaining at times…lol..the shipment is superfast. BUT, your packaging is off the rails!! It is all beautiful, creative, amazing. I really hope the magazine shoot goes well for you. I hope it brings you lots of business. Your are a fab artist and also a good business woman. I will leave you feedback on your site (I’m afraid to go back cuz it might cost me more money ) either tonight or tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know I got everything today. Thanks so much. Sincerely, Pam” And….I shipped yet another order of 3 more necklaces and another pair of earrings today to her! (One of the necklaces was at W Magazine and also has cameos!) I can’t thank them enough.

Every product I have for sale has a little “Pin it” badge. If you click it you will be able to add that image to your bulletin board on Pinterest! You’ll see. It takes a minute at the most to set up your account. Plus, you get to follow people to see what their pinning, they can follow you, you can repin (basically, stealing their pins for your own board!). Every day someone “repins” one of my pins or starts “following me” (not in a bad way) and I’m seeing more and more pins on facebook.

It’s all too wonderful.

Please go pin me.

Have you been seeing these crazy little bit-mappy boxes everywhere lately? I have. I have an iPhone and downloaded an app called Scan to be able to read them. I know they have many versions out there for any smartphone. Anywho….they are called “QR Codes” which stands for Quick Response. I did a little research and…I made my very own QR code! Here it is.

If you use your smartphone app to scan this little gibberish square it will take you to a secret place on my website with a very special coupon code which will change EACH MONTH! I’ve already posted it on facebook and had someone use it right away! So fun, right? Go see what the QR Code coupon is for May! (You’ll feel so geeky, I promise. And superior to those around you as you show off your technological prowess.) As my grandmother used to say, “You’ll grow a chest hair.”

For May I offer the following necklace at 20% off!

It’s called “It’s Complicated #2 – Seven Strand Repurposed Necklace”and it is 20% off for May or, well, until it’s sold since it’s one-of-a-kind! Perfect for Mother’s Day as a gift or for yourself.

(This necklace is here and ready to ship immediately! Hurry up! Mother’s Day is next Sunday!)

I’ve also made the monthly special include FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

Remember, all my jewelry is one-of-a-kind. There is only one of this necklace! Go get it!

(Just as an fyi…I’ve sold out the monthly necklace almost every single month. Just sayin’. Hurry, like a bunny…)

Every Monday, I upload a short (about a minute) video slideshow to YouTube. It features 5 of my pieces. I also post this on Facebook and tweet it out to Twitter! Click the image of the slideshow to see the one I posted recently!

My blog -”...mostly coherent ramblings from a girl who likes pretty things. And old things. And sparkly things. And pretty, sparkly, old things. And cheese.” is up. On Mondays, I will be changing quotes from 3 of my favorite quote books. These little quotes are on the left side of my blog. Check back on Tuesdays to see the new quote.

Taxi Driver Wisdom has quotes from conversations with New York City cab drivers. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes hysterical, sometimes philosophical.

On Cogs in the Machine: “Regular air is sweeter than air conditioning.”

Beauty Parlor Wisdom has quotes from conversations with stylists, barbers, manicurists, waxers, etc. Again, philosophers, all of them.

On Attraction:“Sexy is highly subjective.”

Don’ts for Wives has tips from the early 20th century that offer advise on achieving marital bliss. We’ve come a long way, Baby.

“Don’t get into the habit of staying indoors because there is nothing particular to go out for. Make an object if you not got one: take the dog for a run on the common; walk to a shop two miles away to match some wool – anything to prevent the stay-at-home habit from growing upon you.”

Return to Table O’ Contents

Please take a second, literally, one second (okay, maybe 4 seconds), to click on my Paula Montgomery – On (re)Purpose Facebook page and then simply click the “like” button at the top. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and be the first to see when I post videos or specials, too.

Every day on facebook I offer different piece of my jewelry on facebook every single weekday and offerering it for that day only at 20% off and I’ve added FREE U.S. SHIPPING, TOO!

The code will be posted on my fan page so, you have to be a fan to see it! You just have to click the “like” button and you’re done. Then, when I post the daily coupon and the product for that day you’ll be able to see it and take advantage of the daily coupon!

Just to tease you…the 20% off product for TODAY, Thursday, Ma 3rd THROUGH SUNDAY, May 6th is…“Paris Souvenir Repurposed Bracelet with Joan of Arc”! (I just listed this bracelet yesterday on my website! It’s brand spankin’ new!)

It is regularly $150.00 but with the special facebook coupon it will be $120 AND FREE U.S. SHIPPING! But, because I’m very mean, you will have to go “like” me on facebook to see the coupon code for today through the weekend. Remember, I will (try) to do this every single weekday!

After you “like” me, just click the link “suggest to friends” or post it on your wall and ask people to “like” me. Thank you so much for your time and I do hope you will go check it out!

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day! (Go buy yourself something pretty!)