There are some changes in the Land of Gementia at the start of 2010, one of which is ME! (That's me, the eager beaver below, getting my desk set up - like my wallpaper? I like it too.)
My name is Stephanie, and I'm Gem's new assistant. I help her with things like updating the blog here, searching for new inventory items to buy (including all the items on the Personal Shopper list), keeping the inventory organized, answering customer emails, and listing items. Basically, my job is to free up some time for her to work on jewelry by doing those things that take her time and attention elsewhere. Christmas season found both Gem and Marcus overwhelmed with custom orders, and since that side of the business is growing rapidly, Miss Misha (CEO and founder of the company) decided it was time that Gem had some help with the administrative tasks. So, on the 4th of January, I started working at Gementia13 as Gem's administrative assistant. Also on the 4th of January, the G13 shop moved into a larger area (still on the same property, just in a different place) as the old shop was getting pretty cramped and wouldn't have had room for another person. Now there's room to get up and walk around, something that was impossible in the old shop. It was just too tiny. There's even a little area for the coffeemaker and water cooler and a few corners that are still empty and up for grabs!
We know you've all been anxious for news about the emeralds, and the news is very good. The pear-cut emerald is almost finished! There was another delay due to a flare-up of Gem's carpal tunnel syndrome, which kept her from working on it for about a week, but she's now back to polishing and says it should be finished within the next week or ten days. She hopes to have it set in the necklace (which is AMAZING) by the 5th of February so that it will be up for sale before Valentine's Day. We've had several suggestions for names, which have been forwarded to Dr. Robi Ludwig for consideration. We'll do our best to pull it all together and have it listed for sale by the first week in February.
We will be offering more of our own pieces in 2010, including replica necklaces of both the new emeralds as well as the Northern Light. We will also be offering some new "Heart of the Ocean" style necklaces; large CZ pendants; emerald pendants, necklaces, rings and bracelets; opal pendants and rings; marble cabochon pendants and rings; and Fenton glass slag pendants. There are ideas on the drawing board for other items too, but we'll keep those on the hush until we have them available to order.
There's more news, but we'll let the rest wait until the next update. Right now I have to help Gem set up her new work station so that all her tools are close at hand - she's moving to the wall opposite Marcus's new wet saw and bench grinder so that she won't be right in the midst of all the rock dust. Then it's off to the post office for some supplies, and back to the new shop to help organize the inventory.
We'll try to get you another update within the week, but if not, we'll definitely have one for you as soon as the emerald is finished. We'll post photos of it by itself before it's set, and then photos of the necklace when it's all done and ready for sale. We'll also let you know what its new name will be just as soon as Dr. Robi makes her decision, which will be shortly after the stone is finished and ready to set. In the meantime, our best wishes go out to all of you for a safe, happy and prosperous 2010. Talk to you soon!
~Stephanie~
