Hearts Galore

I love the color red and it's a good thing too because Valentine's Day is right around the corner. What better way to celebrate this day of Love and get through these dreary winter days, than with a PARTY!! So I've decided to have my 1st ever Hillcrest Jewelry Design Valentine's Party, the day before Valentine's Day. I have many new pieces that I'll be debuting for the Spring Collection, some oldies but goodies that are marked down, and several new pieces in the Four Heart Collection that will make the perfect Valentine's Day gift.

I'm already working on setting the mood around here. I've got some interesting display ideas going on and plan to light lots of little votive candles. Of course, I've rearranged the furniture for the bazillionth time and I've turned my Christmas tree into a Valentine's Tree. All the Christmas decor was taken off and replaced with anything heart related, raffia bows, and red berries. Oh and I whipped up a heart shaped tree topper. The best part about this tree transformation has yet to come but I'm working on it. I'm making vintage inspired Valentines that will decorate every nook and cranny of the tree. As customers finish selecting all kinds of pretty must haves, they can pick a Valentine off the tree. Inside each Valentine will be a mystery discount. One Valentine might say "10% off 1 regularly priced item" and another Valentine might say "Buy 1 regularly priced item, get 50% off the second regularly priced item". I'm excited and I hope my customers have fun with it. I'm also going to have lots of yummy candy, cookies and cakes that are Valentine's Day inspired to snack on between trying on bling.

By the way, will someone kindly remind me to snap a few pics during the party? I'd love to share it with all of you and I always tend to get wrapped up and forget about that.

The 4Heart Collection is growing. For those of you who don't know what this is, let me share with you. I started the 4Heart Collection as a way to create specialized pieces, of which a donation would be made to the American Heart Association from each sale. Back when my oldest 2 kids were little, I volunteered on the planning committee for the local Heart Walk. Like so many others, I have an extensive family history of heart disease and have been profoundly impacted by the ability of research, technology and patient care that can improve and extend the quality of life of those affected by heart disease. When baby #3 came into the picture my volunteering days ended but my participation in fundraising and walking never did. I still wanted to give to the cause. This is my little way of doing so.

I named the collection 4Heart after my 4 kids who will forever be in my heart and for the American Heart Association. A little play of words and you'll understand that I am giving back and contributing 20% of each 4Heart sale For Heart. Get it? The pieces in the 4Heart Collection are all one of a kind. They may be similar but each one differs from the other. I like to include something red in each piece as well. Sometimes I use a red Swarovski pearl (love the Bordeaux color), a red crystal, a red colored gemstone, or a red glass bead. I make simple pieces and more elaborate pieces. Sometimes I make the piece in sterling silver and sometimes I use leather cord and copper. With all this variety comes a variety of price points as well so there something for everyone.

In addition to the 4Heart Collection being the perfect Valentine's Day gift, it is a great way to recognize National Go Red Day. This year, the American Heart Association has established February 5th to be National Go Red for Women Day. You can show your support by wearing red on Feb. 5th. That's why I always like to include a little something red in my 4Heart pieces. Go Red for Women, reminds us that heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women in America. It's not just a man's disease but because it has been associated with men for so many years, often times the signs and symptoms of heart disease go unnoticed in women.

So on that note...I've included a few pics of my latest 4Heart pieces. These are currently for sale in my Etsy store, while supplies last. http://www.heathermgannon.etsy.com/

If you're in the Berks County, PA area on Feb. 13th and would like to join our Valentine's Day Jewelry Party, send me an e-mail at hillcrestjewelrydesign@comcast.net.

~Heather