Skip the Diamonds - Get "The Look" with Beads

Did I mention how much fun I had watching all the Oscar fashions on Sunday evening? Most of the gowns were stunning. And of course the women in them were also dazzling. And you know I was studying the jewelry.  So much of the jewelry was drool worthy. A-listers were dripping in sparkling diamonds from all of the most well known fine jewelers.  I was thrilled to find several celebrities donning collar necklaces.  Longer strands have been "it" for a few years.  The shorter lengths are sexy and look great framing faces. Check out the photo collage here.  Actresses Taraji P Henson, Alicia Vikander, Dakota Johnson and Kristin Cavallari all look mighty fine in their shorter necklaces.
Most of us can't afford diamonds. And we're not famous enough to borrow such baubles from Neil Lane.  I say, "get the look" with beads. Even better, with "fair trade" beads. We have several statement necklaces available on our retail website. One of our favorites is our Byzantine Duo Necklace.  The rose quartz combination feels.... a little diamond like.  You can also find it in other more colorful combinations.  Want a complete outfit? Why not pair it with a coordinating bracelet and earrings.  Did we also mention that lots Academy Award nominees were decked out in big earrings. (See my prior post.)
Dunitz & Company has been wholesaling to boutiques and museum shops since the early 90s. We make it our mission to stay on the pulse of fashion so we can offer on-trend designs in the most current colors to our retailers. If you are a retailer, we encourage you to login on our wholesale site. You'll find lots of new collar necklaces and statement earring designs. We think they're Oscar worthy! Let us know what you think. We're here to help. - ND

Oscars & Earrings

I knew it was going to be an exciting evening as I pulled out of my driveway and headed to my annual "Academy Awards" party located in the San Fernando Valley.  First I needed to battle all of the stretch limos that use the Hollywood Bowl parking lot as their stomping ground while the biggest celebration in town is a short distance away at the Dolby theater at Hollywood & Highland.  I'd only seen two of the nominated films this year. But for me it's all about the fashion. I'm always drooling over the many gowns worn by Hollywood's most famous starlets.  This year was no exception.
More than anything, I watch for the jewelry worn by those participating in the awards ceremony.  I realize that most will be wearing diamonds and precious gems on loan from famous jewelers.  So from a Dunitz & Company perspective, I'm not really looking at the materials - but the shapes and sizes of baubles donned by Hollywood's elite. I was pleased to see chokers and lots of bracelets. Most notably, I was thrilled to see several A-listers showing off "big" earrings!  Out in the 'real world', many of our customers have been going smaller and smaller in the looks they're willing to wear. We're hopeful that Oscar sets a trend - one where earrings worn by many will grow in size.  In the photo here, left to right, you can see Charlize Theron, Selma Hayek, Emma Stone and Nicole Kidman all wearing significant ear decorations. Hooray for Hollywood. We suggest you now shop dunitz and find yourself a pair of larger fun earrings.  Follow the trend. - ND

Count on Seeing Red

I confess, I always cringe a bit when I see a lot of "red" on runway fashion. It doesn't matter if I see "purple-reds" or "orange-reds".  These have never been my favorite colors for jewelry or my personal wardrobe. It seems our jewelry in red never sells in the same overall volume as other colors.  I also know that we have customers who are absolutely CRAZY for red - & for these clients, they dig in deep.  What does this mean? It means we'll absolutely offer pretty baubles in red for Fall 2017.  Please stay tuned to see what is coming from Dunitz & Company's wholesale fair trade jewelry collections for the next season. To the right is a photo of clothing designers that inspire us.  From left to right, these outfits hail from Public School, Prabal Gurung, A Detacher and Altuzarra. What are your views on red? - ND

Black is Back - The Fall Runway

Black is back and with a vengeance. I always carefully study the ready-to-wear runway shows before creating my jewelry color combinations.  For the last several seasons shades of grey and brown have dominated fashion. Well, I'm telling you Fall 2017 has changed it all up again.  Most of the prolific designers are focused on black. Of course I love it when designers combine colors.  In the photo I'm sharing to the right are outfits that mix black with other hues.  They come from  the collections of (left to right) Zimmermann, Tibi, Carolina Herrera and Altuzarra.
What I've learned is our customers love to wear colorful jewelry....that they can wear with their black wardrobes! So for Fall 2017, Dunitz & Company will do just that.  We've pledged to use no black beads at all.  (OK, we may use black in one or two of our fused glass color combinations.) We'll combine lots of other colors that will compliment all of your black clothing.  You can count on us offering many combinations that include shades of blue, jade and green. These are always our customer's favorites. What is your favorite color? We'd love to hear from you. - ND

Fair Trade: A Movement for All

I have copied and pasted this blog post and statement from the Fair Trade Federation.  I couldn't possibly explain better how fair traders operate and contribute to a better world.

True fair trade is about mutually beneficial relationships rooted in trust and respect spanning geographic and cultural boundaries. 
As a global movement, fair trade brings attention to people around the world who work under exploitative conditions and highlights the true costs of goods in global supply chains. Organizations and activists, businesses and brands, farmers, workers and artisans have diligently worked for more than 50 years to bring greater balance to the terms of trade.
In recent months, we have watched as the term 'fair trade' has been grossly misused by politicians to energize their supporters while vilifying others. We have seen the term used to exclude people and encourage an isolationist agenda.  These ideas stand in direct opposition to the concepts of justice and inclusivity that underlie our movement.
For far too long, conventional trade has maintained a narrow focus on the lowest common denominator. Efficiency at all costs, lower prices, and little consideration for the full social, economic and environmental impacts have been the hallmarks of conventional international trade. Massive consolidation of power in supply chains has resulted in fewer options for consumers, farmers and workers, and unprecedented wealth controlled by few. Oxfam's recent report on global inequality revealed that just eight men control more wealth in the world's 3.6 billion poorest people combined.
IF WE HOPE FOR A SOCIETY - IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD - THIS IS MORE EQUAL AND JUST, WE MUST PRESS TRADE INTO THE SERVICE OF PEOPLE.
Global trade and the trade deals that accompany it are not inherently bad. They provide an opportunity to delivery the benefits of trade more broadly, but only if they are used for that purpose. Fair trade, with its focus on inclusion and empowerment, shows that trade can - and must - be more equitable.
If we hope for a society - in the U.S. and around the world - that is more equal and just, we must press trade into the service of people.

• True fair trade creates shared value throughout supply chains
• True fair trade promotes openness and transparency
• True fair trade respects human rights
• True fair trade supports diversity 

We support trade that is truly equitable for all, including artisans, farmers and workers, traders and brands, consumers and civil society. Fair trade will never be about exclusion, but about expanding the benefits of trade for those who need it most.
As the U.S. considers renegotiating or entering into new international trade agreements, we encourage the inclusion of authentic fair trade principles. We urge all who care about human rights, shared value, transparency and the diversity to call, write or meet with their elected officials and make your voice heard.
For a PDF version of this statement and to see all of our fair trade colleagues that have signed it, please click here.  -ND

Handmade Fused Glass Jewelry - & Ours is Fair Trade too.

After completing a trade show, I always realize how much confusion consumers have about art glass and glass jewelry.  People love Dunitz & Company's fair trade fused glass jewelry. But they don't always understand exactly how it is made.  Our Joanie M jewelry is "fused glass". We found this definition of the process on an ebay post. "Fused glass is a special kind of glass that must be fired in a kiln at certain temperatures to join separate pieces together. When glass is exposed to extremely high temperatures, it tends to melt, then solidify once it has cooled down."  The photo to the right shows our little ring dishes (SKU: JM-D1) in process.  The first square shows a painted piece of glass.  The next shows it after it has been fired in a kiln.  Our dishes are fired twice.  In the middle of the photo you can see a mold where we shape the glass in a second firing.  When you see fused glass you will clearly see a front (right side) and a back side that is flatter and not as shiny.  Our glass is not made of recycled window glass.  Our jewelry is very consistent in size, color and width. To achieve consistency, we must control the components we use.
Often people come to our booth and start describing our jewelry to their companions. Sometimes I over hear them telling their colleagues that ours is 'dichroic glass'.  It is not.  Here is a definition of dichroic glass I found online. "Dichroic means two colors. When this glass is viewed from different angles, it appears as numerous colors. It has thin layers of chromium, silicon, titanium, aluminum and zirconium depending on the color. The color isn’t in the glass, but in a coating that is put on the glass in a vacuum chamber at high temperatures. The effect of this coating resembles an oil slick on water." 
The other common description I hear about our jewelry is that is is "blown glass".  It is not. Here quick definition of glassblowing I found online. "Glassblowing is a glassforming technique that involves inflating molten glass into a bubble (or parison), with the aid of a blowpipe (or blow tube). A person who blows glass is called a glassblower, glassmith, or gaffer."  Works made from glassblowing tend to be round and not flat.
And now the best for last - a collage photo of some of our "fair trade fused glass jewelry"! You can find our designs both on our wholesale and retail websites. -ND

Love is In the Air

And we also hope you'll put some Dunitz fair trade jewelry love on your ears too! Or maybe on your sweetheart's ears?  I was watching my facebook and Instagram feeds today. You know what I saw?  You guessed it. Lots of photos of hearts, candy and flowers. And then I thought Dunitz & Company also offers beautiful handmade heart earrings for sale in a host of pink and fashionable colors.  Our small pink and red Valentine Earrings (shown in the photo to the right) were inspired by some Japanese beadwork we spotted several years ago. They seem a little bit like origami, don't you think?  The Striped Heart Earrings would be a fashionable add-on to any outfit all year long. They're available in lots of colors. So please take the time to visit and Shop Dunitz. You'll be glad you did. -ND

Proudly Wearing Dunitz Fair Trade Jewelry

I just returned from the New York gift show, NY Now. Meeting with our retail buyers is one thing I enjoy most about my business. I love my visits with our customers and I love showing them all of our new designs and colors each season.  One thing I get a total kick out of is when my clients appear in our trade show booth wearing Dunitz & Company jewelry designs from season's past.  This winter was no exception. For me, it's a treasure hunt. My clients never point out that they are wearing Dunitz & Company fair trade jewelry. It's up to me to notice. Annette was wearing our Leather Teardrop Earrings.  Mary was wearing our Paisley Earrings. Emily showed up with a big smile and our Flower Power embroidered earrings. Dinny always wears our finger rings. Debbie showed off our World Coin Bracelet. And Rachel was spotted with our fair trade Joanie M Fused Glass Rectangle Earrings. I'd say that was a lot of discovery this season. Want to see more? If you are a retailer, please check our our wholesale catalog.  Looking for you? Our websites have a great store locator.  You can also visit our retail website.  Next time I see you, I want to see you decked out in Dunitz fair trade jewelry. -ND
 

Fair Trade, Dignity & the Golden Rule

Just about everyone I know is in the throws of an emotional roller coaster these days. And that includes me. If you're anything like me, you've been watching hours of MSNBC and non-stop Facebook feeds. Non-stop stirring the pot definitely generates anxiety. Even tears. If there are issues you believe in, yes, make that phone call to your representatives. It's never better to sit back and do nothing.  Even a phone call or an email will make you feel a bit more at ease. Complacency is never the solution.

Today the Fair Trade Federation released the attached photo which struck a chord with me. "We stand with immigrants, women, refugees, & our global community." Yes, Dunitz & Company does. Yes, I do. I believe in the 'Golden Rule'. Always have.  "Do onto others as you would have them do unto you." I believe it is a human right to live with and be treated with dignity. This IS the cornerstone of fair trade and what all of my colleagues at Fair Trade Federation (FTF) practice.  Everyday we do our very best to make sure those we work with are treated with respect and can live proudly. Our world is complicated. With each small action we take, we do make a difference. Please support fair trade. With your help, those of us working within the fair trade community can continue to make difference in lives. Purchase food and gifts from fair trade vendors.  And - make that phone call to your senator about the issues of the day that are bothering you. You'll be glad you did. -ND