Showing posts with label Jess LC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jess LC. Show all posts

Monday, March 23, 2009

off the chain update: shop chicago 2009

busstopjesslc

Last Saturday I had at Jess LC booth at the Shop Chicago designer show. I also did the fall show last August in Millennium Park. This spring event was in Union Station. The traffic and vendors were down a slightly from last year, but thankfully we ended up doing better than in the fall!

My favorite part of these shows is meeting customers and enjoying their reactions. This show was no exception. Several wonderful ladies remembered us from the fall show and came back to say hi and buy new pieces. And a few ladies were wearing Jess LC pieces to the show, that was so cool. I took lots of pictures for you to enjoy, so peek around.

allison

Allison, our resident sales guru is always huge help at these kinds of shows. Without her, lets just say… I can’t imagine doing these events without her. Her idea to use a bound notebook to gather emails was genius!

dressform

Dress form look familiar? Charlotte helped grab attention and sported some Studio 1423 pieces as well as Jess LC. The Addison bracelet collection was laid out on a wood tray. Soc Chic ended up finding a new home on the table a few minutes after this picture.

shopchicagobooth2

This is the final set up: we put the branch with Rush St. necklaces next to Charlotte and Soc Chic along the back.

shopchicagotable1

Necklaces laid out by collection, State St., Elm St., and Southport pictured.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

business questions? i got answers!


More and more often I am getting questions about entrepreneurship, and starting a small business- which I LOVE to talk about. So I would like to offer my advice regarding small business, ways to grow, or what running a small business is like. Please post your questions in the comment section and on Friday I give my honest and candid opinion on the topics you propose.

I will also state that my advice is based on my personal experience in business and may not be applicable for all companies. (So please don't sue.) But I can say that:
  • I started my company at the age of 15. Which means I have been a business owner for nine years.
  • My jewelry is sold in over 95 stores across the country (and one in Canada- yea for Oliver and Lilly's!)
  • I work alongside four part-time employees, interns, sales reps, and several freelance workers to keep Jess LC running.
  • Jess LC is 100% organically funded (no big start-up funds for this little lady).
  • I personally create and maintain the website.
  • I graduated from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business with a Bachelors of Business Administration in 2007 and moved to Chicago to pursue Jess LC full-time.
So now that you have a quick idea of how I spend my time: Please, ask away!

Monday, March 9, 2009

off the chain update: love from portugal

[Soc Chic Giveaway winners]

Daniela in Lisboa, Portugal wearing her new Jess LC necklace.

I mentioned last month that thanks to our efforts "out and about" on the internet, we have seen a big spike in international Jess LC orders and fans. Most recently we added Australia and Portugal to the list.

We always ask our international customers to take a picture of themselves wearing their new Jess LC jewels in their hometown. Daniela of Lisboa, Portugal was happy to supply us with some amazing photos of her sporting her new Southport Cluster Necklace with a stunning backdrop of land and sea.

All I can say is:

First - Thank you Daniela for the great pictures!

Second - Mind if I come and stay for a while? Lisboa sure beats Chicago this time of year!

Such a cutie!

My view of Lake Michigan doesn't hold a candle to this breathtaking sight.

Thanks again, my dear!

soc chic all week: GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Drum roll please. At long last we have the winners of the Soc Chic All Week Giveaway. The lucky ladies from the seven awesome participating blogs are listed below. Winners will be emailed today regarding final details.


But for the 822 people who commented and did not snag a lovely Soc Chic necklace we have a special thank you for participating -

For the next two days (Monday 3/9 and Tuesday 3/10) we have FREE SHIPPING on ALL Jess LC jewelry


This special shipping rate applies to all US shipping- no code needed, it will automatically take affect at checkout.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

studio 1423: fresh in the shop

The pieces from this week's sneak peek are now up on Studio 1423. Check them out. Our inspiration was the colors saffron and aqua. We used a mix of died white jade and vintage beads reworked to create a new, modern look. All pieces are made with either sterling silver or 14k gold-filled metal and cost less than $50.

Spring has finally arrived!

PS- Don't forget to comment on our One Week All Chic Soc Chic giveaway - tomorrow the winners will be picked! (And a huge shout out to all that commented already.)

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

dressing charlotte

For Dressing Charlotte this week I channeled one of the easiest looks I have for going out to dinner in the Loop, or just about anywhere. By layering a cardigan over a halter top I stay warm and look divine. Plus, if I go somewhere else later that night, the cardigan comes off and the look is still chic.

Great halter for going out on the town


Halter + cardigan = dinner and drinks in the winter


Second string halter + cardigan

This look makes accessorizing easy- stay away from necklaces and stick to statement earrings and a great cuff or bracelet. My favorite choices from Jess LC to complete these looks are as follows:

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

studio 1423: amber + aqua

Take a sneak peek at what we have been cooking up for Studio 1423 this week. Styles will post on Etsy Thursday morning.

If anyone is obsessing over a particular style and want to pre-order, email me at jess@jesslc.com for more details. The long chunky, creamy fossilized reworked vintage one is one-of-a-kind.

UPDATE: Sorry for not making it super clear, these are four separate necklaces layered on Charlotte.

Monday, March 2, 2009

one week - all chic: soc chic giveaway

To kick off the spring Jess LC season in a BIG way, we are doing seven giveaways over the next five days! Our entire line of Soc Chic necklaces (you know, the really popular $40 necklaces that have clever names and help social causes) are up for grabs at seven awesome blogs around the design web.





To win the necklaces, simply comment on the participating blogs' giveaway posts (click images to get directed to the correct posts). On Friday (Mar/6), each blogger will randomly choose a winner for their respective Soc Chic necklace. The winners will be announced on Monday (Mar/9) on each blog individually and all winners names will be posted here on Makeunder My Life as well.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

dressing charlotte

Attention: This week's Dressing Charlotte actually breaks my own accessory rule. Previously, I have advised women to avoid wearing necklaces with turtlenecks entirely. But if you have seen me around much this winter, you know I have been breaking this rule about four times a month.

Horrid!

Here is the revised rule for 2009: Don't wear short necklaces (or pendant necklaces in general) with turtlenecks or strapless tops. When I look at Charlotte (above), her short necklace reminds me of a second grade Halloween story about a woman who wore a ribbon around her neck everyday, so that her head did not fall off (somehow didn't seem scary at the time). Visually, the short necklace cuts off the neck at an awkward spot and looks generally claustrophobic.

A better choice is to ditch the necklace entirely and stick to stud earrings with hair pulled back for a sleek look. Or go for a softer feel with hair down and loose with larger earrings or hoops. These are two fail-safe ways to look polished without trying.

Yum!

However, for those that want to bend the rules without looking like a scary story character, try long necklaces sans pendants. The three layering necklaces above (I am still wearing them almost everyday as a trio) visually open up the neck and chest providing balance for the narrow neck.

Delicious!

Another option is two longer graduated necklaces (or one long necklace looped twice) like this vintage necklace from our brand new Etsy Studio 1423 Collection (more details coming soon!).

So grab those turtlenecks and get some great new looks while the cold weather lasts.

Friday, February 20, 2009

post its: a few blogs that caught my eye

This week's Post Its are a bit eclectic, just they way they should be. Enjoy!

A Link Love post I made for Dolan Geiman's blog which reveals my inspiration for the next Jess LC collection.

Because of this before and after I am going thrift shopping this weekend.

The new recycled wine glasses I am coveting. Beautiful.

A great blog I wandered into.

Contemplating this blog makeover company for my site.

25 random details about my organic designer friend, Kristin Hassan, of Organik Revolution.

The easiest and cheapest wall treatment. Ever.

I am determined to make this treat of the week recipe soon.




[photo from Abby Tries Again]

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Off the Chain Update: Interview on City Sage


Anne at City Sage has just posted a great interview I did for her blog regarding Jess LC. Check out how I design collections, and how the line has evolved since I was 15-years-old.

dressing charlotte: silk scarves and sweaters


This week's Dressing Charlotte is a look I created for myself using my Grandma's vintage silk scarves. When she passed away, I inherited a handful of these great accessories. I am not sure how often she wore them, or what era they are from (1960's or 1970's?). But the same look can be achieved with new square scarves tied in a simple knot at the back of the neck. Think Jesse James meets Jackie O.

In the summer I like to pair t-shirts with the scarves, a straight jean skirt, and ballet flats. And dark skinny jeans tucked into brown leather boots looks polished with the shirt/scarf combo in winter.


As for accessorizing a look like this, keep jewelry simple above the scarf. Great button earrings, studs, or these little cuties are perfect. Then add some color to the hands with either a great cocktail ring or bracelet like the one below.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

off the chain update: new addison collection

After listening a good long while to customers at jewelry shows last fall we realized at Jess LC that we were missing a very important accessory in our line: bracelets. Believe it or not, before yesterday we only had one bracelet in the entire Chicago collection. So the new Addison Collection is long overdue.

Below are a few pieces from the collection. We repeated themes from other collections like the links from Rush St. and the gems from Southport, so the pieces can be mixed and matched.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Saturday, February 14, 2009

off the chain update: 1,000 pounds of thanks


As you can imagine with this year's economy, many people have asked me how Jess LC is fairing. I understand their concern and I can say, that thanks to all of you, our online sales have seen an incredible increase! INCREDIBLE!

If you told me last August what kind of traffic and response we would get from online sales and retail orders in 2009, I would have fainted. I am humbled and thankful that so many people have purchased, referred, volunteered, spread the word, and supported Jess LC overall. Though our distribution in boutiques is substantial, the orders we get from readers has seen an unbelievable spike. UNBELIEVABLE!

Thank you. A ton.