Gold Foil Business Cards!

This post may contain affiliate links, but all opinions are 100% mine.

As you may recall from recent posts, I really love the products over at Minted.  Their cards and prints are always quality, every time.  So I was pretty excited recently when I received new business cards in the mail from them!  It was my first time ordering their business cards and I was not disappointed.

I absolutely love the way they shine!

I really can't overstate the quality.  The cardstock is heavy, luxurious and my information is beautifully printed.  They were delivered with a sturdy box (for keeping extras) and a cute linen pouch, because who couldn't use a cute linen pouch, right?

Beyond being beautiful, Minted's customer service during the ordering process was awesome.  I really loved the coral but online the only option was coral with silver foil.  Pretty, but I wanted gold. All I did was specify that I wanted the gold foil when placing my order, and I promptly received confirmation that they could and would make that change for me.  I couldn't be happier.

All in all, a pretty nice addition to my work space, am I right?

Apparently I'm having a coral moment.  I recently ordered that art print from Minted too!

Not to mention a great way to make a first impression.  You can see all Minted's business card options for yourself right here.

Diamond Buying Direct from the Source

Today I thought it might be fun to re-post this one from last year on what it's really like to buy diamonds direct from wholesalers in Belgium.  It's my way of announcing that it's that time of year again!  Now or never, ladies.  The trip is in October so let me know as soon as possible if I can quote you on those new diamonds!

Have you ever wondered what it is really like to buy "diamonds direct?"  I don't know how it is for the big guys, but for me it looks a lot like this:  First I travel to this gorgeous town called Antwerp, in Belgium.  Antwerp is richly steeped in history and is also a very cool contemporary city.

After a day or so to recover from jetlag, I head to the Diamond District.  Usually the weather is cloudy or rainy when I arrive each fall.

Glamorous, right?  I know you were thinking it would be all swanky but...no.

While working I will visit around half a dozen diamond wholesalers.  Each of them has tight security and I often must relenquish my passport at the front desk, then be buzzed into the offices of each wholesaler directly.

Some of the offices work with both rough and polished diamonds.  

Antwerp is the diamond-cutting capital of the world, so a lot of rough passes through here!  It's gorgeous, too:

Rough often looks yellow or even brown, but the color can be quite high once the stone is cut.

A parcel of 9,715.70 carats of rough diamonds.  This plastic bag was larger than a gallon-sized bag.

I've also had the privilege of seeing lots of unusual things, including colored diamonds of all kinds, necklaces made out of polished rough diamonds, and a diamond cutter at work.

I spend most of my time the first day looking closely at any diamonds that might meet my clients' needs. After comparing availability and prices of the diamonds I like at each wholesaler, and matching stones if necessary, I will return to each potential wholesaler several times to look again at any new stones that have come in, and to revisit the diamonds I've previously chosen.  After six or seven hours looking through my loupe, my eyes stop working, and it's time to take a break!

Diamonds are frequently brought in to the viewing office in jumbled baskets or boxes--but make no mistake; the inventory is tightly controlled! 

The next day I will revisit the best diamonds I have seen, and continue discussing options and pricing.  This is a lengthy process and usually takes a couple of days--it is all part of the dance! Sometimes at this stage I will also call or email you to let you know how it is going.

My mother-in-law sorting diamonds.

Finally, a deal is struck!  The diamonds I have purchased are shipped back to the U.S. via Brinks, and my goldsmith will mount the diamonds in the setting we have previously chosen.  

The result: beautiful diamond jewelry for a fraction of retail prices!

Asscher Cut Earrings

Cushion Cut Three-Stone Ring

Oval Cut Three-Stone Ring

Princess Cut Earrings

Now you know the process of buying diamonds direct from the source!  I hope it was fun for you to see what I do!

Big Big BIG News...and a Coupon Code

Yes!  I get to share some good news today, and I have been so excited about this announcement for SO LONG that it feels unreal to "go public."  You know how I said I have had some creative projects in the works?

Well, here's the biggie: I am opening an etsy shop!

It's called That Mommy Designs and right now it is stocked with one thing only: cute, custom monograms for your babies and children.

If you've been here a while you have seen these before, and several of you have suggested that I sell them since they make great gifts. Well, you finally convinced me!

In the shop you will find lots of cute papers and everything from font to paper color is completely customizable.  If you have something in mind that you don't see in the shop, I can work with you to make whatever you're dreaming of.

So I am celebrating this new endeavor and couldn't wait to share the news!  I would love to encourage you to make a purchase (and leave a review!) so I am offering 25% off every purchase for the rest of September.  Just use the code GRANDOPEN25 at checkout.

Y'all, thank you for your encouragement of my crafty projects over the years!  I hope you will think of my shop the next time you have a baby gift to give, and please spread the word!  Remember you can like me on Facebook,or Instagram to get shop news, updates and promotions. See you there!

Diamond Buying: A Pictorial Stroll

Yeah, I really haven't shown my face much lately...so by way of apology and explanation, here's one thing I am into that's keeping me from blogging--my business!  I'm off to Antwerp to buy diamonds later this month, so I thought you might want to take a peek at the process!

Have you ever wondered what it is really like to buy "diamonds direct?"  I don't know how it is for the big guys, but for me it looks a lot like this:  First I travel to this gorgeous town called Antwerp, in Belgium.  Antwerp is richly steeped in history and is also a very cool contemporary city.

After a day or so to recover from jetlag, I head to the Diamond District.  Usually the weather is cloudy or rainy when I arrive each fall.

Glamorous, right?  I know you were thinking it would be all swanky but...no.

While working I will visit around half a dozen diamond wholesalers.  Each of them has tight security and I often must relenquish my passport at the front desk, then be buzzed into the offices of each wholesaler directly.

Some of the offices work with both rough and polished diamonds.  

Antwerp is the diamond-cutting capital of the world, so a lot of rough passes through here!  It's gorgeous, too:

Rough often looks yellow or even brown, but the color can be quite high once the stone is cut.

A parcel of 9,715.70 carats of rough diamonds.  This plastic bag was larger than a gallon-sized bag.

I've also had the privilege of seeing lots of unusual things, including colored diamonds of all kinds, necklaces made out of polished rough diamonds, and a diamond cutter at work.

I spend most of my time the first day looking closely at any diamonds that might meet my clients' needs. After comparing availability and prices of the diamonds I like at each wholesaler, and matching stones if necessary, I will return to each potential wholesaler several times to look again at any new stones that have come in, and to revisit the diamonds I've previously chosen.  After six or seven hours looking through my loupe, my eyes stop working, and it's time to take a break!

Diamonds are frequently brought in to the viewing office in jumbled baskets or boxes--but make no mistake; the inventory is tightly controlled! 

The next day I will revisit the best diamonds I have seen, and continue discussing options and pricing.  This is a lengthy process and usually takes a couple of days--it is all part of the dance! Sometimes at this stage I will also call or email you to let you know how it is going.

My mother-in-law sorting diamonds.

Finally, a deal is struck!  The diamonds I have purchased are shipped back to the U.S. via Brinks, and my goldsmith will mount the diamonds in the setting we have previously chosen.  

The result: beautiful diamond jewelry for a fraction of retail prices!

Asscher Cut Earrings

Cushion Cut Three-Stone Ring

Oval Cut Three-Stone Ring

Princess Cut Earrings

Now you know the process of buying diamonds direct from the source!  I hope it was fun for you to see what I do!