The Necklace

Marissa's grandma never went anywhere without the necklace.  Whenever Marissa would run her fingers over its diamonds in awe, her grandma would always offer the same words, "It's not worth much, but it's very valuable."

She never understood what she meant by that.  If something wasn't worth much, how could it be valuable at the same time?  She never had the chance to find out before her grandma passed away and handed the necklace down to her.

She had struggled with the decision of pawning it or not.  Not wanting her family to hate her, but facing the very real possibility of being evicted from her tiny studio apartment she felt that she had no choice.

And so, the day had come.  With a determination set in her jaw she headed to the local pawn shop, a sleazy place with questionable characters gathered around the front door offering to buy the necklace from her before she could even step inside.  Steeling herself against the whistles and catcalls, she felt the whoosh of the air conditioning as the door shut behind her.  Slowly nearing the counter, she pulled the necklace from her pocket, and kissing it she whispered "I'm sorry grandma."  She had never wanted to disappoint anyone, but becoming a concert pianist had turned out to be a lot harder than she had first planned, and unfortuantely for her, she was a horrible waitress.

"Whatcha got for me?"  The man's voice boomed from behind the counter.
She carefully set the necklace down in front of him, and gathering her composure asked him how much he could give her.
"Twenty five dollars."
Her heart thudded to her toes.  There must be some mistake.
"Excuse me?"
"Okay. Twenty dollars."
He didn't look like he was joking.
"But that's real gold, and these are diamonds and rubies! I'm sure it's worth more than that!"
The man smirked at her as she noticed leftovers of his lunch wedged between his teeth and replied, "Missy, I ain't even got to put my glasses on to know that ain't no gold, and them definitely ain't diamonds."

Marissa couldn't speak.  She could hardly breath.  The whoosh of air as another customer walked into the store snapped her out of her stupor for long enough to gather the necklace up, place it in her pocket, and make her way out to the bus stop.

As the shock subsided, anger took over.  Her grandma had left her a twenty dollar necklace?  All of those years of telling her that it was valuable, and it was hardly worth more than a meal at a fast food restaurant?  She choked back bitter tears as she climbed the stairs into the bus and found her way to an empty seat.  Her grandma had lied to her, mislead her, and disappointed her.  How could she have worn this cheap piece of junk out on all of her dates with her husband, knowing it was worth nothing?  How could she have so proudly shown it off to every person who stopped to admire it, knowing that it was a fake?

As quickly as the angry thoughts came, they subsided and she felt guilty for thinking such horrible things about her loving grandma.  She silently apologized, and slipped the necklace around her neck, clasping it shut.  She was late for her audition.

Pulling the cord to signal the bus to stop, she gathered her thoughts, letting her fingers flow over the back of the seat in front of her in silent preparation for what was ahead of her.
"I'm sorry I'm a bit late."  She whispered to the two ladies and one young man sitting at the table as she entered the room.  Quietly she slid onto the stool, straightened her pants, stretched her fingers, and began.

As always, as soon as she started to play the music seemed to flow through her fingers.  It was as if she wasn't playing the music, but the music was playing her fingers.  She imagined the walks she used to take with her grandma as a child, the words of advice she would give her when she came to her in tears, and the delicious smell of cookies, perfume, and the garden that would embrace her as she climbed into her lap.  She recalled the summer nights she would beg her parents to let her stay with her grandma, knowing she would let her stay up late, fingerpaint, and break her own eggs into the frying pan for breakfast.  As she played silent tears rolled down her cheecks, and gathered at the nape of her neck, filling the necklace with tears of love, admiration, and regret for her harsh thoughts earlier.

And as the song ended she smiled to herself, knowing that the practice had paid off.  All of those hours of sacrifice, neglecting her social life in order to play piano had all accumulated to this exact moment, and she had done all she could do.
She slowly rotated to face the three people in front of her as they whispered to eachother, scribbling onto papers full of mysterious notations.

"Marissa?"  The lady with the pink hair was the first to speak.
"Yes.  Yes, that's me."  It came out as a stammer.
"You do realize that if offered this position, you would have to move across country to New York?" 
"Yes, I realize that."  She fidgeted with the necklace, channeling her grandmother's strength.
"And you do know that you would be traveling ten months out of the year, playing a new venue every week."
"Yes, I know.  I have no family to speak of.  I have no obligations here.  Traveling would be just fine."  She realized packing would be a piece of cake too, considering the only furniture she had was her piano, a mattress on the floor, and a folding chair she used as her table when sitting on the floor to eat.
The three conferred one more time, slowly turning to face her.  This time it was the man who spoke.
"Well Marissa.  Congratulations.  We would like to offer you the position.  You played spectacularly, and if you accept our offer, we feel no need to continue the auditions."
The same whoosh of air she had felt in the pawn store overcame her, and she suddenly felt as though she was underwater.  She couldn't breath.  It was suddenly so hot in the studio, and she couldn't feel her fingertips.  She thought to herself, "Oh God, what if I'm having a heart attack?"

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted.
"Marissa.  Did you hear me?"
She nodded.  She swallowed.  She swallowed again.
"Yes sir, I'm sorry.  I heard you.  I'm just a bit overwhelmed you know.  Playing with your organization has been my dream since I was just a small girl.  My grandma always told me...."
My grandma.
Marissa smiled.  Suddenly she had all the strength in the world.  Standing up she quickly added,
"I would love to accept.  I can be ready as soon as you are.  Thank you so much."
The three smiled broadly at her, each shaking her hand.  As she started to leave the room, feeling as though she was walking on clouds the pink haired lady called her.
"Marissa!"
She turned to face her.
"By the way...I just love your necklace!"
Marissa smiled all the way down to her heart as she replied,  "Thank you.  So do I."

Our gorgeous new 18 Karat Gold Plated necklaces, encrusted with genuine Swarovski Crytals are available in Emerald Green, Light Rose, Gold Shimmer, Amethyst, and Ruby Red (just like Marissa's).  They are definitely worth more than $20.00, and may be worth even more than you know.  Get your own lucky necklace like Marissa's by special order only lovenyla@lovenyla.com
Coming to www.lovenyla.com soon.

Inspiration...

Throughout my design career, first in menswear, and more recently in jewelry and accessories, the question I have heard the most from people is:
"Where do you find your inspiration?"

Although it seems like this should be a question that is easy to answer, it really isn't. I find inspiration in a wide variety of places. Sometimes it can be a part of nature; a tree in full bloom, a beautiful sunset, or bird gliding through the morning sky.

Other times it is something much more simple. There are occasions that I see a piece of jewelry on someone else and think to myself "That's cute, but...". Unless it's something I've designed myself, there is always a but at the end of that sentence. And it's that BUT that is my inspiration.

And there are times where the inspiration seems to come from nowhere. A shape I catch out of the corner of my eye, a color I especially like, or an outfit that I don't have the right piece of jewelry for. There are times the whole design just materializes in my mind's eye, but usually it gradually forms as time progresses.

Whether it is a formal necklace, or a casual cuff bracelet, no matter where I get my inspiration for a particular piece, my goal is that it, in turn, inspires others.

Shamballa Bracelets Are Like Snowflakes

You've seen them. Those shiny, beaded bracelets adorning the wrists of celebrities everywhere. Rappers, actors, and moguls alike are all sporting these super-trendy bracelets, and in a previous post we talked about the spiritual meaning surrounding them.

We love Shamballa bracelets for many reasons.  They carry with them the reminder of peace and tranquility, the glint of light that catches them looks especially appealing, and they can be made in virtually any color imaginable, but what we love the most about them is the fact that just like snowflakes, each and every bracelet is unique.

Depending on who makes them, the knots always vary slightly, and the beads may have their own distinct design to them which gives the artist their own signature style.  The knotting is something that takes practice to perfect, but once you've gotten your technique down, they can hold strong for years.

Whether you choose a Swarovski Crystal Shamballa like the ones that we have on our website, or one made of more natural stones, you can be confident that your Shamballa is a totally unique creation that was made with love and patience.

LoveNyla's Genuine Swarovski Crystal Shamballa Bracelet in Sapphire Blue

~Arm Candy~

Surely you have noticed recently the growing trend that one bracelet simply isn't enough anymore. Instead you can see fashionable ladies wearing two, three, or more all stacked up of various shapes, sizes, and colors. Not only is this a fun ode to all of our childhoods when we used to wear our mother's jewelry around the house and pretend to be princesses in a far-off land, but it gives you the opportunity to really express yourself and your style!

Shamballa bracelets, "evil" eyes, hands of hamza, crosses, and celtic knots are all hot right now, and the most exciting thing about that is that all of these pieces truly bring the influence of international religions and cultures into our everyday life. From neon brights to pretty pastels, stacks of bracelets like this one are this summer's biggest accessory:

So, now you ask...."When will you stop telling us about them, and start making them?" Well....they are coming soon. As with everything that we create, a lot of thought and time goes into each design, so we haven't completed them yet. But we will soon, and you will be the first to know!

Connecting Women To Power 2012

This year, we were honored to be invited to attend the "Connecting Women to Power" Business Conference in Los Angeles, California. We were anxious to learn as much as possible from this conference, as well as to have the opportunity to network and establish connections with the thousands of intelligent, motivated business women who would be there.

In the morning, motivational speeches were given by Jerome Horton, the chair of the Board of Equalization here in Southern California, as well as various other entrepreneurs and local business people. The afternoon was scheduled with lectures about marketing, obtaining capital, international business, and taxes.

It was overwhelming to be surrounded by so many positive, determined, and influential business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, and we will definitely be in attendance again next year!

What are Shamballa Bracelets?

If you watch any recent music videos, award shows, or celebrity news, you may have noticed a lot of singers, rappers, and entertainers wearing bracelets similar to this one:

These macrame bracelets made with beads that range from lava rock to hematite to Swarovski Crystal beads (as shown above) are not only the newest fashion trend, but they have an interesting meaning behind them.

Linked to Buddhist religion, and Hindu culture, these bracelets are meant to represent goodwill, peace, and tranquility. Legend has it, that by the year of 2424, the world will be overrun with corruption and greed. (as if it isn't already) Around that time, the Kings of Shamballa (thought to be an area in Tibet) will descend from the mountains with a great army, defeat these dark forces, and usher in a worldwide age of enlightenment and peace.

In short, these beautiful bracelets are much more than the hottest fashion accessory, but are thought to bring peace and tranquility to its wearer.

We are happy to let you know that very soon, we will also be releasing our own line of Shamballa bracelets. These will be the very first item in our Karma Kollection, and we will make them out of everything from precious gems to glass Evil Eye beads. We hope that we can do our part to bring all of our customers the peace, tranquility, and goodwill that the Shamballa bracelets give.

Check back for the exact release date of our Karma Kollection and Shamballa bracelets.

From Dream...To Design

This weekend we are busy at work on a commission piece that was requested by a fantastic lady we know in Tampa, Florida.  Whether you're working for a family member, a friend, an associate, or a stranger, commission pieces are always a bit more harrowing, than non-commission ones, but the reward is also a hundred times greater.

When you are working on a piece that someone else has envisioned, it's necessary to find the right balance between your personal tastes, the current trends and fashions, and the desires of the customer who is requesting it.  In essence, as a designer you are responsible for turning their dream, into your design!

A good way of finding the right balance is to work on the piece of art over time, that way the designer and customer's own preferences can shift, and a bond can be developed between the two of them.  If you are a customer looking to commission something totally unique, it's a good idea to collect ideas from other artist's works, and show the designer how you would like them collaborated into the piece you desire.

For example, you may love the material of one piece of jewelry, but not like it's style.  Then you may adore the style of another piece of jewelry, but not like the color.  Gather what you like from multiple items, and email them to your designer, or bring them with you if you have a face-to-face meeting planned. 

As an artist, the more involved the client is, the more rewarding the experience tends to be.  As artists, we are determined to create something that will light up your face, lift your mood, and set your heart pounding as soon as you see it, so anything that you can do to help us ensure that is greatly appreciated.

At LoveNyla, we are often contacted by people all over the U.S., and elsewhere, asking if we can make anything from Name Plate Necklaces, to Baby Bracelets, and although those items are not yet on our website, the answer is a resounding YES!  If you can imagine it, we can make it for you!


We love to do commission work and customized items, and that's because we love to create something that is totally personal, very unique, and one-of-a-kind for our customers.  We are sure that once you commission us for one project, the only question will be...how soon will you call back for another one?

Matters of the Heart

There is a universal symbol recognizable in every country throughout the world that transcends any language barriers or cultural differences.  It can easily be typed, tweeted, blogged, or added to finish a Facebook status, and can change the meaning of even the most mundane of sentences.  Yes, we are talking about the <3 symbol.


How did this simple little symbol take on such a powerful meaning?  There are three theories (and probably countless more) all of which could very possibly be true:


The first theory stems from the ancient belief that all emotions, especially love, originated from the organ of the heart, and that the modern day heart shape was a (very) rudimentary sketch of such organ.  Because it was much easier to view the heart of a cow in those times, rather than that of a human, there seems to be a bit stronger resemblence to a cattle heart, as seen here:

The second theory is based on the belief that the modern day hear symbol was drawn to represent the anatomy of a woman's body, and therefore to represent fertility.  Women are the ones who give birth, thus the curves of a woman's breasts or hips (and of the heart symbol) in a way symbolize the love between man and woman, and ultimately within a family. 

The third theory is that the heart shape represents the seed and leaf of the Silphium plant, which in ancient times was used as a spice, as well as to treat fertility issues.  Because of its role as a fertility drug, the shape initially represented physical love and intimacy, and eventually emotional love as well.  The sad part about this theory, though, is that the Silphium plant is now extinct, and has been for decades.

It's interesting to think about how the heart shape evolved throughout time, to eventually represent such a heart-pounding, sweaty-palm, war-inducing, poetry-inspiring emotion as it does today.  The heart shape can be found on everything from greeting cards, to jewelry like our Swarovski Crystal heart shaped charms:

This one small symbol, is truly powerful and is readily recognized by virtually every race, culture, and religion all over the world, yet we aren't even sure of its origins.  Whether this cute little character came from the chest of a cow, the breast of a woman, or the seed of a plant, we may never know, but we hope it never disappears because regardless of its origin LoveNyla loves all matters of the heart.

                                

Who Are You Calling Ostentatious?

Os-ten-ta-tious
: marked by or fond of conspicuous or vainglorious and sometimes pretentious display

It's not widely known, but the word 'Ostentatious' actually has its roots in the most pretentious, showy, gaudy animal in the world:

The Peacock.

An Ostentation is the term used to describe a group, or flock, of male peafowl...more commonly known as the peacock.  And, in our opinion, there is no animal on earth that better encompasses the meaning behind the word.

Male peacocks' tail feathers are beautifully adorned with 'eyes' of blue, purple, green, and shades of burgundy, and can grow to almost four feet long!  That is over half of the peacock's overall body length, and the size, decoration, and colors of these tail feathers is how the female of the species (a peahen) choose their mate.

Check out a beautiful video of a pompous peacock displaying his plumes.

(On a side note: Ladies, wouldn't it be great if the males of OUR species took even HALF as much pride in dressing up for us as the peacock does for his lady?)

The iridescent sheen of peacock feathers has been used as adornments on everything from clothing, to jewelry, to home decor for millenia.  Recently the trend of using these pretentious plumes has re-emerged as Boho Chic has become popular again. 

Peacock feathers are a beautiful, natural element, and when combined with crystals, charms, and sterling chains, like this Fancy Peacock Feather Necklace, they can go from the beach to the boardroom.

So, next time someone says something you're wearing is ostentatious, remember this fabulous pheasant, this haute couture bird....the peacock and instead of feeling insulted, just smile and thank them!

100 Ways to say "I Love You"....Without Speaking A Word #19

Get Mad!!

No, we don't mean actually get angry...we mean get Mad Libs!

It may sound silly, but filling out a Mad Lib using all of the words that best describe how you feel about this person is a creative and fun way to show them how much they mean to you!

Whether it's your own child, your neice or nephew, your sibling, your parent, or your lover...Mad Libs bring out your inner child and will definitely make that special person smile! You can even print them out online!

How to say "I Love You"...Without Speaking A Word #19

Another wonderful way to show that you care for someone, whether it's your parent, your sibling, or the love of your life, is to support them.
We don't mean monetarily.
We mean, that when they tell you they've decided to take a summer long painting course don't remind them of their inability to draw even a straight line, but tell them you would love one of their masterpieces to hang in your house. When they tell you that they've decided to backpack around the world, don't remind them of their fear of bugs, dirt, and airplanes...buy them a world atlas and a new sleeping bag.
In short, nothing says "I Love You" quite like showing support for something that is important to your loved one, and being their biggest cheerleader.
Believe us, they will eventually remember they are totally color blind or why the closest to camping they've come is at a Hilton...and they will appreciate the fact that you love them even more for it.

How to say "I Love You"...Without Speaking a Word #18

Send a 2012 love letter.....in email form!

Everyone loves to read a love letter, and you don't have to be Shakespeare to write one. You don't have to rhyme, you don't need to be poetic, and when writing it electronically you don't have to worry about spelling! (spellcheck!) Just think of a favorite time you had with them, a fond memory, or a future memory you're looking forward to creating and type away!

You can always find clever little graphics on the internet to include, whether it's fuzzy little teddy bears for your significant other, tropical palm trees if you're telling your best friend of a get-away you want to plan, or a childhood picture if you're sending an admiration letter to your sibling.

Whoever it is, and however you write it, they will be sure to read it many times, and it will always bring a smile to their face to know you're thinking of them.

How to say "I Love You"...Without Speaking A Word #17

One of the best ways to record those special memories with the people who you are nearest and dearest with, is taking pictures. And one of the best ways of showing those people just how much they mean to you, is by using those picture and making a photo album for them.

You don't have to be an expert scrapbooker to make a beautiful album, either.

Simply gather a few pictures (it's not about quantity, but quality), and find an inexpensive scrapbook or photo album at your local arts and crafts store.

There is a variety of ways you can organize the pictures you want to include. You could put them in chronological order, which is a more traditional way of making a scrapbook, or however you think they would like them best. If you want to create a more comedic album, there are little thought bubble and quote stickers that you can buy at most craft stores, or if you want something more traditional you can use scrapbook paper, borders, and calligraphy pens to add frames and captions to the pictures.

However you decide to make your scrapbook, the memories, effort, and love that you've put into it will show once you hand it to the person you love. And the best part is, it's something they can look at time and time again, and will always think of you when they do.

How to say "I Love You"...Without Speaking a Word #16

Look your best for them.

Whether you are a long time couple, who has been married for decades...or a brand new one just experiencing those first pangs of puppy love, it's important to try to look your best for your other half.

Even if you are just staying in for the evening, it only takes a minute to put a quick layer of mascara on, dab some lip gloss on your lips, and spritz yourself with your guy's favorite perfume. The same applies to men...it wouldn't hurt to wear a clean shirt and spray a bit of cologne.

You don't have to go overboard with it. There is no reason to wear a full face of makeup while vacuuming the house, but he is guaranteed to notice if you're making dinner in some cute heels, or a pretty skirt. And once he sees that you're making an effort, he's more than likely to make one too!

How to say "I Love You"...Without Speaking a Word #15

Make up pet names for eachother.

Now, as silly as this seems at first glance, it can actually be something very special. It doesn't have to be the normal "buttercup" or "snoogleplum". Make it something sweet, simple, and private. Something that when you call them by this name, it will bring back happy memories that the two of you share.
If you first met your best friend on a connecting flight between Omaha and Chicago, you could call eachother "14C" and "15C".
If you and your sibling grew up playing Transformers together you can call eachother "Optimus" and "Metroplex".
Or, if you and your spouse first fell in love at a hotel party, to later drive home and discover how head-over-heels you are for eachother you could use "Argyle" and "Bentley".
Whatever names you choose, having pet names for eachother is a wonderful way to remind eachother daily of a special event that you have shared, and to keep that loving spark between you for a long time to come.

How to say "I Love You"...Without Speaking a Word #14

Take a road trip!

A wonderful way to show someone that you care for them, whether it's your parent, your sibling, a close friend, or a lover, is to plan a day trip somewhere that you think will interest them.

Have a bag packed of snacks, drinks, music, and car games to make the ride even more enjoyable, and take the time in the car as a good opportunity to talk.

Road trips are a wonderful way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You don't have to go far, and you don't have to spend a lot of money. If you're on a budget, pack a picnic lunch to eat on the way. Go to a museum, a park, or just sightseeing...but try to go somewhere far away enough that you get quality time to enjoy the ride.

Your company, conversation, and thoughtfulness will be appreciated, and they will love the time you spent together.