Make Your Mark

Waxing Poetic made its mark with iconic insignia jewelry born from classic wax seals, so it was a clear relation to design pendants that represent their contemporary counterpart. Whether distinguishing a personal style or sending an outward message or paying homage to a loved one—how we express ourselves marks a place in time. Even if nothing is permanent 4EVER feels possible, at least in a lifetime.

The Memory Sense

The most pleasurable task of creating our first candle "story" for Waxing Poetic has recently begun, and our offices are awash with all sorts of intoxicating infusions.  Memories of "time and place" smells are surfacing, and we're approaching this project much the same way we do when we make jewelry...What memory will it hold?  What does it conjure?The "Smell" chapter of Diane Ackerman's book, A Natural History of Senses (first read to me in part by Brianna Colburn, one of the contributors to this project) is a most amazing experience.  Did you know that violets contain something which short-circuits our sense of smell? And that it is almost impossible to describe a scent or smell without referring to another smell?  Totally intriguing.

And what of our nature to describe love and experiences with smells?

Almost by accident, I recently opened the most scent-soaked story of human love, the Song of Songs (and versions can always be found with lovely illuminated pages).  After revisiting this, I have been experiencing our own Los Olivos vineyards with an entirely new scent-memory {love}.

How will the candles evolve over time, and be loved?We had the good fortune of opening a 1966 bottle of Chateau Latour the other night, smelling and sipping "The Old Man" with good friends.  If I could recreate the aroma and the LOVE... Leather and graphite and dark, dark currant, concealed and revealed by wonderful age. The group huddled around this still-solid bottle as it revealed its fine bones, enjoying its heirloom light.  This bottle became the campfire of the evening, and the profound scent (and collective admiration) is still with me.

Staff Favorites: Brandy

I  enjoy wearing the Large Rolo Chain with a gold “B” Crest Insignia Charm, along with the Pastime Music Charm and the sterling silver/brass Crown Charm. I like the way the Large Rolo Chain catches the eye. I was never typically attracted to the crown symbol in the past until I saw this one. I love how it’s not overly feminine especially when paired with the Large Rolo Chain, but it still has a slight touch of femininity. The crown, to me symbolizes strength. It also reminds me that I am worthy and deserving of great things. The Pastime Music Charm is very personal to me. My mother’s side of the family is very artistic and musical so growing up it has always been a part of my life that has brought me joy. I like to add the miniature gold “B” Crest Insignia Charm (my initial) for a little pop of color that is a nice contrast with the silver, and also makes the brass in the crown stand out.

I have always been the type of person who wants to wear something that no one else has. My life and moods are ever changing and I show that with the jewelry I wear. Some days I like to wear a simple single charm for a more natural look and other days I go for something bolder. What I love about WP is that you can mix and combine pieces, so the possibilities are endless! It’s always fun for me to see what other people put together because it gives me a little insight into their unique personalities and it’s nice how you can express your individuality through this jewelry. I feel throughout one’s life there are significant lessons, people, and experiences--wearing Waxing Poetic jewelry is a way for me to remember these special moments…

Fan-Fare Gifts

Each of our retailers possesses distinctive individual charm, spreading the personal touch of Waxing Poetic in their communities every day. As a token of our gratitude to our retailers and because we think you’ll love them as much as we do, we will be featuring one retailer each month here on Proof.  We’re delighted to introduce Fan-Fare Gifts in Texarkana, Texas!

Welcome to Fan-Fare Gifts!  We’re so happy to have you here. Have you had a favorite Waxing Poetic customer? I have had two favorite customers so far.  Last year at Christmas Molly Quinn, the daughter in the show Castle visited our store.  She loved Waxing Poetic and bought herself a Camp Bracelet.  It was so much fun having her in the store.  She is a great young lady.  I had to show her off to all of our customers in the store and she was so sweet about it.  That made for an exciting day during the crazy holiday season.  Everyone was excited to have met her.

My second favorite customer is a lady who came in because she had heard about Waxing Poetic at work.  She wanted to get herself a necklace with one initial.  She was so excited to see the whole line.  The next day she came in and bought her three boys’ birthstones.  The following day she came in and bought a Baby Insignia for each son.  The next day she came in and bought another charm to represent her husband.  By the end of the week, she had nine charms on that necklace.  She was so excited!  We thought it was funny that she had so many charms on her necklace and she did too, but she loved it!

What are your favorite collections? We love the Square Insignia Charms, Camp Bracelets, and Storybook Charms.

What are your favorite pieces? Faith Camp Bracelet, Cross Dog Tag Pendant, and Peace Wing & a Prayer Charm

What are your customers’ favorite collections? Round Insignia Charms, Pastime Charms, and Storybook Charms

What are your customers’ favorite pieces? Peace Tonic Charm and Poetic Crosses

What do you like about Waxing Poetic’s designs? Waxing Poetic is for any age group.  There is so much to choose from that every customer can find something that they relate to.

Thank you Fan-Fare Gifts!

Visit Fan-Fare Gifts at 2315 Richmond Rd in Texarkana, TX, on facebook, or give them a ring at 903.832.5196.  The Lone Star State is a long way away?  No worries, find a store near you.

Carrying Dad With Us

A huge thank you to Amber Beckham who was kind enough to share this touching story about how she and her sisters keep the memory of their father close to their hearts by wearing matching Antique Brass Insignia Charms on the Baby Ball Gold Chain Necklaces and allowing us to pass it along to you...

When we were in Florida for our annual trip with my eldest sister's family, Lesli, she, in her most amazing gift giving way, pulled out a present for Briana and I one evening as we sat on the couch. She began to explain that it was "an early Father's Day gift."My heart skipped a beat half in fear and half in excitement thinking that we were celebrating him a month before it was time for that holiday to be here and really, that we were approaching the subject of Father's Day as sisters. It made me happy and sad at the same time.Lesli has an incredible way of finding unique, beautiful, and meaningful gifts. And this time would have to top any others she has pulled out of her hat. We opened small boxes to find an engraved necklace with the letter, "D" on it, for "Dad" and his initials and dates on the back all in gold and silver. It looks like the old fashioned mail seals that you would use to send a letter to someone. But as I write, I think how funny that is...and ironic, that it's a necklace, but it looks like a wax seal. It's like dad is sealed on our hearts as we remember him every day we are alive, not just on Father's Day.What an honor to wear this. I am thinking of dad today in a special way, somewhat sad and contemplative...but I remain nostalgic. I know I can speak for both Briana, Lesli, and our brother Zach that we are carrying dad with us today. Happy Father's Day...We love you, Dad.

Waxing Poetic a Lucky Top 10 New Boutique

Lucky magazine named Waxing Poetic as one of the top ten new boutiques in the country in their August issue Shopping Report.  We are delighted that Lucky editors chose our new boutique tucked in California wine country’s Los Olivos that features hand-carved woodwork, "frescopauge" walls, and of course our signature wax seal inspired jewelry.  Find out more about Lucky's favorite combination--Waxing Poetic Healing Gems Necklace with Baby Block, Storybook Pages, and Monogram Charms--that was featured in the article and pictured above.

Staff Favorites: Amanda

I have always loved my Risk Spirit Stamp Charm on my Twisted Link with Silver Rings Chain. This combination describes my outlook on life. I try to live my life by having a little fun and taking risks.

I love this chain, because it is unique and not something you see every day. It also complements the Spirit Stamp Charm well to make this look very simple yet still edgy. I also like combining it with my other charms and chains like my Realize True Riches Key or my Baby Insignia A to make a whole new look and new story.

I love that Waxing Poetic’s jewelry can be made into so many combinations that are fun and fit different personalities and stories.

More Than Words: Featured Retailer

We are thrilled that more than 1,400 stores across the U.S., Canada, U.K., and even Japan are carrying the Waxing Poetic jewelry line.  We think you’ll love our retailers as much as we do, so we will be featuring one retailer each month here on Proof.  We’re delighted to introduce to you More Than Words in Germantown, Tennessee!

Welcome to More Than Words!  Thank you for joining us.  What makes Waxing Poetic special to you? We love that friends and even strangers will ask to hear the story behind a necklace.  It is a great conversation piece…who doesn’t like to tell their own story and talk about their family?

What are your favorite collections? We love the Square Insignia Charms with the serif letters. The lettering makes me think of kings and queens in their grand castles.

What are your favorite pieces? We like the Fleur de Lis and Cross Dog Tags for a bolder look. The Storybook Pages “When You Wish” and “Once Upon a Time” bring back cherished memories of childhood and fairytales.What are your customers’ favorite collections? Our customers love the Square Insignia Charms, Round Insignia, and Baby Insignia charms. These are the foundation pieces of Waxing Poetic and they are still selling strong!

What are your customers’ favorite pieces? Our customers’ favorite pieces are the Large Rolo Chain and Medium Rolo Chain, specifically the 18”.  They also like to add interest to their collections by adding gold charms.

What do you like about carrying Waxing Poetic’s line?

Quite often we get women who are so excited to start their own necklace, but are a little lost. They ask “Ok, so what’s the right way to do this?” or “How do I start?” They are always relieved that there is no right or wrong way to do it, that you can’t possibly mess it up.  All of us at More Than Words LOVE the Waxing Poetic line!  We are always excited to wear and show it because there is something for everyone.

Thank you, More Than Words!

Visit More Than Words at 2123 West St., Germantown, TN 38138, on their website and facebook, or give them a ring at 901.755.4388.  Tennessee is not exactly in your backyard?  Find a store carrying Waxing Poetic jewelry near you.

The Making of Fresco-cards

After seeing how well the new flagship store’s Frescoupage panels made for a backdrop to the jewelry, we were eager to try more things with the same imagery. In homage to books and words and poetry and ephemera, of course stationery was necessary.  Plus now visitors can walk away with a piece of the boutique! I thought this assignment of creating fresco-cards was pretty cut and paste compared to wall sized interior panels but manipulating the fresco images into themes of gratitude, new beginnings, and celebrations was a challenge. Going to her roots, Patti inspired classic Italian messages; GRAZIE, BAMBINO, BUONA NATALE, AMORE, and BUONA VITA. Check out the finished cards to see how they turned out…