dolma jewelry

Proud parents Bryn and Richard are starting their newborn baby girl off right - getting this little lady used to the finer things in life.

I was hankering for a change, and had been contemplating dying my hair red.

When my grandmother arrived from Washington state last night with a less-than fabulous hair color, we figured we’d both head to one of our cute hair salons in the Atlanta area that just so happens to carry dolma - Michelle Coulture Salon on Phar Rd in Atlanta, GA - and see what would come of the visit.

See below…

Nana with owner, Michelle, at MC Salon

I came in with a few photos for inspiration…

And here’s what happened…

Me and Kristin... ready for a change. I panicked at first, but she talked me through it, and assured me that it would look OK!

The finished product! I Looove it!

Me and Nana, with our new hair!

If you got the allusion, and live in the Birmingham area, we hope to see you at Rex Harris Fine Jewelry next Friday. That’s right, Sewanee Alumni… Sewanee’s young family-owned business (us) and Sewanee’s more mature family-owned business - Rex Harris Fine Jewelry - are teaming up for a trunk show! We’ll be flaunting our discriminating taste in accessories… and education!

Been itching to pull that gown off the hanger? Wear it to the show and enter to win some PURPLE PEARL jewelry, compliments of us! Or, just mention that you’re Sewanee Grad.

EQB, YSR and hope to see you at The Mountain (Brook)

Pointed quotes referencing pearls run rampant in in the texts by pivotal thinkers in history: Confucius, Hawthorne, Shakespeare, Browning, Frost and Emerson… (we could go on and on). But this quote comes from a 20th Century visionary. Fellini, considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century, is stating that the pearl is not only the product of the oyster: but its essence, it’s memory and it’s legacy. He compares it to art. Applying this concept to our life at dolma, we find truth in his words. The inspiration for our designs comes from our human experience: our influences from pop culture and fashion, our travels, our dreams and realities, the way we want to look and feel, the statement we want to make… it is all translated into the language of our art. And to further quote Fellini, he also mentions that “[y]ou exist only in what you do”. Quite an applicable statement for all of us.

So, we ask you: What is your art? Where can we find your autobiography?  Head to ourFacebook page to post your answers, and please share with us your art!

What you don’t spend with us, give to Buck to stash away!

Ok, here’s what you guys really want to see! Look at this beautiful gown: it was Catherine’s mother’s!

Catherine, in the gown her mother wore for her wedding!

And the bridesmaids, all wearing pearls! Lauren is wearing a classic strand of dolma jewels, and Martha is wearing our Savannah bracelet. (How proud am I? 1-10, an 11.)

A cute group of girls for sure! From left: Sara Jesse Parsons, Martha Hinchey, Laura Fanjoy and Lauren Turner. The girls met Catherine at Sewanee: The University of the South. To the guys - don't gasp in regret if you're just now meeting these beauties... a few are still single, (Martha and Laura), and I have their cell phone numbers! It's gonna cost you an online purchase from our new line to get it, though.

Check out a better view of the Savannah bracelet, worn by the Maid of Honor, Martha Hinchey, a PhD Candidate in the Department of School Psychology at The University of Kentucky. If the whole Doctoral thing doesn’t work out she should rent out her Maid of Honor services to girls with dull or complacent friends - she not only plans the most unforgettable bachelorette parties, but can also get everybody on the  on the dance floor at a reception.

Loving the bracelet with the bouquet! Such a pretty smile.

Another look at the Savannah bracelet; and a peek at how to get Martha's glam poof for your next formal event.

Last weekend, I attended one of the most tasteful, enjoyable weddings I’ve ever experienced. The bride’s family accomplished the seemingly impossible task of providing a 5 star wedding with a casual, welcoming feel for all in attendance.

It seems as though this Asheville Perfect Wedding was made possible by the abounding generosity of the bride’s family; the spirits of the bride and groom; the celebratory vibe of the wedding party - and all the guests who followed suit.

The food was too good to keep to ourselves - my table shared tastes of every item - with one of my favorite items being the North Carolina Barbeque Sliders - such a treat for out of town guests - and the risotto buffet, with ingredients cooked to order - a surprising and exciting deviation from one of the South’s favorite dishes, shrimp and grits.

We rode by trolley to the wedding and the reception. And, as jet lag from our recent buying trip to China was in full force, I rode the trolley home around 10:30pm, bummed to miss the end of the festivities.

As Facebook has changed the ability to drag and drop posted pics, (and I managed to throw my phone away with some fast food in the car on Saturday afternoon) I am awaiting pictures from friends to document this glorious occasion.

Pearls adorned perhaps 75% of the attendees’ attire, and though they were not all dolma, I’m excited to show you the pairing of pearls with some exquisite outfits.

Until then, I’ll have to tie you over with some pictures of me in a dress that I had made in China - riding the trolley and overlooking the golf course of the Biltmore Country Club - the site of the reception.

After the wedding, on the trolley, headed to the reception! I'm wearing a dress that I had made in China: a cotton-silk blend gown that brushes the floor even when I wear high heels. Such a fun, comfy, pack-without-ironing option for this August wedding. The jewels you see are our new Manatee in Black set, from our new "Everything Nice" Collection.

Overlooking the golf course, which we are blocking, at the reception. You get a better idea of the length and sheer "largeness" of the dress, which is exactly what I was going for in the design. I'm wearing nude heels, invisible when I walk, and the jewelry hasn't changed - Manatee in black, (on the website soon!)

We brought a film crew along on our buying trip in hopes that you could…

Hear dolma's vision for the future.

Get a sneak peek of the design process.

Follow us as we travel around.

View a mash up of our trip!

Click on the pictures to watch videos documenting our trip!

I’ve got my sample set and my order forms and my dolma-branded tote. Off to find some empty shelves that could use a little freshening up with dolma pearls!

My first stop was to visit one of the owners at Elegant Attic in her hometown, Jacksonville, FL! I made great connections, and got picked up by a few super high end boutiques like Linda Cunningham and Krista Eberle; and a fabulous Consignment shop who now carries our sale items, My Best Friends Closet. But perhaps the highlight was swinging into a SteinMart and seeing the array of junk pearl sets for under $20. YUCK.

It’s tough… I want to free those babies from their ugly box, and add other gems and crystals to hide their quality and give them a better life… but I can’t even bring my self to pick up the box.

Next, Hilton Head, where i stayed with some great friends who have just retired on the island. I had great luck with boutiques as well, was picked up by a boutique called Fashion Court in Harbour Town and got a maybe from a high end shop called Porchupine. We did some night biking, had great seafood, and I was even there to celebrate a birthday with my hosts. While perusing the shops, I met a very interesting woman who owned a gallery of hand made goods for local artists. We talked shop a bit, and although dolma wouldn’t be a great fit for her gallery, I did find some really GREAT items that, if I had more than a carry-on piece of luggage and fewer pearls, I would have had to take home with me.

Here's my new friend at Smith Gallery in Hilton Head!

And this amazing piece of blown glass! Wish it were mine.

Then, I spent a half day on Kiawah, and found Dobbin Gallery in Freshfields that is going to house our entire line. Jack pot! And the place is first class, so I know we’ll be selling lots and lots of pearls. This is there season, too, so I’m ready for the orders to roll in! If you are in the area stop by and ask for the owner, Bob or his Associate, Michelle, they are darling and have many more fabulous finds besides dolma’s jewelry - including some of Bob’s wife’s jewelry and paintings!

Bluffton, getting ready for a farmers market!

Off to Bluffton, SC which I didn’t get any “yeses” but found a darling boutique called Gigi’s of Bluffton that I’m dying to have carry our line. I made lots of new friends in Bluffton, too! I checked out some cool home and garden and knick knack places, as well.

A cute home and garden shop with great dishes and art!

I wish I'd planned to have lunch in Bluffton, how darling is this restaurant?

Here's a picture of a sculpture-friend I made while walking around. She has her work in a gallery in Atlanta, too!

My number one pick to carry our line in Beaufort, SC!

After Bluffton was Beaufort, and  I had my sights set on Lulu’s. They said yes and wrote an order! So my search was over for the day, and from there I head to Macon,spend the weekend at Lake Oconee, scouting for shops, getting a massage, and finding a great boutique oasis in Gray, GA called Miss Dotties. They don’t do much with email but I’m sending them a flyer so you all keep your fingers crossed we get their business!

I also went to Macon, GA and found a great shop that carries my favorite dress brand, ENVI, who now carries dolma! Rumor is the name, and you could shop all day in Atlanta and not get the variety you see at Rumor. One of my favorite boutiques so far, for sure. And if you’ve never tried on ENVI, you must go to Rumor just to experience these fabulous dresses: they are cotton, they feel like pajamas, look like a million bucks, and you can wash them in the washing machine and they don’t really wrinkle.

After Macon was Perry, GA: destination Two Sisters, a great boutique known far and wide, even though it’s located in this little town! The owner wasn’t in, but I’ll keep checking back

Olde Town Conyers

Not a lot of parking, but everything's pretty close!

Next on my list was Conyers,GA. I have cousins and an Aunt who live there, so I thought I was a shoe in for a few spots. But, they’re a tough crowd, and nobody was biting… but I did spend some quality time at a great local gallery and a cool vintage shop that I took some snap shots of below. If anybody knows the owners at Conyers Jewelers, tell them to give me another chance!

Local gallery artisits doing their thing!

How cute is this? And the owner is a young female entrepreneur!

After Conyers is Covington, and I got a yes from a great Lingerie shop on the main square, The Perfect Fit. I hung out with the owner ’till close, and got to meet some of her best clients! A good day.

I also hit up Charleston and Mt. Pleasant for a weekend, and got a bunch of great leads. Had some time for the beach, too! I’ve got my sights set on Sally Bettes, Celadon, Southern Belles, Seeking Indigo, and Wells Gallery! Wish me luck.

Living the good life!