Do It: Rock Her World Design Competition at Tapper’s

While at Drinks x Design last Thursday, Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry announced its upcoming Rock Her World Design competition. Drinks x Design was great, thanks for asking (we know you are thinking it - you're so great!), but we need to tell you about this design competition, so aspiring jewelry designers, listen up.

Tapper’s has launched a competition for local art and design students to create a piece of jewelry to be featured as part of the Tapper’s Rock Her World Collection. The purpose of the competition is to showcase promising and innovative individuals, and to help advance the career of a promising artist at an early age.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, the designer’s work is required to be an original concept and needs to feature at least on Rock Her World diamond. Designs must be for either a necklace, rings, or earrings; and a maximum of three entries per designer may be submitted. The winning design will be manufactured and launched within the Rock Her World campaign, and winners will receive a $500 cash reward, a profile on tappers.com and a feature in the fall/holiday issue of Tapper’s Accent magazine.

To apply, visit www.tappers.com, and the application can be submitted online or mailed to Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewlery, 6637 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. Submission deadline is Monday, June 15, and winners will be announced Monday, July 6.

Local Designer Series: Lili Camaj of Little Miss Obsessive

Image Courtesy of Irene Mahmud

Lili Camaj of Little Miss Obsessive has grown her brand in a non-conventional way. Exclusively using social media, Lili has managed to bring her line of accessories out to the masses and bloggers. Celebs including Aubrey Anderson (Lily) from Modern Family and Jessica Szohr (Vanessa) from Gossip Girl have been captured sporting Little Miss Obsessive. We chatted with Lili to gain a little insight on how she did it and she let us in on her secret. #thankful

Tell us a little about yourself and how you started Little Miss Obsessive.

I always had a passion for the fashion and beauty industries since I was little. I was a licensed cosmetologist doing hair and makeup; I did a lot of personal shopping and fashion styling and also did a lot of creative directing on photo shoots. On the photo shoots, I would make accessories, and after a while, they really started getting noticed and requests for the accessories would come in. As I started making custom tutus and accessories, the demand for hair accessories grew so I decided to take it to the next level.

How do you reach your customers via social media outlets? What's the secret?! 

Social media is awesome, if you know how to use it the right way. No Facebook, just Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. For Instagram, hashtags are great, especially for people who are looking for a #headband for their #wedding or a birthday #gift. So, people will search, and your designs pop up in the results and essentially you're helping someone find exactly what they were looking for. Showcasing your product, as well as your personal style, will get people to see what your line is all about, and when people relate, they love that. They feel like they can connect with you instead of just being another "follower." Pinterest is great, too, because girls love pretty things and let's face it, you can never just be on Pinterest for 5 minutes – it always turns into an hour of pinning dream outfits and vacations. Networking is key, just like in any business, and word of mouth. Doing hair and makeup for photo shoots was amazing for networking and marketing and also taking part in fashion shows and charity events. Many of my customers will refer friends and tag them in my comments to show them a piece they might be interested in purchasing. 

What's the best and the most outrageous advice you have received?
The best advice is stay true to your style and it will reflect in every piece you design. The most outrageous was to use cheaper materials. For example, to skip the Swarovski and use cheaper stones, the sparkle just isn't the same and bling lovers know the shine when they see it. If I wouldn't buy or wear it, I wouldn't sell it to my customers. 

Do you have any fashion pet peeves?

Showing too much at once. You can be sexy and fashion forward without exposing it all. 

Right now—and no cheating—what are the contents of your purse? 

Today I rocked my crossbody bag, so not much room for the usual five pounds of things. Cell phone, debit card, license, business card, Heidi D lip gloss and two pieces of Take 5 gum.

If you could have a TV or movie characters wardrobe, whose would it be and why?

Andrea from the Devil Wears Prada, leather Chanel thigh high boots—need I say more?

The Fendi Baguette or Hermes Birkin?

Hands down, Birkin.

Jackie O or Marilyn?

Jackie all the way. 

Image Courtesy of Irene Mahmud

Do It: This Weekend’s Fashion, Beauty and Style Events that Are Not To Be Missed

This weekend is chock-full of fun and fashionable things to do, so if you’re itching to hit the town, these events will keep you busy!

Thanksgiving Floral Workshop | Wednesday, October 15

If you’re looking to design a Thanksgiving tablescape your guests won’t soon forget, fleurdetroit has a workshop just for you. Each workshop teaches the basic foundation of floral design as well as essential floral care and tips to extend the lifespan of fresh cut floral and this workshop is all about creating an autumnal look everyone will love. The workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. so clear you calendar, grab some friends and enjoy a fun and informational evening so you can put your best Martha Stewart-foot forward when you host Thanksgiving this year.

Workshops are hosted at fleurdetroit’s floral studio located at 1507 S. Old Telegraph Road, in Bloomfield Hills. To reserve your place, call 248.953.3840. Fee is $75 and 10% off additional guest purchases at workshops.

FashionSpeak 2014 | Thursday, October 16

We doubt we need to go in depth about FashionSpeak considering we are sold out, but we are just so excited for it, we have to add it on the list of fashionable things to do this weekend. For those of you who don’t know (or didn’t get your ticket on time), it will be a full day of nationally recognized experts speaking on their knowledge of the fashion industry to give tips and tricks to the FashionSpeakista’s on how to start and grow their fashion business in Michigan. Stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates while the conference is happening.

ELLA Designs Jewelry Trunk Show | Thursday, October 16

ELLA Designs supports the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund at the University of Michigan Depression Center in memory of Michael Guz and they can prove it. The company was created for the purpose of donating 50% of all proceeds to the Prechter Bipolar Research Fund in memory of family member Michael, who struggled with bipolar disorder and passed away at age 17. This Thursday, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., stop by Event Bliss and shop for a good cause.

Event Bliss located at 32802 Franklin Rd., in Franklin. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Elizabeth or Lauren Guz at 248.865.9620 or email lcguz13@gmail.com.

Key To The Cure at Saks Fifth Avenue | Thursday, October 16

Take a little time out for a charitable initiative to fight women’s cancers and have fun while doing it. From 5:30 to 9 p.m., spend an evening with the women closest to you with beauty, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, photo booths and tons of entertainment, including comedians and DJs. A patron ticket is $75 and includes $50 gift card to Saks Fifth Avenue, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a special gift while the friend ticket is $50 and includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Saks Fifth Avenue has teamed up with Josephine Ford Cancer Institute and Francee and Benson Ford Jr. Breast Care and Wellness Center at Henry Ford Hospital to make this event possible.

For more information and to RSVP call 313.874.6139 or visit www.henryford.com/key. Saks Fifth Avenue is located at 2901 W. Big Beaver Road, in Troy.

Skyline Soiree | Friday, October 17

More than 300 young professionals and philanthropic leaders from across metro Detroit will come together to benefit the American Cancer Society. The Skyline Soiree will be held at 7 p.m. at Coach Insignia and guests will be treated to cocktails, a strolling dinner, silent auction and great entertainment.

Visit www.skylinesoireedetroit.com or call 248.663.3401 for more information. Coach Insignia is located at 100 Renaissance Center, in Detroit.

Ladies Night at Meghan Marion | Friday, October 17

Get your girls together for a ladies night celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. Enjoy wine and appetizers while you shop and save 15% on your purchases and an additional 15% off sale items. Sales, wine and food: Tell us why you wouldn’t want to be there?

Meghan Marion is located at 405 S. Main St., in Royal Oak. For more information, call 248.268.4781.

Nordstrom Beauty Trend Event and Beauty Trend Show | Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18

This weekend Nordstrom Somerset is hosting its seasonal Beauty Trend Event and Beauty Trend Show. Join Nordstrom Beauty for one-on-one time with savvy beauty experts who will share the latest beauty tips and tricks, while being pampered with a free makeup or skincare consultation. Once you are beautified and relaxed, you will have access to free deluxe samples and exclusive gifts with purchase. Don’t miss out – admission is free for the Beauty Trend Event! Top industry insiders will be on location revealing spring’s best beauty trends during a runway show – and don’t forget to grab a free Nordstrom tote on your way out. The show will start promptly at 8 a.m., so you’re going to have to get going early…but it will be worth it!

Tickets for the Beauty Trend Show are $20. For more information about these events or to purchase tickets to the show, call 248.816.5100. Nordstrom Somerset is located at 2850 W. Big Beaver Road, in Troy.

Michigan Craft Beer Stroll | Saturday, October 18

Enjoy the fall weather at the Michigan Craft Beer Stroll in downtown Royal Oak. Sample Michigan craft beer and food from more than 20 top downtown restaurants including Ale Mary’s, Gusoline Alley, Lockhart’s BBQ, Oak City Grille and Royal Oak Brewery. The festivities begin at 11 a.m. and tickets are $40 at www.eventbrite.com or $50 on the day of the event. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland and Macomb counties.

Oh, Shop It: Jewelry for a Cause

Jewelry for a Cause was started in 2008 by Jessica Mindich as a way to design and create affordable and fashionable pieces of jewelry to be sold at a profit to raise money for various schools and charity organizations. Now, the company has expanded its mission to work with artisans from all over the world, helping them to create sustainable lives for their families through their craft. Jewelry for a Cause is responsible for more than $400,000 of philanthropy dollars to worthy causes and JFAC has thrown Detroit into the mix.

One of Jewelry for a Cause’s collections is The Caliber Collection, which includes bangles and cuffs created with serial numbers and metal from the bullet casings of illegal guns that were taken off the street. Each piece is marked with the serial number from a gun seized at a crime scene by the Detroit Police Department. According to the company, “The result is a series of pieces that embody the gun’s transformation from a destructive weapon to a powerful symbol of renewal. Jewelry for a Cause proudly donates a portion of the proceeds from each sale to gun buyback programs in American cities. The name Caliber was chosen for its two meanings; the caliber of a gun and how the caliber of a city is raised when illegal guns are taken off its streets.”

For more information or to shop Jewelry for a Cause, visit www.jewelryforacause.net or call 888.997.JFAC.

Local Designer Series: Wendy Nelson of Calendar Girl

Wendy Nelson has an adoration of vintage and history, and it all started when she was a little girl. She received a special gift of vintage treasures from her great-grandmother and she has been smitten with the past since that moment.

Fast forward to 1990: Wendy, who at that point had an extensive interior design background, just had a baby and was looking for a way to keep busy while at home with the newborn. She looked to her past, started Calendar Girl and hasn’t looked back since.

Each of her pieces are created in-house using authentic vintage jewels and other components, and she doesn’t just stick to designing jewelry: unique picture frames, elegant jewelry boxes, interesting belt buckles and exquisite handbags are other components of her collection. Wendy can create custom pieces for anyone looking for their broken vintage jewelry or old family heirlooms to become new again.

DG3 had a chance to speak to Wendy about her designs, plus we wanted to get in her head a bit to see what it’s really like to design for Calendar Girl.

DG3: How do you describe Calendar Girl to people who don’t know about your brand?

Wendy Nelson: Calendar Girl jewelry designs are an eclectic mix of vintage jewelry and components inspired by the grandeur and elegance of the past recreated into wearable art with a modern flair. Each piece is handmade and designed in my studio – using vintage pieces makes each piece one of a kind. I try to remain true to the unique representation of the pieces that go into each design.

DG3: Can you set the scene for your typical workday for us?

WN: My days are never structured. I work when I feel relaxed and inspired, never rushed. I love to work early in the morning with a cup of Starbuck’s coffee or late in the evening with a glass of Cabernet. My favorite place to work (when I am able) is the lake. There’s something about the color of the water, the sky and the fresh air that inspires me. Off-season, my studio is a quiet retreat filled with vintage handbags, photos, favorite quotes and my own collection of vintage jewelry.

DG3: Who or what inspires you?

WN: I have an assortment of vintage and antique pieces I’ve collected over the years that inspire my work. One is an extremely old sterling silver handbag (circa 1900s) that belonged to a young lady on her way to see her fiancé who was killed in a train accident. Another is a collection of old lockets that contain the pictures of their previous owners’ loved ones. I don’t know how I became the trustee of these very special treasures, but I feel they came to me for a reason. I look at them for inspiration. It reminds me of how each piece I create is composed of someone specials history and were once loved and cherished by them. 

DG3: Where can people buy pieces of the Calendar Girl collection?

WN: You can find Calendar Girl at select local art shows, online at calendargirlvintage.com, at The Village Fine Art Gallery in the Village of Rochester Hills, or you can commission work by calling 248.719.1392.

DG3: What is your favorite article of clothing in your closet, where did you get it and why is it your favorite?

WN: My great-aunt’s fabulous 1940s raccoon coat. She showed it to me for the first time when I was 14 years old. I tried it on and I fell in love. Not only did I fall in love with the coat, I fell in love with the glamorous women, the lifestyle and the fashion. It’s when I became obsessed with everything old. I am honored to have it in my collection and will cherish it forever.

DG3: What is the best advice you have ever received?

WN: “You can’t be everything to everybody so stay true to your vision.”  Love it. Live by it.

DG3: What would people be surprised to know about you?

WN: I have a unique collection of chickens.

DG3: Cats or Dogs?

WN: Dogs. Boxers in particular.

DG3: Smoothies or Milkshakes?

WN: Smoothies

DG3: Chanel or Versace?

WN: Chanel.