Featured Boutique: Nair & Bjorn

"Helping rescue animals one accessory at a time," reads the tagline in Nair & Bjorn's Etsy shop. How does that not tug at the heartstrings? The tugging doesn't stop there. Dogtag necklaces with messages such as, "If I had a dollar every time my dog made me smile, I'd be a millionaire;" a bracelet that sweetly declares, "The best times of my life are measured in dog years;" and a silver necklace inscribed, "The road to my ♥ is paved with paw prints." Portions of their proceeds even go to no-kill shelters. All part of their adorable "Rescuewear" line. (Heartstrings pulled.)

Nair & Bjorn's "My Dog Does This Amazing Thing" Necklace - One of her (and my) favorites!

Antique Gold Square Bezel Earrings, worn on HBO's show "Veep"

Nair & Bjorn's shop also glitters with an array of beautiful gemstone, pavé, druzy and Swarovski crystal pieces. Some of these lovely creations have even been seen on television shows, via The Artisan Group, an exclusive entertainment marketing organization made of up hand-selected artisans, including us. Their Antique Gold Square Bezel Wire Earrings with Clear Swarovski Crystals (right) were worn on Season 4, Episode 6 of HBO's "Veep."  Their Just for Luck 24 K gold plated Wishbone Necklace with Herkimer Diamond was featured on Fox's "Bones," and Ruby Drop Necklace (below) was used on "The Vampire Diaries" Season 6 Finale. (So exciting!!)

Let's get to know Kimberly, the talented lady behind Nair & Bjorn, and her very noble cause.

Ruby Drop Necklace, seen on The CW's "The Vampire Diaries"

Business Name: Nair & Bjorn

Date Business Opened: Late 2010

What Do You Sell: Handmade accessories and donate a portion of the proceeds to no-kill shelters

Etsy Shop Link: nairandbjorn.com

Tell a bit about yourself. I have a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management and a Business minor from Cal Poly Pomona University. I have always loved animals and love to create!

How did you get started with your craft? Any specific inspiration? We were walking our dog, Nemo in our neighborhood on Valentine’s Day and found a stray dog. We placed an ad in the paper and put up flyers but nobody came forth to claim him. We kept him and named him Mowgli. He is my inspiration for Nair & Bjorn and he is a cancer survivor too. 

What’s the story behind your business’ name? Nair is my married last name and Bjorn is Nordic for Bear which is my niece’s family name. I wanted something that sounded like a designer name.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products? Customer satisfaction and helping rescue animals are my top priorities. I try to create unique and stylish items that give back while focusing on providing exemplary customer service.

Do you have any particular rituals when you create? None, really. I usually may find a certain piece that I like to include in my design and work around that.

Paws are the Key to my Heart Necklace - so sweet!

Talk about your three favorite pieces in your shop. My favorite pieces would be the Herkimer Diamond Earrings (below), Ruby Drop Necklace seen on The Vampire Diaries and My Dog does this amazing thing Necklace (both shown above).

What do you like best about having your business? Meeting new people, working with and helping animal rescues and being my own boss.

When/where do you come up with new designs? Usually, on a weekly basis depending on what my schedule is like. Creating new designs is my favorite aspect of my business.

Do you ever suffer from "designer's"-block? If so, what do you do about it? Knock on wood, so far I haven’t yet.

Herkimer Diamond Earrings, Gifted to the Stylist
 at "The Bachlorette" 2014

Any new projects/designs in the pipeline? Yes, working on a few new designs to gift stylists of tv shows through The Artisan Group and also, finishing up my own website and working on items to collaborate with a celebrity stylist’s clients.

What's the best piece of advice given to you about running your business? I think it has to be from my Dad. Growing up, he used to tell us to try to be our own boss and I have been able to actually fulfill this.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time? Spending time with my 2 rescue dogs Mowgli and
Nick and my husband and just relaxing.

What would people be most surprised to learn about you? That I play the piano and have since I was 4 years old and I was a softball pitcher and pitched for our high school softball team.

Pave My Heart Necklaces - love, love love!

What is your favorite food/favorite restaurant? I love Mexican, Italian and Japanese food. My favorite food has to be Chips and Guacamole. One of my favorite restaurants is Sushi of Naples in Pasadena, CA and Maggiano’s.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? I love Julia Louis-Dreyfus and would like to see her as the lead.

A big "Thank You" to Kimberly for her time! Make sure to check out Nair & Bjorn and start shopping to help support her wonderful cause!

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Etsy Shop: www.NairandBjorn.etsy.com

Email: nairandbjorn@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NairandBjorn 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nairandbjorn @nairandbjorn
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nairandbjorn/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nairandbjorn/ @nairandbjorn

Featured Boutique: LoveYourBling

"Adorable," "sophisticated," "feminine" & "charming"... all words that come to mind when perusing Ruthie Youngman's deliciously sparkly boutique, LoveYourBling...

Ruthie and I first met 5 years ago, as college schoolmates in Northern California (okay, 15+ years ago, but who's counting?!). In that time, we've both married (she, to a mutual college friend), moved to Southern California, opened Etsy boutiques and are now part of the exclusive entertainment marketing organization, The Artisan Group.

Ornate Rose Gold Earrings, as seen TWICE on CW's television show "Hart of Dixie"

With the group, LoveYourBling has participated in celebrity gift lounges such as the 2014 Primetime Emmys, MTV Movie Awards and GBK's Luxury Celebrity Gift Lounge in Honor of the 2014 & 2015 Golden Globes. LoveYourBling has also had pieces worn by characters on the popular CW television shows, "The Vampire Diaries" (episode 605, by the character "Ivy") and "Hart of Dixie," not once, but TWICE - most recently, last Friday (episode 409)!  Ruthie & LoveYourBling features also include Etsy's Front Page, Etsy's blog, TheStorque, and as an Etsy Find.

Let's get to know this amazing lady & her boutique a little better...

Mint Green Crystal Earrings... love!

Business Name: LoveYourBling

Date Business Opened: October, 2008

What Do You Sell: Crystal Jewelry

Website: www.LoveYourBling.com

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a married mother of 2 rambunctious boys and two fur babies (one cat, & one puggle). I was born and raised in Northern California and migrated to Socal nearly 13 years ago.

How did you get started with your craft? Any specific inspiration?

LoveYourSoles, the precursor to Love Your Bling

My first handmade business was selling hand painted Dr. Scholls® Sandals. I was inspired by a Martha Stewart Tv show segment. I opened my first Esty shop www.LoveYourSoles.etsy in April of 2008, then opened LoveYourBling in October of that same year. I was out searching for bling for the shoes and discovered bead stores. I feel in love with jewelry making and haven’t stopped since.

Do you have any particular rituals when you create?
I have two days a week I dedicate to my business. I have a routine of starting everyday with a trip to Starbucks.  There is no skipping that ritual even on holidays! I typically listen to music or catch up on my tv shows while I work.

Talk about your three favorite pieces in your shop.
My first favorite piece is my Alice in Wonderland Teacup necklace in turquoise blue. A coworker asked me to create some custom teacup jewelry for an upcoming teaparty. I came across these Japanese miniatures and started LoveYourBling with kawaii jewelry as the focus, with touches bling of course. The teacup is cute and whimsical and it always reminds me of the teacup ride at Disneyland. My second favorite is my Vitral Oval Crystal Cuff Bracelet. It’s big, sparkly, and colorful. When I wear it I channel a She-ra vibe.  My third favorite are any of my pieces in the mint color, I can’t get enough of it.

Alice in Wonderland Tea Cup Necklace... her signature piece.

What do you like best about having your business?
I like being able to create items on a regular basis. I’ve always been a crafter but it is wonderful to get paid for doing what you love. I like the flexibility of working when and where I want as well as having complete control over my business.

When & where do you come up with new designs?
I have a room that is completely my own studio at home. I was able to customize it for my work and have my beads fairly organized. I also have a craft area for my boys so they can come in and play or be creative while I work. I don’t have a schedule for designs I’ve always just made new items when I felt the urge.

Do you ever suffer from "designer's"-block?  If so, what do you do about it?

Handpainted Hummingbird Pendant,
part of LoveYourBling's 2015 Spring Collection

There are days I definitely don’t feel like making something new. That is when I know it is time to take a break and focus on more of  practical aspects of the business rather then try to force myself to be creative.

Any new projects or designs in the pipeline?
I just released my Spring collection so my next focus will be Summer designs. I haven’t come up with a theme just yet.

What's the best piece of advice given to you about running your business?
You are never really 100% ready for anything in life; you have to just do it.  Just start, open the store, get the website and build as you go along. It doesn’t all have to be perfect at once.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Spending time with my family, walking the dog, and discovering new bead stores.

Vitral Oval Crystal Cuff Bracelet, modeled by actress & model Caitlin O'Connor 

at GBK's 2015 Golden Globes Celebrity Gift Lounge, via The Artisan Group.

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
People are often surprised to learn how completely introverted I am. Despite putting my work out there for the entire world to see, I’m very private and have difficulty with selling in person.

What is your favorite food/favorite restaurant?
Right now my favorite treats are macrons. There is a great new place  in Redlands called Sucree and Tea that makes a huge variety of flavors and love nearly all of them! My husband also makes a great homemade gourmet pizza.




If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
I have recently become obsessed with the Spanish TV show on Netflix called Velvet and love the leading lady. Her name is Paula Echevarría. I think she would represent me perfectly! I love her look both on screen and off.



A big "Thank You" to Ruthie for her time! Make sure to connect with Love Your Bling via the links below and start shopping!

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Website:  www.LoveYourBling.com
Etsy Shop:  www.LoveYourBling.etsy.com
Blog:  www.LoveYourBling.wordpress.com
Email:  Ruthie@LoveYourBling.com
Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/LoveYourBling1
Twitter:  www.Twitter.com/LoveYourBling
Pinterest:  www.Pinterest.com/LoveYourBling
Instagram:  www.Instagram.com/LoveYourBling