About Luxe Jewels

Anyone who refers to herself as the "Omnivore of the Internet" knows her e-mail In Boxes will offer up a treasure every now and again.  That's why I keep subscribing to ezines and newsletters on such entertaining topics as trends, tech, sales, travel writing, gardening, marketing, publishing et al - there's always more good stuff out there.  Rarely though, do I lay down hard-earned money to take advantage of some fabulous offer.  While I might be interested in lots of things, I do, like you, have a checkbook to balance.

But this May I got a mailing from a bead shop hyping a new concept.  Intrigued, I did my due diligence and joined up.

In October 2004, Luxe Jewels hit the Internet with something completely different.  Instead of a guilt-your-friends-into-having-a-home-party-with-really-expensive-merchandise, Luxe founder Jessica Herrin and company came up with an idea consultant Laura Ah Tye of Redwood City (California) called "Luxe's unique business model of teaching others how to make jewelry."

In Herrin's words, "This isn't your mother's Tupperware™ party.  It's social, stylish, creative and fun.  People are rediscovering the value of making things for themselves and connecting with their friends."

Why Luxe Jewels

The idea is simple: Luxe Jewels sells high quality jewelry kits via the Internet, and consultants guide kit purchasers in the how-tos of assembling those kits into something beautiful. 

Consultants, often artisan jewelry designers like me, get to spread the word about the joy of making gorgeous jewelry, sell their own (that's right, their own) hand-made products at classes, home parties or other gatherings, and make a dime or two in the process.

And because Luxe is committed to training, even consultants who've never strung a bead can start their own businesses for no more than several hundred dollars.

Too good to be true?  Not so far. 

• There were computer glitches with my initial orders, but these were dealt with by the incredibly helpful and friendly Johanna Minich and her customer service team.

• The value of the consultant starter kit was consistent with Luxe's claims.  I priced it out before I joined up.  I knew I might be able to buy individual items more cheaply, but there's the brand factor of Luxe to consider plus the ability to sell my own jewelry.  That sold me on the value.  I wasn't just buying a kit.  

• My upline mentor - yes, this is multi-level marketing, but don't panic - Julie Armstong (LuxeIowa) of Des Moines has been incredibly generous with help and advice.  Her enthusiastic core-dumps of information are extremely useful. 

• I'm not a party animal, but Luxe is flexible about how the word is spread.  I plan to present jewelry making classes in schools, churches and other venues. 

• The concept of bridal parties making their own jewelry together also struck a cord since I've written for our site and others about weddings.

• Celebrity endorsements of product and process never hurt.  Will I look like Teri Hatcher if I make the same necklace she did?  Sure, why not?

It's early in the game for Luxe Jewels and for my career as a Luxe consultant, but I feel good about this new venture. 

Luxe Jewels Kits

to enlarge it, click on the photo of the first earrings I made after joining Luxe - the large section in the center holds earrings made from Luxe kits, while I designed the other earrings 

I ordered a bunch of Luxe kits to check them out and to learn how to make earrings. 

Readers of my Beading Diary will recall I got into jewelry making to rouse the interest of our CDO, but while she likes wearing jewelry, she never made any.  At all.

We began with the California Coast Kit.  The directions, with three variations, were simple and clear.  In no time, my daughter had a new necklace and enough material left over make one for a friend and one for her sister. 

click on the photos to enlarge them

The CDO's first bead stringing project was a Luxe Art of Zen Necklace Kit.  She wanted a shorter necklace to go with her smaller neck, so she didn't use all her beads.  She also chose to leave off the Luxe tag and the turquoise bead dangle.  The result is lovely, though that particular kit has been discontinued.  Order up, folks.  And mention my name when you do.

click on the photos to enlarge them

The Competition

I signed up for a Google Alert about Luxe Jewels to monitor what others were saying about the company online.  Through this, I discovered AllJeweledUp.com, a company similar to Luxe in that they have "designers" (consultants) who host jewelry making parties.

AJU is cheaper to join and has nice suggested designs, but when you have a Luxe Jewels business, you use those fabulous Luxe kits, which make it easy to teach jewelry making classes for beginners.  AJU offers a bunch of beads in a little case. 

Luxe Benefits

Luxe has an awesomely responsive home office, national recognition, an evolving website, a ton of training and Maya Brenner's talent and reputation.

And if people make all the difference, I have to repeat that the Luxe Jewels product, the kits, are amazing.  As you work your way through from beginner to advanced levels, you not only make wearable and giftable jewelry, you also learn jewelry making skills, skills you can translate to your own projects.  Skills you can build upon.

As I get deeper into the Luxe Jewels experience, I realize the concept is based on edutainment, combining education with entertainment.  I can't help but think how exciting the Luxe business model is.  People have the flexibility to buy finished jewelry, but they can also make it themselves in a fun party environment or in a structured class.  Or they can sign up and be a consultant.

Put it all together, and I truly believe Luxe Jewels spells success.

I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think that was the best advice in the world :-)  Jessica Herrin, CEO Luxe Jewels

December 2005 Update:  It's Saturday night and I just got a personal e-mail from Jessica Herrin.  In what other company of this type could that happen?  

Send your questions and comments to nancy@greenlightwrite.com.

January 2006 Update:  After completing its first full calendar year, Luxe Jewels is ahead of all growth projections.  Wahoo!  There is nothing like getting in on the ground floor.

February 2006 Update:  I attended the very first Luxe Jewels Regional Training. 

May 2006 Update:  I finally saw some negative comments about Luxe on about.com.  None of them were made by Luxe consultants or former consultants.  Those anti-Luxe contributors seemed to be successful jewelry designers who feared a scam.

What can I say?  I like Luxe.  So far the company has been honest, honorable, flexible and innovative.  But it certainly isn't right for everyone.  Get the facts and make your decision.

June note to my recent students: We've been plagued with massive website problems. I'll publish pictures of your wonderful jewelry as soon as I can, but please be patient.

January 2007:  Luxe Jewels is ramping up for a mega growth year.  Head Designer Maya Brenner was on DIY Network yesterday.  Training Director Winnie van der Rinj, designer of the new Sentiments line, has an upcoming segment on the bead channel (that bead program we don't get in the OKC market), and the incentives just keep coming.  I look forward to seeing the new products.  We just had a hint or two, and I can't wait.

March 2007:  Luxe Jewels has a new CEO.  This is a typical milestone for businesses when they enter into their second stage, going from startup to adolescence.  Often successful business founders, like our Jessica, decide their companies will grow faster under a leader with experience in the pains and pleasures of expansion.  Jessica Herrin has a proven record starting winners and moving on.  This time she's going to stick with us as president and help Luxe Jewels grow from a different angle. 

I'm thrilled with this and I can't wait to see what Mike Lohner will bring to the party.   Welcome, Mike!

Update: A monthly Design Club begins in April, and there are mega-incentives for joining the Luxe team.  Details to follow.

May 2007:  Beads Baubles & Jewels  Show #611 on the DIY network - Luxe Training Director, Winnie, demonstrates how to create several designs from one gem mix.  https://www. luxejewels. com/luxejewels/ press/press. php

June 2007:  I got the very nicest comment from Susan Kilpatrick when she joined Luxe:  "Desperate to sample something new, I happened onto Nancy Kamp's jewelry class.  Nancy is in a special league.  She possesses the unique ability to teach while also exuding her own brand of enthusiasm.  Two weeks post class, I was unable to shake that feeling of excitement.  Armed with only the fervor of one who knows nothing, I became part of the Luxe family on May 29th.  I look forward to learning and sharing!"

Susan's words make my day everytime I read them.  We are lucky to have her on the team.

A recent Luxe training call brought home something important about all the jewelry in the Luxe line - many of the new pieces are not available in kit form, however, even those pieces are hand made right here in the US.  That's why you get to choose the beads on several items.  And that makes Luxe unique.

August 2007:  Luxe just reinvented itself.

While it's possible to make money teaching jewelry making, it's much easier to make money selling ready to wear jewelry.  Luxe now offers a ton of beautiful jewelry designed and assembled in California AND continues to offer jewelry making kits as well as the skill building Design Club that's open to anyone.  Wow. 

This is going to be a very good year.

September 2007:  As the new Luxe rolls out, I'm pleased to find the compensation plan has improved and the starter kit is better than ever because you get two pieces of best selling jewelry plus your choice of $225 (retail) jewelry and a 50% off coupon to get even more samples.  Plus, of course, you are getting a ready to go business with training and as much support as you want.

This isn't the Luxe Jewels I started with, but I love the new jewelry, and I won't say NO to the money.

October 2007:  Luxe Jewels has announced a jewelry design contest to benefit breast cancer awareness. 

December 2007 and beyond:  Order affordable glorious jewelry from Luxe Jewels for great gifts or for yourself. 

February 2008:  Luxe Jewels becomes Stella & Dot as of March 1.  Most all of the line will be ready to wear jewelry.  I've seen the new stuff, and it's very pretty.  All kits are being phased out.

September 2008:  I will not be renewing my ties to Stella & Dot as the company and I are headed in different directions.  I never wanted to be involved with direct sales in a recruit or die mode.  I just wanted to learn about jewelry making and pass on what I know.  It's been a good ride.