Max's

Thanks to the wonderful CRAVE book that came out this spring (check out the website at http://thecravecompany.com/minneapolis/), Sheila Mossberg of NONTOXIQUE (http://nontoxique.com/) and I met each other. Sheila has created a fabulous company that is quickly gaining a great national reputation, and she was invited to participate in New York City’s Fashion Week. To celebrate, Sheila reached out to both BMW of Minnetonka and Richard Moody of (http://iammoody.com/), one of Max’s best friends, to partner in producing an evening of fashion, beauty and charity. I’m really pleased that Max’s is participating in the event (with jewels and chocolates!), along with OPM, il Vostro Boutique, BumberShute, Urban Junket and Irelyto commemorate Sheila’s achievement. NONTOXIQUE’S NYC Fashion Week Celebration is open to the general public but will requirea ticket, which can be purchased at http://www.iammoody.com/ – (Green Carpet Event). The event is August 25th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at BMW of Minnetonka, 15802 Wayzata Minnetonka, MN 55391. Hope to see you there!

When I first saw Pamela Froman’s jewelry, I knew it really was unlike any other jewelry I had ever seen before and I am so proud to represent her at Max’s! Pamela will be in the store this Friday and Saturday with her collection of limited edition jewelry that has earned many awards and accolades and, once you see it, I know you’ll know why. Her jewelry is made of multiple colors of precious metals and rare, natural stones. I especially like the way she mixes yellow, white, green and rose gold together in a single piece and adorns it with diamonds, but you might be more drawn to her colorful gemstone earrings and pendants. Either way, I hope that you’ll stop by and see this highly unique one-of-a-kind and limited edition collection this Friday, August 13 from 11 – 7pm and again on Saturday from 10 -6pm.

Suzy Landa began making jewelry for friends and family members at the age of 5 using colored telephone wire and fuzzy pipe cleaners until she discovered that the candy necklaces available at every local drugstore checkout counter were attracting considerably more attention.  Today, Suzy still makes things with wire and candy colored pieces that look good enough to eat, but precious metals and gemstones have replaced the telephone wire and sugar beads of her childhood.  I just love it that Suzy says fine jewelry should be fun jewelry, and with all of the bright colored gemstones that she uses in her collections that have names like Hoopla, Confetti and Popcorn, how could it now be fun?  And as she likes to ask, “those diamonds – well, what are you waiting for?”

Suzy Landa will be making her first trip to both Max’s and Minnesota this weekend for a 2day candy — oops-I mean jewelry — trunk show.  Please join us this Friday, July 9 (11am – 7pm) and Saturday, July 10 (10am – 6pm) to see Suzy’s entire (and it’s big!) collection.  Of course, there will be some chocolates too!

Chapter 1:  Ellen (Max’s owner) and Leah (Max’s manager) travel to The Windy City (a.k.a Chicago) in April to attend a wholesale jewelry show.  As part of the show, there are numerous “educational” sessions that they can attend.  One series of these sessions are individual interviews with the recipients of the show sponsor’s “Cool Stores” award.

Chapter 2:  Ellen and Leah decide to attend the sessions of the Cool Store award winners (and who knows — we may even apply for this award one day as we think that we rate pretty high on the cool-o-meter, and we can’t tell you how much we appreciate the fact that you have told us as much too!) While sitting in the audience listening to one of the store owners talk about his store, Ellen and Leah both find themselves concentrating on the hand of the gentleman sitting in front of us with his hand around the back of the empty chair next to him.  However, given that someone is talking at the front of the room and it would be rude for the two of us to chat among ourselves at the same time, we each admire the ring in silence without realizing that the other is doing the same thing.

Chapter 3:  Ellen needs to leave the session promptly at 11 for a meeting, and Leah stays to hear the last few minutes of the presentation.  When they re-connect 45 minutes later, Leah says “did you see the ring on that guy sitting in front of us?  I spent some time talking to him after the presentation to find out that HE is presenting later this afternoon because he owns a jewelry store that is also a Cool Store winner and he makes jewelry in his store!  He brought some pieces with him to show people during his presentation.  You should see this stuff….it is SO COOL!”

Chapter 4:  Ellen and Leah return to the Cool Store presentation venue and listen to Nate McPherson talk about his store Spexton, and the line of jewelry that he and Greg Shelton have created, called Spexton Jewelry.  The story of their store is, indeed, extremely compelling and…well….very cool, and we really fall for the jewelry.  Hand-fabricated  mostly of titanium and stainless steel (and some copper, gold and diamonds where appropriate!), we immediately knew that this line would appeal to so many of our customers.

Chapter 5:  Ellen, Leah and Nate meet after the presentation and select a range of rings, bracelets and pendants for Max’s (and introduce Nate to some of Max’s chocolates that we brought with us for sustenance!)

Chapter 6:  Spexton Jewelry arrives at Max’s and customers are loving it! We hope that you will too….click here to see more on our website.

I first met Stephanie Albertson and was introduced to her jewelry in  2008.  In what apparently was a tremendous mental lapse, I didn’t buy her jewelry for the store.   I regretted the decision as soon as I  got on the plane to return home, and knew that we had to have it at Max’s.  When I saw Stephanie the next time, I apologized profusely, telling her that I had been thinking about her jewelry for the past several months and that it belonged at Max’s.  Fortunately, Stephanie forgave my gaffe and we have been carrying her line ever since.  I am so pleased that she will be at Max’s this weekend for a 2-day trunk show (which, I believe, will also mark her first trip to the great state of MN!) on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19.  One of the things that I love so much about Stephanie’s work is that it is so sophisticated in its straight-forward design.  She relies on the quality of the stones she uses and the finish on her metals to speak for themselves in creating a great look without a lot of extra adornment.  Whether it’s the 22k gold fish pendants with diamond eyes, her gemstone earrings in bright blues, pinks, greens and oranges that she appropriately calls “gumdrops”, her bangle bracelets or the pendants she creates to be worn on her hand made chains, Stephanie’s collection really is a rainbow of beautiful colors.  I hope that you’ll come and see for yourself — it’s going to be beautiful AND fun!  The show is Friday from 11-7 and Saturday from 10-6.

That spring/early summer ritual is upon us as it’s time to graduate!  Some of my absolute favorite things in the store right now that make perfect graduation gifts are these hand formed porcelain pendants on stainless steel cables.  Whether its birds on a wire, a lotus flower, a bunch of sunflowers or poppies, these necklaces are the perfect summer accessory with t-shirts and sundresses.  Looking for the guys?  We’ve got that covered too with these new glass cufflinks in bright colors that are really contemporary in their style and great for a sporty look. And then, of course, there’s always the chocolate!

We just unpacked some of the new beauties that are coming our way from Pamela Froman this summer!  While I was first drawn to the solid color gold pieces in Pamela’s collection, I have become a BIG fan of her use of multiple colors of gold in one.  I believe that the look is truly unique, and I love how warm the combination of the three colors look together.

I’m thinking that I might have to add a pair of these hoops in my jewelry box — what about you?  We’ll be hosting Pamela for her first trunk show in Minnesota this August 13-14, but I hope that you’ll stop by before that to this collection.

I got such a great surprise earlier this year when I went into the jewelry market.  Lisa Jenks, whose jewelry I have always loved and had collected for several years but who had left the business a few years ago, was there with a brand new collection (including this fabulous bracelet that I want to take home for myself)!  Lisa has been designing jewelry for over 20 years, starting with designs that combined her interest in ancient cultures (from African and Egyptian to Mexican and Polynesian) with a unique style that drew inspiration from her travels and love for the exotic. I am so thrilled that Max’s is now representing Lisa’s work and I hope that you’ll stop in to see it (I promise, I won’t take it ALL home)!

Many of your favorites here at Excelsior & Grand are at it again with their first joint happening of 2010 with the “Spring Fashion Opener”.  The event was named to coincide with the Fishing Opener, which has historically been scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend but was changed a few weeks ago by the powers that be .  Oh well — our show will go on and it’s going to be a great one– just in time for Mother’s Day shopping!  The morning begins at 9:30 with mimosas from McCoy’s and pastries and coffee from Panera Bread, served in the Excelsior & Grand Club Room (located next to Panera).  Get there early with friends and take in an informal fashion show with models highlighting this season’s must-have trends, including sundresses and skirts, sandals, denim, tops, handbags, jewelry and more from Max’s OPM, and Shorty’s Loft. Try out a new look for spring—Supercuts is offering free hair styling. And, the first 150 guests will receive a special gift bag (hint — there just might be a bit of chocolate in the bag)!

When you’re ready to venture out to the stores, please make sure to stop in for our Jayne Redman jewelry trunk show.  Jayne’s inspiration is nature — the linear quality of stems and the fullness of flower buds (this is an image of her begonia earrings).  She works with multiples of the same flat metal shape and fits them together until they become small floral sculptures.  Jayne has received several awards and accolades and once you see her work that looks like beautiful pieces of origami, I think you’ll know why.  In addition to the trunk show, you’ll be able to “pay it forward” with your Max’s rewards points — any points that you earn that day can be used that day (on the purchase of any item — it doesn’t have to be a trunk show item).

In addition to our trunk show, the other stores here at Excelsior & Grand have some wonderful events too — here’s the recap:

OPM:

Two of the season’s hottest designer collections – dresses from Catherine Malandrino, and Rebecca Minkoff’s handbags and newly-launched clothing and accessory lines – are featured in trunk shows at OPM. Bring in clothing for Hope Chest and receive 20% off one regularly priced item for every piece donated.

Shorty’s Loft:

Shorty’s Loft is offering customers 20% off full-price purchases all day long. Enjoy mimosas, fruit and pastries while you shop. And enter to win great Shorty’s prizes in drawings throughout the day (need not be present to win.)

Supercuts:

Get your locks ready for warm and sunny weather with Super Color from Supercuts! Receive six foil highlights for only $30 all day long. Plus, purchase two liters of Biolage or Matrix products and get a free purse (while supplies last).

McCoy’s:

Enjoy brunch until 2:00p.m. at McCoy’s (enjoy a complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary by redeeming the coupon in your gift bag!).

When you’re finished with your shopping, you can enter to win a special Excelsior & Grand gift basket valued at $500!  For each $50 you spend at participating shops and restaurants, you can enter a drawing to win a gift basket — just take your receipts back to the Excelsior & Grand Club Room (located next to Panera Bread) for validation and registration.

Well, if the warm weather isn’t proof enough, the other sure sign that spring is here is that Max’s trunk show season begins this Friday.  We’ve got 10 great events lined up for the year with some of our favorite jewelry designers, and we kick things off this weekend by welcoming Jeanne Johngren to Max’s.  Jeanne’s work is heavily influenced by her travels in Europe and the life that she saw through a cinematographer’s lens when she was one of the first music video producers in the industry (ok, now THAT is pretty cool!).  She draws her inspiration for her jewelry from Renaissance architecture, medieval tapestry, stained glass windows and Byzantine mosaics.  I was first attracted to Jeanne’s work because of her color combinations – purple with green in an amethyst and peridot necklace and red with orange in a garnet and citrine combination.  And how about this orange and pink sapphire beauty?  The trunk show is Friday, April 30 from 10-7 and again on Saturday, May 1, from 10-6.  Want to see more now? Check out Jeanne’s page on our website here or her website — I hope to see you this weekend.