Bangles, Baubles and Beads, Oh My!

What is bling anyway?  Bling is, according to Dictionary.com, the “gangsta” version of bangles—which in Hindi is a ring-shaped bracelet meant to slip over the hand—and baubles, or baubel in French meaning a child’s trinket.  Bling is traced to the German word blinken, which means to gleam or sparkle. Bling originated in the hip-hop culture and more accurately describes the sound that jewelry makes when one dances. Beads by the way, is a pretty straight forward word describing a small, usually round object made of glass or stone with a hole for stringing.

But enough about etymology of these words. Here are three local stores, owned by moms, where you can get your hands on some holiday bling. 

Entering the Hot Jewelry Box Store, an enormous accessory bazaar owned by the Jeon Family is like having all of the boutiques and shops on Canal Street in one sparkly room.  Comments from customers like “Isn’t this place amazing?” and “They have EVERYTHING!” are common;  it takes a couple of visits to become acclimated. 

This is the accessory capital of Bergen County.  It is here you will find bags and scarves and fine costume jewelry as well as a new line of gemstone items designed by Gina Jeon, who is also the buyer.

Beautiful necklaces, bracelets and earrings in every color of the rainbow, line each and every inch of this store.  Whatever you are looking for, you will find it.  And then you will buy something for your mother, your daughter, your daughter’s teacher, yourself.  Your friends, your son's girlfriend, your aunts, your cousins, yourself.  For every $100 you spend, you get 20 percent off for the next visit.  Check out the pastel pearl necklaces and the giant rings, which are very in right now.

Whatever is in the latest fashion magazines, can be found here! 

“Especially bright colors—very fashionable, very big right now,” says Mom Sonia, who studied fashion design in her native Korea.

Hot Jewelry Box, 201 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, is also generous to the community, donating many bags of baubles every year to local school fundraisers. The shop is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information, calls 201-444-0112.

winnie & belle

Mari Schofeild has been collecting beads since the 1970s and has a picture of her first necklace made in high school.  She began making jewelry in earnest at the request of her many friends who admired her innovative and colorful creations.

Mari, the Wyckoff mother of four, moved her blossoming cottage industry to this charming shop one year ago, when her beads threatened to overflow out of her front door.  Schofeild calls jewelry-making “bead therapy”, and has a story about each piece.  For example, a woman came wandering in off of the street holding an antique blue and white plate that was her recently deceased Grandmother’s.

“I want to make something with this plate to give to my sisters (10 of them from middle-aged to 80s).”

“Hmmm,” said Mari, whose creative wheels were already turning. 

Within seconds the plate was broken and sketches were made for ten charms-which were hand-crafted within a week into necklaces with semi-precious birthstones.  Mari added her personal touch with handwritten notes, and exquisite wrapping; the extraordinary gifts met with joyous receptions.

Creative and compassionate, philanthropic and philosophical, Schofeild inspires her customers to in some of the causes Mari’s industry supports.  Schofeild has long been a generous and thoughtful donor to school fundraisers as well as two women’s shelters, (one in Camden that she is collecting toiletries for) and a Therapeutic Handicap Riders Program to name a few.

Mari Schofeild’s heart is as big as her shop is small.  Her creations are vibrant and fun and remind her of hope.  Ask for her beautiful emergency medical necklaces and bracelets: Diabetes, peanuts, penicillin and more.  Beautiful pieces that children and teens will be happy to wear.

“These beads come from all over the world, from nations that are warring, yet they look so beautiful hanging next to each other,” says Schofeil wistfully.

To shop at winnie & belle, 293 Godwin Ave, Midland Park, is to buy something that is one of a kind, will support a cause and you probably make a new friend.  All are welcome here and if you don’t see what you like, Mari will make it for you. The store is open  Tuesdays to Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursdays to 6:30 p.m.  For appointments call 201-398-3898 or email winnieandbelle@gmail.com.

Devon Fine Jewelry

Nancy Schuring and her staff have been working together for years and a visit to Schuring’s store is very much like catching up with old friends.  Devon’s is an elegant store with a hometown atmosphere.  Everyone is warm and friendly and highly competent in the field of designing with gems.

In the tranquil atmosphere of Devon’s, a young suitor may find a beautiful engagement ring.  A mother may purchase a future heirloom for her daughters or have her engagement ring reset to reflect her present tastes.  A Grandmother may reconfigure precious gems into multiple pieces to be shared for generations to come.  And estate jewelry will find a new home.

Nancy and many of her staff are gemologists, experts in assessing the values of fine jewelry, as well as more than able to see the potential in older or beyond repair pieces.  Everything is done on premises,  and elegance mixed with fun is the mantra.

“We make ‘jemories’,” says Schuring, holding her beloved furry friend, Juliette, “jewelry that marks an important occasion.” A massive mural depicting horses and the hunt is a classic backdrop in a store where tradition plays an important role.

Schuring’s designs are inspired by a love of romance—one young man bought a ring which he wore on a chain, proposing while scuba diving with a laminated sign. Another planned to pop the question in a Hot Air Balloon which got rained out.

One of her best story involved a man planning a surprise for his 25th wedding anniversary. He organized a trip to Nappa Valley, packed his wife’s suitcase with new clothing, flew his kids in to meet them and presented her with a brand new wedding band as they renewed their vows—what a guy!

Schuring is also passionate about giving back and has been very generous in educational scholarships. Read about their Foundation on the Devon Fine Jewelry Website.

“The best part of my job,” says Schuring, “is being creative and enhancing someone else’s vision.” Ask to see the “Old to New” book for the amazing way that Nancy preserves “jemories” for years to come.

Devon Fine Jewelry, 303 Franklin Ave, Wyckoff.  is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursdays to 8 p.m. Fore more information call, 201-848-8489 or visit devonfinejewelry.com.