Meet our Guest Blogger Emmalyn Reid. Emmalyn Reid is a passionate journalist and experienced television personality dedicated to sharing the stories of our local communities. I am excited to share her take on our Box with You!

Want to see the full video of the unboxing? Here’s the video below!

The subscription box game has changed so much over the years, you can get nearly anything mailed monthly. From gardening seeds to really good scotch or even hygiene products, there’s no lack of possibilities. So when I first learned one of my favorite small businesses, S Design, was getting into the subscription box game, I was beyond excited and so ready to see what she’d have in store!

When I first talked to Tricia, founder of S Design Jewelry in Framingham, her warm and energetic presence was contagious as she shared with me her passion for matching meaningful pieces to each individual customer. Furthermore, I was touched by her story of how S Design Jewelry all began. “I became a mother late in life, feeling blessed and connected. Sharing the gift of love and connection through jewelry design fills my heart, and allows me to be a full-time mother to my daughter Savannah, the   namesake of the brand.”                                                                                         

Once I received my first box, I was instantly in love with the brand’s whole vibe! If you’re drawn to the healing powers of stones, love supporting small businesses made in the USA or even if you’re just looking to up your jewelry game, those are just three of many reasons why this box might be for you. But enough talk: let’s see what’s inside!

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH’S S DESIGN SUBSCRIPTION BOX

The first thing you’ll notice when you receive any order placed with S Design is the packaging. Yep-Tricia designs all of her own boxes, too. This month’s trove of treasures came in a beautiful keepsake box tied gracefully with a bow that looks so pretty you almost don’t even want to untie it! It’s one of those things where you just know it’s never going to look that perfectly done again, but is timelessly elegant and makes for a great first impression.

Once I opened up my box, the first thing I saw was a beautiful picture of Tricia and her daughter Savannah on a postcard that tells the story of how S Design Jewelry all began. This is an important personal touch: not only because if you are giving it as a gift they are able to get some background on the brand, but it’s also a reminder that you’re supporting a small business that is grateful for each and every sale. Underneath the postcard was a second personal touch: a thoughtful, handwritten note letting me know the inspiration behind this month’s theme: intention & protection.

Arranged neatly underneath the welcoming notes, my goodies were waiting! The first piece I picked up was in a neatly tied burlap sack. That’s another thing to note about these boxes – the individual packaging for each piece will be something reusable that you can use to either keep your gems safe in or find a creative way to use around your home! Inside the bag, I gently lifted out a pair of sterling silver & onyx ear wires. The second I pulled them out, an outfit popped into my head of how I could style them and I got SO excited! Little did I know, these beauties would pair perfectly with the next piece in the box: a lucky horseshoe bracelet that arrived just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. (Note: This post is a few days after my initial unboxing.) The sleek sterling silver bracelet with onyx beading and a lucky horseshoe charm had three words printed on its presentation card: lucky, spirited, optimism. The bracelet is intended to be a literal good luck charm!

Why did Tricia choose onyx, and what does it represent? Well, if you remember the opening card, she had let me know this box would be focused on intention & protection. Onyx is known for its healing properties of pulling out your intention, and as Tricia has so gracefully described it to me in the past the goal is to, as you put on your onyx pieces, set your own intentions for the day.

Neatly nestled in the top left corner of the box was another set of surprises that arrived in a small black box also tied with a pretty little bow. Inside, two bracelets had been thoughtfully arranged just for me: the first was a beaded bracelet with the words TRUTH on it. As a reporter, for me this was so incredibly meaningful: every day, I am honored to tell the stories of others, to speak up for those without a voice, and use my natural curiosity for good to relentlessly search for the truth. It was a sweet reminder that what I do has meaning, and I was touched by Tricia’s ability to somehow know exactly what bracelet would speak to my soul.

Underneath my truth bracelet was the second piece to the puzzle from the note she’d transcribed: a beaded turquoise bracelet that brought me all the seaside vibes while representing-you guessed it- protection! Extra protection is something we all could use an unlimited supply of in our lives right now, not only with COVID going around but from all the emotions coming to the surface as we face the one year anniversary of the pandemic.

THE COVID STRONG INITIATIVE

Speaking of which, here’s how Tricia is continuing to give back to those *still* fighting on the front lines of this thing!

Originally, I had interviewed Tricia to discuss a campaign she’d launched to give back to healthcare heroes at the start of the pandemic called Covid Strong. Each hematite bracelet in the design represented one of four pillars of strength: community, resilience, courage, and compassion. With each sale, a second bracelet was donated to a worker of your choosing in your community. “We have used hematite in this design for its healing qualities,” she explains in a description on her website. “Hematite helps to absorb negative energy and calms in times of stress or worry. Widely coveted as a protective stone by stabilizing one’s energy with its grounding force, it transforms negative energy into positive vibrations and fostering hope in the wearer.” If you’d like to learn more about the Covid Strong initiative, check out her website here: https://www.sdesignjewelry.com/collections/covid19strong

 by Guest Blogger Emmalyn Reid 

Learn more about Emmalyn: https://emmalynreid.com/category/charity-blog/

Why is Birthstone Jewelry So Popular? 

Birthstones are believed to be a lucky charm for individuals. They are also believed to bring protection, good health, and a good omen. This is why people tend to wear birthstone jewelry often. For a lot of people today, birthstones are also a symbol of their uniqueness. So if they’re going to bring you good vibes and symbolize a part of who you are as an individual, it makes sense why people love to wear birthstone jewelry all the time! 

Birthstone jewelry may also be important to people who received them from older generations in their family. While it might not be their specific birthstone, wearing that piece of jewelry symbolizes the love they have for the individual who passed it down to them. 

Each birthstone has its own story which is just another reason why we at S Design Jewelry love them so much. To us, jewelry is more than just a pretty necklace, bracelet, or ring that you wear every day. Jewelry brings meaning, love, strength, and so much more. Jewelry is powerful! In this post, we’re going to go through each birthstone and explain their individual power and what makes them so special as well as give you a look at some of the awesome handmade birthstone jewelry that we have! 

Garnet Birthstone – January Adventure | Motivation 

A person born in January has a Garnet birthstone. This stone is a deep red crystal. Garnet signifies harmony and peace and wards off evil and negative energies. It is also known to heal wounds and purify the blood. There is also the notion that while wearing garnet you will receive tons of goodwill. Wear your Garnet stone jewelry to keep you grounded throughout every journey you embark on in life! 

Amethyst Birthstone - February Intuition | Courage 

The Amethyst birthstone is a beautiful purple/indigo color. This stone is known to give the power of protection and can help overcome trouble. Amethyst is also known to strengthen love and relationships as well as bring mental and emotional peace to the wearer. It is a natural hormone balancer and helps bring stability and relaxation. 

Necklace | February | Amethyst	Stone Bar Necklace | Amethyst
Bracelet | February | Amethyst	Wrap | Stone | Necklace-Bracelet | Amethyst

Aquamarine Birthstone – March Peace | Serenity

The Aquamarine stone is the color blue and was believed to protect sailors from all the dangers during their journeys. This birthstone brings optimism and admiration. It is also known to be a great charm for pregnant women as it guards and protects both the baby and the mother. Wear an Aquamarine stone to bring serenity to your days. 

Bracelet | March – Aquamarine                        Earring | March - Aquamarine

Diamond Birthstone - April Spirituality | Inspiration

People born in April have the beautiful Diamond birthstone. A Diamond is a symbol of pureness and bravery. Diamonds bring good health and strength to the wearer. They also help strengthen the brain, build up stamina, and treat all types of allergies. Wear this stone and allow it to inspire you throughout your days.

Emerald Birthstone – May Wisdom | Patience

Emerald is a gorgeous green stone that symbolizes affection, intelligence, and serenity. This stone helps cure and strengthen the heart and lungs. It is also said to transform negative energy into positive energy. While wearing the Emerald stone always remember to have patience, not only for others but for yourself also. 

Birthstone | Bracelet | May - Emerald	Birthstone | Earring | May - Emerald - Wisdom
Birthstone | Necklace | May - Emerald	Earring | Sparkles | Emerald

Pearl and Light Amethyst Birthstone - June Intuition | Compassion

Pearls & Light Amethyst are the birthstones for those born in June. Pearls symbolize chastity and restraint. They are known to calm a racing mind and also control aggression. A Pearl also helps the wearer sleep well, have good dreams, and be successful in creative work. Light Amethyst is known to strengthen relationships and give its wearer both compassion and courage throughout their days. 

Ruby Birthstone - July Passionate

The Ruby birthstone is a rich red color. Ruby symbolizes peace and tranquility. It is known as the “King of Gems” and will always protect the wearer from all evil. Its rich red color indicates desire, fondness, power, and a whole lot of passion. 

Peridot Birthstone – August Balance | Strength

The Peridot birthstone is a fine-looking light green stone. S Design uses a fine Olivine Crystal in its Necklace, Bracelet and Drop Earring designs as “Peridot” is a color derived from the root olivine gemstone. This stone is unique as it’s known to regular one’s cycle of life emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It helps the wearer develop self-confidence and stimulates the overall growth of a person. Peridot is also known to help sharpen memory. 

Sapphire Birthstone - September Wisdom | Positivity

This elegant birthstone is a beautiful Sapphire blue and is known to be very lucky for people born in September. This stone guards against evil and is also believed to treat all blood disorders and strengthen veins and nerves. It represents pride, pureness, and insight. Radiate with positivity whenever you wear this birthstone! 

Rose Quartz & Pearl Opal Birthstone - October Confidence | Enlightenment

The word Opal is derived from a Latin word meaning “precious stone.” Similar to a few other stones, this stone will protect the wearer from evil, inspiring confidence and enlightenment. It has healing properties and helps attract all positive energy. S Design also uses Rose Crystal to emulate the color of Pink Tourmaline typically associated with the Birthstone Color of October. Rose Crystal is the stone of universal love. It restores harmony and trust as well as purifies and opens our hearts.

Topaz & Citrine Birthstone - November Mindful | Intellectual

Individuals born in November have the Topaz birthstone. Many cultures also use the Citrine Crystal to emulate a more feminine tone of this birthstone color. Topaz and Citrine bring joy, good health, and luck to the wearer. They are also known to help stabilize emotions and provide relief from negative energies. Wear these beautiful stones to encourage confidence and self-realization as well as attract love and healing properties. 

Blue Topaz Birthstone - December Intention | Mindfulness

For the people born in December, the Blue Topaz stone is known for its purification properties. It aids kindness, understanding, and the recognition of beauty. It also helps heal the body and strengthens the immune system. Blue Topaz also helps relax the mind and body while getting rid of negativity. 

Shop Birthstone Jewelry with S Design Jewelry 

Now that you’ve read all the wonderful information and effects the birthstones have on the mind and body, are you ready to shop for them?! Shop our online store to find beautiful handmade birthstone necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more! If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email at sales@sdesignjewelry.com or fill out a contact form on our website.

When’s the last time you cleaned your jewelry? Whether it’s your everyday jewelry or unique pieces you wear on special occasions, it’s likely that they’re ready for a little polish. Soaps, lotions, and everyday dust and dirt are just some of the things that can build up and cause your stones, bands, and chains to lose their beautiful shine. 

Most people don’t notice their jewelry needs cleaning until it’s time to put them on. Luckily, there are many ways to easily clean your jewelry with supplies you have right at home! The S Design Jewelry experts have put together some tips so you can get your jewelry buffed and shining in no time. 

How to Clean Silver Jewelry

If you don’t have silver jewelry polish on hand, don’t worry. You can go about cleaning silver jewelry by simply using dish soap or baking soda! Keep in mind that when cleaning silver jewelry it’s important to not scrub too hard. Scrubbing too hard may result in wearing away the finish. 

Using Dish Soap

If you choose to use dish soap, mix a few drops with warm water. Use a soft cloth and rub the piece of jewelry to remove the tarnish. From there, rinse the jewelry with cool water and buff it dry with another dry soft cloth. 

Using Baking Soda

Baking soda is useful when there’s a decent amount of tarnish on your piece of jewelry. Mix together 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water to create a paste-like substance. Apply the substance to the jewelry with a soft cloth and get it all into the crevices. Use the cloth to pick out the tarnish as the baking soda works to lift the tarnish out of the jewelry crevices. Then once again, rinse with cool water and buff it dry. 

How to Clean Gold Jewelry 

When cleaning gold jewelry, you can also use dish soap. However, with gold jewelry, you want to let them sit in the solution. Add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl of warm water. Let the jewelry soak in the solution for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, take them out of the solution and lay them on a cloth. From there you can take another cloth to simply wipe away all the dirt that came out of the jewelry and then rinse the pieces completely. 

How to Clean Gemstones

Have your gemstones lost their sparkle and become dull? We have the perfect solution. Use the same instructions for gemstones that we used for gold jewelry above. However, this time instead of mixing the dish soap with regular water, mix it with seltzer water. The carbonation in the seltzer water will help loosen the debris that is trapped in and around the gemstone. Once you rinse the piece of jewelry your gemstone will be shining and looking brand new again! 

Favorites from S Design Jewelry 

We have a handful of Sterling Silver Single Stone necklaces that are some of our favorites. With a silver chain and multiple colors to choose from for your stone, this is a perfect piece of jewelry for both everyday wear or if you’re getting ready for a night out! 

Earring | S Loop | Rose Quartz	Bella Soft Bangle | Bracelet | 14K Rose Gold, Pave CZ
Bella Chain | Earring | 14K Rose Gold	Bella Necklace | 14K Rose Gold, Channel CZ
Heart Cut Out | Little Layer Necklace | Silver	Ciaobella Rose Bracelet | Rose Quartz - Love

Shop S Design Jewelry 

While the pieces of jewelry we showed you in this post are some of our favorites, we certainly have many more favorites and amazing pieces of jewelry. Take a look through the rest of our website to see all the beautiful pieces we have to offer. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions regarding our jewelry or cleaning your jewelry! You can send us an email at Sales@sdesignjewelry.com or fill out a contact form! 

Check out our product care guide as well! 

The internet offers us access to literally everything these days. We rarely need to leave our homes to run errands, get food, exercise, etc. So the same is true when it comes to measuring our ring size before ordering them online. While you could go to a jeweler to measure your ring size if it’s possible to do it from home, why bother? Plus, when you’re looking through all of S Design Jewelry’s beautiful rings you don’t want to have to wait to put in your order! 

U.S. ring sizes are on a number scale and usually range from sizes 3 to 13. However, women’s ring sizes commonly range between sizes 5 and 8. It’s very convenient to know your ring size so that you can easily order the ring you want and you know that it’ll fit perfectly. Before we explain how exactly you can measure your ring size at home, here are 2 things to keep in mind:

• Don’t forget to consider your knuckle. If your knuckle is a little bigger, consider ordering a size up so that you can comfortably put it on and take it off. 
• To make sure you’re measuring the correct size, measure it multiple times. We suggest this because your size can change based on the temperature. If your fingers are cold your size may be smaller than when it’s warm since your fingers might swell a little in the heat.  

Now that you have those in mind, it’s time to do the measuring! Here are three easy ways to measure your ring size right in the comfort of your own home. 

1. Measure Your Finger with String or Floss

You can easily measure your ring size with string however if you don’t have any string in your house you probably have some floss! Floss will work just as well. Take either the string or piece of floss and wrap it around your finger where the ring will be. Mark on your string where it begins to overlap. Then, use a ruler to measure and write down the length in millimeters. 

With most ring sizes, every size matches up to a 0.8-millimeter increment. So a ring size 5 equals 15.6mm, size 6 equals 16.4mm, size 7 equals 17.3mm, and so on. 

If you choose to measure with string or floss, keep in mind that these items have the ability to stretch a little bit so make sure to be delicate with them. 

2. Place a Ring You Already Own on a Ring Size Chart

If you already have a ring that fits you perfectly, use that to help you. Print out a ring size chart and place the ring on each ring circle until you find the size that matches. You can easily find a ring size chart online. When doing this, be sure to match up the inside circumference of your ring, not the outside.

3. Buy Your Own Ring Sizer 

If you think the other options might not give you as accurate of results as you’d like, consider buying a ring measurement tool. You can find great, cheap ones on Amazon, and once again you won’t have to leave your home! 

Shop Rings at S Design Jewelry 

At S Design Jewelry we have a great selection of rings. Our rings are unique, great quality, and are sure to add a beautiful pop to your hands. Below are four of our favorite rings! However, we have tons to choose from on our website. Check them out and put in an order today! If you have any questions about our jewelry feel free to send us an email at Sales@sdesignjewelry.com or fill out a contact form!

Ring| Overlapping X| Rose gold

Ring| 2 Tone Heart | Sterling Silver-Rose Gold Filled

Ring| Curved Line-Adjustable | Sterling Silver

Ring | Paw Print | Sterling Silver

Nothing but amazing things happen when women support other women. Supporting one another brings so much power and positivity to our world and we certainly need more of that! When we work together we make each other stronger, wiser, and driven to succeed and continue succeeding. 

Women Supporting Women. Why is it so important? 

It’s a scientific fact that men have the tendency to be the ones to speak up and assert power. This often causes women to stay quiet or take a step back. However, some of the most brilliant people in the world are women. These women have asserted their power and used their voices to change the world and didn’t let anyone hold them back. This is why it’s important for women to support each other and encourage each other to break out of their shell and shine like we are all born to do! 

The women’s movement in 2018 was an incredible breakthrough for women. Know why? Women supporting women. By listening to each other and working together, amazing breakthroughs happen and will continue happening as long as we continue to support each other! 

When you know you are unconditionally supported and encouraged by other women, don’t you feel empowered? Doesn’t your confidence rise? Don’t you feel unstoppable? These feelings are powerful and exactly what women need to shine, find their voice, and help make this world a better place. It all starts with simply supporting one another. 

S Design Collaborates With Other Female Jewelry Designers

One of my favorite designers to collaborate with is Claudia Frustaci. I was drawn to Claudia because of her message of inner beauty. " Beauty is...A generous heart, A kind spirit, Gentle wisdom, Self-worth, True understanding. Love that makes all the difference, Belle is everything you are." Claudia uses these words as inspiration when creating her beautiful art. 

These words are exactly what drew me to her and I knew we would make a great team working together and supporting each other. As women and dear friends, Claudia and I believe that we are stronger together. Claudia and I have worked together on many Charity & Celebrity Collections. 

A collection we have designed together is our Amicizia Collection, also known as our Friendship Collection. Within this collection, you will find the Ciao Bella Rose bracelet. Claudia was inspired to create the Ciao Bella Rose bracelet after constantly hearing clients say “Can I take you home with me?” - after making them feel beautiful inside and out. Claudia wanted to create a piece of jewelry that would always remind her clients of their beauty, strength, and resilience. Our hopes are for many women to wear this piece of jewelry as a reminder of their strength and beauty. 

S Design’s Women Supporting Women Jewelry Collection 

At S Design Jewelry we make it a point to go above and beyond to support women and their dreams. We have created a Women Supporting Women jewelry collection. With this collection, we want our customers to wear these pieces of jewelry and have them be a reminder of how loved and supported they are every single day. Here are a few pieces of Jewelry from our Women Supporting Women collection. Bundle a few of these pieces together to get a discount! 

Barbell | Little Layer Necklace | Sterling Silver - Gunmetal

This beautiful necklace is designed to remind you just how strong and beautiful you are. Whenever you are having a tough time, wear this piece for a constant reminder of the power you hold within you and know that you always have support and strength from other women. Shop this necklace here. 

Intention Word Bracelet | Fearless

Wear this bracelet every day as a reminder of how fearless you are. Let it guide you through your days and help you overcome any challenges you may face. Shop this bracelet here. 

Ring | Feather-Adjustable | Sterling Silver

This beautiful, adjustable feather ring symbolizes trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. Feathers also represent angels and a connection with higher realms. While wearing this ring, remember that there are always guardian angels looking over you and that the universe is always on your side. Shop this feather ring here. 

Connect with S Design Jewelry

We carry an extensive selection of jewelry so we can guarantee you’ll be able to find the perfect piece for you. All of our jewelry is handmade with purpose and love. We would love for you to support our small, woman lead business the same way we will always support you, our customers. Remember, only amazing things happen when women support women. 

Feel free to reach out with any questions about our jewelry and collections by sending us an email at sales@sdesignjewelry.com or by filling out a contact form on our website. 

Small Business Saturday falls every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday was originally created by American Express in 2010 during the recession. This was in efforts to encourage holiday shoppers to support local businesses rather than the big stores and brands. With COVID-19 hitting the U.S. so hard, it’s encouraged to start shopping small businesses not only on Small Business Saturday but as often as you possibly can! While shopping small businesses will help feed families rather than big corporations there are also other beneficial reasons. 

Handmade and Small Businesses Give Back to Local Communities

Supporting local businesses means that you are also supporting your local community. This is because the revenue will most likely stay within that community. The tax you pay on your orders from local businesses will also be used to pay taxes to your community, city, and state. 

When buying handmade products from a small business you are also giving the artist even more confidence in their products. This will lead them to grow and develop themselves even more so that they can continue to grow their business and give back to their community.  

Buying Handmade Jewelry is Greener and More Sustainable

Pieces of handmade jewelry are special, one of a kind items instead of mass-produced products. Small businesses often make their handmade items in their home, just like S Design Jewelry! I make my gorgeous, handmade jewelry right in my home instead of a production facility. Doing this along with having mostly local customers allows my handmade products to require less energy needed to produce them which leads to a much lower carbon footprint. 

Holiday Jewelry Collection Under $50

Since you’ve taken the time to visit my blog, I’m assuming you’re interested in my beautiful, original handmade jewelry! This holiday season I have taken the time to put together a collection of handmade jewelry where each item is under $50! During these difficult times, a new piece of jewelry made from a small business is sure to brighten anyone’s day. Here are a few pieces of jewelry from our Holiday Gifts Under $50 collection. To view the full collection visit here. 

Feather | Little Layer Necklace

Made from sterling silver, this feather little layer necklace is absolutely stunning! The meaning of this charm is ‘Lightness of Spirit.’ Pair this perfect little layer necklace with any other necklace to complete your gorgeous look. 

Wrap | Stone | Necklace-Bracelet

Made from Rose Quartz, this wrap stone piece of jewelry can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. This piece of jewelry brings nothing but Love and Power. Wear it proudly or give it as a gift and wrap Her in Love this holiday season.

Earring | Teardrop 

Made from hematite, these teardrop earrings are absolutely perfect! Let these hematite earrings keep you grounded while completing your ravishing look.  

Contact S Design Jewelry

A local mom takes a TEACHING MOMENT for her 6 year old daughter and turns it into a Morale Boosting Pep Rally Movement for many.