Signs of Spring abound.  That’s a good thing for the construction crew who have moved outside to replace clapboards, now that the store is OPEN. 

While we relocate computers and organize new storage spaces, take a look at more of the magic that has been happening upstairs in the goldsmiths and designers’ hands!

Allow us to introduce two new additions to our Maine Lighthouse Collection: Bass Harbor and West Quoddy Lights.  To view the rest of the collection, visit http://www.browngoldsmiths.com/jewelry/lighthouses/

Did you enjoy a peek at the gorgeous Australian opal, set for a very special lady we know?  From our first meeting with her, checking out Jim’s sketches, we eagerly anticipated the finished ring.  Steve snapped the above photo as Deane finished his gold work, preparing to set the gems.  The entire creative process was a delight.

What a weekend at Brown Goldsmiths!  Lots of lugging and unpacking –There were boxes of booklets, ring sizers, display forms, microscopes, and business cards from the storage unit.  And the jewelry! 

Earrings and diamond rings, tourmaline pendants and Mikimoto bracelets!  They all looked refreshed from their “Spring Break!”  New creations flirted with the old favorites.

Pondering exactly where each new jewelry creation should reside, we took lots of pauses to marvel at the glistening cases and stunning woodwork.  Only one question: where in the world did we stash the mailing labels and photo cutter?

Today, the cases are decked with jewelry.  A list of finishing touches remains on our check list. Though we heard the first peepers last night, it’s not quite time to paint the exterior! 

For now, we’re happy just to be open again!  When you’re in our neighborhood, please stop by.  You’ll see for yourself what we’ve been up to!  The lights are back on and we ARE home!

There’ll be no time for blogging ‘til the finishing touches are on our new Showroom. We have to be ready to open Monday!  All weekend we’ll be packing, unpacking, setting up jewelry and pausing to breathe.  How exciting! 

Have a great weekend.  And check out our blog for an update next week!

“ANK”(addressee not known), “FOE” (forwarding order expired), “UTF” (unable to forward)... Take a look at all this mail!  One of these returned cards may be Yours.  If you didn’t get a card about our Remodeling News, we’ve probably been working to find your new address. 

http://www.browngoldsmiths.com/elist.html

Perhaps we missed updating your information when you last stopped in, or perhaps you’ve moved.  Maybe the postal service revised your mailing address while you stayed put.  While I’ve reached quite a few of you by phone, there are still too many missing friends. We've even found some correct, we hope, addresses in the phone book.  But, as you can see, there are still a lot more cards with mysteries to solve!

Today we’re counting down until our reopening on Monday.  The attic is clean, though the shredder is still(!) running! 

Sandy and Di are logging more new creations from our goldsmiths into the computer system. Lori's crafting yet another ad.  And there's lots more to do.

As the carpenters were building downstairs during these past few weeks, folks have really rolled up their sleeves.  We have a terrific team!  Now, if we could just track down address corrections for all these missing folks!

What better way to celebrate April Fool’s Day than to pop the question!  “Today is the day,” M thought.  “And I know exactly which engagement ring she is hoping for.”  He headed for Freeport.

He arrived at the store around lunch time and thought that we must be kidding.  It IS April 1^st, after all!  The front windows were papered over and construction paraphernalia: trash cans, lumber, a work bench, and table saw comprised the external décor. 

Trying the front door, he was greeted by one of the carpentry crew, who explained that we’re closed until next Monday.  “But,” explained the dusty smiling crew member, “they’re right upstairs, working away while they’re closed.”  He escorted the bewildered fiancé-to-be up the front hall stairs.  “Hmm-m-m,” we thought.  The doorbell hadn’t rung and our appointment wasn't until 3:00. 

Shannon appeared, greeting him with delight and surprise!  She did remember exactly the ring that he and A had admired weeks ago.  In fact, she had notes!  M looked relieved.  He waited patiently as she searched the vault, locating the very ring he remembered.  He hadn’t heard that we’re remodeling, and he didn’t seem to mind the clutter in the office, where Sue had been shredding again. 

We wrapped the ring, gathering all the details for his insurance certificate.  All of us were beaming as he headed back down the stairs, promising to bring A to see the new store –AFTER April 7^th!

As M headed for home, we guessed that he was anticipating the look on her face tonight, grateful for that friendly carpenter who had discerned his plight.  This must be a story that he and A will treasure for the rest of their lives.  Congratulations!  And Happy April Fool’s Day!

Only one week until opening.  There’s little time for sleep now, with a slew of detail decisions to be made – Which angle for those lights? Should we move this cabinet a few inches forward?  Exactly which font size on the sign?  What photos are needed for new ads?  Which ads? 

The box of new creations to be photographed bulges more each day.  Our Steve needs more heads to wear his many hats!  And could he please adjust this picture for the blog?  Oops!  He’s off to the hardware store!

Team members who’ve had a getaway are returning, amazed at the progress made during their break.  Others, who’ve witnessed the daily transformation, are excited to share project highlights with their returning buddies. Returning from the bank, I found the upstairs empty.  Goldsmiths, sales team folks and our amazing behind-the-scenes office crew were all in the showroom.  Another gorgeous cabinet to make us marvel.

Back to work! 

We have to ship this new pendant to the Southwest before the PO closes!

Steve took fresh jewelry pictures in his photo studio yesterday.  Here's a peek at one of our emerging Collections. Its simple complexity, as in rivulets or ebbing tide, is fluid, sinuous.  Delicately interlaced with small diamonds or sapphires, the elements weave a circlet around the center.  Gently curving elements sometimes flow between borders that form an anniversary or wedding ring’s band.  In other combinations, they sashay in a graceful dance to form a pendant/brooch.  We’re brainstorming a list of possible names for a word or phrase might capture the feel and essence.

Work at the jewelers’ benches upstairs continues. Against the varied thumps and drill noise from downstairs, the polishing machine hums along.  Customer projects, underway before we closed for remodeling, are reaching Diane’s “Finished” box.  After a final quality check and insurance documentation, each creation is ready for its new home. The doorbell rings, signaling another appointment for someone to pick up their much-anticipated treasure –a new creation or refurbished heirloom.  Deane, our head goldsmith, recently put the final touches on this purple sapphire ring that would make its debut at a special award ceremony for R.  Congratulations!

Every day there’s a new element of this remodel that shapes up. Even a simple detail, such as the coat of vanish that brings a blush to the rich woodwork, inspires another photograph.  Again we stop work, gathering to enjoy the latest special touch.  Wall covering is going up and glass will be fitted in new jewelry display cases before many more days go by. 

It’s a good thing, for we open next Monday, the 7^th .  And that’s no April Fool's Day joke!  

The ceiling is in and we’re wired! 

The miles of cable and wires that Ted has strung, bundled, and connected disappeared today.  No longer can they flaunt their complexity through open gridwork.  

What’s more, the floor was cleared of the vast carpentry work table to make way for another installation of case bases (say that five times fast!). 

And Jerry debuted the bookshelves for our library collection that’s currently packed and in cold storage.

Steve spent hours and hours behind the camera today.  He was capturing images of new creations for the store and custom pieces that are about to go to their real homes.  

Coming soon to a Blog theater near YOU!

Manana: carpeting.  Amazing!

From basement footings to new front windows and gorgeous trim detailing, nearly every hour, there’s a new excuse to stop our work upstairs. 

Di, Deane, Sue, Steve, and I are currently holding down the proverbial fort.  One of us will head down to the vault, or to our storage boxes, on a legitimate errand.

  While there, we can’t resist a peek into the flurry of projects and progress in the Showroom. 

So, we summon the rest of the crew down the dusty stairs to take in the latest progress surprise!

The framing crew is already winding up their part, even as the finish work accelerates.  We’ll miss their good-natured grins.  The front window project required setting up the table saw outdoors on the sidewalk.  Even so, they never slowed down –or complained.  And this March is proving congruent with the already legendary Maine winter.

Thank you, Red, Ira and Greg!

“Yee ha!” was the word of the day in the Showroom!  Jim and Jerry hung that very sign on the last section of crown molding that was hoisted and secured in place.  Yet another milestone.  A vast stretch of elegant molding frames the top of the walls and accents the soffit’s arcs.  Sue and I took a break to don (together) one of the idle tool belts, offering to help the crew.  No takers!

This afternoon, Steve had a question about lighting for the Mikimoto Pearl display.  After pondering our options, I turned to go back to finishing drawings for that 3 carat ring design. 

Lo and behold, I’d missed a newly arrived row of jewelry case bases with detailing that mirrors the beauty of the trim work.  Voila! Another group photo-op!

Goldsmith Deane and Contractor Kevin, each a consummate craftsman, shared a few moments of deliberation.   

They're telling us we’re on schedule for reopening on April 7^th!

It’s hard to believe that this is Makeover #4 since this old Masonic Hall entered our lives, back in 1972.                        

Today more cabinets went in.  Steve was astounded when he returned, after only a few hours’ (much deserved and most timely) break.  It looks as if they’ve always been here!  We certainly needed more storage space.  Now there’s room for everything: from boxes, pouches, and bags to display props, brochures and special order forms. 

A former gem room door, with its beveled glass, has reincarnated as a window for the downstairs office corner.  That’s recycling at its best!  The detailing on soffits, cabinetry and trim is beautifully crafted under the carpenters’ skilled hands.  There’s something congruent about this elegant backdrop for our goldsmiths’ meticulous creations. 

Though it’s the weekend, there’s no let-up in our upstairs work. As the cabinets are shaping up downstairs, Sue’s in the same spot at the kitchen table.  She’s reorganizing appraisal files, while Shannon sorts jewelry for the photo shoots.

The doorbell rang incessantly today.  Folks were picking up completed wedding bands, restrung pearl necklaces, and rings that were sized, tightened or restored.  Diane has baguette and trapezoidal diamonds on their way. They’ll be set in platinum with G’s new emerald-cut.  (Don’t tell – the ring's a surprise for their upcoming 25th!)   

 Yesterday Deane put  finishing touches on the fabulous opal ring that’s headed for its new home.  Our Wax Room has morphed into a media center with work stations jammed among the tools. 

Anniversary cards are nearly ready to go out, and Lori is determined to make more of us techno-wizards like her!Next week we'll be sorting through boxes and discs of photos for the new slide show.  So much to do... Sections of cabinetry arrived today, fleshing out the picture in our minds’ eyes. 

And now, quiet at last.  After a long day, the carpenters, electricians and jewelers -- both the upstairs and downstairs crews -- have headed out for tonight.  How sweet to stand in the silence of the emerging new store, with the walls up -- and insulated.  We’re going to love this. 

Snow is falling again.  The silence outside is a stunning contrast to the buzz of activities inside at 11 Mechanic Street. 

The Design Team met again today.  There’s so much progress on the creative front!  We shared a fun round of “Show and Tell” at the kitchen table.  Five of us: goldsmiths, sales staff and designers squeezed in among a displaced copy machine, scrapbooks, photographs and boxes of appraisals. With our Sales staff’s input, numerous new creations are manifesting, straight from the goldsmiths’ hands.   We tweaked sketches, reviewing models and hot-off-the press creations, ready for their photography session.  Custom- and Customers’ work progresses as well, barely hindered by the carpenters’ ruckus downstairs.  Our spirit of collaboration is as inspiring as the design work and the gems themselves.

They’ve been framing today:  space for the new Mikimoto wall case and a downstairs office.      Plus, an entry to the very basement that Steve and I dug by hand, coached by Steve‘s Dad and Ed Skillin. We’ve  paused a lot this week to

reminisce about this sweet old building.  Once the downstairs sported saw horse tables for Masonic baked bean suppers. Tonight, the downstairs’ gutted 10 foot ceiling, with dangling wires and ductwork, exposes flaking texturized paint that we scraped in our first weeks of residence here, over thirty-five years ago.