If you spend much time on antique jewelry Instagram, you’ve already seen GemBank1973’s posts. They’re always sharing beautiful jewelry close-ups and eye-catching themed group shots. But have you ever looked at their online store? Because I hadn’t until last week, and it totally blew me away.     GemBank1973: antique jewelry that collectors love. I knew from Instagram that GemBank1973 had great…

Emerging jewelry designers unite at Space 85.

One of my very favorite things about the jewelry industry is getting to see the work of emerging jewelry designers. There’s nothing more thrilling than the vibrant innovation and jaw-dropping creativity of independent artists. Space 85 is a new and exciting online platform dedicated to exceptional artisan handcrafted jewelry from emerging jewelry designers in New York! It’s as cool as it…

Carus Jewellery: precious antique treasures.

London-based Carus Jewellery was established in 2012 by John and Elaine Hoyne, industry veterans with more than 25 years of experience in antique and vintage jewelry. This wealth of knowledge is evident in every aspect of their business, from Carus Jewellery’s carefully curated selection to its detailed online listings and informative educational blog posts. Carus Jewellery: precious antique…

The Lower Mainland is not home to many unique collectables shops. For horror entertainment, Netherworld Collectables in New Westminster, BC is the place to go. On Saturday, Feb 16th, the shop will be celebrating its 6th anniversary! Confirmed are appearances from actress Tristan Risk, burlesque dancer Jacqueline Breakwell, and actor Mike Kovac (to name a few) and many other surprises to come.

Darryl Gasbarri is a chap who knows his material. He’s been a fan of the genre since the 80s. To know its origins which includes Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto and the influence German Expressionism had on the Universal Monsters from the Golden Age of Hollywood is just as important, but it’s his fondness for lower budget B movies of other eras that keeps him going. He recalls the days where he and his pals would meet to watch anything they could find at the video rental shop. To reflect those times, his store carries an eclectic stock of material from this era, which includes light up VHS tapes! (for display only) But the list does not end there. There are movie props hanging from the ceiling and a human spine in the middle of the store. A morgue this place is not, but a curious shop with taxidermy items (supplied by Cranium of Curiosities) it can easily become!

“When I got older and I was getting more into the scene, I found it was very difficult to get things that I wanted to own,” laughed Gasbarri.

During his teenage years, working at Tazmanian Comics and later operating a pool hall, the passion to run his own store tugged at him. He wasn’t satisfied with what he was doing and yearned to be back in the world of retail. He knows of operations in the United States and found there are none here, at home.

“Netherworld Collectables was borne not just for my nerdiness and in what I like to collect. You have to bring in what people like,” said this store owner.

“I carry a lot of the hard to locate videos and I don’t rent them out. You’ve got to make sure they come back. For a one-man shop, you prioritize what’s important and what’s not. I tend to have a very decent stock of cult stuff and very little of that you would find at Wal-Mart.” said Gasbarri.

The influx of new product is constantly being solicited in trade catalogues like Diamond’s Previews, and he realizes those products move more than the older material. He finds it odd since when he collects stuff, it’s the old material which he keeps an eye out for.

He realizes that in a Millennial market, it’s about what’s new that you haven’t seen before. That’s why he keeps the store’s social media page up to date every week as new and used material enters the shop. The pictures show to clientele what has arrived. Much like Victoria-based Cherry Bomb Toys, that’s how people are informed when that one-of-a-kind item is brought in so they can race over to purchase (or phone in to get a hold).

But it’s the special events which get people talking. This upcoming anniversary celebration promises to be good. Gasbarri is a self-taught model maker, and the items he produces are one-offs which get raffled off. These creations give the store a line of product that clients can only buy at Netherworld.

“It’s a small percentage of the business,” revealed this creator, “but I mean it adds to the uniqueness of the shop having stuff that you can’t find anywhere else.

“I always give back to the people that supported the store since I’ve since I started and being such a unique business it is difficult to gain clientele but once you gain them you want to keep them and you want to keep them forever,” said Gasbarri.

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Store Profile: Wilson’s Estate Jewelry.

Are you ready for a virtual visit to a truly fabulous jewelry store? I journeyed north to Philadelphia, PA, to visit Wilson’s Estate Jewelry and I have so many beautiful things to share with you!!

Wilson’s Estate Jewelry is an appointment-only jewelry store with an an exquisitely curated selection of exceptional antique and vintage jewelry.

When I say “exquisitely curated” what I mean is that you…

  When you first walk into Viens avec Moi, there’s an immediate sense of coziness. The boutique isn’t just a store front; it’s a renovated house, with each separate room holding different items and trends. The clothes and the surroundings are beautiful, and the boutique boasts some of the best brands from around the world, but there’s also an important focus on local craftsmanship. This emphasis on supporting the creative community in Ottawa combined with the quality of the clothing and the dreamy atmosphere makes Viens Avec Moi easily one of the best boutiques in Canada. I had the opportunity to chat with owners Sophie and Renee and ask them a couple of questions about what inspires them:   Zoe: How did you get your start in the fashion industry?  Renee: Sophie used to model and I started working for Models International Management around 10 years ago now. Sophie was the new owner, and we began working together.  I worked as the Booking Agent and started helping models with their wardrobe for photoshoots.  This is how I started to style for shoots and then later for contracts etc.

  Z: What is your favourite part of running your own retail store?  

R: We love the buying process!!! Always feels like shopping.. It’s also rewarding to see what Sophie and I have created and worked hard for.

  Z: What is the most challenging aspect of running your own store?  

R:  Knowing what sizes and the number of items we should order!

  Z: Your store has one of the most unique layouts I’ve seen, what was the inspiration behind having a whole house function as a store? 

R: Sophie and I are both fans of the water (beaches, cottages, lakes , Rivers etc) We wanted to bring that feel into our store.  We were also very much inspired by the shops in Venice California… front lawns, porches, back patios etc.  We were also inspired by South of France, New York and the amazing Opening Ceremony store in LA.  The different rooms and themes…almost like a museum.

S: Opening Ceremony inspired us lots. As well as some beautiful boutique in Venus California. We wanted to offer customers a fun, relaxed and unique shopping experience.

  Z: Who is the Viens Avec Moi customer?  

R: Tough question since we do try to cater to all kinds.  But I would say someone who is looking for an experience when they shop.  Finding a unique piece that isn’t found anywhere else in the city.

S: We try to cater to mother and daughter. We also have a lot of women our age who come in looking for unique and affordable pieces.

  Z: What’s next for Viens Avec Moi?  

R: Online store

S: We have so many exciting ideas and future projects for VAM. Our most recent one is launching our online shopping boutique.

  All images courtesy of Viens Avec Moi. For more information on the brand please visit:www.viensavecmoi.ca  or their Facebook page.

By: Zoe Alexandra Torell, Toronto, @blueauguste

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