HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR VERY OWN WILLIAM DOLAND!!!!  How old is he.....30!!!!!

William, Crystal, and Nadia Doland

Going on's Here at Doland's

So we have lots of things going on here at our store.  In the past few months we have acquired a new Bench Jeweler at our Dubuque, Iowa store, Jeremy Bechen.  Jeremy spent his former career days as a floor installer.  Looking for something new Jeremy and his wife packed up and left Dubuque to Cedar Falls.  He enrolled in Hawkeye Community College hoping to discover his calling.  While working on his studies the idea of becoming a goldsmith piqued his interest and as luck would have it he spotted a job posting as a goldsmith trainee at a Waterloo jewelry store.  He spent three years apprenticing and working 50 hour work weeks and barely any weekends off had him looking for a new position closer to his home town of Dubuque so he could spend more time with his wife and two children.  Having done business at Doland Jewelers before and liking the custom work and friendly atmosphere he found when stopping in as a customer he decided to applying for a job.  To his surprise he was hired as bench jeweler to set stones and handle a variety of other projects.  We here at Doland's Welcome him with open arms and are very happy to have him on staff.

 

We Have Not Forgot

We have not forgotten about this blog.  We have just been really busy.  Which is a blessing with everything that has happened in this economy.  I will be posting again later today or tomorrow.  Stay tuned!

Successful Weekend!!!

We had a very successful past weekend.  Friday we kicked off the PANDORA free Bracelet giveaway.  We had a steady stream of people come into the store and we were selling all day from 10am till 7 pm.  It was great!!  We did have some bracelets left over and PANDORA did tell us if that was the case we could do the special up to 3 days.  So on Saturday we continued the free bracelets until they were gone.  Again we were really busy!!  Thanks to everyone who came in, we really appreciate your business.
On Saturday not only did we continue with the giveaway but William Doland and Crystal Doland were at  the Iowa Wireless Center for a Bridal Show put on by Clear Channel.  Again another great turn out.  What a success that was.  We met so many ladies getting married and even saw some of the Grooms to be that were "forced to attend," as one gentlemen described it.  It was really funny to see some of the gentlemen that did NOT want to be there.  Suck it up boys, it is just one day:).
Then I do not know if anyone saw the Iowa/Iowa State game:):)  WOOOOO HOOO GO IOWA!!!  Not that we here at Doland's are not Iowa State fans, maybe next time Iowa State.  Okay the majority of us are Iowa fans.  We like to harass each other around here about whose team is better.  Another big Rivalry is obviously Cubs/Cards.  Don't get us started on that:):)  Anyway we had a great weekend and hopefully it continues throughout the year:):)

PANDORA

The long-awaited PANDORA Open House begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 10th and lasts until 7.  With the purchase of any Pandora jewelry of $150 or more, you receive a FREE Pandora bead clasp bracelet!   This great offer is good while supplies last, but we must limit one per customer.  You'll also  see the BRAND NEW Murano beads that have arrived just in time for the event!  Please join us for fun and refreshments while you shop.

"Bridal Borrow" Reminder from Nadia

Nadia wants to remind everyone of Doland's exclusive "Bridal Borrow". Customers purchasing their engagement rings here are welcome to "borrow" a dream ensemble from the store valued at up to $25,000 for your most memorable event.  You, too, can wrap yourself in glamour and be dazzling on the day you have always dreamed about... compliments of Doland Jewelers!

 

Shows, Shows, and more Shows!

We are back from all of the Jewelry shows!!! We saw some really neat stuff.  We just ordered some Jellike Silicone Watches.  They come in a rainbow of colors.  There are two different sizes and they are $25 each.

While at the Jewelry Show in Kansas, City we met up with Sarah Smith from Sarah's Hope Jewelry.  I think I mentioned in an earlier post she was the Key Note speaker at the show.  She told us all about how she started her jewelry line.  From flipping houses to jewelry she made the journey with lots of trial and error, all in an effort to raise money to help other women in need.  She is an inspiration to me.  She has a great passion and tons of pride for what she does.  She is not just another vendor that supplies jewelry for us, she has become a great friend to the whole Doland family.  We are so privileged to call you friend Sarah!  Below is a picture of us with Sarah and her husband Mike(another great person) in 2009.  We could not get a picture this year because we forgot our camera :( sad!

Mike, Nadia, Crystal, Will, Sarah, Lucas, and Mike

We also just got in some Diamond earrings in .50ctw for $399 and 1ctw for $799.  There are limited quantities so don't be shy, stop on in and pick up a pair or two.

On a side note, Lucas wanted me to mention how he is single, good looking, and looking for a nice lady to bring home to the family:):)

Lucas also just got back from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) in Carlsbad, CA.  He is a Gemologist ladies!!  He is featured in our Dubuque Newsletter, "Meet your Assistant Manager".  You can sign up for that by visiting our Facebook page and following the links.  We like to call him Mr. Manager around the store.  Just kidding Lucas!!

I have more stuff to talk about but it will have to be the next post.  Until tomorrow then!

Another Show

We are on our way to another show.  We will be leaving Thursday morning for a six hour drive to Kansas City, MO.  William, Lucas, Nadia, and I will drive together and Mike and Priscilla will drive separately.  We normally would follow each other down but not this year.  I think it is because the old folks, just kidding, take to many pit stops. Our weekend will consist of meetings and play.  When we get there, Thursday, Nadia and I will probably go to the pool or the fountain that is within walking distance of our hotel, hang out in the water, get a tan.  The guys will get things in order and have a little meeting on where to go on the first day of the buying show.  Then Friday I am going to be honest I am not sure what is going on.  I know that there is a golf outing later in the day but before and after that I am not sure.  Then Saturday the fun begins.  Priscilla will take Nadia for us and I will go to some seminars without the boys while they go to their own.  I am really excited to go to the Key Note Speaker on Sunday.  Sarah Smith from Sarah's Hope Jewelry is the Key Note Speaker.  She is so fun.  She is a really good friend of mine and very inspirational.  I can not wait for it.  Then the show will open right after that and Let the Buying Begin!!  We will be very busy the rest of the day in meetings with vendors and buying jewelry.  Then more buying on Monday and a couple of meetings.  Monday night there will be a final dinner for Vendors and Retailers.  They always have some sort of entertainment.  Last summer they had dueling pianos. Then the wonderful driving trip back home on Tuesday.  This weekend will go by really fast but it will be fun and a nice change from the regular 10-6 day in the store.  When we get back I will post some pictures of us at the show and let you all know things we bought.

READERS' CHOICE 2010

YOUR OPINION COUNTS!!!!!

We are asking you to vote for us,

DOLAND JEWELERS,

as your local favorite Jewelry Store.  

Submit your vote at The Quad City Times

Bellevue, Iowa

I am saddened by what happened this weekend in Bellevue, Iowa.  We here at Doland's are keeping everyone involved in our prayers. 

Not many people know this but Doland's first began in Bellevue.  Mike started the business there right on the riverfront before moving the store to Dubuque and later opening in Davenport.  Mike and his wife Priscilla still live in Bellevue today.  
William and I were going to go this year with our little girl Nadia.  The reason we did not is because I am originally from Dyersville, Iowa and I wanted to do Dyersville's this year.  We have been going to Bellevue for the past 4 years and this year last min we decided not to go.  We could have been there.  We could have been ones of those families.  
I feel so bad for everyone involved and I pray for everyone!

July is here!

July is here and there has been lots going on here at the store.  We have been cleaning house first off.  I was here the other day in my grubby clothes and I got rid of lots of empty boxes.  You do not realize how the boxes add up until you start breaking them down and they seem to be never ending.  We recycled it all too.  Then we went through all of our old displays and kept the newer, nicer looking ones and got rid of the old ones.  We are in the process of getting all new displays for the store.  We just can't seem to agree on a style or color.  When I say we I mean William, Lucas, and I (Crystal).  I think I should just pick them all out because I am a woman and I have an eye for something like that. :):)  But in all honesty the boys have really good taste in stuff like that also and they know what colors will make the diamonds look the best and not washed out.  There are really big bulky items that were downstairs that William and Michael went through and got rid of.  So in essence it feels like we are starting off new with a clean store.  It is just great.  The store is doing great also.  This year has been awesome for us and I would like to Thank everyone that has made that possible for us.  So thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!!!!!  I will hopefully be blogging more this month because there is so much going on.  WE have shows going on.  We are preparing for a PANDORA trunk show.  It is going to be fun this summer.

Check out our Facebook Page and become a fan!!!

 Doland Jewelers Facebook Fan Page!!!!

I just uploaded some of our new products from Debbie Brooks!!

JCK Las Vegas Buying Show

Well we went to the JCK Las Vegas Jewelry buying show this past weekend.  We flew out Friday night and got to our hotel around midnight.  Our rooms were not available so they bumped us up to the presidential suite.  Just for one night though.  The next two nights we stayed in just the standard rooms.  

The first day of the show we woke up and headed down about 9am.  This was my first Vegas show.  I have been to different shows throughout the US but I was told that this is nothing like the other shows.  I was told to prepare myself for how BIG this show was.  We got to the buying room floor and man oh man was it amazing.  It was probably 20 times the size of a big Bridal Fair.  There was one room with over a thousand vendors and then there was another room below that with the same amount and that was not the end of it.  And when it come to what vendors were there, EVERYONE.  There was everything; store displays/fixtures, wrapping paper/jewelry boxes, repair tools/custom design programs, and the actually jewelry itself (loose gemstones/diamonds, handbags, jewelry already made up).  Each vendor has a booth.  They can have a standard 10'x10' booth or some vendors like PANDORA Jewelry have a whole room the size of our store.  It was just jaw dropping.

While there we did go to the PANDORA booth (room).  We had to meet with our rep to talk about upcoming PANDORA events and merchandise.  We were introduced to Michael Lund the creator and owner of PANDORA Jewelry.  Not what I pictured.  I do not know how to describe what I pictured but he was not like what I thought he would be.  He is tall, really tall. Michael Doland (Doland's Owner) is 6'7" and he was just as tall if not it was darn close.  Really nice guy with a great accent ;).  We got our picture taken with him.

Lucas Doland, Michael Doland, Michael Lund, Crystal Doland, William Doland

We also met with some new people.  Lucas Doland is right now going to GIA (Gemological Institute of America).  It is located in Carlsbad, CA.  He met up with us at the show and a couple of his friends came with.  One of his friends, Jeremy, was really good at making conversation with anyone.  We were taking a little break having a bite to eat when we saw Gabi Tolkowsky (the world's most renowned diamond cutter) walking by.  Jeremy went up to him and started talking to him.  The next thing we knew we had a 20min conversation with him on diamonds and life in general.  We got to hold in our hands the world's first properly cut brown diamond.  Gabi, told us all about how brown diamonds trap light in the stone and have to be cut differently then white diamonds in order to make them sparkle.  He told us how he came up with the different facets a brown diamond needed to have and where they needed to be placed to make a brown diamond "shine."  It was one of the highlights of the show.  

Mike, Lucas, Gabi, William

Then to top it all off we got to meet Debbie Brooks from our Debbie Brooks Handbags that we carry in both of our stores.  She is so nice and down to earth.  She had just as much fun showing me all of her new products as I was looking at them.  She really has a passion for all of her artwork and an enthusiasm to be right in the mix of things with her customers that, I have found, you do not find in all designers.  It was a great time. (And in the picture, she made the guys all hold one of her handbags:):))

Lucas, Mike, Debbie Brooks, Will, Crystal

So to wrap up, we did get a few things new for late summer early fall.  This show was more to look at what is out there and what was new in the world of jewelry.  We have two or three more shows we need to get to this year and will be buying even more at those shows.  We do like to here from our customers and what they find interesting and what they would like to buy, see in our store.  You can email us at dolandjewelers@qwestoffice.net.

Let's Go Shopping

 Featured in our June Newsletter was this little article.

Mike, William, and Crystal Doland will be crisscrossing the country this summer checking in at the jewelry show venues of Las Vegas, Kansas City, and Washington DC.  They will be searching for new fall stock and the latest trends.  We invite your input and special requests.  We want to know what you're looking for!

It was a Success

Well, our Sale is still going on.  It ends May 15th.  

Saturday was so crazy!  We had nonstop customers from 10am till 5pm.  We tried to get to all the customers as fast as we could but we also did not want them to feel rushed.  I am not sure if anyone walked out or not without being helped and I am truly sorry if anyone did.  

So I had some very understanding customers if the Pandora beads that they wanted happen to be bought up.  Then I had some customers that were clearly upset and almost acted like it was our fault that the bead they were looking for was gone.  I am sorry you did not come in sooner and purchase the bead when we did have it, before our mad rush of last minute Mother's Day shoppers, I truly am.  There are over 600 beads for Pandora, you can pick another one out and if she absolutely does not like it, we will let her exchange it.  I'm just saying.

So we actually got out of here at a decent time also.  We normally close at 5pm on Saturdays but on Mother's Day we have the stragglers that pop in the door 1 min before we close.  I have no problem with that.  They are definitely going to buy.  We just don't get closed up, everything put away, and out of here until about 6-6:15ish.  But this Mother's Day we did not have that last min shopper and we closed at 5:05.  It was nice for a change.  Not that i am complaining, like I said it does not bother me those last min people.  I know they are going to buy and I am happy to have helped someone get what they are looking for.  (I have been there when they tried to rush you out because they want to go home and you are undecided what to get.)  It was just nice this time around not to have to stay longer.  This was only my second mother's day, but my first to actually celebrate, and it was nice to go out to eat with my husband and daughter when it was still early.  


Anyway, the sale so far has been a success and Mother's Day was a success.  Talk to you on the flip side.

Mother's Day Sale

THE SALE HAS BEGUN!!!!!  Don't forget your Mother this Mother's Day!   Doland Jewelers has just the thing that will let her know how much you appreciate her. 

PANDORA is here, PANDORA is here!!!

Just arrived as of Today!!!!  The Spring PANDORA beads have just arrived, just in time for Mother's Day.  Your Mom will not be disappointed if she gets any of these beads.

They are awesome.  I did not know if I would like the new glass beads or not because in the pictures for ordering they looked really light almost pastel.  There are a few that are pastel but there is a really neat orange one, red one and yellow one that are just so vibrant in color.  They are called "Candy Stripes."  Stop on in and while you are looking take a gander at our sale items.

Sorry they are not on sale like the rest of our store. 

MOTHERS DAY SALE

Sorry....It has been a LONG time since the last Blog. 

We are having a Mother's Day Sale.  From April 26th until Mother's day weekend we are going to have select items on sale at our Davenport location.  As of right now we are tagging and tagging and tagging items galore for the sale.  Even though the sale does not officially start until the 26th if you come in and see an item tagged you get it for the sale price.  The sale has some exclusions (don't all sales).  The exclusions are, obviously PANDORA, no special orders (instock items only), no jewelry repairs or watch repairs.  Prices are as marked.

Doesn't your Mother deserve something special?  Stop in and check out all our great bargins.  Up to 50% Off select times. Hurry before there gone! 

Observing

Today I have been observing the goings on here at work.  I have been sitting at my desk doing the dreaded paper work and mundane work that is shoved to the side until one has time to just sit and do it.  I scheduled everyone to work today purposely so that I could sit and get this stuff done.  While I am sitting here I am observing everything and everyone.  Customers after customers are coming in and I am very proud of our staff.  They are not repeating themselves with the same old greeting to everyone and they are making sure that everyone is being cared for.  What I have also noticed is that no one is being rushed.  We sometimes feel like we have to rush customers, but today everyone is being very friendly and just chit-chatting with each other.  I love it when they do that.  You really get to know your customers and the day seems to just ease by.  It really makes for an non-stressful day. Oh and today there are no "difficult" customers ;) which is great!

I made the schedule for next month already.  Man that is an event in itself.  I have to consider what days people want to have off, work, late, early.  The month of April seems to be even worse then normal.  Everyone wants to have the early shift or the weekends off.  Obviously they are not all going to get what they want so I will have some unhappy employees.  We have already talked to one employee because, not that she is purposely doing it, she is basically marking up the calendar and making her own schedule.  Which makes it even harder.  So we did have to tell her it needs to stop, it is not fair to the rest of the employees.  She was okay with it and understood.  I do have to say we have some great employees here (knock on wood).  No one fights, everyone genuinely gets along; we have fun here. 

Anyway, today is a good day here at Doland's.  Everything is great.

Not all work!

So at Doland's we sometimes have a cute little helper.  That little helper has been helping out quite a bit lately.  In order to keep her occupied we have resulted in playing clips of Sesame Street from You Tube.  One in particular she can not get enough of and she is always asking (in sign language because she can talk but only a few words right now) us to play it "more."  I like it a lot also and laugh right along with her during the "na, na, na" part.  See for yourself.

 (Our Little Helper, Nadia)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc20vMz0V7Q

Debbie Brooks

Debbie Brooks bags are coming to Doland 's!!  We already carry Debbie's line in our Dubuque store and now they will be in our Davenport store.  Here is a little sample of what the bags look like.  We will not have her full line of bags but we will be able to get any bag.

All Done In Davenport

All done with the Pandora "Store-in-Store" at our Davenport Store.

 (Before)

 (During)

 (After)

Working Hard

Well this has been a tough week.  William is gone to New York this week for work.  Then one of the employees had a Grandson arrive.  (that was not the tough part of the week, that was an awesome part of the week)  She wanted to see him so bad so we finagled the schedule around so that she could go and see him in Florida.  I was suppose to have all day on Thursday off but because of the schedule change I had to work at night just to help close.  Not a big deal, that is what I am there for.  Then our bench jeweler called in sick the day our other employee left to visit her new Grandson and my just to close became working all day and all day the next day also.  So we were short handed with William being in New York, then short handed after the schedule rearrange, and now short handed even more with the bench jeweler being gone.  Oh and if that was not enough our watch maker is recovering from heart surgery until the end of March. (he is doing great by the way, surgery went great and he is recovering nicely)  I had to rearrange my schedule so much that nothing I originally planned is happening this week/weekend.  AAAAAHHHHHHH  I feel like I have not seen my daughter in ages.  Thank goodness Auntie lives near bye.  I better get a nice little break when everyone returns:):):)  And a big candy bar.  Someone bring me a candy bar when you return!  :):):)  

Working on a Sunday, BLAH!

I went into work today. There were some things that needed to be done that just couldn't be done when we were open. The store really has not been effected by the economy which has been an awesome thing. Every year has been getting better and better.

I was in my sweats at work today thinking how nice it would be if I could go to work like this every day. But then I suppose people would not take the store quite so seriously. I was there with my daughter and she was playing with her toys. (My hubby was there also) I was getting so frustrated with what I was doing because I just could not get it done right. I forgot my glasses so I could not see what I was doing and kept screwing up. All of a sudden I felt a tug at my pant leg and heard her giggle. I looked down and she had cookie all over her face with her stuffed animal(Lamby)in her mouth trying to balance on her two wobbly legs. She smiled really big at me, dropped her Lamby, and just giggled at me. I started to laugh at her and she put her arms out at me to pick her up. I did and then she just wanted to snuggle. All of my frustrations left. I spent 15minutes snuggling with her, then she wanted down to play. It was all I needed to concentrate back on my work. I got everything done and was out of there lickity split.

I wish every day could be like that at work; sweats, sweet little giggles, and snuggles.

Texas

Ok!  My first time blogging and it is blowing my mind...not really.  My name is Will Doland and I run Doland Jewelers in Davenport, Iowa.  My wife crystal works with me also and she will probably be posting more than myself...but you never know.  I want this blog to let everyone know who we are and what we do...but not just yet!
I just recently got back from the Lone Star state.  My dad Mike who owns the company and runs our Dubuque, Iowa location and I went to a buying show in Dallas Texas.  We stayed at the Gaylord Texan.  That place was huge.  In the center of the hotel was a giant atrium that looked like land features you would see in the old west.  Huge (Fake) rock formations and Alamo like architecture.  They even had a river flowing through it.  It was very cool and picked up some fun jewelry in the process.  The best part was that we got a direct flight from Moline to Dallas.  We never get a direct flight anywhere.  I am 6'2" and my dad is 6'6" and we don't fit next to each other in planes ever!
Anyway that is probably enough for episode #1 so until next time...

52' of TV, WHAT!?!?!

Shouldn't it be that while the boss is away the employees should play?  Not so much with our boss.  He went to a jewelry show this weekend and normally it is all work and no play.  I have been to one and I know first hand how hectic a show can be.  Not only is there a showroom floor with a bunch of vendors but there are also numerous seminars.  So there is not a lot of time to "play."

You can imagine my reaction when my boss sent me this picture.  They went out to eat with a family friend that also happens to be a vendor.  They went to a casual layed back Sports Bar with a 52', yes you read that correctly, 52 FOOT big screen TV.  The show was in Texas and people do say everything is bigger in Texas.

  (William Doland in front of the Big 52)

A Couple Thoughts

We are almost done with the Pandora cases and displays.  I will get pictures up as soon as it is done.  It is looking really good.  I did not know how it was going to be, there does not look like there is enough space for all the beads.  Pandora has around 6oo beads and more then that in other jewelry.  You know what is really sad? I know all the beads names.  Maybe not ALL the beads, but pretty dang close.  I am sure there are a couple of the new ones that I will have to get to know, but that is neither here nor there.  Anyway, the beads and jewelry do fit and there is a little room to spare.

I just found out that I will not be the only one writing on this blog.  A couple more Doland's will be putting there thoughts to computer.  It will be interesting I think.  I am glad I will not be the only one though, because I already took to long between post.  I should have written earlier.  Lets see if the readers can figure out whose thought belong to whom. 

I do not know much else tonight and it is getting late, so I must be off to bed.  Ta ta for now.

The Beginning

This is the beginning of Blogging for us. I have read blogs and thought about starting my own, so when the opportunity came to write one for Doland Jewelers I thought, what the heck, I am up for the challenge. I am going to be honest I am not sure what I am all going to be blogging about, but over time it will hopefully get easier. As for now I will write just a little about what has been happening in the store.

We have had Pandora Jewelry for 5 years now and have decided to upgrade to "Store in Store." With Pandora there are different levels of retailers. The different levels determine what you carry in your store and how fast or slow you receive your merchandise from Pandora. We obviously started off as the lowest level, "White Store," being we didn't really know how Pandora was going to sell. Then eventually we went to "Silver Store," "Gold Store," and now "Store in Store."

To be a "Store in Store" you have to put in new Pandora cases. So right now, right before Valentine's Day (dumb of us, because HELLO Valentine's Day, Jewelry Store, BUSY), we are putting new wood flooring down and have the cases all rearranged and the merchandise is squished into the cases that have not been moved. AAAHHHH, it is hectic! We should have waited until right after Valentine's Day. Oh well, worst things have happened.

So that is what has been going on this month. I probably will not be blogging everyday, but as often as I can. I will try to keep up with what is going on here at the store and let you know more about us personally. So far I have had a good experience with blogging :):) and I hope to keep it that way. Until next time, blog på dig senere!