Join us for a Happy Hour with Eli Mason at Atlanta Gift Market

In case you've missed it, this year marks the 10th anniversary of my little jewelry company. Freshie & Zero has come a long way since I started it on my living room couch – I now rent a studio in a historic renovated warehouse downtown Nashville. Instead of just myself (and sometimes my husband) creating the jewelry, I have four employees and an intern. Woo!

I definitely couldn't have done it without all of the support from my friends and customers over the years! So, thank you (especially if you're the blog reading type!).

It's now time for our bi-annual trek to the Atlanta Gift Market, so we're bringing the party with us to raise a glass with our fabulous retailers. I'm not only super excited to debut our larger, redesigned booth, I'm also pumped to have fellow Nashvillian Eli Mason join us for a cocktail party! He will be pouring a signature drink for us – the Gin Garden. Yum. Yum.

If you're at the Mart, visit us in building 3 on Saturday, July 16, from 4-6 pm. We even had cute cocktail stirrers and cocktail napkins printed up for this very occasion. I mean, can you even?

But seriously, there's more. Also during the cocktail hour, we'll be giving away wholesale vouchers (deals!), our limited edition screen printed tote bags (and they'll probably have a bottle of Eli Mason syrup in them), free jewelry and other fun surprises, too. You won't want to miss it!

Are you ready to party with us? We're so excited!

Eli Mason has been making cocktail mixers and syrups by hand since 2012. They make everything from a rich simple syrup (if you're the do-it-yourself type) to complete mixers just waiting for the booze – like the Mint Julep and the Old Fashioned. We're big fans of all their varieties! 

Cheers to 10 years!

Pearls for June – or anytime!

treble earrings

Birthstones aren't a typical topic of discussion on our blog, mainly because I don't often use a lot of gemstones in my minimal pieces. I do, however, have one recurring exception: pearls! I love pearls. They’re a feminine classic and I like incorporating them into my jewelry designs as a soft contrast to the geometric hammered shapes.

In fact, pearls have been a consistent Freshie & Zero customer favorite that knows no age bracket. Gone are the notions that pearls are only for formal occasions - nowadays pearls come in all shapes and colors and can be worn with the most casual of outfits to the fanciest of wedding dresses. I've sold pearl jewelry to brides, bridesmaids, college students, moms, guys buying girlfriend gifts - their shimmering finish appeals to just about everyone.

swirl earrings and necklace

To celebrate this fabulous June birthstone, I've gathered a few fun facts about pearls. One of these tidbits may just help you bring your team to victory at the next trivia night! High five!

• Did you know Pearls are called “The Queen of Gems"? It's a fitting description because pearls are often seen throughout history in portraits of royalty (I'm looking at you, Anne Boleyn and your fabulous B necklace). 
• Pearls are the only gemstone made by living animals - today they are predominantly "cultured" inside oysters, a process first patented by a Japanese man named Mikimoto. (That bit of knowledge actually did earn me a point in trivia once!)
• Every pearl is unique (like you!). No two are exactly alike and each one has its own imperfections. That sounds like a Pinterest meme, doesn't it?
• Tennessee's Official State Gem is the freshwater pearl. The only freshwater pearl-culturing farm in North America is in a small town in Tennessee called Camden, located a little over an hour west of Nashville. (Another fun fact - the word "gem" is misspelled "gym" more than once on the Tennessee River Pearls website.) 😂

flutter lariat with pearl drop

If you're in the market for a June birthday gift, our modern pearl jewelry is a safe bet! Pearls are also the traditional gift for a 30th Wedding Anniversary, but your wife would probably be happy to receive pearls on any anniversary. Pearls also work well as a milestone birthday gift, such as sweet 16, time-to-party 21, or you're-more-like-an-adult-now 25, the list goes on! I think pearl earrings make a perfect bridesmaid gift, too.

Browse our collection of pearl jewelry here.

pearls

Nashville-Made Gift Inspiration for Mother's Day

Just in case you're still on the hunt for the perfect gift for Mother's Day, I put together a little gift guide featuring some of the best Etsy shops from my hometown of Nashville! Mother's Day is less than two weeks away, so make Mom smile with one of these handmade items:

1. desert triangle pocket notebook set from Caroline Creates
2. succulent art photograph print from The Gingham Owl
3. gold arrows jewelry dish from With Love Louise
4. sweet and simple things print from Little Things Studio
5. shift minimal hoops from Freshie & Zero
6. screen printed strawberry tea towels from Pine Street Makery
7. sapphire crystal soap from Rock Hound Soap
8. artisan infused sea salt trio from Sugar + Spice Truck
9. handmade journal from Linen Laid + Felt

How do you wear it?

Does your Freshie & Zero necklace perfectly complement your favorite dress? Do you have a go-to pair of F&Z earrings that you wear with everything? Show us how you wear it!

Post a photo of yourself wearing a Freshie & Zero piece on Instagram and use the hashtag #freshieandzero.

We'll pick two winners, who will each get a $40 gift card to our website!*

➸ In ADDITION two of our mailing list subscribers will be randomly selected to win a $40 gift card, just for keeping in touch with us! (click here to sign up for our mailing list and be entered to win!)

That brings our gift card giveaways to a total of 10 for 10 years!

*Official Fine Print:

1. You must have a public profile 

2. You must correctly use the hashtag#freshieandzero (how else will we find you?)

3. Two winners will be selected Tuesday, April 26 (entry period is through April 25, 2016)

4. Instagram's official contest rules apply