14 minute read
Jewelry
JEWELRY DIAMOND JEWELRY MAINTENANCE
By Indra Jhaveri of AMI Diamonds and Jewelry
It is recommended to clean diamond and most gem jewelry at least once a week with a soap solution or equivalent. Windex spray/ammonia/ dish soap can be used, however check certain gems i.e. soft stones such as turquoise, for potential reaction. Making a ritual/habit of cleaning in such manner can keep the jewelry brighter and sparkling.
Once every three months jewelry should be professionally cleaned by a jeweler; ultrasonic and steam, preferably one you can witness (i.e. done where you can observe if you want to). This is typically in the fine print of your warranty and finance contract. Many people buy and pay extra for a warranty without realizing that the warranty legally becomes null and void if not followed through. Check your warranty contract for care and cleaning to understand and avoid heartaches later.
Ring Sizing: Each individuals fingers are different. Depending on health situations, some individuals could have knuckle considerations due to various medical conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, breaks, etc. Cold and heat can shrink or swell fingers, as well as some heavy work. This is a normal physical reaction. Women are more prone to swelling. It is recommended to have your rings sized so that it is somewhat snug to fit over knuckle. In cases of arthritic knuckles where variation from knuckle to digit varies, there are different solutions that can be applied depending on individual conditions (financial as well as medical conditions). Ring Guards: These are metallic and attached to both sides of the shank with proper width to match the ring shank. This is the lowest cost solution since it is metallic and not made of gold. Also, one can move it up or down with a flat, small object so that the ring guard is snug against the finger.
Sizing Dots:
These are normally applied to two sides of the shank after the ring has been sized properly to avoid the “sliding” of the ring. When the proper size of gold dots are applied (as shown in attached photo), rings can stay put as desired most of the time.
Adjustable Shank: For more severe arthritic cases, this might be the solution. As shown in attached diagram, the shank of the ring is cut off and replaced with this adjustable shank that normally allows two to three ring size variation between the knuckle and the finger below.
For severe arthritic cases, there is a patent-pending option where the flexible shank is applied directly to the finger without going over the knuckle. Contact the author of this article to learn more.
For more information, contact Indra Jhaveri at amidiamond@live. com, 602-432-2920 or 602-9238200 or visit their website at www. amidiamondsandjewelry.com
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With this coupon. Not valid in combinati on with other off ers. Good through March 5, 2019.
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With this coupon. Not valid in combinati on with other off ers. Good through March 5, 2019.
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602.923.8200 • www.AMIDiamondsAndJewelry.com Our 13th Year
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COVER STORY WRIGHT IN THE GARDEN:
THE RIGHT SHOP FOR ALL YOUR GARDENING AND PLANT NEEDS
By Jennifer Marshall
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” Frank Lloyd Wright Anne Wright-Levi, great granddaughter of Frank Lloyd Wright, and her son Michael Levi, great-great grandson, are keeping their famous forefather’s legacy alive through their shop Wright in The Garden near 32nd Street and Shea Boulevard.
“I started this as a hobby business when I stopped teaching preschool in 2008,” said Wright-Levi. “I wasn’t doing much with it; then, Michael said, ‘Mom, what can we do to get this going?’”
“We started,” said Levi, “by repurposing antiques like wash buckets and bank drawers into planters for succulents, fl owers, herbs and veggies.” This mother and son duo also began doing gardening renovating and selling at farmers’ markets.
After two years of these activities, customers began asking where their store was located. Well, there wasn’t a shop, but according to Wright-Levi, “the thought kind of planted,” and they decided to go for it.
The next step was to fi nd the right spot for their store. While they scouted around Phoenix, they were drawn to the North 32nd area. Originally from Arcadia, they’d lived in the neighborhood for many years, and loved that it was an up-and-coming community.
Both mother and son grew up gardening, and they each hold a certifi cation in landscape design. A self-described man of few words, Levi enjoys researching and studying new plants.
“This love of gardening all trickled down from my family,” said Wright-Levi. “I learned so much from my grandparents and parents. I fi gured I got the outdoor nature side of the family versus the architectural side of the family.”
Gardening is defi nitely in the blood, and from hobby business to brick-and-mortar shop, Wright in The Garden has evolved since its early days. Year round, the store stocks a variety of succulents, cactuses and houseplants. Seasonally, they carry vegetable and herb plants as well as seeds for planting.
They also have some small outdoor plants for sale in season. And while they no longer do outside plantings, they are happy to help their customers select
the best plants for their landscape, order them to be delivered to their homes and recommend a professional landscape installer to do all the plantings.
Wright in The Garden continues to grow as they strive to exceed their customers’ expectations. Recently, they’ve added several plant themed home goods pieces to their lineup such as pottery items and plant-based candles. And, so far, the home goods have been a hit with some products quickly selling out.
“The home good items have been good,” said Wright-Levi. “We aim to stay local with artists and small companies from here in the area.”
“The customer is most important. It’s not the sale; it’s about the help. I’d rather help you pick the right kind of plant so you can succeed and then educate you on how to take care of that plant than focus on making Gardening education for their customers is a huge component of Wright’s business and is evident in the many classes they offer throughout the year. ”a fi fty-dollar sale. One mission is to teach their clients how to garden, enabling them to grow their own veggies and herbs.
Another mission is to educate customers on the benefi ts and proper care of house and outdoor plants. Throughout it all, they want their budding gardeners to understand that while they’ll face some setbacks along the way, they shouldn’t give up on the many benefi ts that come from plants and gardening. Whether it’s growing a tomato plant or an indoor succulent, they want their clients to succeed.
According to Wright-Levi, they plan on expanding their educational offerings this year. A naturopathic doctor will conduct several workshops pertaining to the key roles plants and herbs play in maintaining excellent health. During the summer, they also provide Saturday hands-on classes for kids and their parents making this a fun family activity. In everything they do, customer service is their number one priority.
“The customer is most important,” said Levi. “It’s not the sale; it’s about the help. I’d rather help you pick the right kind of plant so you can succeed and then educate you on how to take care of that plant than focus on making a fi fty-dollar sale.”
This family business is also actively involved in their community. Wright-Levi reports that the growth experienced in the area is a positive one with quality businesses opening their doors. They’re proud of their involvement in helping to shape their neighborhood into a special place to call home. And with people often calling out “Wright in The Garden” when they ride by and see Levi working in his front yard, they’re thrilled to know they’ve become a mainstay of small business life in their community.
“We’ve really found our niche in the area and have been loving the community. Everyone gets along and looks out for each other,” said Levi. “The neighborhood is very small business oriented.”
Customers are greeted at the door by Kaiya—a sweet Labrador retriever who is the offi cial “Shop Dog.” This boutique garden shop feels like home and underscores the fact that it really is a family business. And like all moms do, Wright-Levi loves to brag that “anything in the store that’s not metal” her son has made— such as the checkout counter. Representing the next generation, Levi’s little girl, who is almost eight, loves coming in, and given her enthusiasm for the business, she’ll probably soon be running the cash register.
So, what’s next for Wright in The Garden?
“We’re very happy here in this shopping center,” said Wright-Levi, “and we feel very fortunate to have found this spot. It’s exactly the right fi t.”
“We have plenty of growth in our heads,” said Levi. “Now, it’s a matter of what avenue do we want to take fi rst. What’s working right now is working well, so we don’t want to grow too fast. Slow and steady always wins the race.”
Science has proven two perfect reasons to visit Wright in The Garden: Plants help to purify the air, and petting dogs is relaxing for the soul. Pamper yourself with an enjoyable trip to this gem of a gardening shop.
WRIGHT IN THE GARDEN 10880 North 32nd Street, Suite 27 602-788-1354 www.wrightinthegarden.com
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE WHICH TYPE OF PROPERTY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
By Allison Barnett Associate Broker My Home Group
The real answer is that there is no “right property”, just the right property for you. A lot of factors go into fi guring out which type of property is the best for your situation.
Before starting your search, it is important to take some time to identify the characteristics that you seek in your next home. This step will make it easier to identify the properties that best suit your lifestyle.
A sample of questions to ask yourself before your search: • How many bedrooms? • How many baths? • Do you want an apartment, house, patio home, condo? • Do you want a pool? • Do you want stairs? • Do you want a place you can lock and leave?
Recently, I have been working with people downsizing and leaving their larger homes for apartments, condos, or patio homes. They are seeking a simpler life without the maintenance that comes with a house.
Your phase of life plays a really important role in property decisions. Getting married or starting a family? More space may be desirable. Retiring? Getting divorced? Less space may be desirable.
The key is to fi gure out what matters to you, which will help you fi nd the right property just for you.
MARKET SUMMARY
Median Estimated Home Value 12-Month Change in Median Estimated Home Value Median Sales Price Media Listing Price 12-Month Change in Median Listing Price Median Days on Market 12-Month Change in Median Days on Market 85028
$413,310 7.9%
$402,200 $419,000 7.6%
55
1%
85032
$270,820 7.6%
$260,000 $285,000 10.5%
51
-7.3%
Source: RPR, Realtors Property Resource®, LLC. Data is based on data from December 2018.
Allison Barnett is a licensed associate broker with My Home Group in both Arizona and California. She is also the managing partner of North 32nd, Inc. which is bringing revitalization of the community through strategic partnerships with the City of Phoenix as well as local businesses. AllisonJBarnett.com | North32nd.com
Allison Barnett
480.331.7815 allison@north32nd.com allisonjbarnett.com north32nd.com AZBR 654152000 | CABRE 01849212
@allisonjbarnett
Realtor®+Yogi+Infl uencer
Associate Broker @ My Home Group in AZ & CA Managing Partner @ North 32nd, Inc. Founder of North 32nd Home Tour Paradise Valley Village Planning Committee Member 2016: PHX Impact Volunteer 2016+2017: SAAR 40 under 40
LEASED
SOLD
SOLD SOLD
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2710 E Yucca St 85028 $2550/month Represent Seller (Owner/Agent)
3408 E Sunnyside Dr 85028 $339,888 Represented Seller
2408 E Brown St 85028 $468,000 Represented Seller
3029 E Cheryl Dr 85028 $389,000 Represented Buyer
1% of commissions will be donated to:
2350 E Mountain View Dr 85028 $1,125,000 Represented Buyer
Success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others. – Marianne Wilson
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
10 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU HIRE A PHOENIX REAL ESTATE AGENT
North Phoenix - Not all real estate agents are the same. If you decide to seek the help of an agent when selling or buying your home, you need some good information before you make any moves.
Choosing a real estate agent is one of those critical issues that can cost or save you thousands of dollars. In this FREE special report, we give you the specifi c questions you should be asking to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs. Before you hire any real estate agent, call and get a copy of a FREE Report entitled “10 questions to Ask Before You Hire an Agent.”
To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-844-310-9514 and enter 3406. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Get your free special report NOW to fi nd out the questions the others would prefer you never ask!
This report is courtesy of Todd Gulinson of RE/MAX Fine Properties. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2019
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