Welcome to all of our friends, family and loved ones – again – to our new blog!  This is the start of a fabulous new journey for Ashley Schenkein Jewelry Design, so what better way to kick off the Love Month of February 2012 with the debut of the NEW Ashley Schenkein Jewelry Design website and blog!

We couldn’t be more excited to show off our fabulously chic and sophisticated new site, so have a look, shop around and see for yourself all of the gorgeous new pieces and – of course – all of the timeless classics that define the signature Schenkein style (like Sayulita in gold).

AND…since it’s Love Month, we wanted to share a few fun facts & trivia about Valentine’s Day since, after all, jewelry does play a significant gifting role…

• Shoppers spent $15.7 billion in 2011 on their loved ones for Valentine’s Day, including small gifts to loved ones, friends, family, classmates, co-workers and their furry friends (Happy Heart Day, Fido!)…

• Gifts of jewelry in 2011 made up 17.3% of that $15.7 billion…

• Pet gifts in 2011 rang up a steep $637 million (but keep those pets safe!)…

• 53% of women said they would dump their boyfriend if they didn’t get them anything for Valentine’s Day (sorry, Charlie)…

• 180 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion (we love Paper Source!)…

• Nearly 50 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased within the six days prior to the holiday (hats off to those New Years Resolutions to be on time)…

• 2.2 million - The number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2011, and 10% of those couples got engaged on Valentine’s Day…

• There were 24,973 jewelry stores in the United States in 2009. In February 2011, these stores sold $2.27 billion in merchandise. Can you even imagine what sales will be this year???

• 15% of women will send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day, which makes it totally okay to shop for yourself, as well…

So Happy Love Month, accessoristas!  Stay tuned for more fun, favorites, contests and giveaways, sale info, special event invites and so much more!