Hammond was buzzing with excitement, chatter and entertainment downtown for Hot August Night on Friday, Aug. 16. The Downtown Development District rallied many businesses to show off their best and serve wine for the wine tasting, a highlight of the night according to Terry Lynn Smith, Executive Director of the DDD.This is the most popular event and allows the merchants to open their doors to customers, friends and family, said Smith. Hot August Night is a signature event of the Downtown Development.
Many simply walked the streets soaking in the lively evening while others perused the areas many shops, which kept their doors open late.Paul Todd, a recent Southeastern graduate enjoying the night, stopped in at Painting With A Twist to taste wine and appreciate the work.
I like the artwork, particularly at the Regional Art Center over there, and the wine. For the most part, we are just starting our serious rounds, said Todd. We got to see some of the bands. Lauren Carroll Photography was the first place we stopped at. If anyone needs wedding photography please stop in.
Music was performed at various locations including the Columbia Theatre. Also,A stainless steel and acrylic stainless steel necklaces composed of two branching forms each with a central void. several owners promoted their businesses by setting up a table near the middle of downtown.
One of these people included Karen Workman, a jewelry maker who sells her work at the Hammond flea market on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Workman titled her small business Roses and Jewelry by Kay.I do this on the side, said Workman. Ive been making this stuff for years, but Ive been ill, and I havent been able to get out and sell it, so I just started getting out to sell it, and I love doing it. I started with my roses and moved into my jewelry. I may have told you, but I was in a wheelchair for nine weeks.
Workman tells how she was always a creator and found love in creating roses and jewelry.
Im still learning every day and come up with some new things, said Workman. I put my own into it. Its so wonderful to be able to create that way. Ive always had to be a creator.I used to be a dancer, explained Workman about her growing creativity in her youth. My brother and I danced as a team. I even got to dance at LSUs halftime shows. And then I started teaching, and I would do my own choreography, and all the teachers would ask, Whered you get that routine from? and I would say, I made it up.
Workman explained that she was ill for a while, which held her back until now from selling her creations, but not from making them.I started making about six years ago, but I havent been selling until recently since Ive been so ill and Ive had a lot of surgeries, said Workman. It was Gods will, and without Him I wouldnt be here today. He carries me through everything, and Hes with me when I make my roses and my jewelry. Hes always with me. Hes a great partner.
Workman learned the basics of wire wrapping stones, which she would turn into a necklace or earrings, from DVDs. She would find natural stones and then wire wrap them into something new.You have to take the wire, wrap it around, place it just right, and you dont know how the wires just want to jump out of your hand, said Workman about the process. She explained further how it can take from three hours to half a day depending on the piece.
Workman recently began making LSU creations and will be making Southeastern jewelry to be sold at future flea markets.Hot August Nights helps getting me known, and I make some sales, said Workman. People arent used to wire wrapping. Its not something you find a lot of people down here doing yet, so they are at awe at some of the things I wrap. I really enjoy doing it.
Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net sales) increased to 57.5 percent in the second quarter from 56.3 percent a year ago. Aaron said this was the result of diminishing product cost pressure and price increases taken earlier in the year. This help lead to a better-than-expected improvement in operating margin.
We were pleased with the results of our efforts to improve gross margin which, combined with well-controlled expenses, yielded a solid increase in operating margin, added Michael J. Kowalski, Tiffany chairman and CEO.
In the Americas, total sales increased 2 percent to $444 million in the second quarter. Comparable store sales were unchanged in the quarter, led by growth in Tiffanys New York flagship store sales. Aaron noted that sales in the US were lower than expected and were mixed throughout the country with no discernible pattern.
Total sales in the Asia-Pacific region rose 20 percent to $208 million in the second quarter. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales also rose 20 percent and comparable store sales increased 13 percent, led by especially strong sales growth in Greater China, the company said in its report.
Aaron focused a great deal of time on Japan where the company operates 54 stores. The negative translation effect from a substantially weaker yen caused total sales to decline 14 percent to $136 million in the second quarter. However,They are considered nickel free earrings or hypoallergenic stainless steel earring,Our tungsten rings come with a lifetime warranty. he noted that on a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales increased 7 percent in the second quarter, due to comparable store sales growth of 8 percent with strong growth in engagement and higher-end jewelry categories.
Total sales in Europe rose 11 percent to $111 million in the second quarter. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales rose 10 percent and comparable store sales rose 7 percent due to sales growth in the United Kingdom and most of continental Europe.
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