Life beyond the sparkle

Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Etsy’s Identity Crisis: Fulfilment Center or Meta-Brand?

– Oct 17, 2024

Cecile Raley Designs has been on Etsy since 2009. I didn’t even know what Etsy was back then, but someone …

Adventures abroad Life beyond the sparkle

The Inner Working of Hospitals, plus a Safari: A Broken Foot Travels to Germany

Yvonne Raley – Apr 1, 2024

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping, the sun shining onto my cozy comforter in my cushy bed. …

Adventures abroad Gem Show Shopping Life beyond the sparkle

Adventures of a Broken Foot: In the Middle of Nowhere

Yvonne Raley – Mar 25, 2024

As you read in my previous blog (you didn’t? Go back!), a playful dog plowed into my left leg as …

Adventures abroad Life beyond the sparkle

Adventures of a Broken Foot: Namibia

Yvonne Raley – Mar 20, 2024

I didn’t advertise my upcoming trip to Namibia because I had been forewarned. Yes, Namibia has a wealth of minerals …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Dedicated to Those Who Left Us

Yvonne Raley – Dec 21, 2023

Sebaj died from metastasized colorectal cancer on November 20th, 2023 at 10 a.m. The 4th Hour Right now, you are …

Life beyond the sparkle

Holiday Shopping: Ready, Set, Go!

Yvonne Raley – Nov 1, 2023

I’m actually writing this blog on Halloween. This weekend, purple and orange décor will come down and green and red …

Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Is Etsy Worth it Anymore? A Comparison to Shopify…

Yvonne Raley – Mar 6, 2023

A very long time ago I wrote a blog entitled “Can You Live off Etsy?” It was one of my …

Life beyond the sparkle

CRD's (Non-Jewelry) Gift Ideas for the 2022 Holiday Season!

Yvonne Raley – Nov 21, 2022

Every year I devote a blog to other shops to give you some ideas for your holiday shopping. This year …

Life beyond the sparkle

Winter is Coming… Get Ready to Start Shopping!

Yvonne Raley – Oct 31, 2022

Yep, it’s November, and we are gearing up for you as we speak. If you have any custom orders, please let …

Design with us Life beyond the sparkle

RINGing in the New Year!

Yvonne Raley – Dec 13, 2021

Something odd happened this fall season, and it gave us a little bit to think about for the year to …

Design with us Life beyond the sparkle

The Early Bird WINS this Holiday Season: Tips and Inspo to Help You Get Started

Yvonne Raley – Nov 10, 2021

Earlier this year – earlier every year – we help you get ready for holiday shopping. Why earlier this year? …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

2020 Kicks the Bucket. A New Year, a Fresh Start

Yvonne Raley – Jan 3, 2021

Well, I can say this much: 2020 has decidedly been the most bizarre year of my entire life. Granted, …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

The Year of the Pod: A Very Different Holiday Season

Yvonne Raley – Dec 10, 2020

Last week I decided to take a stroll up 5th Avenue at the end of my very busy day in …

Life beyond the sparkle

Etsy Holiday Guide: Gift Ideas from Etsy Shops

Yvonne Raley – Nov 19, 2020

Every year I release a blog in which I recommend some other Etsy shops that have nice gifts. To spice …

Life beyond the sparkle

Tips for Finding the Perfect Holiday Gifts… on Etsy!

Yvonne Raley – Nov 19, 2020

Every year I release a blog in which I make recommendations for holiday shopping. This year is no exception, with …

Life beyond the sparkle

What You Need to Know: Shopping Online for Holiday Gifting in 2020

Yvonne Raley – Oct 25, 2020

I thought I’d spare you this time by not putting “COVID” into a headline, yet again. But it is undeniable; …

Adventures abroad Life beyond the sparkle Our story

The Real Deal: Traveling Internationally During COVID-19

Yvonne Raley – Oct 19, 2020

This will probably be the last COVID-related travel blog for 2020 since it is likely the last time I travel this year …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Fiction vs. Fact? How to Evaluate What you Read about COVID-19

Yvonne Raley – Mar 30, 2020

Are you overwhelmed by all of the different information you are getting about this pandemic, and not sure what to …

Design with us Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle

What New York City On Pause Looks Like: The Diamond District Shutdown

Yvonne Raley – Mar 26, 2020

Covid-19 Week 2: How the Jewelry Industry is Coping with the Shutdown A week seems like a lifetime ago. …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Keeping Calm and Carrying On Amidst the Chaos of COVID-19

Yvonne Raley – Mar 18, 2020

What’s going on in the world?! And what are we doing here in Jersey City? Well didn’t I get back just …

Adventures abroad Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Travel or Not? Possible Plans and Some Corona Induced Industry Challenges

Yvonne Raley – Mar 5, 2020

Ring Featuring Colombian Emerald from Chivor So this was supposed to be a blog about my upcoming trip to …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

2019: The Year of the Grey Cat

Yvonne Raley – Dec 28, 2019

Take a moment, and… just… breathe! Keep in mind while reading this that 2019 is The Year of the Grey Cat. …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

A Selfish Guide to Gift Giving

Yvonne Raley – Dec 5, 2019

A Selfish Guide to Gift Giving: A Gift for the Boyfriend, a Gift for Me, One for Mom, One for …

Adventures abroad Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Our Own Christmas Story

Yvonne Raley – Dec 3, 2018

In the spirit of this season of giving, we would like to dedicate this blog to our friends in Madagascar, …

Life beyond the sparkle

Sparkle the Holiday with a Gift

Yvonne Raley – Nov 13, 2018

Yes, it is that time again. Are you ready for the holidays? Our Thanksgiving sale starts this weekend with 10% …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

The Year in Review: Milestones of 2017 – Good and Bad

Yvonne Raley – Dec 18, 2017

This year has marked an exceptional number of changes, both for Cecile Raley Designs and for me personally. As many …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Are you Getting Ready for the Holidays? We Are!

Yvonne Raley – Nov 9, 2017

Yes, it is almost here. As I am publishing this blog, it is a mere six weeks till Christmas. I …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Merry Christmas to ME

Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016

Sometimes, you have to think of yourself. After a very successful Etsy December, and a busy sale still running, I …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Hurricanes and Jewels Don’t Mix

Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016

With much of Jersey City still without power 5 days after Sandy, the Holland Tunnel closed to regular traffic and …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

My New Website

Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016

As many of you probably know, I will not be going back to Felician College in the fall. It will …

Life beyond the sparkle Our story

Cecile Raley Holiday Buying Guide

Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016

My assistant Debbie actually put me on to this blog entry. She thought it would be a good idea to …

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Yvonne Relay