|
 Brummell
has been dealing with permanent jewelry for a while, attending
vendor shows and hosting jewelry parties. It is a passion that she
has developed in recent years after first hearing about the no-clasp
bracelets from her daughter.
Brummell recounted that her daughter had attended a Christian
Women’s Conference and while there had rededicated her life to
Christ and had been re-baptized. To commemorate the event she had
gotten a permanent bracelet. She called her mom and told her all
about her experience and the bracelet. Brummell said she really
didn’t know what her daughter was talking about and at first thought
maybe it was something she had tattooed on her wrist. But she
learned that it was a bracelet that was welded onto the wrist.
Brummell thought it was an interesting idea.
Later, she said she attended a vendor show where someone was doing
the permanent jewelry and as she watched she came to understand how
special it was and how much she wanted to be the one to offer it
locally. Being an elementary art teacher at Illini Central in Mason
City, she saw the artisan side of the business as it is an
opportunity for customers to design their own pieces with links and
charms and other ornamentation.
Brummell said she learned how to make the bracelets then started
attending vendor shows, offering private parties, and doing
“pop-ups” at various locations.
Cindy’s Cottage in Lincoln was one of the places where she did
pop-ups and they were very well received, to the point that Cindy
would get questions about when Brummell would be coming back.
Brummell said she saw the potential for a storefront business and
had begun working that way. In fact she was close to moving into
another location when she heard the sad news that Cindy’s Cottage
was closing. Brummell said she had mixed emotions because she liked
Cindy and the boutique at 530 Woodlawn Road in Lincoln. At the same
time, she became very excited at the idea that she might be able to
lease that space instead of the space she had been planning on.
At the blink of an eye, Brummell did the pivot and
very soon was well on her way to moving into the storefront that she
liked very much. Brummell said everything came together exactly as
she would have hoped and she was very excited to be in this
location.
Inside the store, Brummell is offering more than just permanent
jewelry. There are trucker hats which can be customized with various
stickers and glittery pieces, there is clothing, body products, and
purses.
She pointed out that she is selling what is called a stadium purse.
She explained that some may not be aware, but in most cases a gal
cannot carry a bag into a stadium or concert venue unless its
contents are clearly visible. The stadium bags she sells are cut
little bags with clear plastic walls, allowing any security officer
to see the contents without opening or searching the bag. She said
these are popular items that most people have to go online to
purchase.
She is also carrying a line of cocktail/mocktail mixes in liquid
form. Bottles of the mix are available in a variety of flavors and
can be mixed with a soft or hard base.
Brummell relayed that throughout the process of putting together her
boutique she has had great help and support from her family and
friends. She said husband Jeff and son Connor have been supportive
and also helpful in getting fixtures set up and the store arranged
just the way she wanted it. She said even some of Connors friends
had come to help including two who were at the ribbon cut on
Saturday.
She also had a close network of friends who had been there
throughout the process including Brittany Wrigley, Kisha Allen, Bree
Damarin, Kristi Bruce, Lindsey Bruce, Julie Toland, Kati Buckles,
Megan Nissen, and Jillian Clark. Many of these friends were present
on Saturday and joined Brummell behind the ribbon.
During her speech on Saturday, Brummell recounted the
history of her journey and added to it that she had the support and
prayers of her church family. Her pastors, Larry and Wendy Crawford
were present for the ribbon cut and were invited to join Brummel
behind the ribbon.
Also behind the ribbon were Lincoln Aldermen Kevin Bateman and David
Sanders. Lincoln City Clerk Peggy Bateman helped hold the ribbon
along with Miss 2023 Logan County Fair Queen Ellyn Martinez.
Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch was unable to attend be
sent a message to Brummell via emcee Nila Smith. Welch’s message, “I
will not be able to attend, but pass along how excited I am to have
this new business in our community and look forward to years of
success for them.” Alderman Kevin Bateman
was asked to speak for the city. He said that he was glad to see a
business open in the building. He said for one business the journey
had ended, but immediately another one stepped up.” He said he was
happy to see filled buildings on the main drag through town.
Alderman David Sanders echoed the same sentiments.
Pastor Larry Crawford was invited to speak and he began by saying
“Susie and her family are pretty amazing. We’re excited at their
business in Lincoln. We know there are a lot of things going on, but
we believe our best days are ahead. This is pretty exciting, (to
Brummell) you’re awesome, and this is going to be a great business.”
[to top of second column] |
Brummell was then invited to say a few words. She
began by saying that as she looked around she saw every wonderful
aspect of her life from her family to her church family, her good
friends, and fellow teachers from Illini Central. She said that she
felt blessed by all the support and help that she has received. She
said her husband Jeff was unable to attend due to work obligations,
but he and son Connor had been a great help and support to her.
Brummell recounted her journey to this point, talking about her
daughter, her interest in the jewelry she’d seen made and her
decision to go into the business herself.
Brummell said that she had breezed through figuring
out her business and giving it the name Lux Aeterna which she said
was Latin for Eternal Light. She liked that. She said that her
business plan was built on three pillars, “Simple, Sentimental, and
Service.” She said the simplicity of the delicate jewelry was
inspiring and had motivated her to keep her business equally simple.
She chose Sentimental because many of the pieces she puts together
for customers have meaning or sentimental value as they are done to
remember a loved one or commemorate a special moment in time. She
said she enjoys hearing the stories her customers share and she
enjoys “loving on them.” And finally service. She said her life was
about serving others and serving God and this business enabled her
with opportunities to know and love people she would otherwise not
have known. Brummell said she was truly blessed.
She went on to briefly speak about what is inside the
store, touching on the variety of products in addition to the
jewelry. Then, when she was finished, it was time to snip the ribbon
on the new business in Lincoln.
After standing for the posed picture, the guests
watching and those behind the ribbon helped with the
three-two-one-snip countdown and Brummell cut the ribbon on her new
business.
Lux Aeterna Permanent Jewelry and Boutique is located at 530
Woodlawn Road in Lincoln. Brummell intends to maintain her teaching
schedule at Illini Central. So, store hours during the summer months
while school is out will be Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6
p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sunday and Monday.
When the school year begins, Brummell said the store hours are yet
to be determined.
She is also available for private parties. Anyone interested in
giving a party can contact Brummell via email at luxAeternaPJ@gmail.com
or by texting 217-314-9171.
[Nila Smith] |
