BRIGHTON TWP. — New shopkeeper Karrie Stone links customers up with customizable, permanent jewelry to commemorate important moments, relationships and memories.
Stone's new shop, One Link at a Time, which also sells gifts and features "selfie" stations, is open by appointment only at 10611 E. Grand River Ave. Stone plans to begin regular hours two days a week sometime in August.
"Everything I put in here is related to connection," Stone said of her store.
Permanent jewelry is exactly what it sounds like. Customers choose a chain — yellow, white or rose gold, or silver — and customize the bracelet, necklace, ring, or anklet with charms and gems. Stone welds the chain together, and it's complete; removable only if customers break a link.
If you do, don't worry. Stone will re-link it for free. She's also started offering customizable jewelry with clasps for those who need to be able to take their pieces on and off.
Stone said permanent jewelry is popular with bridal parties, baby showers, students going off to college, and those who want to honor a loved one's memory.
"It's about having something custom and special to you," she said.
The shop has a "bead bar" for children, with a selection of colorful and funky beads and charms, like gummy bears, flamingos and glasses of lemonade.
"It's something less expensive for the kids to use their imagination," Stone said. "They can connect things, and maybe bring a friend to connect."
Gifts in the shop include notebooks, stationary and pens.
"It's all about people writing each other letters and hopefully getting back to that and not just texting," Stone said. "(We have) puzzles for children in tins that can be done over and over again with family, friends."
She also carries an assortment of candles resembling pieces of sushi, dumplings and other foods; tissue boxes; scarves; hair clips; and crystal moons that light up, to name a few.
Stone hopes customers will enjoy taking "selfies" in the 1903 clawfoot bathtub filled with plastic "bubbles" in the store, and on a green couch in front of colorful wallpaper.
"I want them to have a memory when they leave my shop."
Stone said her life changed after doctors discovered she had a brain tumor. She's been through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and has battled breast and cervical cancer.
Her previous career was in automotive textile design and illustration. She went on to sell skincare products, then permanent jewelry at pop-ups and events, which she said helped her stay "social and creative" and fight cognitive decline.
"It's not holding me back," she said. "I've always had a dream of opening a store."
— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.
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