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Shop Dog April 29 2013
Business In Bloom March 14 2012
Business in Bloom
by Lee Cutrone | October 31, 2006The Asturias, who volunteered for a Red Cross unit stationed at Louis Armstrong International Airport just days after hurricane Katrina, have seen to it that their love of New Orleans is reflected in their merchandise and that their diverse inventory appeals to a wide variety of customers. Jewelry and home decor items with fleur de lis motifs are among their most popular sellers.
"After the hurricane, all the workers -- the policemen, the firemen, the people who came to help -- wanted fleur de lis," Juan says of the symbol that depicts a stylized, three-petal lily or iris. First associated with French royalty in the 14th century and long associated with New Orleans by way of its French heritage, New Orleanians and visitors have embraced the image as a way to commemorate the losses of Katrina and celebrate the city's renewal. The store's extensive array of fleur de lis -- also the symbol of the New Orleans Saints -- includes pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, frames, plaques and pewter serving pieces. A portion of the proceeds from a fleur de lis "badge" designed by local jeweler Anne Dale goes toward hurricane recovery efforts.
Special savings offered throughout the year ensure customers that their dollars are being well spent on other items as well. Though silver prices rose sharply six years ago, the store offers regular sales on its stock, much of which can be viewed and purchased online at www.sterlingsilvia.com. Through December, the entire supply of silver jewelry is 50 percent off, as the Asturias make room for new designs to be introduced in the coming months.
http://m.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/business-in-bloom/Content?oid=1246644
GONOLA's Top 5 New Orleans Christmas Gifts February 27 2012
GoNOLA Top 5: New Orleans Christmas Gifts and Where to Get Them
by SALLY TUNMER on DECEMBER 13, 2011
in SHOPPING
So you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping. Let’s be honest – you haven’t even started. But we’re not here to judge, we’re here to help! It’s not quite last minute yet – but the window of opportunity for holiday shopping will slowly and steadily shut upon us. These five unique and personal only-to-be-found-in-NOLA gifts will protect you from buying all the silly cat day planners from Walgreens out of sheer panic and defeat.
1. Clay Creations – If you can’t physically be in New Orleans – or even if you can – you can at least be surrounded by miniature ceramic replicas of your favorite establishments. Not only are Clay Creations cool pieces of art that make perfect New Orleans gifts, but they go one step further for your convenience. Where to find it: All you have to do is go to their website to order and ship to avoid being in an Arnold Schwarzenegger in Jingle All the Way kind of scenario. Because of the high holiday activity, orders may not be delivered until after Christmas but any true New Orleanian won’t mind the wait.
2. New Orleans Drink Deck – You’re too broke to play poker and Old Maid and Go Fish just aren’t cutting it anymore. Enter Drink Deck – the interactive bar-crawl inducing card game tailored to New Orleans nightlife. In a nutshell, Drink Deck is a deck of cards, each with a local bar that falls into a category from swank to jank. On the card is the bar’s location, special or not-so-special features and a redeemable deal such as $10 or 30% off a tab. This is one steal-worthy gift in a game of Dirty Santa. Where to find it: Drink Deck is for saleonline.
3. Scriptura – Scriptura is great for not spending as much on those at the bottom of the shopping list while still maintaining a thoughtful reputation. The fine stationary store also has a selection of more substantial decorative paper products for those feeling a bit more generous. Send NOLA-style yuletide greetings that are sure to earn a spot on the refrigerator. Where to find it: 5423 Magazine Street.
4. Dr. Bob – Local folk-art hero Dr. Bob is the man responsible for the pertly worded signs around town like the saucy “Be Nice Or Leave!” slogan. The messages painted in the New Orleans dialect are coveted pieces of authentic local art. Besides the New Orleans and Saints themed signs, Dr. Bob makes a variety of holiday signs, including “Shalom, Y’all” for those of us celebrating Hanukkah. Where to find it:The exclusive online vendor of Dr. Bob art is Louie’s Juke Joint on eBay and additional art can be purchased on theofficial website. Dr. Bob’s studio is located at 3027 Chartres St. in the Bywater.
5. Sterling Silvia – If your girl or your mom is dropping hints that she expects jewelry for Christmas and rolls her eyes every time the “Every Kiss Begins With Kay” commercial comes on, then Sterling Silvia is a great, affordable option. The jewelry store in the French Market designs custom New Orleans silver accessories with fleur de lis and water meter shapes and markings. Where to find it: 41 French Market Place.
Click here to see the article on GO NOLA's website.
Another Leading Woman... February 07 2012
Magic 101.9 congratulates Silvia Asturias!
Silvia Austrias moved to the United States in 1982 and married her husband, Juan at Fort Hood Texas a year later. Her husband was sent to Korea by his Army superiors and Silvia went with him. Following her husband while in the military, Silvia and Juan were sent back to the United States to Fort Polk in Western Louisiana. Silvia worked three jobs to make ends meet to save money for their future move to New Orleans. In 1985 they moved to New Orleans. Silvia decided to spend $1200 she had saved and set out a table in the French Market to sell her jewelry. Her business grew with her custom New Orleans silver jewelry designs and by 1988 she moved her jewelry sales to an inside store across from the French Market. She called it Sterling Silvia.
Silvia re-opened her French quarter store just a few days after Katrina. She and her store survived and they have now expanded to have two store fronts: one on French Market Place and one on Decatur. Today Silvia is busy daily running Sterling Silvia in the store at shows and online with her website and spends her extra time with her daughter Christy. Silvia is also involved with the local leukemia Society and serves as a volunteer for the American Red Cross.
Southern Living Magazine features Sterling Silvia in their March, 2008 issue! February 07 2012
