Studying the Urban Dictionary

I recently had the opportunity to show off some jewelry design concepts to a New York show room.  The target market was the “urban male.”  As the goods were being reviewed, the sales force commented, ”This is dope.” I’m thinking great drugs are involved. I know it’s not the eighties anymore but drugs can be useful. “We can ice this piece.” I’m thinking who doesn’t like a cold one. Now I am getting excited not only because I think they like what they see but also because drugs and liquid refreshments are on the table… figuratively.  And I was thirsty. The meeting ended on a high.

I was reliving the experience with friends and was soon set straight: dope evidently is “cool and good” all wrapped into one, and ice is “bling”. Who knew?

 Don’t get me started on Blingy Balls. I think we covered that subject. I can hardly see with these fake eyelashes on. I am now making a conscious effort to study the urban dictionary.  It is one thing to be left behind as the tech world explodes and you have the realization that your phone will always be smarter than you, but to not know the “lingo” of the moment leaves one out in the cold, which has nothing to do with ice.

Trends…it’s hard to keep up

There is a new jewelry trend out and about established from the popular reality TV show Basketball Wives. One of the wives made earrings as gifts for the other wives. They are hoops with sparkly style beads on them. You can Google the look. Very pretty.

 My store has been getting requests for “basketball earring” components. In other words they want to make their own. As the requests come in, notes land on my desk, “look into ordering this or that.”

The message I got to order the sparkly beads was….”we need blinky balls” OK I thought, let me Google “blinky balls”….well its true one learns something everyday….the urban definition of “blinky balls” is: one places their testicles on the eyelids of a significant other and the that person blinks his eyes as to allow a fluttering sensation. OK not what I was looking for. And I do apologize to my 2 ex husbands and current husband for not being aware of this treat.

Then I Googled “blingy balls”. An entire different explanation was revealed… Beads that sparkle with rhinestones or crystals or stardust. So if you feel the need to be in the groove come by The Bead Goes On…, pick out your hoops and “blingy balls” and be in the know.

I on the other hand I am off to buy false eyelashes….for Halloween of course.