Sarah Graham, jewelry designer extraordinaire, honored our store with this unsolicited testimonial. We are flattered and excited to have such a great relationship with her.
“Alara is a gallery we always look forward to visiting, summer or winter. It is fresh, clean and modern, but still manages to pay homage to its old time western town setting. It is so rewarding to see our jewelry so beautifully displayed on natural wood posts and in sleek glass cases. Their welcoming sitting area and witty banners are always entertaining. Alara embraces its environs while providing both cowgirls and fashionistas extraordinary jewelry with western hospitality.”
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
InStore's Cool Stores Competition
How exciting! We received an email today from InStore magazine (national jewelry industry publication), letting us know that we made the Top 20 Coolest Small Jewelry Stores in their national competition!
The end of May will bring us news if we place in the top 10.
Fingers and toes crossed...
The end of May will bring us news if we place in the top 10.
Fingers and toes crossed...
Friday, April 18, 2008
kudos from customers
We’ve got so many of these to post—please bear with us, if you’re wondering where yours is!
Starting with most recent first:
Customer, Sally Hart, April 18, 2008:
The jewelry at Alara is unique and affordable. Babs Noelle has a gift for working with her clients to create jewelry that is destined to become heirlooms. In redesigning my jewelry she brought me, a sixty-five year old lady, up to date.
Customer, Patrick Kainz, April 18,2008:
Babs Noelle – artist extraordinaire, a talented visionary who is a blast to work with!
Customer and former employee, Katie Kost, April 18, 2008:
Alara jewelry is not simply a jewelry store in historic downtown Bozeman--it is truly a member of the community. From involvement in Summer Art Walks, the annual Christmas Stroll, Women’s Equal Pay Day, and Thursday night shopping events, to numerous donations to Shakespeare in the Park, The Museum of the Rockies, Equinox Theatre, Thrive and many others, Alara’s involvement and contribution to the Gallatin Valley is tremendous. Babs Noelle’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit is admirable and unwavering. She is a responsible business owner and employer, treating each of her employees and customers with respect and dignity and doing things right because it’s the right thing to do.
Customer and official Alaraholic, Jen Hermesmeyer, April 17, 2008:
To me, what gives a jewelry store a “cool” factor is when it meets the needs of a wide variety of clientele by providing unique and interesting jewelry in a range of prices. Alara is that kind of store – whether you’re looking for a gift, something to spruce up your own collection, or a speciall7-designed piece (with or without a budget!), the owner, Babs Noelle, and her expert staff are able to work with you to help you find or create what it is you’re looking for. Babs seeks out designers worldwide who bring a special quality to their line, which is reflected in the amazing pieces you’ll find in her store. Plus, there’s always a glass of champagne to be had – how much cooler can you get than jewelry and champagne under one roof?
Customer, Doug Stiner, April 17, 2008:
I appreciate Alara on many different levels.
First – as a guy who wants to get something for his wife and is sometimes stumped, Alara makes it easy for me because of the vast choice of unique and interesting pieces – not like the usual jewelry store offerings. They are also displayed in a very artistic and appealing way.
Second – the staff gives excellent advice in helping to choose between such a variety of items without ever being pushy. I always end up with something Nancy, my wife, LOVES. I am very appreciative of the fact that any member of the staff will go the extra mile to help me, and if a problem arises they will bend over backwards to make it right.
The Alara staff works well together and communicates with each other, and it’s also obvious that they enjoy their jobs. It doesn’t matter who I get on the phone they all know what’s going on with a special order or repair or just any situation that may arise.
The staff is professional, knowledgeable and understanding.
I have been extremely satisfied doing business with Alara in the past and will continue to do business with Alara in the future and look forward to having that same level of satisfaction and heck, we’ve all become friends.
Vendor rep, Shaun Simcox, April 17, 2008:
I am a western states sales rep and have exposure to many jewelry stores. Alara is unique not only in its merchandise but the ambience of the store and attitude of the staff is inviting and “fun”. So many jewelry stores are stuffy and formal and Alara makes fine jewelry seem more accessible and enjoyable to shop for. I have a wonderful rapport based on trust and friendship with Babs and the members of her staff. Babs has a knack for recruiting and maintaining wonderful employees. In my travels I am always bragging about Alara, I love what she is doing, her store concept is wonderful and successful.
Customer, Chuck Watson, April 15, 2008:
My wife, Natascha, and I travel extensively throughout the US and abroad. We regularly comment to each other, when seeing jewelry stores in other towns, that Alara is far better--interesting jewelry, high quality, great atmosphere and attentive staff.
Starting with most recent first:
Customer, Sally Hart, April 18, 2008:
The jewelry at Alara is unique and affordable. Babs Noelle has a gift for working with her clients to create jewelry that is destined to become heirlooms. In redesigning my jewelry she brought me, a sixty-five year old lady, up to date.
Customer, Patrick Kainz, April 18,2008:
Babs Noelle – artist extraordinaire, a talented visionary who is a blast to work with!
Customer and former employee, Katie Kost, April 18, 2008:
Alara jewelry is not simply a jewelry store in historic downtown Bozeman--it is truly a member of the community. From involvement in Summer Art Walks, the annual Christmas Stroll, Women’s Equal Pay Day, and Thursday night shopping events, to numerous donations to Shakespeare in the Park, The Museum of the Rockies, Equinox Theatre, Thrive and many others, Alara’s involvement and contribution to the Gallatin Valley is tremendous. Babs Noelle’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit is admirable and unwavering. She is a responsible business owner and employer, treating each of her employees and customers with respect and dignity and doing things right because it’s the right thing to do.
Customer and official Alaraholic, Jen Hermesmeyer, April 17, 2008:
To me, what gives a jewelry store a “cool” factor is when it meets the needs of a wide variety of clientele by providing unique and interesting jewelry in a range of prices. Alara is that kind of store – whether you’re looking for a gift, something to spruce up your own collection, or a speciall7-designed piece (with or without a budget!), the owner, Babs Noelle, and her expert staff are able to work with you to help you find or create what it is you’re looking for. Babs seeks out designers worldwide who bring a special quality to their line, which is reflected in the amazing pieces you’ll find in her store. Plus, there’s always a glass of champagne to be had – how much cooler can you get than jewelry and champagne under one roof?
Customer, Doug Stiner, April 17, 2008:
I appreciate Alara on many different levels.
First – as a guy who wants to get something for his wife and is sometimes stumped, Alara makes it easy for me because of the vast choice of unique and interesting pieces – not like the usual jewelry store offerings. They are also displayed in a very artistic and appealing way.
Second – the staff gives excellent advice in helping to choose between such a variety of items without ever being pushy. I always end up with something Nancy, my wife, LOVES. I am very appreciative of the fact that any member of the staff will go the extra mile to help me, and if a problem arises they will bend over backwards to make it right.
The Alara staff works well together and communicates with each other, and it’s also obvious that they enjoy their jobs. It doesn’t matter who I get on the phone they all know what’s going on with a special order or repair or just any situation that may arise.
The staff is professional, knowledgeable and understanding.
I have been extremely satisfied doing business with Alara in the past and will continue to do business with Alara in the future and look forward to having that same level of satisfaction and heck, we’ve all become friends.
Vendor rep, Shaun Simcox, April 17, 2008:
I am a western states sales rep and have exposure to many jewelry stores. Alara is unique not only in its merchandise but the ambience of the store and attitude of the staff is inviting and “fun”. So many jewelry stores are stuffy and formal and Alara makes fine jewelry seem more accessible and enjoyable to shop for. I have a wonderful rapport based on trust and friendship with Babs and the members of her staff. Babs has a knack for recruiting and maintaining wonderful employees. In my travels I am always bragging about Alara, I love what she is doing, her store concept is wonderful and successful.
Customer, Chuck Watson, April 15, 2008:
My wife, Natascha, and I travel extensively throughout the US and abroad. We regularly comment to each other, when seeing jewelry stores in other towns, that Alara is far better--interesting jewelry, high quality, great atmosphere and attentive staff.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
selecting designers for Alara
As the owner of a design-focused gallery, design is a topic near and dear to myself and my entire staff.
Our collective sense of design and aesthetic encompasses a number of very different jewelry styles: neo-classical, organic, curvilinear, geometric, industrial, kinetic, romantic, period (Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Edwardian). But there are certain qualities that must be embodied in a designer line before we will present it with pride in our gallery, regardless of its generalized style.
adherence to classical aesthetics
Aesthetics, simply put, is the “science and math” of beauty. There are certain inarguable rules of proportion, which if stretched or compressed too far, will produce objects that few people will appreciate on a gut level. And the gut is exactly where one responds to art.
It’s very easy to design a piece of jewelry that is odd—just completely ignore every aesthetic rule. Unfortunately, “odd” might be all that would be said about such a piece by most people. It takes far more thought and effort to design jewelry that is mindful of the thousands of years of design that came before, without plagiarizing those previous efforts.
There is a reason why people with no artistic experience or training whatsoever respond as strongly to the designs found in our gallery as do our artist and architect customers. They are looking at pieces that are a refreshing take on classic aesthetics. Not downright weird, not predictably boring, not a regurgitation of something that was interesting in the 80s, and worse than anything, not a new trend that will only become passé and dated-looking later.
function
Of all the arts, jewelry is more similar to architecture than any other. Why? Because like a building, a piece of jewelry does not have meaning without the human body interacting with it. Just as a building with no means to enter it is a failed architecture project, a piece of jewelry that does not function as it should on the human body is likewise without value.
Unlike a painting, jewelry’s beauty is not fully revealed when sitting in a showcase or on an inanimate from.
It follows that a ring that is so thick it cannot be worn comfortably, no matter how compelling-looking on a pedestal, is not really a ring.
The designer jewelry lines we carry must have pieces designed to fulfill their function. Without function, one cannot appreciate their form.
quality
Aesthetics and function cannot endure unless quality materials and craftsmanship are employed to embody them.
The designers whose work we feature have exemplary skill in the jewelry arts, and take tremendous care choosing the materials in which they choose to execute their creations.
Friday, March 28, 2008
service, service, service
Retail jewelry is by nature service-intensive. Yes, you are more often than not selling an object (be it a diamond, gemstones, or finished piece), but the technical nature of jewelry requires a serious service commitment.
Take selling a ring for example.
I cannot count how many times, when a customer is ordering a ring from us, that the size they provide us for their out-of-town sweetie is completely wrong, courtesy of a jeweler who either didn't take the time to properly determine the correct size, or simply didn't know how to do so! Of course, we only figure this out on the back-end of the transaction...
So, if so much expertise must go into the simple act of sizing a finger, why not spend a few more minutes each day getting that gemological training so you can perform appraisals of which you're proud, or identify "mystery stones" for customers, so that you might end up getting some custom work?
Here is a list of Alara's service offerings:
custom jewelry design
Ahhh, yes…the special feeling that comes from being made for us. This is an intimate interaction in many cases, involving a tremendous amount of communication between the “lucky one” and the Alara designers and staff. The proper communication on the front end guarantees no disappointments or surprises when the finished piece is presented upon completion.
At Alara, we will spend all the time you need to bring you to your comfort level. And we’re professional enough to know when the custom jewelry design process just isn’t quite right for your personality type, and we will try to accommodate you a different way.
All that aside, there are a number of custom design concepts we offer:
complete custom
This is about you, you, nothing but you. We are here to guide you through the intricacies of aesthetics, but we are trying to “build something from the ground up” for you. We’ll start with the gems and diamonds of your dreams and work our way towards a finished design. In addition to getting all the gem and diamond education you want, and helping you hand-select those stones, we will present you with a professional “Design Proposal,” which outlines all the details of your job before we embark upon actually creating it.
custom remounts
So, you already have diamonds and gems, but you really hate how they’re mounted? Grandma’s taste not the same as yours? We’re here to help you bring out the beauty in those baubles! We have picture upon picture of “before” and “after” photos…and don’t be surprised that many of the “befores” are from local jewelers who “missed the mark” on the first go-round! By presenting you with a professional “Design Proposal” before we start any actual crafting, nothing is ever forced on you that isn’t exactly as it was promised.
historic reproduction
With seven years of training under her belt, our founder was exposed to more than her faire share of jewelry history education. As a consequence, she is well-versed in the features of the various period styles. Additionally, as a former diamond dealer, she has ready access to all the diamonds (and reproduction cutters) needed to properly execute a period piece of your dreams.
Art Deco is a design period that featured high-precision, technical pieces…Babs has one two Art Deco jewelry design awards. At the time she won a French competition, she was the first American to date to have done so.
The Edwardian period is the one that featured all that lovely filigree-work that is enjoying such a resurgence today. Alara produces Edwardian reproduction pieces on a regular basis, bringing the beauty of yesterday into the future.
corporate award jewelry
When Home Depot wanted corporate jewelry designed, who did the Southwest regional manager turn to? Alara’s founder, Babs Noelle.
Whether you want something that is reminiscent of a class ring in design, or are seeking an unusual treatment of your company logo that your team will actually wear, you really should give us a shout. Our manufacturing capabilities are expansive, so don’t be concerned we can’t handle it, and handle it quickly if necessary.
jewelry appraisal
Whether for insurance purposes, estate purposes, fair market value, or sheer curiosity, a professional appraisal is the only way to have accurate information on the current value and quality of your jewelry and gems.
Definitely the most common reason for having jewelry appraised is for the purposes of insuring it. No, your jewelry is not automatically covered under your homeowner’s insurance—you must procure a “rider” in order to specifically insure items of high value, such as jewelry, art, and collectibles.
So, looking to protect the “family jewels?” Set a jewelry appraisal appointment today! We prefer if you stay during the appraisal process, and you should allot approximately 30 minutes per piece on average.
Wondering what that gem is your Aunt Myrtle left to you, and are willing to pay for a real, professional evaluation? Call us to set an appointment for gem identification.
diamond and gem consultation
Internet info getting you confused? Your friends have conflicting advice? Do you want to talk to a real person?
We don’t blame folks for being skeptical. There sure are a lot of varying opinions on diamonds and gems; and if you’re gathering that information from folks who are actually trying to sell you the stuff, you should expect there to be a conflict of interest.
So, we offer something that comes with no strings attached, because you will pay us for it.
For the same hourly fee as our jewelry appraisal services, you can set an appointment with a graduate gemologist for a consultation on diamonds and/or colored gemstones. At the end of the appointment, we won’t even ask if you want us to sell you a stone!
This is great for the person who is seeking as much information as possible, without having to read volumes on the topic. Imagine boiling down two years of gemological training to those tidbits of info that will actually be the most useful to you. Obviously, you still won’t possess the knowledge of a Graduate Gemologist, but you can certainly garner the information that best suits you.
corporate gift selection
Okay, so you’re one of those generous boss types. But, perhaps you’ve noticed that your staff doesn’t seem to really dig the gifts you bestow upon them…
Do you have literally 5 minutes to tell us about each of the employees that are special to you? We have a quick questionnaire, which can be administered by phone or email, that will help us make you the hero. We’re here to help—just give us a jingle.
antique and estate jewelry searches
Shucky-darn, we’ve been doing this a long time. We know folks. Lots of folks. Folks in the antique and estate jewelry business.
Is there a particular piece you are wanting? Maybe your sister got it when grandma passed, and you wish you were the lucky one? Yeah, we might be in a small town, but for Alara the jewelry world is our oyster. We can find it for you.
precious metal recycling
As one of our many efforts to be as green as possible, we now produce 100% of our in-house jewelry from recycled precious metal only. We do a lot of our refining in-house, so if you want your precious metal refined and returned to you in pure form, or worked into new pieces, we’re your first stop!
ear piercing
Perhaps the thought of having someone in their teens pierce your ears makes you a wee bit tense. No worries, we are ready, willing, and able to pierce your ears.
We use the only fully encapsulated sterile ear piercing products in the world. This means the earrings are completely enclosed and sterile during the entire ear piercing process.
And, with so many completely hypoallergenic, pure titanium and nickel-free stainless steel earrings in stock to replace your original “piercing” earrings, you can be assured that the healing process on those new piercings will continue to be safe and without irritation.
nonprofit fundraising jewelry
Perhaps you’ve noticed a number of nonprofit organizations in the area who have turned to us for the purposes of creating jewelry that will serve as an ongoing fundraising effort for them: Thrive, The Museum of the Rockies, and the Downtown Bozeman Association.
We’re easy to work with, and have an endless string of ideas to help your organization raise more money!
diamond and colored gemstone recutting
Oopsy—you chipped your stone. Have no fear. We have the connections, we have the know-how, and we’ll treat your gem like it were our own.
Take selling a ring for example.
I cannot count how many times, when a customer is ordering a ring from us, that the size they provide us for their out-of-town sweetie is completely wrong, courtesy of a jeweler who either didn't take the time to properly determine the correct size, or simply didn't know how to do so! Of course, we only figure this out on the back-end of the transaction...
So, if so much expertise must go into the simple act of sizing a finger, why not spend a few more minutes each day getting that gemological training so you can perform appraisals of which you're proud, or identify "mystery stones" for customers, so that you might end up getting some custom work?
Here is a list of Alara's service offerings:
custom jewelry design
Ahhh, yes…the special feeling that comes from being made for us. This is an intimate interaction in many cases, involving a tremendous amount of communication between the “lucky one” and the Alara designers and staff. The proper communication on the front end guarantees no disappointments or surprises when the finished piece is presented upon completion.
At Alara, we will spend all the time you need to bring you to your comfort level. And we’re professional enough to know when the custom jewelry design process just isn’t quite right for your personality type, and we will try to accommodate you a different way.
All that aside, there are a number of custom design concepts we offer:
complete custom
This is about you, you, nothing but you. We are here to guide you through the intricacies of aesthetics, but we are trying to “build something from the ground up” for you. We’ll start with the gems and diamonds of your dreams and work our way towards a finished design. In addition to getting all the gem and diamond education you want, and helping you hand-select those stones, we will present you with a professional “Design Proposal,” which outlines all the details of your job before we embark upon actually creating it.
custom remounts
So, you already have diamonds and gems, but you really hate how they’re mounted? Grandma’s taste not the same as yours? We’re here to help you bring out the beauty in those baubles! We have picture upon picture of “before” and “after” photos…and don’t be surprised that many of the “befores” are from local jewelers who “missed the mark” on the first go-round! By presenting you with a professional “Design Proposal” before we start any actual crafting, nothing is ever forced on you that isn’t exactly as it was promised.
historic reproduction
With seven years of training under her belt, our founder was exposed to more than her faire share of jewelry history education. As a consequence, she is well-versed in the features of the various period styles. Additionally, as a former diamond dealer, she has ready access to all the diamonds (and reproduction cutters) needed to properly execute a period piece of your dreams.
Art Deco is a design period that featured high-precision, technical pieces…Babs has one two Art Deco jewelry design awards. At the time she won a French competition, she was the first American to date to have done so.
The Edwardian period is the one that featured all that lovely filigree-work that is enjoying such a resurgence today. Alara produces Edwardian reproduction pieces on a regular basis, bringing the beauty of yesterday into the future.
corporate award jewelry
When Home Depot wanted corporate jewelry designed, who did the Southwest regional manager turn to? Alara’s founder, Babs Noelle.
Whether you want something that is reminiscent of a class ring in design, or are seeking an unusual treatment of your company logo that your team will actually wear, you really should give us a shout. Our manufacturing capabilities are expansive, so don’t be concerned we can’t handle it, and handle it quickly if necessary.
jewelry appraisal
Whether for insurance purposes, estate purposes, fair market value, or sheer curiosity, a professional appraisal is the only way to have accurate information on the current value and quality of your jewelry and gems.
Definitely the most common reason for having jewelry appraised is for the purposes of insuring it. No, your jewelry is not automatically covered under your homeowner’s insurance—you must procure a “rider” in order to specifically insure items of high value, such as jewelry, art, and collectibles.
So, looking to protect the “family jewels?” Set a jewelry appraisal appointment today! We prefer if you stay during the appraisal process, and you should allot approximately 30 minutes per piece on average.
Wondering what that gem is your Aunt Myrtle left to you, and are willing to pay for a real, professional evaluation? Call us to set an appointment for gem identification.
diamond and gem consultation
Internet info getting you confused? Your friends have conflicting advice? Do you want to talk to a real person?
We don’t blame folks for being skeptical. There sure are a lot of varying opinions on diamonds and gems; and if you’re gathering that information from folks who are actually trying to sell you the stuff, you should expect there to be a conflict of interest.
So, we offer something that comes with no strings attached, because you will pay us for it.
For the same hourly fee as our jewelry appraisal services, you can set an appointment with a graduate gemologist for a consultation on diamonds and/or colored gemstones. At the end of the appointment, we won’t even ask if you want us to sell you a stone!
This is great for the person who is seeking as much information as possible, without having to read volumes on the topic. Imagine boiling down two years of gemological training to those tidbits of info that will actually be the most useful to you. Obviously, you still won’t possess the knowledge of a Graduate Gemologist, but you can certainly garner the information that best suits you.
corporate gift selection
Okay, so you’re one of those generous boss types. But, perhaps you’ve noticed that your staff doesn’t seem to really dig the gifts you bestow upon them…
Do you have literally 5 minutes to tell us about each of the employees that are special to you? We have a quick questionnaire, which can be administered by phone or email, that will help us make you the hero. We’re here to help—just give us a jingle.
antique and estate jewelry searches
Shucky-darn, we’ve been doing this a long time. We know folks. Lots of folks. Folks in the antique and estate jewelry business.
Is there a particular piece you are wanting? Maybe your sister got it when grandma passed, and you wish you were the lucky one? Yeah, we might be in a small town, but for Alara the jewelry world is our oyster. We can find it for you.
precious metal recycling
As one of our many efforts to be as green as possible, we now produce 100% of our in-house jewelry from recycled precious metal only. We do a lot of our refining in-house, so if you want your precious metal refined and returned to you in pure form, or worked into new pieces, we’re your first stop!
ear piercing
Perhaps the thought of having someone in their teens pierce your ears makes you a wee bit tense. No worries, we are ready, willing, and able to pierce your ears.
We use the only fully encapsulated sterile ear piercing products in the world. This means the earrings are completely enclosed and sterile during the entire ear piercing process.
And, with so many completely hypoallergenic, pure titanium and nickel-free stainless steel earrings in stock to replace your original “piercing” earrings, you can be assured that the healing process on those new piercings will continue to be safe and without irritation.
nonprofit fundraising jewelry
Perhaps you’ve noticed a number of nonprofit organizations in the area who have turned to us for the purposes of creating jewelry that will serve as an ongoing fundraising effort for them: Thrive, The Museum of the Rockies, and the Downtown Bozeman Association.
We’re easy to work with, and have an endless string of ideas to help your organization raise more money!
diamond and colored gemstone recutting
Oopsy—you chipped your stone. Have no fear. We have the connections, we have the know-how, and we’ll treat your gem like it were our own.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
how much is that doggie in the window?
Without question, these little buggers elicit more questions than any single item at Alara.
"What are they? What are they? What are they? "
Yes, they are dachshunds, but more importantly they are solid sterling silver, and have a multitude of practical and impractical uses:
"What are they? What are they? What are they? "Yes, they are dachshunds, but more importantly they are solid sterling silver, and have a multitude of practical and impractical uses:
- knife rest
- pen rest
- paintbrush rest
- chopstick rest
- inspiration for chuckling
- yet another useless thing for a dachshund-lover to collect
- objet d'art
I made up the last batch when silver was still low, and I refuse to retag them based on current metal market. So, they are $123 apiece until I must cast up a new batch.
Woof!
Monday, February 18, 2008
philanthropy
What goes around, comes around. I firmly believe this.
We are part of something bigger than ourselves, on so many levels. Here I would like to introduce you to a few elements of Alara's greater circle.
Here, the non-profit organizations I and Alara support on multiple levels:
Thrive http://www.allthrive.org/index1.php
The mission of Thrive is to encourage healthy family development through community awareness, parent education and support to children and families. Alara is proud to support Thrive through participation in The Dogtooth Lily Ball, and through our design and creation of their signature “Thrive” pendant. Over half the profits from “thrive” pendant sales go directly to Thrive.
Museum of the Rockies http://www.museumoftherockies.org
Simply put, an amazing museum. You can visit again and again and again, and still not see it all! Alara sponsors the Museum of the Rockies annually, and also additionally supports through its participation in its annual Museum Ball, and The Wine Classic. Whether donating a 2-carat diamond or amazing handmade jewelry featuring Montana gems, we are proud to be a sponsor of this remarkable museum. For its Golden 50th anniversary, Alara is proud to have been asked by the Museum of the Rockies to design some commemorative jewelry to be available in their gift shop. The result of this wonderful partnership between the Paleontology Department at the Museum and Babs is a collection of pendants that faithfully replicate the toe bone of the Maiasaurus, the specie of dinosaur that Jack Horner is credited with discovering, and the state dinosaur of Montana!
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks http://www2.montana.edu/shakespeare/indexSIP.html)
Did you know that more people in the State of Montana have seen a Shakespeare production than have residents of New York City? A crazy fact, and true almost entirely due to this great non-profit, that has been bringing quality theatrical productions to Montana and its vicinity, emphasizing on rural areas, since 1973. Alara’s founder is on the Toast of the Town Committee, and Alara proudly sponsors Montana Shakespeare in the Parks through that annual event.
Missoula Art Museum http://www.missoulaartmuseum.org/
The MAM is all about “free expression, free admission.” Alara is proud to regularly sponsor Artini Thursdays, aimed to make young Missoulians more active in the art community.
Big Sky Youth Empowerment Project http://www.byep.org/
Provides programs featuring outdoor activity and social-emotional learning at no cost to disadvantaged high-school aged youth. Our support of this organization means that at-risk youth can continue to benefit from the truly great outdoors of our region. Alara is a sponsor of this extraordinary organization.
Women Who Wine
My very own nonprofit!
I wanted to create a way through which more women could become involved in local-area charities. I perceived that many women, particularly those who are younger, are under the misconception that philanthropic involvement requires either more time or more money than can be afforded! To bring together Bozeman’s fine females and fine non-profits, I founded Women Who Wine, a social networking group that meets monthly. Attendance requires membership or a guest invitation, a bottle of wine or appetizer, and a $5 entry fee, all of which benefits that month’s local non-profit. The Women Who Wine slogan: “Raising Money for Charity, One Grape at a Time.”
We are part of something bigger than ourselves, on so many levels. Here I would like to introduce you to a few elements of Alara's greater circle.
Here, the non-profit organizations I and Alara support on multiple levels:
Thrive http://www.allthrive.org/index1.php
The mission of Thrive is to encourage healthy family development through community awareness, parent education and support to children and families. Alara is proud to support Thrive through participation in The Dogtooth Lily Ball, and through our design and creation of their signature “Thrive” pendant. Over half the profits from “thrive” pendant sales go directly to Thrive.
Museum of the Rockies http://www.museumoftherockies.org
Simply put, an amazing museum. You can visit again and again and again, and still not see it all! Alara sponsors the Museum of the Rockies annually, and also additionally supports through its participation in its annual Museum Ball, and The Wine Classic. Whether donating a 2-carat diamond or amazing handmade jewelry featuring Montana gems, we are proud to be a sponsor of this remarkable museum. For its Golden 50th anniversary, Alara is proud to have been asked by the Museum of the Rockies to design some commemorative jewelry to be available in their gift shop. The result of this wonderful partnership between the Paleontology Department at the Museum and Babs is a collection of pendants that faithfully replicate the toe bone of the Maiasaurus, the specie of dinosaur that Jack Horner is credited with discovering, and the state dinosaur of Montana!
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks http://www2.montana.edu/shakespeare/indexSIP.html)
Did you know that more people in the State of Montana have seen a Shakespeare production than have residents of New York City? A crazy fact, and true almost entirely due to this great non-profit, that has been bringing quality theatrical productions to Montana and its vicinity, emphasizing on rural areas, since 1973. Alara’s founder is on the Toast of the Town Committee, and Alara proudly sponsors Montana Shakespeare in the Parks through that annual event.
Missoula Art Museum http://www.missoulaartmuseum.org/
The MAM is all about “free expression, free admission.” Alara is proud to regularly sponsor Artini Thursdays, aimed to make young Missoulians more active in the art community.
Big Sky Youth Empowerment Project http://www.byep.org/
Provides programs featuring outdoor activity and social-emotional learning at no cost to disadvantaged high-school aged youth. Our support of this organization means that at-risk youth can continue to benefit from the truly great outdoors of our region. Alara is a sponsor of this extraordinary organization.
Women Who Wine
My very own nonprofit!
I wanted to create a way through which more women could become involved in local-area charities. I perceived that many women, particularly those who are younger, are under the misconception that philanthropic involvement requires either more time or more money than can be afforded! To bring together Bozeman’s fine females and fine non-profits, I founded Women Who Wine, a social networking group that meets monthly. Attendance requires membership or a guest invitation, a bottle of wine or appetizer, and a $5 entry fee, all of which benefits that month’s local non-profit. The Women Who Wine slogan: “Raising Money for Charity, One Grape at a Time.”
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