topic Re: Has something changed with Relios? in Jewelry

Has something changed with Relios?

patbz — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 22:09:53 GMT

I am trying to contact Relios via phone but it directs back to CP. I know it's the same company; do they now share a phone #?

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

Kachina624 — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 23:53:16 GMT

@patbz. I've had a feeling for a long time that they were struggling financially. The popularity of jewelry, Southwestern in particular, has waned considerably. I wonder if they've shut down part of their operation? Perhaps they're going to retire?

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

patbz — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 00:07:22 GMT

@Kachina624 : Those are my thoughts as well (would explain the huge ongoing sales...

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

beach-mom — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 05:57:11 GMT

@patbz and @Kachina624 - The holiday sale was amazing. Almost everything was on sale, well actually everything WAS! I too wondered what is going on. I haven't seen Carolyn with a TSV for a while, and she has not had many new AW products. I'm a huge fan too, but I've been dipping my toe slightly in other lines, I hope they're not phasing out, but I think you're right @Kachina624 - the popularity of AW pieces is not what it once was.

I started collecting when my dad made many trips to the Southwest when I was young and brought me back some beautiful pieces. Then later we lived in Texas. DH still gets me special pieces too. DD is not that interested. DH brought her back a fetish necklace when she was young and he had a trip to Arizona for a conference. It hangs on her mirror. I've told her I'm going to "borrow" it one of these days. I don't have one, and I'm sure she won't mind. She's not a fan of SW jewelry, but she loves that necklace because her dad gave it to her!

I do still see individual artists with beautiful pieces at some craft fairs I attend.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

patbz — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 15:13:49 GMT

@beach-mom : I grew up in MD and got interested in NA jewelry on family trips (Dad bought Mom several squash blossoms, fetish necklaces and statement cuffs). I inherited them and then moved to AZ and son to NM. I still buy statement pieces from CP and also in NM. Had to take advantage of CP sales but it may be too good to last.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

Kachina624 — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 18:33:36 GMT

@patbz. I'm no longer buying. I've got a large jewelry box with just CP jewelry that I can hardly lift. Many pieces have never been worn. I don't need more. I've always preferred old or new NA-made jewelry over what CP makes.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

mia 2 — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 02:01:48 GMT

I picked up several items as I thought it has been a terrific sale. I actually love the southwest pieces more as I get older. They fit into my casual retired lifestyle. Her jewelry is well-made and also I like buying from an American company. Also, I like that they will fix your jewelry for a reasonable price, if you need that for some reason. They are almost the only company that still does that. I don't drive, so I can't get to a jewelry store very easily. Kachina624, sounds like you have a nice collection since you have a jewelry box of CP.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

mia 2 — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 02:09:12 GMT

By the way, I looked up Relios on the computer and it says something about their moving or relocating. Maybe that's why they sent the poster above to a C Pollack phone number, as Relios is in the middle of moving.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

loriqvc — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 03:13:19 GMT

@patbz - Carolyn Pollack has consolidated Relios, the Carolyn Pollack line, and the American West line under the same management now, so many aspects of customer service are shared. (For example, everything is now shipped from, gets returned to, and has repairs made at the same location in Albuquerque, regardless of the brand.) There are still distinct designs and styles for each brand, and the CP and AW lines have separate websites. Relios no longer has its own site and appears to have simply become the "parent company" for all of Carolyn's ventures at this time.

@beach-mom - When she was presenting on Veterans Day, Carolyn noted that she wouldn't be back until February so she could enjoy the holidays with her family and work on her designs. We may see her earlier in the month, but it is very likely that she won't return until Presidents Day.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

beach-mom — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 03:36:26 GMT

@loriqvc wrote:

@beach-mom - When she was presenting on Veterans Day, Carolyn noted that she wouldn't be back until February so she could enjoy the holidays with her family and work on her designs. We may see her earlier in the month, but it is very likely that she won't return until Presidents Day.

Thanks @loriqvc for explaining! I will look forward to her February visit. Do you have any idea why she's having such a big sale on her website? Maybe she's just clearing out inventory for new designs (?)

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

loriqvc — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 16:31:20 GMT

@beach-mom - These big sales take place at the end of every year; it seems like they have been extended longer than usual this time around, so my best guess is that they're trying to clear things out, but they could just be making a lot of money from people buying multiple items at the low prices—I know I've gotten some great deals!

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

beach-mom — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 21:40:20 GMT

@loriqvc wrote:
@beach-mom - These big sales take place at the end of every year; it seems like they have been extended longer than usual this time around, so my best guess is that they're trying to clear things out, but they could just be making a lot of money from people buying multiple items at the low prices—I know I've gotten some great deals!

@loriqvc thanks, so have I!

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

kitty_nina — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 21:10:59 GMT

They've been having this sale since September of last year, and it was a non stop 70% off on various and all items. Since there has been no new line introduced I do feel that they are liquidating. I think CP is closing down.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

patbz — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 16:45:12 GMT

I emailed Relios about continuing sales and here is their response: We are switching our focus to our American West brand/jewelry. We will have four to five Carolyn Pollack current collections that will still be made/manufactured, however no new designs for this brand.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

Pagan — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 18:55:13 GMT

Switching to only American West designs in the era of ‘cultural appropriation’ seems like a risky manoeuvre.

I’ve loved my old American West pieces in the past but frankly, as a fair white woman, I’ve put several items away and accept that I would invite criticism for wearing them now.

I suspect the company would be on a dodgy wicket with native designs as the market for that has now shrunk dramatically.

I guess they can stick to more more universal designs but that’s a competitive market.

i think they won’t last long now.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

patbz — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 20:03:21 GMT

@Pagan : I disagree with your premise about "cultural appropriation" . Relios is located in Albuquerque and Carolyn has partnered with many well known N.A. artists (Tenorio, Singer, Benally, etc). Additionally, it appears she has had some N.A.s on staff (from old photos). New Mexico has strict guidelines in this area and, if necessary, Relios would address this issue. I'm not sure about Relios long term prognosis but they certainly have shown their flexibility in the past to adapt to changing trends/times

(opening/closing stores, starting American West and now downsizing CP).

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

Pagan — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 21:41:42 GMT

@patbz wrote:
@Pagan : I disagree with your premise about "cultural appropriation" . Relios is located in Albuquerque and Carolyn has partnered with many well known N.A. artists (Tenorio, Singer, Benally, etc). Additionally, it appears she has had some N.A.s on staff (from old photos). New Mexico has strict guidelines in this area and, if necessary, Relios would address this issue. I'm not sure about Relios long term prognosis but they certainly have shown their flexibility in the past to adapt to changing trends/times
(opening/closing stores, starting American West and now downsizing CP).

Yes, I know all that.

But what I'm saying is that non-native purchasers of that jewelry may now face disapproval when they wear them I know eyebrows would be raised in my very left-leaning town. For example, I wouldn't want to go out wearing a naja necklace these days.

If this is extrapolated across the country, then the size of the purchasing market may have shrunk significantly.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

patbz — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 22:44:47 GMT

@Pagan : Respectfully, I think you are over reacting. My DIL is Navajo and we frequently go jewelry shopping together in Albuquerque and Santa Fe; she is very culturally aware and would mention this if she saw it as a problem. Locally made jewelry is a major industry in N.M. (and heavily regulated). Many N.A.s are not making really good money, so who do you think buys $500 and way up pieces by Honanie, Casuse etc? I belong to a C.P. group on FB and you should see some of the collections of these ladies (I contribute as well. I think the real problem is quality knock offs (such as those made in the Philippines) that are frequently passed off as "real deal". I deal with stores that trade directly with Native Americans or don't pretend that these are authentic (American West). Since A.W. has native designers, I see no problem. This isn't like wearing furs, the issue is clearly about not being truthful and respectful of the culture.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

loriqvc — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 02:03:21 GMT

@Pagan - I am also a fair white woman, and I live in Utah, so there is plenty of native influence here. I get nothing but compliments on my vast AW collection, and I've even had some members of local tribes here and during my visits to New Mexico and Arizona share comments such as, "Oh, aren't Carolyn's pieces beautiful?" I don't think they view the AW line as disrespectful or even as a real "competitor"—there are definitely buyers who are always going to pick the artisan pieces over the commercial ones, and the artisan pieces are certainly more special no matter how amazing the AW designs are. And with Carolyn constantly paying homage to the native spirit and beliefs, and deliberately keeping her facilities in New Mexico and most of her materials in the United States, I don't think there should or would be any negativity associated with American West jewelry.

Re: Has something changed with Relios?

kitty_nina — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 05:14:11 GMT

I cannot believe what I'm reading.

Women are afraid to wear native american jewelry out of fear of being accused of cultural appropriation!!! Do you actully feel you are stealing somebody's culture by wearing native jewelry? Why not just wear what you like? If it makes you feel good and happy, then by all means, wear it! You've worn that before. Did you feel it was wrong? I have many beautiful turkish scarves that I wear. Am I guilty of misappropriation? These are articles of clothing or jewelry. These are not religious items misused or disrespected. You are not wearing your jewelry to poke fun or belittle anybody. So why is this a problem??