topic Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line in Jewelry

Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

AuntMame — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:12:47 GMT

Carolyn Pollack posted a video with her husband explaining that they are shutting down the manufacturing and retail operations of American West jewelry so that they may retire. QVC will be taking over the line. Carolyn will still be doing shows and she and her husband will still be doing some jewelry designing from their home. But QVC will be doing the manufacturing.

A sad day for fans of this lovely jewelry line. But wish them best for a joyous and relaxing retirement!

Here's a link to the Youtube video of the announcement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcQTdLkVFds

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

phoenixbrd — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 07:35:13 GMT

Painful to watch...does this mean Xcel will be buying out American West just like Isaac, Logo, Judith Ripka, etc? I don't know as it wasn''t really clear in the video what is happening. I hope it is not another Xcel buyout.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

AuntMame — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:50:38 GMT

@phoenixbrd wrote:
Painful to watch...does this mean Xcel will be buying American West just like Isaac, Logo, Judith Ripka, etc? I don't know as it wasn''t really clear in the video what is happening. I hope it is not another Xcel buyout.

It sounds like it is a QVC buyout. In the video they say they won't be doing anymore retail through their web site, they're laying off their employees and handing everything over to QVC with the exception of a bit of design consultation and a spokesperson role.

QVC buyouts are never good for brands. Who can forget how they screwed up the Tova line, manufacturing the perfume in China and putting Tova in the awkward position of having to sell dreadful perfume on the air.

I guess we'll see, but it doesn't sound good.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

beach-mom — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:51:16 GMT

NO!

Thanks for letting us know @AuntMame. Obviously I'm upset about this, but I should wish Carolyn and Bill a happy life in retirement. And I do. I'm just being selfish wanting them to stay!

When Canyon Retreat split off from Denim and Company and there was a new representative hired, I thought it would be perfect to spotlight the clothing items with Carolyn's designs.

I think we'll see that now.

I just can't see how the quality will still be there. I'm glad I have some of her beautiful pieces.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

phoenixbrd — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 07:39:34 GMT

@AuntMame Yes, that is what I thought...buyout. I'm glad I have the pieces I do. Wishing them well.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

turtle52 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:44:31 GMT

BIG sales on Amazon and their website on all remaining jewelry. Their website is final sale but Amazon has free shipping and free returns.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

FranandZoe — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:52:12 GMT

They'll ruin it like they did Diamonique.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

mb141312 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 21:32:56 GMT

@AuntMame Thank you for posting this. I went to her website and was able to get an expensive naja pendant that I've been eyeing for a long time, and at a huge discount! Of course, while I was there, I got more items!

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

pupwhipped — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 22:33:19 GMT

Selfishly this is very sad news to me. But, of course, I wish Carolyn and Bill all the best.

I have an obscene amount of Carolyn Pollack jewelry....and I love it all!!! I ordered three necklaces from her site about ten days ago with a 70% discount. I am glad as I had no idea of the changes that were coming and now they're no longer available. I even went to Amazon just now and ordered a couple other pieces.

All things must come to an end but it feels like this is happening in all aspects of life now at warp speed.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

AuntMame — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:16:56 GMT

@pupwhipped wrote:
Selfishly this is very sad news to me. But, of course, I wish Carolyn and Bill all the best.

I have an obscene amount of Carolyn Pollack jewelry....and I love it all!!! I ordered three necklaces from her site about ten days ago with a 70% discount. I am glad as I had no idea of the changes that were coming and now they're no longer available. I even went to Amazon just now and ordered a couple other pieces.

All things must come to an end but it feels like this is happening in all aspects of life now at warp speed.

I also have over twenty years' worth of buying Carolyn Pollack jewelry and always enjoy wearing it. I will miss the shows, anticipating what styles they plan to come out with next, and checking the web site. I checked out the sales on their web site and on Amazon today and purchased more earrings than anyone should be allowed to buy in one day. I was surprised at how much is already gone.

<sigh>

Like the rest of you I feel selfish in feeling sad for the end of the line. But I do wish them well in their retirement. They seem like a fine couple who deserve golden years full of joy and relaxation.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

JoyFilled Warrior — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:39:36 GMT

I have much Diamonique from 15-25 yrs ago, and it's gorgeous. Sparkles & keeps a sparkle, like real, quality Diamonds! And, they was set in 10K Gold, not overlay, and still affordable.

I cant imagine what the currently known "declining" QVC is going to do, taking on responsibility of Product lines for themselves.

imho, Buy up while you can now.. Quality will change dramatically.

Sad news.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

Venezia — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 05:06:29 GMT

I noticed they didn't say where the "established and respected company" is that QVC will be using to produce this jewelry in the future. Will it be in the United States? It will be interesting to see whether they drop the "made right here in the U.S.A." claim that AW has always used.

I have a lot of American West jewelry from the past 20 years. I don't see myself buying any more after QVC takes over its production.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

AuntMame — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 07:06:03 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
I noticed they didn't say where the "established and respected company" is that QVC will be using to produce this jewelry in the future. Will it be in the United States? It will be interesting to see whether they drop the "made right here in the U.S.A." claim that AW has always used.

It would be rather ironic wouldn't it for "American West" jewelry to be manufactured somewhere in India or Asia. But that's probably what will happen.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

Sweetbay magnolia — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 07:45:13 GMT

Gosh, too bad, but of course I wish her only the best.

Her rings are the most comfortable that I own. I have the cuff she made for her 50th birthday and it is gorgeous. I save it for special occasions, it is so pretty and like all silver that scratches, this is one I want to keep shiny and pristine.

Heading to the big A right now to see what I can find (I have a gift card to use).

The longhorn choker is about my favorite piece and right now I have on a simple lasso link choker. Darn. My Fritz Casuse eagle ring is a favorite, too.

Thanks for the info, @AuntMame .

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

River Song — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:40:38 GMT

It's inevitable that people want to retire after running a business for so many years. They are lucky that QVC wants to take over their jewelry line and continue offering it for sale. Lots of jewelry lines just disappear when the business owner retires.

Does anyone else remember the Native American storyteller necklaces that were offered for sale over 30 years ago, way before Carolyn Pollack came on the scene? Very expensive but stunning. Once Carolyn Pollack signed on with QVC, all the other Native American jewelry vendors disappeared.

I really like the Spirit Animal line, the Arrow line, the Petroglyph line and all the squash blossom necklaces.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

depglass — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:47:44 GMT

Carolyn bought many native American designers to QVC. I sold some on Ebay years ago and got a handsome profit, but there is one bracelet from Roderick Tenorio I will never sell. Of course, now I'm sorry I sold what I did.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

depglass — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:49:47 GMT

Something I forgot to say, I'm saddest the most about laying off a lot of skilled American workers.

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

AuntMame — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 19:23:04 GMT

@River Song wrote:
It's inevitable that people want to retire after running a business for so many years. They are lucky that QVC wants to take over their jewelry line and continue offering it for sale. Lots of jewelry lines just disappear when the business owner retires.

Does anyone else remember the Native American storyteller necklaces that were offered for sale over 30 years ago, way before Carolyn Pollack came on the scene? Very expensive but stunning. Once Carolyn Pollack signed on with QVC, all the other Native American jewelry vendors disappeared.

Are you perhaps thinking of the Carol Felley storyteller necklaces? You can find them on ebay. They're absolutely gorgeous.

Carol Felley was not Native American, although she designed and sold a lot of NA-inspired jewelry like the storyteller necklaces. Carolyn Pollack sold many of her designs in the 1990s on QVC branded in her line. I discovered through years of ebay-watching that many of the Carolyn Pollack/American West pieces I have and love are actually Felley designs.

If you go on ebay and enter her name you'll come up with lots of exquisite Carol Felley pieces--that go for a fortune these days.

She sold a lot of jewelry through JC Pennys in the 1980s and early 1990s. I have a lot of those pieces too!

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

River Song — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 19:52:41 GMT

@AuntMame wrote:
@River Song wrote:
It's inevitable that people want to retire after running a business for so many years. They are lucky that QVC wants to take over their jewelry line and continue offering it for sale. Lots of jewelry lines just disappear when the business owner retires.

Does anyone else remember the Native American storyteller necklaces that were offered for sale over 30 years ago, way before Carolyn Pollack came on the scene? Very expensive but stunning. Once Carolyn Pollack signed on with QVC, all the other Native American jewelry vendors disappeared.

Are you perhaps thinking of the Carol Felley storyteller necklaces? You can find them on ebay. They're absolutely gorgeous.

Carol Felley was not Native American, although she designed and sold a lot of NA-inspired jewelry like the storyteller necklaces. Carolyn Pollack sold many of her designs in the 1990s on QVC branded in her line. I discovered through years of ebay-watching that many of the Carolyn Pollack/American West pieces I have and love are actually Felley designs.

If you go on ebay and enter her name you'll come up with lots of exquisite Carol Felley pieces--that go for a fortune these days.

She sold a lot of jewelry through JC Pennys in the 1980s and early 1990s. I have a lot of those pieces too!

I took a look and, no, I don't believe the storyteller necklaces I saw were made by Carol Felley. The ones I remember were presented by a couple of Native American women in Native dress and the necklaces were very colorful, many gemstones used in the necklaces. I was broke at the time and couldn't afford the necklaces but they have stuck in my memory for over 30 years. The ones that got away, lol!

Re: Carolyn Pollack is semi-retiring, QVC taking over the line

AuntMame — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 21:33:47 GMT

@River Song wrote:
@AuntMame wrote:
@River Song wrote:
It's inevitable that people want to retire after running a business for so many years. They are lucky that QVC wants to take over their jewelry line and continue offering it for sale. Lots of jewelry lines just disappear when the business owner retires.

Does anyone else remember the Native American storyteller necklaces that were offered for sale over 30 years ago, way before Carolyn Pollack came on the scene? Very expensive but stunning. Once Carolyn Pollack signed on with QVC, all the other Native American jewelry vendors disappeared.

Are you perhaps thinking of the Carol Felley storyteller necklaces? You can find them on ebay. They're absolutely gorgeous.

Carol Felley was not Native American, although she designed and sold a lot of NA-inspired jewelry like the storyteller necklaces. Carolyn Pollack sold many of her designs in the 1990s on QVC branded in her line. I discovered through years of ebay-watching that many of the Carolyn Pollack/American West pieces I have and love are actually Felley designs.

If you go on ebay and enter her name you'll come up with lots of exquisite Carol Felley pieces--that go for a fortune these days.

She sold a lot of jewelry through JC Pennys in the 1980s and early 1990s. I have a lot of those pieces too!
I took a look and, no, I don't believe the storyteller necklaces I saw were made by Carol Felley. The ones I remember were presented by a couple of Native American women in Native dress and the necklaces were very colorful, many gemstones used in the necklaces. I was broke at the time and couldn't afford the necklaces but they have stuck in my memory for over 30 years. The ones that got away, lol!

The storyteller necklaces sound beautiful! Know just what you mean by the ones that got away.

It's unfortunate that QVC stopped featuring Native American retailers and artists.