Body Sparkle

Body Sparkle
by Greg Cryns

4/10/04

What do Janet Jackson and millions of people around the country have in common? They all love their body jewelry.

Gail Isbell, the owner of a new Richmond business called Body Sparkle, has a history of working on her own. Gail earned her living as a freelancer in the PC (computer) support business. She also designs websites.

But early in 2002 Gail spied a high demand for body jewelry on the internet and not many vendors supplying the needs of people who wanted to buy the jewelry. Isbell then set up her own business website and opened for business on the internet only in June 2002.

Isbell is glad she made that decision. In less than two years, Gail built a thriving body jewelry business on the web. By December 2003 she had outgrown her home office and storage space, so she leased an office in Richmond to accommodate her space needs. “I started with just one case of jewelry and one computer. Now I’ve grown to 15 cases and 3 computers to run the business. I just ran out of room in my family room and the garage,” said Isbell. “I’ve learned that body jewelry is not a short lived trend. Teenagers and people into their 40’s are buying now.”

In years past, body jewelry was worn by royalty. Egyptian Pharoahs, Roman soldiers pierced their bodies and wore rings. In those days the jewelry represented virility. During the Victorian era both men and women were pierced for jewelry. In today’s society, people often change where they put the jewelry on their bodies. There is also non-piercing body jewelry which are fastened by squeezing the ends together.

“I’ve learned that when someone gets one piercing they often want more things pierced. It’s become an accepted lifestyle,” said Isbell. “ The business is not strange like it seemed to be not so long ago. Almost everyone is doing it.”

Isbell likes making jewelry and helping people find just the right jewelry for their needs. “We want to be different than many other stores out there. We like to keep a wide variety of styles and sizes in stock rather than a whole bunch of just an item or two,” she said.

“Navel rings are our best seller,” said Isbell. “We also supply nose, tongue, labret (under the lip) jewelry, of course. Did you know that there are 15 places you can pierce an ear? Many people are piercing eyebrows these days. Toe rings are big sellers too. We also have a good selection of non-piercing jewelry.”

Isbell pointed out that she does not do piercing in her business. “The people will often go down to Crystal Lake for that,” she said. “The most challenging part of this business is keeping up with styles and maintaining a good variety.”

Isbell is happy that people can now buy jewelry at her website and then pick it up at the retail store.

Asked if Janet Jackson’s Superbowl appearance had an effect on her business Isbell said, “Jackson tripled the nipple jewelry business and it doesn’t even have to be the same style as hers.”

Body Sparkle is open Mon – Fri, 11 to 6, Saturdays 11-4. The store is located at 9716 Rt. 12, Suite 17 in the Stonewall Suites office building just south of Van’s food store. Phone: 815-678-4145 Email: gail@bodysparkle.com

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Body Sparkle by Greg Cryns

Body Sparkle
by Greg Cryns