Published: April 21, 2008 12:47 pm         

Jewelry company founded on philanthropic principles

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Jewelers from six states converged on Gardendale recently for the Alabama State-Wide Spring Round Up.

Hosted by Premier Designs and organized by Misti Bartlett and The Southern Belle Jewelers, the event brought together 160 Premier Designs jewelers.

“We had fun having everybody,” said Bartlett, of Gardendale. “It was better than we could have ever thought.”

The roundup was kicked off with an opening prayer by Gardendale Mayor Kenny Clemons.

The day consisted of training for jewelers, a fashion show by Maurices of Fultondale, music and more.

There was even an hour-long session just for men.

The event was sponsored by several businesses in Gardendale and Fultondale.

“It was just awesome,” Bartlett said. “We’re still getting thank-yous from the jewelers. They were really motivated.”

Bartlett, who has been an independent distributor with Premier Designs since 2001, said the women who make up the Southern Belle Jewelers played a big role in the event’s success.

“We have an awesome leadership team,” she said.

The roundup takes place once a year, according to Bartlett.

Premier Designs is a jewelry company that was founded in 1985 by Joan and Andy Horner in Texas.

The couple created the company as a way to help raise money for missionaries and Christian organizations.

Premier Designs donates hundreds of thousands of dollars every year such causes.

The Horners also created the company as a way for stay-at-home mothers to earn money. Most Premier Designs independent distributors are women.

Bartlett said she and the other distributors make 50-percent commission on all the jewelry they sell.

For more information about Premier Designs, call Bartlett at 631-7419.