Sometimes one ending is a new beginning.
Whiplash Curve is the new business and brainchild of Bonnie Stephens and Eleanor Mattingly.
The store had a soft opening on July 31 and is located at 423 1st St. in Eureka. Stephens and Mattingly are the former owners of Graystone Jewelers.
”Whiplash curve” is jewelry term widely present in art nouveau and represents a different style and direction that Stephens and Mattingly are taking with their business. When they decided to downsize a few months ago due to recession, Stephens and Mattingly had a few options. They eventually decided to concentrate on offering selections of their own work and certain select vendors.
Health Sport by the Bay was looking for a larger location and Whiplash Curve needed a smaller location. Both properties are managed by the same landlord and so the businesses switched locations. “It was serendipity,” said Stephens.
Stephens and Mattingly did offer their own creations at the old store, but at Whiplash Curve there will be more items available on display, and they say they are going to do a lot more custom work.
”This is an opportunity for us to highlight more of our own designs,” said Mattingly. Offering local and regional items allows them to work directly with the jeweler and cuts out the middleman.
Stephens and Mattingly also want to offer jewelry mostly available in the U.S because “the diamonds are conflict-free”and the items are recyclable.