Take home a memory

What’s better than finding a beautiful memento of Charleston? Purchasing it at a store where, year after year, you’re welcomed back like family.

“Our goal is to make our customers happy,” says Vicki Wolfe, owner of Gold Creations. “We strive to please our customers.”

Vicki and her family have been in the jewelry business since 1975, when she and her late husband, Glenn Wolfe Jr., began selling jewelry in the Historic Charleston Market. “We decided to sell Indian jewelry, which was all the rage then,” says Wolfe. “The market was only on Saturdays, and we were one of its first full time vendors. Eventually we expanded our products and our space.”

Today, Gold Creations is a premier destination in the area for fine jewelry, including diamonds, pearls and cameos. “We’re widely known for our huge selection of gold and sterling silver charms,” says Wolfe. “We have hundreds! Additionally, we have numerous hand-engraved items, including rings, pendants and earrings.”

In fact, several of the handmade pieces are the unique designs of Mr. Wolfe. “My husband originally designed most of our Charleston themed charms,” says Wolfe. “We still cast about two dozen original designs.”

Gold Creations is a one-stop shop for timeless classics, like Charleston Rice Beads. “The Rice Beads are sterling silver and make a great gift for Valentine’s Day or any occasion,” says Wolfe. “They are unique to our Charleston heritage, which also makes them great take-home gifts.”

Other popular items include diamond-andsapphire Palmetto trees in pendants and earrings. “We now carry the ironwork gate jewelry in 14K gold, as well as sterling silver,” says Wolfe.“Our customers return year after year,” she says. “They know they’ll always find a familiar face and have an exceptional shopping experience.”

Gold Creations
843-577-4862
www.goldcreationschas.com

Put yourself in motion

Marina Fridmanovich, owner of Mount Pleasant’s Elite Dance Studio assures me that she can teach me to dance despite my hopeless lack of coordination. “It takes time and dedication but anyone can become a great dancer,” she says.

Fridmanovich opened her studio in January of 2011 and is celebrating a successful first year. “I always wanted to own my own studio,” she says. “I’ve danced all my life. I grew up in my father’s studio, and he is a dance coach. My sister and I learned ballroom dancing and Latin dancing as children. It was inevitable that I would choose this path; my passion for dancing has grown throughout my life.”

The studio offers instruction in all types of dance, from the swing and shag to international and American ballroom to many types of Latin dance (including the Argentine tango!). For workout enthusiasts, there’s Zumba. Private lessons are the best way to quickly prepare for life’s big social events. “For couples getting married, we have dance lessons for the bride and groom,” says Fridmanovich. “We also offer exciting group classes and social dances.”

If you’re looking for a way to get in shape and the gym seems boring, dance is a great way to get exercise. “One of my interests is to organize ‘dancesport,’ which is competitive dancing,” Fridmanovich says. “It’s like being on Dancing with the Stars! It’s wonderful exercise! “

This Valentine’s Day, couples searching for something fun and romantic can register for the Elite Studio Valentine’s Ball. For $75, they will get heavy hors d’oeuvres, beverages, a dance performance, plenty of social dancing and three private lessons before the ball so they can hit the floor in style.

“We offer every style of dance from ballroom to hip-hop,” says Fridmanovich. “And we work with everyone’s skill set…You just have to be passionate!”

Elite Dance Studio
843-654-1011
www.elitedancecharleston.com