Lisa Bellacero opened up No Stone Unturned, a jewelry boutique at 96 Kraft Avenue in Bronxville, in 2009.  Since then, she has expanded her business to beading, where customers can come in to design and create their own jewelry, as well as host their own beading parties for their children or friends.  She has hosted two fundraisers for Alex's Lemonade Stand, an organization that raises money for Pediatric Cancer, and has taught after school beading programs at two local schools.

What was your background prior to opening No Stone Unturned?

I worked in retail during my training at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising in NYC.  I transferred to Iona College and attained a BS in Business Management and then went on to a purchasing career for a high end home furnishing business in Manhattan.  I wanted a change from the corporate environment and that’s when I decided to open No Stone Unturned.  I always had a love for jewelry and I thought 'What could be better than turning something I was passionate about into a career?'  It wasn’t until I had No Stone Unturned that I also realized how much I liked working with children and that is how all the beading and beading parties came to fruition.

Why is No Stone Unturned a good place to shop?

No Stone Unturned strives to provide a friendly, comfortable and relaxed shopping environment.  I love scented candles and I always have one burning. The soothing scents create a relaxing shopping environment and help melt away the stresses of the day. We offer quality at prices that people can afford and many of ourproducts are hand-made, original, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Tell us a little bit about the changes you’ve made to adapt your business to fit the needs of the Bronxville consumer?

Shortly after opening people started expressing an interest in being able to make their own beaded jewelry because they knew we hand made a lot of jewelry here. After a while we decided that not only would we make a “Create your own section” but we would also offer beading parties.  We now have a wide selection of beads to choose from.  You can either walk-in and bead your own piece, or create a special piece as a gift or book a beading party.

Tell me a little bit about the birthday parties you offer.

We offer birthday parties for girls, ages 5 years old and up.  The girls design and create their own jewelry project.  We put on the finishing touches and they leave with smiling faces, proudly displaying their new piece of jewelry.  The moms just love it because they do not have to purchase party favors.  It is also convenient for them – they can patronize other local businesses before and after the party. Typically, they take the group out to lunch or dinner at a local venue and perhaps do another activity, such as an ice cream stop or the movies after the party.

What do you like most about your business?

I love the people. Everyone has their own story to tell and some of my customers are simply fascinating!  Bronxville is such a quaint town and all the other vendors were so welcoming to me when I opened the business.  Most of all, I enjoy the satisfied looks on the shoppers' faces when they find that perfect gift at the right price.  What I truly love though are the parties.  I get such a kick out of the kids– their interactions with each other, their focus and enthusiasm to create a special piece of jewelry.  In the past two months I have been teaching a beading after school mini-course at St. Joseph’s School and I have loved the opportunity to work with the children and see them use their imagination to create beautiful pieces.  That has been one of my favorite things about my business.  It made me realize how much fun it is to work with children on a creative level.

What are your plans for the future?

I am just focusing on growing my business.  We will be participating in the sidewalks sales when the weather finally gets warmer. Last year we raised $1,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand for pediatric cancer research, and we put the stand up again this year. We also plan to bring in a larger variety of beading supplies and perhaps offering more advanced teachings of wirework and other techniques. Stay tuned!!