How to Meet With Me at The CMD Shop

One of my favorite parts of having The CMD Shop & Studio in Asbury Park is getting to spend real one-on-one time with the people who wear my work.

Maybe you want help building your Dream Stack. Maybe you're ready to reimagine heirloom jewelry through Reconstruction, design a wedding band, talk through a Custom project or finally try on the ring you've been eyeing online. There are a few different ways we can do that, depending on what you're looking for.

And if you're nowhere near New Jersey, don't worry. We can do a surprising amount together virtually too.

Book a One-on-One Appointment With Me

If you already have a pretty good idea of what you're looking for and want dedicated time together, book a one-on-one appointment with me at The CMD Shop.

Appointments are great when you want to build or add to a stack, compare different metals and ring widths, shop for a meaningful gift, choose a Special Occasion piece or get my eyes on something you've been considering online. Having that time together means we can pull out options, try combinations and figure out what actually feels right on you rather than guessing from a screen.

It's also one of my favorite ways to work. Sometimes you walk in convinced you want one thing and discover that a completely different shape, proportion or combination makes you light up. That's the fun part.

Reconstruction & Custom Jewelry Appointments

If you're coming to me with old jewelry, heirloom stones or a more involved design idea, that's a different kind of conversation.

Reconstruction projects might begin with a diamond from an old wedding set, gold bands inherited from someone you love, stones that have been sitting in a jewelry box for years or a piece that means something to you but simply doesn't feel like you anymore. Custom and Special Occasion Jewelry can also begin from scratch with an idea we develop together.

You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you want. That's part of why we meet. I'll look at what you have, listen to what you're drawn to and start helping you imagine what's possible.

If you're curious about Reconstruction but aren't ready to dive into a full design appointment yet, you can also book a complimentary 15-minute Reconstruction consultation. It's an easy place to start if you have questions about your jewelry, the process, timing or whether your project might be a good fit for CMD.

Yes, We Can Meet Virtually

You absolutely do not need to live near Asbury Park to work with me. I meet with clients virtually all the time, including for Reconstruction and Custom Projects.

I'll show you jewelry on camera, send photos and videos when we need a closer look at scale or detail and talk through materials, proportions and design ideas just as I would if you were sitting across from me at the shop. For Reconstruction projects, we'll also walk through how to safely get your jewelry to us when the time comes.

Some of my most personal projects have happened with clients hundreds or thousands of miles away. Distance is a non-issue.

What Does a Reconstruction Project Actually Look Like?

If the idea of handing over sentimental jewelry makes you a little nervous, I completely understand. There are decisions and checkpoints throughout the process, and nothing simply disappears into a mysterious jewelry-making abyss.

I've put together more information about Reconstruction and jewelry recycling here, including what kinds of materials we can work with and what happens along the way.

For a real-world example, take a look at Becky's Custom Wedding Stack with Heirloom Diamonds. Becky came to me with her 25-year-old wedding set, including a broken diamond setting and bands that were missing stones. Together, we transformed those materials into a completely new three-ring mixed-metal stack centered around her original 1.14-carat diamond.

When Becky received it, she told me, "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever owned." That is exactly why I love this work.

Custom Doesn't Have to Mean Traditional

One thing I really want people to understand is that Special Occasion Jewelry doesn't have to look like anyone else's idea of an engagement ring, wedding band or anniversary piece.

Maybe you want flush-set diamonds in one of my classic square bands. Maybe you're ready for solid gold. Maybe you want a wider, chunkier ring inspired by something you've seen me wearing, or you want to build an entire mixed-metal stack around one stone that's been in your family for decades.

Bring me the weird idea. Bring me the half-formed idea. Bring me the jewelry you've had tucked away because you know you want to do something with it but haven't figured out what yet. We can start there.

Prefer to Walk In? Come to Open Hours

If you don't need dedicated appointment time and mostly want to see the space, try on jewelry, build a stack, make an exchange or say hello, come see me during scheduled Open Hours or one of my upcoming events.

Open Hours are the times when you can simply walk into The CMD Shop & Studio without an appointment. They're relaxed, low-pressure and a great option if you want to see what CMD jewelry feels like in person before deciding what comes next.

Because the shop isn't open traditional retail hours every day, I always recommend checking my current Events & Happenings schedule before heading to Bond Street.

So, Which Should You Choose?

If you want dedicated time with me, have a specific purchase in mind or want to talk through a Custom, Reconstruction or Special Occasion project, make an appointment. If you have early questions about Reconstruction and aren't ready for a full appointment, start with a complimentary 15-minute consultation. If you mostly want to explore, try things on and see what catches your eye, come to Open Hours.

And if you're far away, choose virtual. We can still make something incredible together.

However we meet, I can't wait to see what we come up with.

With love,
Colleen

© Colleen Mauer Designs. All rights reserved.
Published: August 5, 2025
Updated: August 22, 2026