"FOOT LOVERS HAVE A PURPOSE AT THIS YEAR'S FALL FESTIVAL — Look for Robin Danica Cohen's Los Altos-based business, Once Upon A Toe, specializing in toe rings, at this year's Celebrate Los Altos Fall Festival.

If you want to look beautiful from head-to-toe — literally — you might consider a run-in with Robin Danica Cohen at this weekend's Celebrate Los Altos Fall Festival. Cohen, 31, specializes in toe rings, which she said are gaining in popularity. The past six years, she has successfully run her Los Altos-based business, Once Upon A Toe. Cohen also participates in 40-50 art and wine festivals annually.

"We custom-fit people with over 50 sizes," she said proudly. Cohen herself has been wearing toe rings for more than 15 years. She began wearing them while growing up in Southern California, where she said people in general were more receptive to this form of jewelry. Samples of her work show the rings going on the second toe. She said the rings are made to fit comfortably and are compatible with everything from sandals to high heels. "We have them with diamonds, rubies and sapphires," Cohen said, noting that the prices vary dramatically — from $6. to $900.

But — why toe rings? "Women love to decorate, whether it's their home or themselves, " she said. She called her merchandise "fine pieces of jewelry. They're very classy, not funky." She said most of her clientele are women aged from 35-65, although men are customers as well.

Cohen said she runs a profitable business with her husband and up to 10 employees, a business she started after losing "everything" in a house fire more than six years ago. She felt she was on to something in choosing toe rings as the basis for her new business when she noticed, "everybody gawking at my feet."

Lost Altos Town Crier
October 4, 2000