Submission deadline: Jan. 15, 2009

More info on my previous post:

http://metalcyberspace.com/blog/archives/category/organizations/mjsa

Susan Sarantos
http://www.sarantos.com
http://www.metalcyberspace.com

Submission deadline: Jan. 15, 2009

General Information
The MJSA Vision Awards Design Competition annually recognizes the talent and innovation of designers whose work will have a profound influence on the future of jewelry design. In addition to the overall Professional and Student Awards, the competition features special Distinction Awards that allow us to recognize designers using specific materials or technologies in new and creative ways. This year’s featured Distinction categories include:

Enamel Distinction, sponsored by Rio Grande
Laser Distinction, sponsored by Crafford–LaserStar Technologies Corp.
Mokumé-gane Distinction, sponsored by Shining Wave Metals and Reactive Metals Studio
Palladium Distinction, sponsored by Hoover & Strong
Platinum Distinction, sponsored by Platinum Guild International

New for 2009! The Reactive Metals Challenge
The first 10 professional entrants for this challenge will have their $50 entry fees waived, courtesy of Reactive Metals Studio, if their designs incorporate the use of reactive metals. The winner of this challenge will receive a $500 cash prize.

All first and second place winners in all categories will receive cash awards of up to $1,000. Their winning entries will be on display for thousands of buyers and exhibitors during the annual MJSA Expo New York, the largest and oldest trade show in the U.S. dedicated to the design and manufacturing of jewelry.

MJSA promotes competition winners through E-newsletters, here on the association website, and through other leading industry publications. Winners will also be featured in an article in MJSA Journal, one of the jewelry industry’s most respected trade publications.

In addition to the overall professional and student awards, the competition features special distinction awards that allow us to recognize designers using specific materials or technologies in new and creative ways.

All first and second place winners in all categories will receive cash awards of up $1,000. Their winning entries will be on display for thousands of buyers and exhibitors during the annual MJSA Expo New York show. MJSA promotes competition winners through E-newsletters, here on the association Web site, and through other leading industry publications. Winners will also be featured in an article in MJSA Journal, one of the jewelry industry’s most respected trade publications.

Eligibility
Eligible contestants are independent jewelry designers, company-employed jewelry designers, and students enrolled in an art or design-related program at a college or university. By entering the MJSA Vision Awards Design Competition, winners agree to have their names, photos, and designs used and displayed in conjunction with Expo New York and in any publicity generated by MJSA.

Judging
Winners are selected by leading manufacturers, jewelry designers, and other industry experts on the basis of creativity, presentation quality, effective use of materials, wearability, and the design’s perceived manufacturing and marketing potential. MJSA Vision Award judges may reject any entry which, in their opinion, fails to meet competition standards.

Learn everything from soldering, casting, refining, and design techniques to pricing and promoting your products to photographing your jewelry. Have your questions answered and walk away with the knowledge and resources you won’t find at any other jewelry industry event. And best of all, these opportunities can be taken advantage of for FREE. For a full description, please visit the seminar page.

MJSA Expo New York is the largest and oldest trade show in the United States dedicated to the design and manufacturing of jewelry. The show features nearly 400 exhibits of some of the latest and most innovative tools, supplies, machinery, components, services, and finished products all under one roof. MJSA members attend Expo New York free of charge. The charge for non-MJSA members is $15 (U.S.) when registering at the show. Advanced registration for both MJSA members and non-members is FREE.

listing of seminars 

Show Hours
Sunday, April 13        10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, April 14        10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 15        10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Buyer registration opens at 9:00 a.m. each day

Students enrolled in jewelry-related programs are welcome at the show during the following times ONLY :
Sunday, April 13         3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 15        10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Students must present their student ID when registering.

Volunteered to help SNAG with their booth (deja vu for me) and handed out free copies of Metalsmith to attendees and vendors.  They only had the recent Exhibition in Print issue available so I had to explain that it was the special issue. I wish I had a copy of the regular version of the magazine to show people too.

It was not very busy that day which made me sad because I could see such a huge potential for this show. Most of the people that were there had also attended the previous day so I was left with more than a few magazines  & brochures which I happily handed off to Metalwerx and other school people at the end of the day. I’m sure they will find good homes with their students.
It was nice catching up with people and meeting new ones. Ended the day having a nice dinner with Reactive Metals Studio. Thanks Bill!

I was thinking of ways to increase attendance. Here are my thoughts:

1. Plan the show to coincide with other events. Coordinate exhibitions with the local galleries and museums featuring JEWELRY. The Providence Jewelry Museum and the RISD Museum come to mind. Set up a gallery night with the trolley.

2. Network with schools. RISD is practically across the street from the conference center. It would be the perfect place to hold a symposium about contemporary jewelry. Panel discussions and workshops that could possibly be funded by grants from RISCA or the NEA. Sponsor international artists to participate.

3. Include a weekend for the show instead of having it only during the week while most people are at work or school. Weds/Thursday was tough for many people.

4. Work with the Chamber of Commerce in Providence and RIEDC. Emphasize the convenience of trains to reach the city. Possible special Waterfire event?

5. Display the MJSA Vision Award pieces at the show. (I didn’t see them if they were.)

I’m sure I have more ideas floating around but those are enough to start.
It’s time for me to get back to my bench and start working now that I have new gemstones and inspirations.

S.E. Sarantos

Rhode Island Convention Center, Downtown Providence
October 10 & 11, 2007

Online registration at http://www.mjsa.org

All workshops are FREE and will take place at the Swarovski Training Area on the show floor.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10

10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Soldering Made Simple

This hands-on seminar will explore the basics of soldering brass and white metal castings.  Various types of solder and flux with different applications will also be discussed, and participants will learn proper soldering techniques to ensure a high-quality end product.

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Gluing of Crystal Stones

This hands-on seminar will focus of the proper techniques required to glue Swarovski crystal stones to ensure high-quality end products. Participants will experiment with various types of materials, such as wood, glass, fabric, and metals, and will learn the proper types of glue and techniques to be used in each case. 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pearl Knotting

This hands-on seminar will focus on the proper technique of pearl knotting to ensure high-quality end products using the Tri-Cord Knotter tool. Participants will experiment with various tools and Swarovski Crystal Pearls to create a beautiful, hand-knotted jewelry pieces.

Rhode Island Convention Center, Downtown Providence
October 10 & 11, 2007

Online registration at http://www.mjsa.org

All seminars are FREE and will take place at the Education & Presentation Area on the show floor.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
So You Have a Great Product Idea, What Next?!
Elizabeth Brehmer, Stuller Inc.

This seminar explains the process that a company goes through when evaluating an inventor’s or a designer’s concept for potential licensing and manufacture. Learn about licensing agreements, business plans, and how to present your protected idea to the market. Also learn how to prepare yourself to present your concept, what questions to ask, and what you and the licensor might expect in the long term.

12:45 – 2:15 p.m.
Insurance for the Home-Based or Small Business Owner
Miriam Stoecker, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company

Learn about the importance of having a specific insurance policy for your home-based or small jewelry business. This presentation will help you better understand insurance and what key factors will affect your premium and reduce your risks. You will also find out how you can prevent losses, as well as learn about the many educational resources that Jewelers Mutual provides.

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Identifying and Working With Gemstones
Cap Beesley, American Gemological Laboratories and Arthur Anton Skuratowicz,Jewelry Training Center Learn about various gemstones and how to best work on gem-set jewelry. You will also learn how various gems react to heat and pressure, how to modify mountings for specific stones, and howto identify treatments and enhancements to avoid damaging—often irreplaceable—gemstones. Working with Gemstones by Arthur Anton Skuratowicz will be available at a special discount for seminar attendees.

4:15 – 5:45 p.m.
The 3P’s—Promotion, Pricing, and Production—a Primer
Chris Ploof, Chris Ploof Designs

When it comes to selling your work, being an excellent goldsmith is not enough. You must be able to effectively promote yourself and your work, have a clear understanding of pricing, and have the ability to produce when the orders start flowing. In this seminar, Chris will share some of the conventional and non-conventional approaches he has made to the 3P’s, as well as which ones have worked and which ones have not.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Creating with Argentium Sterling Silver
Cynthia Eid, Cynthia Eid Designs
 Argentium sterling silver is a new alloy that is free of fire-scale, highly tarnish resistant, weldable, and more malleable and ductile than traditional sterling. Learn how to best work with this alloy when performing various techniques, including annealing, soldering, fusing, hardening, keum-boo, and finishing.

12:45 – 2:15 p.m.
Shopping the Aisles of History for Designs
Gail Levine, NAJA, Auction Market Resources

Every design has its own origin. Spark your creative side and get a view of history from an expert who can show you where designs originate. You will find a variety of time periods from which to shop for style, techniques, designs, and metals. You will also learn what’s new is old, and what’s old can be freshened to become new again.

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
The ABC’s of Casting
Linus Drogs, Au Enterprises

This seminar will give you an insight into the foundations of good casting procedures. Discover the basic steps and learn various tips and techniques, from melting to spruing to investing, as well as about available casting technologies. This seminar will also provide you with tips on setting up a casting shop in a small environment.