Two People, Three Platinum Rings
The theme for 2008 is The Platinum Wedding.
Entries to be submitted online as digital images and can be either of renderings or actual jewelry.
Deadline is April 18, 2008
For more details go to:
http://www.womensjewelry.org/awards/documents/DIVA08app.pdf
The Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC), part of The Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery, assists the jewellery and silversmithing industries with new technology applications.
The School of Jewellery and Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre has announced it’s new Short Course program for 2008.
Courses are open to everyone on a first-come first served basis. Reservations for the 5 week program beginning on June 23rd will be accepted now.
New courses for 2008 include:
Decorative Techniques for Jewellers : Jinks McGrath
Exploring Concepts for Contemporary Earrings : Yvonne Kulagowski
Gemstone or Glass – What are you buying : Kate Hopley
Hand Engraving : Mark Phelps
How to Use Coloured Resins in your Jewellery : Clare John
Jewellery – Clasps, Catches and Clips : Richard Witek
Marketing & Promoting your Jewellery Business : Yvonne Kulagowski
Models from Milliput – An Alternative to Wax : Mark Brayley
Narrative Jewellery – An Introduction : Xavier Ines Monclús
JIIC will be holding open days 3:30-6pm on April 8 & 9, 2008
METAL Inclinations
International Online Metalsmithing and Jewelry Exhibition
Call for Entries:
Deadline to enter: June 30, 2008
Exhibition debuts online October 31, 2008 and runs one year until October 31, 2009
Jurors for the show are: Michael Monroe, Marilyn da Silva and Susie Ganch
Sponsored by the Society for Midwest Metalsmiths
MJSA Expo New York
April 13-15, 2008
Jacob Javits Convention Center
New York City
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.
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.
Phillip Fike
born July 17, 1927 – died Dec. 8, 1997
Wow ! Has it really been ten years since my good friend Phillip Fike left this planet? I feel his presence around me all the time and it makes me think he’s still here.
We met at my first SNAG conference in the 80’s. I remember being in a dark bar surrounded by a sea of people and being told these amazing stories of past escapades. I wish I had taped them because I can no longer remember the exact details but I will always remember them with a smile.
For those too young to have met him, Phillip was a founding member of SNAG and the person who came up with the acronym SNAG (the Society of North American Goldsmiths).
He would make fabulous fibulae which is an ancient form of a brooch. The types that the Romans and Greeks would use to fasten their garments. He was an expert with Niello. He was a professor at Wayne State University in Michigan from 1953-1997.
When I told him that I was running for the SNAG Board, he grabbed my hand strongly, would not let go, then thanked me and told me that I understood and represented the spirit of the original Society of North American Goldsmiths. Michael Good told me the same at Tavern on the Green in NY at WJA. I was honored that they felt that way about me. I won the election and served on it from 1994-1998.
It saddens me to know that a new generation of metalsmiths will never have the chance to experience firsthand the great man Phillip Fike.
I do have a page in progress. I need to add a few photos and more information. Just have not been able to scan them yet. If people have info and stories I would love to hear from them.
SNAG 2008 Conference
Crosscurrents: Diverse Solutions in a Global Environment
March 5-8, 2008 in historic and vibrant Savannah, GA
hosted by the Savannah College of Art & Design
The 2008 conference features presenters such as: internationally acclaimed fiber artist and keynote speaker Sheila Hicks, studio jeweler Bruce Metcalf and editor Andrew Wagner, German artist Iris Eichenberg, Australian artist Carlier Makigawa, British jeweler Norman Cherry, artist Deb Todd Wheeler and designer Richard Nelipovich.
The 37th annual SNAG conference is open for registration.
Register by January 30, 2008 to take advantage of the lowest rates available
Attended the MJSA Trade Show for Jewelry Making in Providence, RI on Oct. 11,2007.
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
inside out: JMGA 2008 Conference:
13th Biennial Conference of the Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia, Adelaide
Jan. 25-27, 2008
inside out explores jewellery and object making inside the Australia, Asia and Pacific regions and outside the conventions of mainstream practice.
The conference will bring together practitioners, educators, collectors, critics and cultural theorists for three days of discussion, debate, interaction and the exchange of ideas.
MJSA Trade Show for Jewelry Making Presents Swarovski Workshops by Nick Regine and Leigh Alsfeld
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.
MJSA Jewelry Academy at the Trade Show for Jewelry Making
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.
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Secrets of the Gem Trade