Mystery Box" Raffle Raises Over $1,700 for MJSA Education Foundation

"Mystery Box" Raffle Raises Over $1,700

for MJSA Education Foundation

  

In addition to an eclectic set of materials (including niobium discs, spiny oyster shells, and colored ribbons), the jewelry created for MJSA Journal's "Mystery Box Challenge" shared two traits. First, the pieces were all expertly made. Second, they all ultimately contributed to the mission of the MJSA Education Foundation, raising $1,745 in raffle sales during MJSA's Expo New York trade show (March 10-12 at the Hilton New York).

Michelle Pajak-Reynolds, Stow, Ohio

The Journal--MJSA's monthly magazine dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design--annually sponsors the "Mystery Box Challenge," which has become a reader favorite since its debut in 2012. Inspired by the "Chopped" cooking show, it presents jewelry designers with eclectic, unfamiliar materials (all donated by industry suppliers) and asks them to create original jewelry pieces in four weeks' time. The results, published in the magazine, have been case studies of the creative process in action.

This year, five of the "Mystery Box Masterpieces" were displayed at Expo New York, and tickets were sold for a raffle conducted after the show. The participating designers were:Gregoré Morin, Santa Barbara, California; Michelle Pajak-Reynolds, Stow, Ohio; Geoffrey Giles, Asheville, North Carolina; Erik Stewart, Tucson, Arizona; and Ryan Roberts/Robin Waynee, Santa Fe, New Mexico. (A sixth piece, made by Davina Romansky, had been previously sold and was unavailable.)

Erik Stewart, Tucson, Arizona

The raffle winners are:

* Steven Adler, A3DM (Ryan Roberts/Robin Waynee ring)

* Alan Bell, Rio Grande (Geoffrey Giles ring)

* Andy Holwell, Johnson Matthey (Erik Stewart domed earrings)

* Yvonne Padilla, Rio Grande (Michelle Pajak-Reynolds necklace)

* Scott Raskin, Kemp Metals (Gregoré Morin drop earrings)

The suppliers that donated materials are:

Boston Gems, Boston, bosgems.com 

(moonstone cabochon)

Downeast Trading, Middlebury, Vermont, downeasttrading.com

(6-inch length of silver link chain)

Findings Inc./Leach Garner, Keene, New Hampshire, findingsinc.net

(a pair of leverbacks, a lobster claw, and a toggle clasp, all sterling silver)

Hoover & Strong, Richmond, Virginia, hooverandstrong.com

(18 gauge sheet of 4-inch-square TruSilver)

National Chain Group, Warwick, Rhode Island, natchain.com

(18-inch sterling silver round box chain)

Reactive Metals Studio, Clarkdale, Arizona, reactivemetals.com

(purple and blue niobium discs, blue and purple niobium wire)

Rings & Things, Spokane, Washington, rings-things.com

(Heishi spiny oyster shell beads; 12 round amethyst beads; 12 faceted amethyst beads)

Rio Grande, Albuquerque, New Mexico, riogrande.com

(2 mm silk cords in different colors; 6 mm silver and black mesh ribbon; #3 Stringth bead cord in different colors)

United Precious Metal Refining, Alden, New York, unitedpmr.com

(1-mm-thick sheet of 4-inch square Sterlium Plus silver)

Proceeds will be used to fund student scholarships offered by the MJSA Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports programs developed to enhance the skills of current workers and develop the next generation of jewelry makers and designers.

To learn more about MJSA Journal and "The Mystery Box Challenge," including articles about the creation of the pieces, go to MJSA.org.

Ryan Roberts and Robin Waynee, Santa Fe, New Mexico

About MJSA

MJSA is the U.S. trade association for jewelry makers, designers, and related suppliers. It provides the resources to achieve professional excellence and maintain a competitive edge. For more information, call MJSA at 1-800-444-6572 or visit

www.mjsa.org.