What Influences Me...

James Miller - the master at work from Orchid Galleries

I am always getting the question - where do you find all this great inspiration?  How do you find something new to write?    Aside from being on every mailing list in the Industry...these are the Influencers in my life and my go - to websites.

...for the Jewelry Designer and Learner in me:
       Ganoksin  - this is so much more than the Ganoksin Library of Archived Design Articles.  Their latest addition is a section called BenchTube - if you learn easier by seeing it - this is for you!  Videos on everything from beginning soldering to hinges to stone setting. Or draw inspiration and find new Designer talent in the Orchid Galleries. Blog posts from hundreds of voices in the Artisan, Lapidary and Retail Jeweler arenas are available on the Orchid Blogs.  The Orchid Forum gives you the ear of close to 10,000 working Jewelers and Lapidaries around the world. Have you ever wondered how other Bench Jewelers work?  you have to check out the BenchExchange project!  BTW - this amazing knowledge base in offered without fees and operates on donation and advertising ONLY.  So donate today or purchase from Advertisers on the site (and let them know you found them on Ganoksin)

Carol Holaday from Orchid Galleries

      Jewelry Making Daily - the new daily newsletter from Interweave - this pulls together all the best from their publications and tutorials - jewelry making techniques from Beads to Wire and, my favorite, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist.



...for the Tool and Equipement need in me:
      MJSA - from their new products announcements to their coverage and clear instructions for implementing new Government Requirements - to the always informational techniques covered in their magazine.  BTW - did you know that MJSA has an "Artisan Jeweler" level of membership?

...to feed my need for Beautiful Shiny Objects:
      JCKOnline - this magazine sets the standard for the Jewelry Industry, with news and marketing information for the Retail Jeweler.  But, what I draw from are the great Cutting Remarks blog by Rob Bates (this whole Kimberley Process thing has me confused and Rob helps me sort out the details).  My latest favorite at JCKOnline is the great behind the scenes posts by Jennifer Heebner on her Style 360 blog.  Whether it is a pictorial of outtakes from a cover shoot, shots of submissions for articles or her great coverage of venues like the recent Jewelry Show in India...she feeds my need for something gorgeous everyday.

Adrean Bloomard from Orchid Galleries 

...for the Gem Geek in me:
     AGTA - the American Gem Trade Assoc. - the website is filled with information for professionals and for customers alike...and their new e-Prism Newsletter collects some of the best information from the Internet and provides it to subscribers.

I get great information from Industry contacts, blogs (yep your blog may be influential), Google Alerts (for those of you who can't figure out how I found you) and press releases - if you want to inspire me - email me !

Golden Globes: Hollywood SHINES in Platinum Jewels...

So tonight was the Golden Globe Awards and I got together with Fashionistas and Jewelry Industry people for a Live Tweet Fest.

Take aways?  Same Black - Same gigantic earrings - Same stacks of bracelets...but...there were a few surprises.  The occasional pop of color was brilliant...in addition to the ones pictured below, there was...

Katey Sagal in the most exotic shade of coral-orange (I would love to know who made her earrings) had a surprise win for Sons of  Anarchy -  see LATimes story

Angelina Jolie shimmered in a fresh grass green...see the stunner on the Jewelry Insider blog

The adorable Lea Michele from Glee was sweet in Pantone's latest "hot color"....Honeysuckle.

In varying shades of soft coral pink were Clare Danes (love her stunning cuff - any idea who made this one?),  Emma Stone and in a vibrant coral red, the vivacious Sofia Vergara and the elegant Elizabeth Chambers on the arm of hubby Armie Hammer.



The Blues: Jane Krakowski showed her "Baby Bump" in soft Cornflower Blue and the girls in midnight blues...Amy Adams, Tina Fey

Eva Longoria decided to wear her jewels at her waistline...

Thanks to the Platinum Guild and Niki Ostin at PRLAB for the following:

• Natalie Portman: Platinum and diamond necklace, and platinum and diamond stud earrings by Tiffany & Co.
• Halle Berry: Platinum and diamond stud earrings (3.03 carats), and 5 platinum and diamond bracelets by Harry Winston.
• Jennifer Lopez: Platinum and diamond cluster earrings, platinum and diamond hair pin, platinum and diamond cuff, and a platinum and diamond ring (7.06 carats) by Harry Winston.
• Scarlett Johansson: Platinum and diamond bracelet from 1920 (22.48 carats), platinum and diamond bracelet from 1930, platinum and diamond hair clips from 1934, and platinum and diamond stud earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels.
• Catherine Zeta Jones: Platinum and diamond earrings (26.8 carats), platinum and diamond bracelet (14.87 carats), and a platinum and diamond ring (7.2 carats) by Van Cleef & Arpels.

• Michelle Williams: Vintage platinum and diamond stud earrings by Fred Leighton.
• Claire Danes: Platinum and diamond drop earrings (3 carats) by Fred Leighton.
• Amy Adams: Platinum and diamond ring by Cartier.
• Camilla Belle: Platinum and diamond bracelet from 1924 (12.50 carats) by Cartier.
• Christina Hendricks: Platinum and diamond earrings (20 carats), and 2 platinum and diamond bracelets (200 carats) by Chopard.
• Helen Mirren: Platinum and diamond necklace (55.08 carats), and a platinum and diamond bracelet by Cartier.

• Jennifer Lawrence: Platinum and emerald drop earrings (23 carats) with diamonds, and a platinum and diamond bracelet (21 carats) by Chopard.
• Julianna Margulies: Platinum and diamond cuff, and platinum and diamond stud earrings (8.07 carats) by Cartier.
• Edie Falco: Platinum earrings from the 1930’s with diamonds and onyx, 2 platinum and diamond bracelets, and a platinum and diamond ring by Fred Leighton.

• Tilda Swinton: Platinum and diamond chain necklace (100 carats) by Fred Leighton. 
• Lea Michele: Platinum earrings, bracelets and ring by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Megan Fox: Platinum earrings and ring by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Annette Bening: Platinum earrings and bracelet by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Tina Fey:  platinum earrings, bracelet and ring by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Christina Aguilera: Platinum rings and earrings by Lorraine Schwartz.

• Jane Krakowski: Platinum earrings and platinum cuffs by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Julia Ormond: Platinum jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Elisabeth Moss: Platinum earrings, and platinum ring by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Eva Longoria: Platinum and diamond brooches, and platinum and diamond stud earrings (5 carats) by Neil Lane.
• January Jones: Platinum and diamond earrings (7 carats), and platinum and diamond bracelets by Neil Lane.
• Jenna Ushkowitz: Platinum and diamond ring, platinum and diamond earrings, and a platinum cuff with white and pink diamonds by Neil Lane.

STYLELAB’S JEWELRY BRANDS ARE SELECTED BY A-LISTERS

STYLELAB’S JEWELRY BRANDS ARE SELECTED BY A-LISTERS FOR
THE 68TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Los Angeles, CA (January 16, 2011) – StyleLab’s Jewelry Suite for the Golden Globe Awards resulted in huge success for participating brands including Platinum Guild International, American Gem Trade Association, Dena Kemp, and Georland, among others. Brands received an exclusive opportunity to showcase their best red carpet pieces to the hottest celebrities and their wardrobe stylists. From platinum and diamonds to rubies and sapphires, over 150 pieces worth $14 million dollars were available for loan.

Celebrities who visited the Suite included: Minnie Driver (“Conviction”), Adrienne Maloof (“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”), Elizabeth Rohm (“Heroes”), Emily Bergl (“Desperate Housewives”), Kathleen Robertson (“CSI: Miami”), Steve Carell (“The Office”), Kate Flannery (“The Office”), Brit Morgan (“True Blood”), Mayim Bialik (“Big Bang Theory”), Candice Wiggins (WNBA player), Lee Unkrich (nominated Director “Toy Story 3”), Bonnie Arnold (nominated Producer “How To Train Your Dragon”), Alison Owen (nominated Executive Producer “Temple Grandin”), Gale Anne Hurd (nominated Executive Producer “The Walking Dead”), Janie Bryant (Costume Designer “Mad Men”), Mary Hart (“Entertainment Tonight”), and Marc Istook (TV Guide Network).

Celebrity stylist Michael O’Connor helped guests make their jewelry selection. “Celebrities are choosing one piece of statement jewelry – either bold earrings, a bracelet with classic white diamonds, or a ring with colorful gemstones,” says O’Connor.

The following celebrities and red carpet reporters selected jewelry from StyleLab’s Golden Globe Awards Suite for the show and parties:

Minnie Driver·      Diamond bracelet (14 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Diamond earrings (10 carats) by DENA KEMP

Elizabeth Rohmvarious parties
·      Diamond bracelets by DENA KEMP

Brit MorganInStyle Party
·      Platinum and diamond ring by ERICA COURTNEY
·      Cuff with diamonds and tourmaline by GEORLAND
·      Large hoop earrings with diamonds by GEORLAND

Emily Bergl·      Ring with peridot (120 carats), yellow diamonds, pink sapphires, and tsavorite garnets by GEORLAND
·      Large hoop earrings with sapphires by GEORLAND

Kate Flannery·      Two platinum and diamond cuffs by CHAD ALLISON
·      Earrings with blue sapphires and diamonds by DALLAS PRICE FOR THE AGTA COLLECTION          

Kathleen Robertson·      Diamond drop earrings (50 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Diamond bracelet (44 carats) by DENA KEMP

Mayim BialikInStyle Party
·      Platinum and diamond bracelet (25 carats) by UNEEK FINE JEWELRY COLLECTIONS
·      Platinum and diamond earrings by ERICA COURTNEY

Mary Hart·      Platinum bracelet with sapphires (14 carats) and diamonds (9 carats) by OMI GEMS FOR THE AGTA COLLECTION
·      Diamond ring (11 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Diamond earrings (12 carats) by DENA KEMP

Deborah Norville·      Bracelet with yellow and white diamonds (23 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Earrings with pink morganite (17 carats), rubylite (5 carats) and diamonds by YAEL DESIGNS FOR THE AGTA COLLECTION

Steve Carell + wife·      Onyx cufflinks from MICHAEL O’CONNOR PERSONAL COLLECTION
·      Butterfly pin with diamonds (6 carats) and tsavorite (21 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Ring with emerald (20 carats) and diamonds (11 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Earrings with mint tourmaline (17 carats) and diamond accents by  ADELER JEWELERS FOR THE AGTA COLLECTION

Alison Owen·      6 row diamond bracelet by GEORLAND
·      Platinum and diamond earrings (7 carats) by UNEEK FINE JEWELRY COLLECTIONS          

Gale Anne Hurd·      Necklace with blue sapphire (8 carats) and diamonds (15 carats) by SHAFTEL DIAMOND CO. FOR THE AGTA COLLECTION
·      Platinum earrings with sapphires and diamonds by MICHAEL C. FINA

Bonnie Arnold·      Earrings with tanzanite (9 carats) and diamonds by YAEL DESIGNS FOR THE AGTA COLLECTION
·      Platinum and diamond bracelet by J. BIRNBACH

Janie Bryant·      Diamond ring (27 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Diamond earrings (14 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Diamond bracelet (20 carats) by DENA KEMP

Candice Wigginsviewing party
·      Ring with diamonds and green tourmaline by ERICA COURTNEY
·      Earrings with green beryl and diamonds by ERICA COURTNEY

Lee Unkrich & wife·      Black and white diamond tie accent by CLIQ JEWELRY
·      Diamond bracelet (14 carats) by DENA KEMP
·      Black and white diamond earrings (53 carats) by DENA KEMP

Mark Istook·      Cufflinks with aquamarine by ROBIN ROTENIER

Guests attending the Suite also received a yoga gift card from Passport to Prana, and luxury beauty products from DermStore.

StyleLab's Jewelry Suite...

Celeb Stylist Michael O'Connor in the StyleLab Jewelry Suite...for the Golden Globe Awards