Halstead Bead Grant Winner Annouced!

Cowboy’s Sweetheart Jewelry Wins National Award & Business Grant

Cowboy’s Sweetheart is the 2010 winner of the 5th annual grant competition sponsored by Halstead Bead, Inc. The Jewelry Design Business Development Grant is awarded to a new jewelry entrepreneur each year.

Western jewelry designer Amy Fortunato of Cowboy’s Sweetheart rounded up top honors in the 2010 Jewelry Design Business Development Grant competition. Her prize package includes $6,000 in start-up cash and jewelry supplies. The annual award is sponsored by jewelry supply wholesaler Halstead Bead, Inc.

The grant is awarded to a new jeweler in the bridge or art jewelry segment each year in recognition of design skill and business acumen. Candidates must submit lengthy applications including portfolios of original jewelry and details of their business plans.

“Amy’s work beautifully blends western inspired silversmithing with contemporary design elements. Her line is both fashionable and affordable,” said one competition judge,Hilary Halstead Scott, “her witty branding and accessible price points are perfect for an accessory start-up in the current economy.”

Fortunato received her jewelry training as part of a Fine Arts degree from the University of Connecticut. Her career has included graphic design and jewelry production for other companies prior to launching Cowboy’s Sweetheart. Fortunato describes the genesis of her company as her answer to the call “Go West, young lady, go West!” After moving to Colorado she began her love affair with the region’s natural surroundings, history and people.

“I attempt to celebrate a little bit of the American West each time I turn out a new piece.” she stated. “I am thrilled to receive this recognition and the opportunity to grow my business.”

Cowboy’s Sweetheart joins a distinguished list of past Grant winners in the industry. Her jewelry collections are available online at www.Cowboys-Sweetheart.com. A complete list of past grant recipients and finalists as well as competition details are on the Jewelry Design Business Development Grant website at www.HalsteadBead.com/grant.

The "Well-Healed" Tourmaline...and more

Today over at Michael Lebowitz's Posterous...

Michael asked: "While talking about visualizing time and evolution, it occurred to me that tree rings are naturally occurring data visualization... any other examples out there?"

Crystals are the perfect example!

This tourmaline out grew the Vug it called home - broke off and with time and pressure it healed grew a little - broke - healed - grew a little - broke...and so on...until this "well-healed" (pun intended) tourmaline was found bent and broken yet solid and a beautiful testament to time.

...and then of course you also have the various minerals that hit the region represented in the color banding! YEP! crystals are the perfect example of naturally occurring data visualization!

Tourmaline from Paprock, Afghanistan
http://atomicperfection.com/

From Fine Mineral Show - San Francisco

or...this gorgeous Aquamarine...what catastrophic event do you think caused the dramatic loss of color at that particular point in the growth of the crystal?

Aquamarine from Alpine Mineral Company
http://www.alpineminerals.com/minerals.html

From Fine Mineral Show - San Francisco

What's So Funny?

Brigitte Martin of crafthaus asks...What's so funny?

Humor in Craft

People of all ages and cultures respondto humor enthusiastically and craft artwork definitely can be very funny !

Often, the work exudes a sense of the absurd due to exaggerated size or by being executed in unusual materials. Craft artwork can be highly ironic, political, sarcastic, or just plain amusing, and it comes in a variety of media, such as metals, wood, fibers, ceramics, glass, mixed media etc.

Brigitte Martin has joined up with Schiffer Publishing to develop a book about the role humor plays in contemporary craft, and we welcome your submissions in image, text, audio, and video !

We are lookingfor the following contributions:
- images of humorous artwork,
- texts/essays by the contributing artists, commenting about humorous aspects in their artwork,
- audio art
- video art (the book will contain a CD of audio/video art depending on qualifying submissions)
- essays by writers about the role of humor and fun in craft.

Can you show us humor in all its shades expressed through craft artwork and text ? Who decides what's funny and what isn't ? What topics are off-limits ? Is irony funny ? Sarcasm ? Are politics funny ? Religion ? This book aims to provide the viewer with entertainment, commentary, and of course, many fine craft pieces by makers from all over the world. Humor has no borders. Or does it ? It might be interesting to learn how a piece will be hilarious in China, but only garner mild astonishment in Sweden and vice versa.

This call is open to craft artists working in all craft media. crafthaus membership is not required. International entries are particularly welcome and encouraged ! The book is scheduled to be on the market in 2012.

This is a rolling call: THE SOONER YOU SEND IN YOUR ENTRY the greater your chance to be considered ! Final deadline: March 1, 2011.

Artists:

To submit your work for initial consideration, please email:
humorincraft@yahoo.com

- low res image(s),

- information regarding media, measurements,

- brief blurb about your work and your views on the topic of "humor in craft"

- Audio/Video artists: Please email an excerpt of your piece or direct me to a website where your work can be heard/seen.

Once selected, you will receive detailed information about the image requirements for printing, as well as other pertinent information and a deadline for final submission.

Image requirements for eventual inclusion in book:

Be prepared to submit your photos at 300 dpi and sized 15 x 10 inches !
Format: tiff or jpg

AdobeRGB1998 preferred but not necessary
Pixel count for a 9 x 7 image is: 3500 x 2800 pixels

Writers:

Please submit a brief outline on your proposed essay topic, as well
as some information about you to:
email: humorincraft@yahoo.com

Photos from crafthaus

Jewelry Historians Tour of All That Glitters Exhibit in San Diego!

American Society of Jewelry Historians Offers Exclusive Tour of All That Glitters: The Splendor & Science of Gems & Minerals at San Diego Natural History Museum

Exhibit Curator Elise B. Misiorowski leads tour on Sat., August 7 at 9:45 a.m.

SAN DIEGO – The Southern California Chapter of The American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) announced an exclusive tour of the new exhibition, All That Glitters: The Splendor & Science of Gems & Minerals, at the San Diego Natural History Museum on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 9:45 a.m. This unique show highlights a wide range of spectacular natural mineral crystals, exquisite jewelry, and works of art. Exhibit curator and GIA Graduate Gemologist Elise B. Misiorowski will lead the tour for ASJH members and their guests.

The exhibition focuses on gemstones and minerals native to California including the rare state gemstone Benitoite - only found in San Benito County, California. Tour participants will also view dazzling pieces on loan from private collectors and major U.S. Institutions including the American Museum of Natural History; Gemological Institute of America; Harvard University Mineralogical Museum; and National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute. The exhibition will be at the Museum until May 15, 2012.

Tickets are $14 per person with RSVPs and payment required by August 1. Payment should be sent to:
American Society of Jewelry Historians
1333A North Avenue #103
New Rochelle, NY 10804
Phone/Fax (914) 235-0983
info@jewelryhistorians.org
http://www.jewelryhistorians.org

If payment is not received by August 1, tickets are $17 at the door.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, California 92101-1624; (619) 232-3821; http://www.sdnhm.org.

The group will meet at the Museum’s north entrance by the fig tree at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 7. For more information, contact Lauren Shore, Lauren@berbay.com or (310) 405-7335.


The American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) is a non-profit educational organization committed to providing an up-to-date resource for those interested in jewelry-related subjects, including jewelry history, antique jewelry, and contemporary jewelry trends and designs.

American Society of Jewelry Historians
1333 A North Avenue #103
New Rochelle, NY 10804
Phone (914) 235-0983
http://www.jewelryhistorians.org

JA New York Summer Show! Look & Learn!

Discover how social networking can
pave the way to profits for jewelry retailers

DON'T MISS THE FREE 2010 KEYNOTE SESSION
Sunday, July 25 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. | America's Best Jewelers Workshop

Twest-ival (n. a gathering of users brought together via Twitter)

Optimizing Social Media for Jewelers !

A revolution in how our culture communicates, the social networking phenomenon is substantially influencing consumer behavior and shopping patterns. Jewelers who have adopted this technology early have positioned their companies to profit. Join in as the entire JA show floor connects to learn how to successfully engage customers on Twitter,Facebook and associated social networks in an interactive, expert-led session. Post to shared sites on live screens while discussing key considerations such as how to define and build your individual network, manage and allocate your time, and set goals and expectations for social networking.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Keynote speakers and see the entire lineup of FREE educational sessions being offered at JA New York Summer Show.

Choices include:

JEWELERS OF AMERICA'S BENCH SUNDAY

CAD/CAM and Your Business – Realistic Expectations and Real World Applications
Presented by Tom Weishaar, JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler, Underwood Jewelers

Hidden Hazards and Unseen Perils – A Jeweler’s Guide to Avoiding Bench Nightmares
Presented by Arthur Skuratowicz, GJG (GIA), President, Jewelry Training Center, Inc.

...and a great selection of Peer Panels:

Peer Panel 1: Social Networking I - Best Practices

Peer Panel 2: Preparing and Positioning for the Rebound

Peer Panel 4: Human Resources Best Practices – Hiring in the Current Market

...and position yourself for the rebounding economy with:

GROW Your Business by Growing Successful Employees
Presented by Cindy Ramsey Chandler, GG, independent educator and consultant

Vintage Buccellatti on Twilight Saga - Eclipse "Black Carpet"

While I was not really wowed by the fashion and jewelry choices from the young stars of the latest of the Twilight series movies - Eclipse, it was interesting to note the presence of some classics.

My favorite were these stunning gold and pearl Buccelatti earrings worn by Ashley Greene with her Alexis Mabille Gown from the 2009 Fall Couture collection. Photo from the Red Carpet Fashion blog coverage of the Eclipse Premiere.

The gown looks a bit like she is modestly holding a sheet up around her...but the earrings are the perfect size for her half up/half down hairstyle and the movement offers a young look!

These earrings were also featured on the blog Timeless Cool and the accompanying photo is from that blog.

I was really hoping to see a younger, edgy-er look from this crowd but I did love Robert Pattinson's Fuschia Gucci suit...now you are going to have to go peek at the full coverage on Red Carpet Fashion.

The London premiere is July 1st - lets hope to see more from this next generation of Hollywood stars...

Once in a Lifetime Jewels at MIKIMOTO New York

Visit MIKIMOTO Fifth Avenue to view a selection of stunning, one-of-a-kind jewels never before seen in the United States.

Showcasing the pinnacle of superior craftsmanship, technical expertise and innovative sensibility of MIKIMOTO's design team, these pieces feature the world’s most beautiful cultured pearls and radiant diamonds positioned in a complex tapestry of organic shapes.

These wearable works of art, Rose Garden and Flowing Tide, are only in the United States for a very limited period of time.

Please call 212.457.4600 to schedule an appointment.

Info reprinted from the Mikimoto newsletter....