MAKERS ALERT! Riveting Made Easy...

Do you have problems riveting?  I do!  Are you running out of space on your work bench?  I am!


While I was at the Tucson Gem Show, I had the opportunity of a live demo on this tool...the talented Heather at Beadin Path showed all the various rivets, piercing and eyelets that are possible with this handy dandy tool!

Crafted Findings Piercing & Riveting System 1/16"

This new riveting system is designed to pierce and set semi-tubular rivets. Semi-tubular rivets have a solid head that creates a finished look, and a tubular end that is set by a flaring method to create a secure, clean, and consistent connection. The tool features a piercing tool on one end that creates the hole to accommodate the rivet. The other end is a flaring tool which precisely and cleanly sets the rivet. This versatile tool base is also engineered to be interchangeable. As new sizes of piercing and flaring sets become available, they can be purchased separately and be quickly installed into the tool base, allowing you flexibility in one compact tool. The interchangeable tool sets are all machined from heat treated tool steel, unlike many hand tools on the market which are made from softer metals and then case hardened. This is what gives our tool the strength and precision to perform as well as it does, allowing you to easily pierce through material thicker than 12 gauge (.080"/2.03mm). *Includes rivet sample pack* Made in the USA. Note: Do not use this tool to pierce steel thicker than 22 gauge (.025"). As steel is such a hard material, attempting to pierce a greater thickness may result in damage to the tool.


Available to purchase at: http://www.beadinpath.com/RIV-TOOL1.html

DVF Announces 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards Nominees!

2011 CFDA FASHION AWARDS NOMINEES & HONOREES ANNOUNCED

FOR THE TENTH YEAR IN A ROW, SWAROVSKI GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITES THE EVENT

Last night, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the nominees and honorees for the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards at an exclusive event hosted by Nadja Swarovski and CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg at the designer’s studio in the Meatpacking District. Von Furstenberg started the proceedings by acknowledging the 10th anniversary of Swarovski underwriting the event and thanking Nadja for her continued support of American fashion. Von Furstenberg and Steven Kolb, CFDA executive director, then made the announcements of nominees and honorees, which for the first-time ever were streamed live on facebook.com/swarovski and style.com/live.

This year’s nominees reflect the depth of accomplishment of American fashion and acknowledges the pervasive influence that a new generation of talent is having on the industry while also celebrating the masters of design.

The nominees for Womenswear Designer of the Year Award are: Alexander Wang, Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs.

The Menswear Designer of the Year nominees are: Michael Bastian, Patrik Ervell, and Simon Spurr. For Accessory Designer of the Year Award the nominees are: Alexander Wang, Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler, and Reed Krakoff.

Swarovski Awards

Joseph Altuzarra, Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen, and Prabal Gurung have been nominated for the Swarovski Award for Womenswear. The nominees for the Swarovski Award for Menswear are Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, and Robert Geller. For the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design, the nominees are Alejandro Ingelmo, Eddie Borgo, Jason Wu, and Pamela Love. The Swarovski Award recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from Swarovski as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative Swarovski crystal resources.

The honorary awards go to a diverse group of people. The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, named for the fiercely independent, four-time CFDA Fashion Award winner, will be presented to Marc Jacobs.

The CFDA Board of Directors chose to bestow their Special Tribute on Arthur Elgort in honor of his impact on photography and fashion.

The Fashion Icon Award will go to Lady Gaga for being a fashion revolutionary impacting style today.

The Media Award, given in honor of Eugenia Sheppard, the influential journalist who revolutionized fashion reporting with her reports in the New York City Herald Tribune, will be given to Hilary Alexander of The Telegraph.

The Founders Award, given in honor of CFDA founder Eleanor Lambert who is widely credited with putting American fashion on the map, will go to Hal Rubenstein of In Style.

The International Award will go to Phoebe Philo for Celine for making an outstanding creative contribution to the world of fashion.

“There is no other event that puts the spotlight on American fashion like The CFDA Fashion Awards,” said Steven Kolb, CFDA executive director. “We look forward to once again honoring the best and brightest talent working today. Winning a CFDA Fashion Award is the highest and one of the most coveted honors one can receive in our industry. All of this is made possible by the long-time support of Swarovski, who we are pleased to be celebrating our tenth anniversary with this year. Their support and involvement with the Awards over the years has been invaluable.”

“This year, Swarovski is honored to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our partnership with the CFDA Fashion Awards,” said Nadja Swarovski, Vice President of International Communications & Creative Director. “We are excited for each of this year’s stellar nominees; the group includes such diverse and extraordinary talent. We are particularly proud of each designer nominated for a Swarovski Award. They are the perfect example of emerging American design talent and have displayed a keen sense for the future of fashion.”

Nominations for each award category are submitted by the CFDA Fashion Awards Selection Committee, made up of the 370+ members of the CFDA, along with top fashion retailers, journalists, and stylists. The nominees, as well as recipients of the honorary awards, were confirmed yesterday at a meeting of the CFDA Board of Directors.

The final votes will be tabulated by Ernst & Young LLP, the official accounting firm of the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards.

The 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards winners will be announced at the annual gala, generously underwritten by Swarovski, on June 6 at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.

Brad Womack Proposes with a Neil Lane Diamond Ring

Brad Womack Proposes to Emily Maynard with 

a Neil Lane Diamond Ring 

during the dramatic two-hour season finale

 of ABC's hit romance reality series 

"The Bachelor"

 Hollywood’s celebrated jewelry designer Neil Lane added sparkle to ABC’s The Bachelor, when Brad Womack proposed to Emily Maynard with a diamond and platinum ring set with a central cushion cut diamond and further accented with 263 round brilliant cut diamonds, approximate total diamond weight is 3 carats, hand-crafted, designed and signed by Neil Lane.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelor is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television and airs at 8/7 Central on ABC. In the hit primetime reality series, one lucky man is offered the chance to find true love. After shocking Bachelor fans by rejecting both of his final bachelorettes three years ago, Womack returned having undergone a radical, personal transformation that he feels sure has readied him to make a genuine commitment to a relationship. Throughout the season, the Bachelor became acquainted with a bevy of beautiful bachelorettes, gradually narrowing the field.  At the end of the romantic voyage, he was ready to make a commitment and proposed with a Neil Lane diamond ring.   

Neil Lane is the favorite jeweler for Hollywood brides-to-be. Lane has supplied engagement rings for Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Sandra Bullock, Brooke Shields, Nicole Richie and Jennifer Hudson, among others.  He recently unveiled his new Neil Lane Bridal™ collection at Kay® Jewelers.


As the leading Hollywood jewelry designer, Neil Lane has been hailed in the media as "The King of Bling" and the "Ace of Diamonds."

For more information on The Bachelor, visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor 
To learn more about Neil Lane visit http://www.neillanejewelry.com 

Shapeways - Print in 3D on Silver!

Shapeways Starts a New Fashion Trend: 3D Printed Silver

Now, Anyone Can Design and 3D Print their Own Jewelry in Pure Silver at Shapeways.com

New York (March 10, 2011) - Shapeways (www.shapeways.com), the online community and marketplace for personalized production using 3D printing, today, launches a new service enabling anyone to make products in pure silver. Shapeways is the first consumer platform to enable anyone in the world to make unique and personalized products in silver.

“3D printing was first created for industrial use,” said Shapeways CEO Peter Weijmarshausen. “Now, using Shapeways, anyone can 3D print in refined artisan grade materials, including precious metals like pure silver. We can’t wait to see what our community will create with this new capability!”

Taking Do It Yourself (DIY) jewelry making to the next level, Shapeways’ “Draw It” creators offers users with no 3D modeling skills the ability to draw their own rings or earrings on paper and have those jewelry designs come to life. Anyone can personalize an existing jewelry design found at Shapeways.com or shop from thousands of unique accessories in the Shapeways shops and have them custom made in silver using 3D printing.

Those with 3D modeling skills can now design original jewelry and other decorative items using traditional 3D design software and print them in silver. Designers can also open a Shapeways shop and sell their designs directly to consumers—Shapeways handles the 3D printing, shipping and customer service.

“Now that Shapeways is offering 3D printed silver, designers are poised to reinvent the jewelry industry,” said Nervous System’s Jessica Rosenkrantz. Nervous System is a design studio that works at the intersection of science, art, and technology. Visit Nervous System’s Shapeways Shop here: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/nervous. 

Shapeways community member Christina Westbrook added, “Now 3D printing can enter the world of Fine Jewelry! Both the jeweler and 3D modeler nerd in me is stoked.” View Christina’s designs here: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/cwestbrook. 

The new silver material likely will be used primarily to create jewelry, but there are certainly applications for the Shapeways hobbyist community as well—expect to see silver dice, spaceships and model trains. 

Items ordered in silver are first 3D printed in wax and then cast in silver. Rings will cost approximately $40, earrings, $80, and bracelets, starting at $140. Pricing is based on the total amount of material used, $40 for the first cm 3 plus $20 per additional cm 3. As always, Shapeways includes free shipping worldwide. The maximum size for Silver is 15×15x10 cm (6×6x4 inch) Silver will be available in two finishes, polished and high shine polished (for an additional $10). Average delivery time is 15 business days. For more information about 3D printing in silver, please visit: http://www.shapeways.com/materials/silver.

Shapeways adds silver to its already robust portfolio of 3D printing materials, which currently includes multiple strong and flexible plastics and Alumide; stainless steel in a variety finishes, including gold-plating and antique bronze; glass, in matte and two high gloss finishes; full color sandstone; white, black and transparent detail acrylic-based plastics; as well as grey robust ABS plastic. For more information about the various materials offered at Shapeways.com, please visit: http://www.shapeways.com/materials/

ABOUT SHAPEWAYS
Shapeways is the online community and marketplace for personalized production where anyone can make, buy and sell their own creations. Custom-made products are created one-of-a-kind and on-demand in a variety of materials using the latest 3D printing technologies.

The innovative designs found at Shapeways.com have been created by a diverse community of product designers, artists and enthusiasts. Community members engage in everything from collaborative creation through the Shapeways blogs and forum to selling their designs as products through the Shapeways Shops, an international marketplace for consumer created 3D printed products. As the Shapeways community continues to grow, more and more products become available to consumers.

Consumers can shop for unique giftware in the Shapeways Shops or co-create a wide range of personalized, affordable products, from customized cufflinks and jewelry to puzzles, home décor and more.

Headquartered in New York with offices in Eindhoven, Shapeways is a spin-out of the lifestyle incubator of Royal Philips Electronics. Series A investors include Union Square Ventures in New York and Index Ventures in London.

For more information, please visit www.Shapeways.com.

Hottest Jewelry Trend for St. Patrick’s Day: Platinum and Emeralds

It appeared many of Hollywood's leading ladies, including Reese Witherspoon, Annette Bening and Amy Adams were trying to channel the Luck of the Irish with platinum and emerald jewelry at this year's Academy Awards. Because platinum is naturally white, it maximizes the brilliance of all colored gemstones. 

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, here are a few of the latest platinum and emerald styles:

Platinum Guild International (PGI) is an organization dedicated to inspiring a passion for platinum that ensures it is the precious jewelry of choice. We supply information, practical advice and expertise to help jewelry buyers make informed and inspired decisions. We also offer the jewelry trade specialist knowledge and resources, with the aim of providing customers a high level of help and advice in store.

http://preciousplatinum.com

Russian Designer Captures "Champion of the Champions" IJDE Award

International Jewellery Design Excellence Awards Announced
Russian designer Ilgiz Fazulzyanov was named winner of the biennial International Jewellery Design Excellence (IJDE) Award's "Champion of the Champions" at a gala reception held 4 March. Mr Fazulzyanov won for his "Bullfinches" design. This year's IJDE received more than 100 entries from 21 countries and regions. All designers who have won an officially announced jewellery design competition over the past two years were eligible for the award. The judging panel, made up of internationally respected industry experts, weighed innovativeness, craftsmanship, aesthetics, wearability and function in making their decision. The competition pieces are on display throughout the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, at the Hall 1C entrance.

I. Champion of the Champions


Designer: Ilgiz Fazulzyanov (Russia)
Title: Bullfinches
Description: The design brings the beauty of nature to jewellery. Bullfinches can be found year-round in Russia, and the design pictures them in snow

II. Innovation and Uniqueness in Design Award


Designer: Kristen Malan (South Africa)
Title: Molecular Truth
Description: Representing life at a molecular level, the bangle symbolises the point at which the world must begin to renew and sustain the planet for future generations.













III. Aesthetic Award


Designer: Shuk Mei Chu (Hong Kong)
Title: Up and Down
Description: Motifs of sunrise and sunset bring this design to brilliant life. 

IV. Craftsmanship


Designer: Eva Shiu (Hong Kong)
Title: Sensational Orientalism
Description: Paper is one of the four great inventions of ancient China. Traditional Chinese folk-paper cutting expresses simple elegance. The design mixes modern design techniques and the classic folding style.

V. Distinction Award


Designer: Wen Chan (Hong Kong)
Title: Hanging Moon
Description: The designer uses baroque pearls to create a sense of clouds floating at varying angles.

VI. Distinction Award


Designer: Wen Chan (Hong Kong)
Title: Melting Snowball 
Description: A melting snowball is the design's inspiration. The Tahiti black pearl mounted in black gold symbolises the fading of a dark age and the promise of a bright future. 

VII. Distinction Award


Designer: Regina Da Mei Cheng (Chinese mainland)
Title: Fortune of Eternity 
Description: The design, featuring a bat with a golden coin in its mouth, represents wealth and luck in Chinese. 

VIII. Distinction Award


Designer: Anne Hu (Chinese mainland)
Title: Listen to the Voice of Liang Zhu
Description: The design responds to the classic Chinese love story "Liang Shan Bo and Zhu Ying Tai," with an imaginatively fashioned earring dressed with 18k gold and diamonds.

IX. Merit Award

Designer: Queeta Rawat (India)
Title: Rain Dance
Description: The timeless beauty of a white peacock dancing in the rain inspired the designer. The golden South Sea pearl in the centre of the diamond feather enhances the design's fragility.

X. Merit Award


Designer: Seyed Mohammad Mortazavi (Iran)
Title: Twin Paisley
Description: The design creatively adapts the Persian Paisley, an ancient icon. 

XI. Merit Award


Designer: Lok Chung Angela, Ng (Hong Kong)
Title: Dancer
Description: Desire and passion find glittering life in this exquisite creation.

XII. Merit Award


Designer: Emily Snadden (Australia)
Title: Precious Limb Bangle
Description: The design depicts the natural folds, creases and wrinkles typically found in the Australian salmon gum.






Hong Kong Jewellry Show and Design Awards: http://www.hktdc.com/hkjewelleryshow 

About HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland and three in the US, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more, please visit www.hktdc.com.


Follow the HKTDC on Twitter @HKTDC 

Amber Dominates at John S Brana

In a nod to one of only five gemstones considered to be Organic...the latest collection at John S. Brana salutes Amber!

"Though it is no more than the fossilized resin of ancient and long extinct trees, amber has been treasured as a gemstone since the sunsets of prehistoric time.  In our modern, scientific world it serves as a miniature time machine, taking us 25 to 50 million years into the past to share the stories of its captured creatures.  Amber is warm, calm and helps to establish balance in the temperament of its wearer. It represents longevity, and as it has been found near burial grounds dating back to 8000 B.C., it may also be the oldest organic material humans have used for adornment."

Nature's beauty inspires these shimmering rich honey hue Amber earrings. 14K Gold-filled spirals are hand-wrapped with faceted Amber beads, creating elegant earrings that burst with honey-color glow.

Measures approximately 3" L x 2" W

14K Gold-filled French Wires, for pierced ears only.

About John S Brana Jewelry

John S. Brana's collections of distinctive handcrafted designer jewelry include beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces designed to set the wearer apart from the crowd. Whether classic or contemporary, each piece is unique, meticulously handcrafted, and made from top-quality materials. John creates all of his jewelry in his San Francisco studio and works in sterling silver, fine silver, 14K gold-filled wire, 14K - 24K gold, copper, and silver and gold precious metal clay. His original designs incorporate hand-picked sterling silver and vermeil beads, faceted gemstones, fresh-water pearls, Venetian glass, hand-carved semi-precious and precious gemstones -- all carefully selected during John's frequent trips to Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States.

"Nature is my primary source of inspiration. Whether I'm driving down the coast, strolling through a park, or tending my garden, the natural world shows that the creative combinations of colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and symbols are endless."