So many people have been asking "How do I get started in..." that I thought you might be interested to know...the next 4 episodes on TV Weekly's Plum & Verdigris Show (Jewelry Making Tutorials) will be commited to teaching the BASICS!!! June is Basic Training month on Plum & Verdigris. Get in jewelry-making shape! Jewelry Making - Basic Training with Tamara Berg will look at a different aspect of making Jewelry in each episode! AIRING NOW!!! Is part one of a four week Boot Camp go to:
http://pnv.tvweekly.com/thisweek.php Basic Training - Part 1 - Wire Basics:
Tamara is getting back to Basics in this episode—and a good place to begin is with wire, as it can be an integral part of the start and the finish of a fun piece of jewelry. Newbie and Artisans alike can benefit from Basic Training! Up-coming episodes are:
Basic Training - Part 2 - Chain Basics
Basic Training - Part 3 - Soldering Basics
Basic Training - Part 4 - Bead Knotting Basics Take a minute and browse thru the archives while you are at TV Weekly! Robyn Hawk
Tucson Gem Show - Live http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/
Jewelry & Gem Artists http://jewelrygemartisans.blogspot.com/
Fly On The Wall-Views/Reviews http://aflyonthewall.multiply.com/
Now You've Done It...You're On My List http://youareonmylist.vox.com/ "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." -Goethe
 DTLA Series, by Sue Dorman, Marina del Rey, CA
To honor "World Fair Trade Day" (May 10th) I thought that an Art Show was in order, especially a show of "repurposed" art. I heartily recommend that you take a few moments to enjoy the wacky, wonderful and truly beautiful in the current show - Composting Good and Evil: Redesign for Sanctimonious Sinners now "live" on the Ethical Metalsmiths website at: http://www.ethicalmetalsmiths.org/CGE_Intro.html A call for entries was posted last November on a number of websites and list serves and sent to schools and metal arts organizations.
Artists were asked to consider how to reconcile the way we consume the world's resources, our "evil" habits, with our "good" intentions. They were asked "to consider what would happen if we tossed our smug habits into a heap? What would happen if we composted our shameless sins, our saintly intentions and our fertile imaginations and pledged to use the resulting fecund glory to redesign and nurture the world?" Rethinking, redesigning, recycling and repurposing were encouraged.
Eighty nine artists responded. The resulting exhibition is a subtly subversive and engaging visual essay about choosing change; it is insightful, humorous, startling, ironic, challenging, beautiful, puzzling, erotic, traditional, thoughtful, accomplished and "other." There was a digital screening and reception at the SNAG conference in Savannah in addition to its showing on an outdoor digital billboard in front of the building.
I want to take a minute to thank ALL of the wonderful people that took the time to explain processes and demonstrate products and educate at the Bench Conference and Suppliers Expo!!!! I attended along with close to 40 members of the Venice Adult School - Jewelry Making Program. From the conference staff to the experts demonstrating products - everyone was supportive, informative and made all of us feel like we had made the right career choice when looking to the Jewelry Arts! Those of you who are sitting in a foot of snow missed out on four days of 80 degree temperatures in a location that was 15 minutes from the beach. A special thank you to Mike at Foredom who went out of his way to speak to our class and to Lee Marshall who patiently let each student sit down and try his Knew Concept Saw...also to Dave with Allset; Vic Joyner with the coolest moldind system; Wayne Emery with his USB Little Camera; Dick with ABI; the Fox Burr/Kyle Abrasives guys (this was a popular booth); speaking of popular - Oliver with Firescoff (who obliged every time I asked him to "demonstrate it for my friend"); and the Laser Welding Demos; Conference Speakers, Joel McFadden, Mark Grosser, and Steve Satow. Last but not least thank you Brad Simon (and his Bench family) for being such a gracious host and for bringing the conference to the West Coast! The "Price is Right Game" on Friday was so much fun, and not just because I won a prize (thanks to the Stuller table). After the Suppliers Expo broke down on Saturday night we all met at the Orchid Dinner. This was a really lovely evening with about 7 Orchid members and a group of presenters who also joined us! Lead by Brad Simon we all adjourned to the Latitude 33 Restaurant at the Marriott...the food was good and the company even better. Joel McFadden came with one of his apprentices (a lovely young lady, unfortunately I can't remmber her name), Mark Grosser (what a kick this guy is and so talented), Steve Satow (this guy is a genius with tools), and speaking of tools - Dave Arens, Wayne Emery (did you ever find your "yellow flowers"?), a wonderful artist from Idaho, Ingrid ( she does amazing stuff with antler, porcupine quills, etc.), my "date" Deanna (an engineer by day, jeweler by night) and presenting the "toy" of the evening (no, not his Knew Concept Saw - a FedEx pen!) - Lee Marshall - I can't say enough good stuff about this guy...he has made jewelry doable for "older folks" like me and has to be one of the friendliest guys around! Now I know that I am missing at least two maybe three people - please don't take it as a slight - like I said my memory isn't what it used to be! Can you tell I was impressed? Robyn Hawk
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." -Goethe
If you live in the Southern California Area - This is a MUST DO! Tonight was the Gala Opening for the Bench Jewelers Conference and Suppliers Expo (Information follows report)! http://benchconference.com Following a really nice spread (food & drinks) courtesy of The Platinum Guild and one other vendor that I can't remember (I will update this tomorrow), Brad Simon (with the onstage assistance of his son) emceed a Jeweler's Version of "The Price is Right! Just like the TV game show we had the opportunity to "Come on Down" and compete to win tools & equipment. Many of the companies exhibiting at the Suppliers Expo donated great prizes to be won. This is NO JOKE there were amazing gifts $250 certificates for SouthEastern Findings, Gift Certificates for David H. Fell, Equipment and Tools!!!! For those of you that missed the Opening Gala - there is good news - all prizes not won during the game on Friday night will be given away on Saturday afternoon in a Consolation Drawing. All but one prizes that is - I WON A PRIZE!!!! The Advanced Stone Setting Class At GIA - is MINE! The Suppliers Expo is a mere $15 at the door and the information and education provided far surpassed my expectations!!!! The vendors booths were all well manned and all the vendors had time to personally interact with people - there were "hands on" Lazer Welding Demos, a really good demo of two MJSA Innovation Award winners Firescoff and my personal favorite - Lee Marshall (father of Bonny Doon) was there with his amazing new project "Knew Projects"! I don't think I have ever seen as much excitement as there was around the Knew Concept Saw and while I expected it with the Electric Saw - the Manual Saw was drew just as many amazed expressions!!!! http://knewconcepts.com/ Seen in the crowd among the Jeweler's from across the country...one of my favorite people Dave Arens (of Koil Kutter fame)! It is always nice to meet-up with friends and fellow Orchid Members. I am returning after class tomorrow and hope to be able to add some photos to tomorrow's report!!! While it is probably too late to register for the Saturday Classes I am going to tease you by including the info. It isn't too late to get into the Sunday sessions. Saturday Session #6 9:30 – 10:30am
601 Advanced Setting
602 Rubber Mold Making
603 Marketing Platinum
604 The Final Finish
605 Casting for the Small Shop
Saturday Session #7 11:00 – 12:00pm
701 Hand Wax Carving - Pendant
702 Jewelry Photography
703 Platinum Casting
704 Managing Your Melee
705 Fascination with Fancies
Sunday Session #8 9:30 – 10:30am
801 Basic Setting
802 Unique Jewelry Fabrication
803 Adventures at the Bench
805 Casting for the Small Shop
Sunday Session #9 11:00 – 12:00pm
901 Hand Wax Carving - Pendant
902 PhotoShop for Jewelers
903 Creative Platinum Fabrication
905 Fascination with Fancies
Sessions are in the capable hands of some of the finest artists and instructors in their fields...Jurgen Maerz (Platinum), Wayne Emery (Working With Colored Stones), and
Joel McFadden & Mark Grosser are the "Dueling Designers" (CAD-CAM)! The Passion Awards were handed out to a great range of artists in an expanded group of fields...CAD-CAM: Ladies Jewelry, Men's Jewelry & Ladies Rings; Finished Jewelry, Ladies Jewelry, Men's Jewelry & Ladies Rings; and Laser Welded Jewelry! Bench Jewelers Educational Conference
The Educational Conference will have a new format this year and will run from Thursday through Sunday, April 24th – 27th. Attend 1, 2, 3, or all 4 days. There will be Seminars, Bench Demonstrations, Networking Opportunities, Discussion Groups, Meals and MORE! Whether you are a beginner looking to develop your skills and build your career or a seasoned veteran of the bench looking to refresh your skills and rejuvenate your career, the conference programs will help jump-start your creativity and motivate you to accomplish your goals. General Sessions will be held during the Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo at all of the meals. Paid attendees can attend these General Sessions, PLUS their choice of Break-Out Seminars. For more information on the General Sessions or the Break-Out Seminars go to: http://benchconference.com/Attendee/seminar.html Bench Jewelers Supplier’s Expo
The Supplier’s Expo showcases tools & equipment, findings, refiners, casting houses, diamond & stone dealers, laser welders, CAD programs and more. EVERYTHING A BENCH JEWELER NEEDS IS HERE! Friday & Saturday, April 25th & 26th!
Have you heard of TVWeekly? NO!!!!???? Well this is too cool to keep a secret....especially for those of you that learn better by seeing a technique rather than just reading the directions. What is TVWeekly? From the site: "Your source for free online television programming anytime you want to watch! There are two channels available at this time. So did you see that this is FREE? The two channels that TVWeekly currently offers are: 
Plum and Verdigris - which offers really fun jewelry and accessory projects. Each session is presented by one of four lovely ladies, each with their own distinct style. 
Scrapbook Lounge - this covers techniques that can be used in all your scrapbooking projects and well as home decor ideas! All of the presentations are done professionally, there is a Downloadable Design Guide for each project and when appropriate a Downloadable Template. The video quality on the current videos seems better than that of the archived sessions - but that could just be my computer. Speaking of computer speeds, if you are on dial-up and can't wait for the video to download, you could log on and just download the Design Guide! Most of you know me from the various online jewelry forums and it seems that there are always Newbies looking for ways to get started...well this is it! If you want to learn wire techniques: Tamara Berg's "Mermaid Bracelet" would be a great way to get started. How many times have I heard - "I need an idea for Men's Jewelry!": Tamara Berg's "Knotty Bracelet" fits the bill! If you want to learn to properly use crimps and do some basic beading (with a twist): Tamara Berg's "Pretty in Pink" will take care of that too! Interested in learning seed bead techniques: Tricia Morris shows you how to build a "Kiwi Dream Ladder" Bracelet! There are great sessions on working paper into your Jewelry Repertoire with: "Tubular Pin" with Tricia Morris and "Paper Bead Party" by Nikki Mueller ...my fav is the "Knotty Bracelet" with Tamara Berg! There are plans to include a Gallery of Designs by viewers and forums for each of the channels. So check it out... http://www.tvweekly.com This is definitely a website worth subscribing to - you will get a couple notices per week with announcements of new projects! ...and be sure to let me know what you think!!!!
 Walking through this exhibit was an honor for me - I never expected to be in a position where I could see first hand literally millions of dollars worth of gemmy tanzanite.
Take a drive to GIA and see this once in a life time opportunity. The pieces are an amazing range...from the almost Medieval quality of Sevan Bickakci's ring pictured to the left, to...a contemporary take on the traditional symbol of love - the heart from Stephen Webster who designs for the likes of Christina Aguillera and Madonna.
...Ginny Dizon's interpretation of a Masai tribal cuff featuring both faceted, cabochon and raw tanzanite.
...the truly unique wire ring of Laurence Ratinaud, in which the wire wraps and protects a single tanzanite gem - signifying the fragility of the seed of life.
...Dima, an independent designer based in Cairo presented an fabulous pair of hoop earrings with a coiled tanzanite drop symbolic of the beginning of life.
...Claire Woolley's abstract stork neckpiece with it's tanzanite bundle.
...Maria Webster's design for Boodles representing the cradling arm of a mother as she nurtures her baby - in platinum & tanzanite.
...and for me one of the most impressive pair of shoes. A collaboration between LeVian and Stuart Weitzman. From the Press Release:
The Stuart Weitzman and Le Vian pair of evening shoes are true show-stoppers: a $2 million dollar creation in glistening silver leather embellished with over 185 carats of tanzanite and 28 carats of diamonds. Stunning ankle bracelets are set with museum quality tanzanite gemstones, painstakingly matched and cut by Le Vian’s master craftsmen, each crowned with a spectacular 16 carat, sparkling tanzanite drop which adorns the front of the foot. The shoes are balanced with a delicate diamond front strap that perfectly complements Stuart Weitzman’s timeless, elegant shoe design. For photos and description of the winning designs go to: http://www.tanzanitefoundation.org/awards.htm Exhibit Information In August of 2006 the Tanzanite Foundation announced the winners of their first Tanzanite "Celebration of Life" Jewellery Design Awards. Response was outstanding...featuring a virtual "Who's Who" of the International Jewelry Industry. The theme was "Be Born To Tanzanite" and entries were judged on beauty, practicality and originality. The five design categories were as follows: Luxury Brands
Kwiat - USA
Stephen Webster - UK
Shaun Leane - UK
Boodles - UK
Talento Joias - BRAZIL Independent Designers
Maria Canale - USA
Laurance Ratinaud - FRANCE
Sevan Bicakci - TURKEY
Rodrigo Robson - BRAZIL Fashion / Accessories
Louis Mariette - UK
Stuart Weitzman for LeVian™, USA Manufacturer / Retailer
Ruth Grieco - BRAZIL
Charlotte Ehinger - Schwarz 1876 - GERMANY
Guenevere Dizon - PHILLIPINES
Colin Waylett - SPAIN
Zoltan David - USA Rising Star
Arabel Lebrusan - UK
Sabine Roemer - UK
Claire Woolley - UK
James Powell - UK Tanzanite is one of the most appealing and interesting gemstones on the market today. Coming from a single source in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Tanzanite is a virtual youngster in the world of gems. While it's formation may have been over 500 million years ago it was just recenetly discovered by man in the late 1960's. “It is a privilege to have this exhibit here at GIA, especially since this is the last time these
pieces will be displayed in the U.S.,” said Elise Misiorowski, director of the GIA Museum.
“This unique jewelry collection demonstrates the versatility of tanzanite in modern jewelry
design.” These pieces, produced by jewelry designers from every corner of the globe, include rings,
pendants, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, head pieces, and even shoes. They will all be on
display at GIA’s Carlsbad headquarters through Sept. 1, in an open-to-the-public exhibit in
the S. Tasaki Student Lecture Hall. Reservations for tours of the exhibit must be made through GIA Guest Services by calling
(760) 603-4000. Exhibit hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A number of you may remember my post a while back about my friend Robin Whittmore...a fellow Jewelry Artist in need of a bone marrow transplant. For the whole story see: http://www.fightforherlife.org My friend Robin passed gracefully to her her new home Monday, July 9th - I am convinced that God wants PMC lessons. These are the funeral details from her son Fritz - if anyone is in the SC area the family would love to meet Robin's extended (online) family. They are so impressed that their mother's journey inspired so many. Keep them in your prayers.
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Dear friends of Mom, It is with great sorrow that I write to tell you that tonight I lost my best friend, my mom, and the most amazing person I ever knew. Elizabeth and I, as well as the rest of the family, are so very grateful for all of your thoughts, prayers, and encouraging comments. I will send details regarding her funeral service, as soon as I have them. God bless you all, Fritz
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Dearest friends, The funeral arrangements for Mom are as follows: Receiving Friends- Tuesday, 7/10/07, from 6 - 7:30pm
- Easley Presbyterian Church
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Funeral
- Wednesday, 7/11/07, at 11am
- Easley Presbyterian Church Driving Directions & Maps to Easley Presbyterian Church are available at the
link below. http://tinyurl.com/3ctyb2 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the:
Pickens County Bone Marrow Drive
c/o United Way of Pickens County
P.O. Box 96
Easley, SC 29641. Thank you all for your support through this extremely difficult time.
Bernd Munsteiner has been attributed the accolades of many of today's "Contemporary" jewelers....called the "Father of the Fantasy Cut"...his visionary work in faceting and stone cutting has sparked the enthusiasm and creativity of jewelers and lapidarists alike! Those of you who are lucky enough to live in the Southern California area can view the work of this genius - first hand! I have included a teaser from my latest GIA Newsletter - stay tuned as I will be giving a review of this exhibit in this blog - next month...  Munsteiner Exhibit Opening Draws Capacity Crowd
An opportunity to meet Bernd Munsteiner, one of the world's best-known gem artists, drew a capacity crowd to the GIA Museum on June 8. The gala event marked the opening of the new exhibit, “Reflections in Stone,” which showcases a retrospective of Munsteiner’s unique and distinctive carvings from the last several decades. The German artist sparked a revolution when he pioneered an entirely new direction in gem carving more than 40 years ago. Innovative and abstract, Munsteiner’s work will be on display in the Rotunda Gallery at GIA through March 2008. http://www.gia.edu/newsroom/issue/2798/2693/insider_newsletter_details.cfm#5
I hope that those of you in the Southern California area already know about this little "Gem" in the OC! Stay tuned for a review of this exhibit following my visit to the Bowers in mid-July... The Bowers Museum has done exhibits of some of the most amazing "Gemstone Collections" but this new installation is...well let me give you the words of the Bowers itself... GEMS! COLORS OF LIGHT AND STONE
The Michael Scott Collection
June 17, 2007 - June 16, 2008
The most important private gem collection in the United States, with few rivals in the world outside of the royal families, the Michael Scott Collection is back at Bowers Museum and features even more luxurious pieces. GEMS! Colors of Light and Stone opens on June 17, 2007 for a year-long run in the new Anderson-Hsu-Tu Gallery. GEMS! Colors of Light and Stone is the most important exhibition of colored gemstones, diamonds and gems as art ever shown in a U.S. museum.,” says Dr. Peter Keller, president of Bowers Museum, who is also a geologist and gemologist and who curates this exhibit. In GEMS! Colors of Light and Stone you’ll see most of the major gem species in every color and variety known. In addition, you’ll see very rare examples of little known color varieties such as green tanzanites and "electric-blue" Paraiba tourmalines. It also includes examples of cut “collector” stones—those too rare to be used in the general jewelry trade; antique jewelry from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries; spectacular gem carvings, including those by German artists Bernd Munsteiner and Gerd Dreher; and the work of Seattle-based silversmith/contemporary artist, John Marshall.
You can view a sampling at: http://www.bowers.org/exhibits/exhibit_current.asp
The new incarnation of the Lapidary Journal is on the stands, do you have your copy? Lapidary Journal's Jewelry Artist premiered it’s NEW look with the June 2007 edition . Soooo - what's the verdict? Do you like the new Lapidary Journal's Jewelry Artist? Some purists in the Lapidary world (myself included) were apprehensive about the changes – would they stay true to the lapidary roots of this forum presenting the best Lapidary artists sharing their techniques? Well having just spent the better part of the day perusing my copy - my thoughts have changed. Normally – I would have flipped through, found the articles I was interested in...and been done in a couple hours. I was drawn in by every article in this issue. If the first issue is an example of what is to come - I APPROVE!!!! For those of you who haven't seen this NEW look, Lapidary Journal's Jewelry Artist is now covering the entire art jewelry process... - from picking rough (great article on Andamooka Matrix Opal by Sharon Elaine Thompson) - to cutting...in this issue it’s a carved jade cabochon (Step-By-Step Carved Jade Pendant by Mark Zirinsky) - the Cool Tools feature Clamp It Down has helpful hints from three major players in the Industry - to choosing equipment (the Set-Up Your Torch article by Helen I. Driggs, walks you through the process of setting up an acetylene torch) - to Step-By-Step articles using your new equipment: - Scrolled Silver & Opal Pendant (this one from the "piercing guru", Jessica Dow a Yahoo list favorite!) - or the alternative Cold Connections with a Colored Pencil on Copper piece from Debra Weld (does anyone beside me see the humor in this pairing?) - for the purists Fabricating Your Own End Caps from Joyce Zborower - Trends (this month featuring Fiber & Metal Together an article by Annie Osburn) - illustrated in a Step-by-Step Felt Tassel & Silver Bracelet (from Michele A. Friedman) - New techniques – Casting Metal with a Broom (feature article by Helen L. Driggs illustrated by the work of world re-known jewelry artist, Beth Rosengard; with an easy primer on Broom Casting by my Jewelry Design Teacher - Brad Smith) - the technique is illustrated in Broom Cast Turquoise Pendant (a Step-by-Step by Brad Smith) - and they're not forgetting the "Business of Craft"...”Gallery Negotiations: 20 important things to resolve before doing business with a gallery” Then there is the wonderful Feature Article – “Masters of Modernism” by Cathleen McCarthy ...all of this is surrounded by the most mouthwatering goodies you have even seen in two different galleries!!!! - all of this alongside the Lapidary Journal traditional features: - Faceting Design (an amazing "Floating Star Round" by Terry Lee Martin) - Rock Corner (Barite by Claus Hedegaard) - Media Review (Linda Kaye-Moses looks at the new Tim McCreight book, Practical Joining) - Product News (Submissions for this feature being accepted by K. Gibson) - Events Listings - Jewelry Classes - Fee Mining Directory - Marketplace, Website Directory and Classified Ads ...and my favorite the Doer Profile inside the backcover – Charles Lewton-Brain! How is that for a PREMIERE issue – by the way, when you pick this one up you will think it feels thin...NOT! It is really the Jewelry Artist's Manual - from beginner to advanced this is a winner!!!
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