Jewelry Business Guru by Cindy Edelstein

JewelryBizGuru Blog has moved to CindyEdelstein.com

Finally! I've got a new look, a new name and a new blog at www.CindyEdelstein.com. I'm so excited!

Expect a lot more content and please don't be shy to comment or ask questions on the new site. CindyEdelstein.com offers a lot more information on the rest of our projects and events, too. So much to share! I hope you join me there.

 

The Best of Lark 500 Series Debuts! Gorgeous Jewelry book

How exciting when you go out to fetch your mail and something fantastic lands in your hands that you hadn't thought of in a year. That's how I felt when I opened the envelope and viewed the newly published "21st Century Jewelry: The Best of the 500 Series" by Lark Books.

 

 

It's a fantastic compilation from the 10 years of books in the Series that started with "1000 Rings" and soon beget "500 Bracelets," "500 Necklaces," "500 Gemstone Jewels" (the one I was lucky to jury!!) and more.

Every fan of the 500 series should get their hands on this hardbound compilation and see what the jurors felt was truly the best of the best.

 

Need to Change Your Facebook Profile to a Business Page? Migrate it!

 Did you accidentally set your business Facebook page up as a personal page?

What a hassle it is to create a new business page and then try to get all your personal page connections to “Like” your new page… right?

Well, in April Facebook launched a page migration tool that allows you to transfer that personal page to a business page and automatically convert “friends” into “likes”. Cool. If you’re in that boat, just use the following link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php?migrate

 

[thanks to our friends at FruchtmanMarketing for this tip!]

 

One Week Left for the Halstead Bead Grant

Halstead Bead Inc is inviting jewelry designers to enter its 6th annual grant competition for new entrepreneurs in the industry.

Deadline is June 6th.

The winner of the 2011 business development grant will receive $6,000 in cash and merchandise as well as other benefits. The award was previously known as The Jewelry Design Business Development Grant; however, it has been renamed in 2011. The award is sponsored by Halstead Bead Inc., a supplier of wholesale jewelry supplies.

Designers utilizing jewelry making techniques such as metalsmithing, lampworking, metal clay, wirework, beading, or casting are eligible to enter the competition.

Candidates must be US citizens who began their businesses after January 1, 2008. Their design companies must focus on “bridge jewelry” which is the segment between costume jewelry and fine jewelry. Bridge designs are primarily crafted from sterling silver with semi-precious stones, crystal, glass, pearls and other materials. This segment is also known as “craft jewelry” or “art jewelry.”

Complete application details can be found at http://www.halsteadbead.com/Grant. Candidates are required to submit a design portfolio, resume and answers to several business planning questions. Applications must be received between April 15 and June 6, 2011.

The grant website includes several helpful articles on launching a national jewelry business as well as information on past winners and finalists. Previous grant winners include Cowboy’s Sweetheart Jewelry, VOSTENAKstudios, Bridgland Studios, Belle Brooke Designs, and Ananda Khalsa Jewelry.

 

A Surprise Find at the Accessories Circuit - Evening Bags like Jewelry

While walking the aisles looking for holiday jewelry trends at the recent Accessories Circuit I was struck by the jewel-like evening purses by Clara Kasavina. Yes, there was some jewelry in her booth -- fabulous faux designs handcrafted by her husband Misha -- but it was the minaudieres and evening purses that made me swoon.

Clara was a delight to meet -- she and her husband have been making these amazing accessories for 30+ years since emigrating from Russia. She and Misha adhere to the highest standards and have never waivered through more than one recession, she said. Unlike other manufacturers, Clara Kasavina molds are original, frames hand-cast and the entire bag hand-sewn. All additional production is also completed by hand in New York.

For jewelry stores that carry accessories too, these purses are as important and special as any D-flawless diamond in the store.

 
  

Time Flies! And we need to harness its flight

I'm so surprised by how much time has passed since I last blogged.

I've got a few excuses - you can be the judge of whether they're good or not!

1. We're revamping the blog and while plotting and planning it's new look and feel I may have already "left" my current blog.

2. We're getting ready for the industry's biggest trade show week -- and my head is spinning!

3. I do so much connecting on Facebook my bloggin' has taken a back seat

4. I don't have a set bloggin' plan or schedule so it doesn't rise to the top of the To Do list often enough

 

Do any of these reasons seem familiar to you? How often are you using them as excuses to not get your OWN blog or press release or other communique done?

It's a safe bet to say we all need to juggle better and faster. I also think this shows me that I need to schedule my open time more and put things that are good for "us" on the schedule as much as things that are good for our clients.

Can you relate?

I'll be catching up on some posts shortly.

 

 

Vivienne Westwood Designs a new Palladium Jewels Collection & Debuts in Los Angeles

The Palladium Alliance has been busy gearing up for another round of super promotions for their cool, white metal. And when they start promotin' they do it in style!

Their first initiative in their two-year promo campaign was to work with British fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood. Dame Vivienne to you and me.

The collection was shown to the press two weeks ago but officially launched yesterday in her new flagship store in West Hollywood. The party was a celeb-filled smash but the jewels were just as fabulous.

We can't wait to see them in person. They're a walk on the wild side ... with tamer pieces to follow.

Read all about it on The HuffingtonPost.com:

 

images captured from HuffingtonPost.com -- read all about the party there.

Can you Give an Award TO an Award? Johnson Matthey's Sustainable Design Awards Deserve Recognition

Kudo's to Johnson Matthey NY; not only did they run a terrific design competition with their first Sustainable Awards but their choice of award has got to be one of the coolest ever.

The three winners of the JMNY Sustainable Awards were handed a custom engraved EcoSphere to mark the accomplishment. In keeping with the theme of the contest the glass EcoSphere contains:

"active micro-organisms, small shrimp, algae and bacteria, each existing in filtered sea water. Because the EcoSphere is a self-sustaining ecosystem, you never have to feed the life within. Simply provide your EcoSphere with a source of indirect natural or artificial light and enjoy this aesthetic blend of art and science, beauty and balance.

Because the living organisms within the EcoSphere utilize their resources without overpopulating or contaminating their environment, the EcoSphere requires virtually no maintenance."

 

 

Now on to the awards.

The winners are (From left to right:  Stephanie Satow of SCS Jewelry in Colorado Springs, Colo.,; Erik Stewart of Erik Stewart Jewelry in Tucson, Ariz. and Jason Dow of Jason Dow Jewelry in Honolulu.

 

JMNY created the awards to give emerging designers the materials and opportunity to realize their designs in platinum.

Mark Danks, Sales & Marketing Manager for JMNY said, "We've been saying for some time that sustainability is not just about the environment, and that other elements are as important, such as working with a community. We really want to tip the balacne back towards platinum from cheaper alternatives, so by starting with the newest people in the industry, we hope to play our part in sustaining the design and manufacture of platinum jewelry in North America."

 

Stephanie Satow's ring:   
 

 

Erik Stewart's ring:

 

Jason Dow's ring:




Mark Danks as Master of Ceremonies at the awards event in NYC.

LOVE this image -- we'll tell you why later in the year!

MJSA Expo - the trade show for jewelry makers in NYC now

Great panel discussion on getting the most from your sub-contractors.

Peggy Jo Donahue of MJSA led the panel of Joel Weiss of Carrera Casting with designers Calla Gold of Santa Barbara and Malak Atut of Zaiken Jewelry and modelmaker Carlos Zamora.

Great info that all stressed the value of highly detailed communication with drawings and not just words.

Patience and respect are vital, too.

Pricing is not that much different from say 1 or 2 of a kind than 50 or 75. Quantity is less a variable than terms. Pay faster and regularly to get the better service and pricing.

Gain valuable advice and networking via great resources. Industry organizations are invaluable for networks and solutions. They gave a big shout out to WJA as well as MJSA of course.

Sent from my iPhone - sorry for any typos!
C: 914-953-3277
O: 914-738-8485

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