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.

 

JA Show New Discovery -- Jamie Kayam, Shapes of the City

Jamie Kayam is making his industry debut this week at the JA NY Show in NYC.

He has a long history as an artist and has mastered many artforms but jewelry seems to be his true calling. His debut collection are based on a signature style of easy-to-know geometric shapes, he says.

The jewels are made in NYC and all of the gemstones are handset. The collection is available in sterling and vermeil with a wide variety of crystals and some gemstones.

You can meet Jamie at the JA Show and see his whole collection [qualified retailers are invited to the show with the proper identification -- read more on www.JA-NewYork.com] and consumers can see more on his Etsy store site at http://www.etsy.com/shop/shapesofthecity?page=2.

We expect great things from this new designer.

 

Meet the New Designers of 2010 at the JA NY Show - July 25-28th

Come to NYC this week to see these designers make their industry debut at the JA NY Show at the Javits Center in NYC. Sunday July 25 through Wed. July 28th.

Two dozen of our Couture designers will be there, too, along with nearly 100 designers in the Designer Showcase area. This is the trade show to attend when you need a wide variety of jewels from designer to findings and basics and gems to watches and so much more.

The New Designer Gallery is always a highlight of the JA Show. It's where so many designers launched their careers -- dating back to the first time in 1987 when David Yurman made his industry debut.   Since then the Gallery has been home to the likes of Penny Preville, Charles Krypell, Tom Kruskal, Paul Morelli, Steven Lagos, George Sawyer, Stephen Dweck, Barbara Bixby and so many more. Every year the Gallery gives an insight into contemporary trends and design mastery and this year brings many surprises such as the one-of-a-kind masterpieces by Gregore Morin of Gregore Joailliers, the socially responsible concepts of Yilin Choo and the fashionable perspective of Russell Jones. All ten have a unique point of view. This year's Fabulous Ten will surely appeal to all the senses -- there truly is something for every type of store in the New Designer Gallery this year.   The New Designers are:   Cheryl Lynn Choo Yilin Danielle Miller Gregoré Morin of Gregoré Joailliers Heloisa Fitzgerald Julia Behrends Katie Decker Kristin Pasternak Margery Hirschey Russell Jones

CHERYL LYNN    Influenced by her reverence for fashion and art, Cheryl’s designs capture feminine beauty and the individuality of women. Cheryl is quickly becoming one of America’s top jewelry designers with celebrity fans like Zoe Saldana and Hayden Panettiere.

YILIN CHOO   Yilin’s eponymous label is a multi- award winning brand that has set out to fuse sustainability and fine jewelry. Working with the Karen hill tribe artisans of northern Thailand, Yilin brings centuries-old cultures together with modern sensibilities.

DANIELLE MILLER Much of Danielle’s jewelry has moving parts that translate the gestures of the wearer into movements of gems and metals. Pearls and stones freely slide, spin, or rock rhythmically with each turn of the body. These articulated parts engage and invite the wearer, creating an interactive experience.

GREGORÉ JOAILLIERS   Gregoré’s limited edition pieces are all designed and fabricated by hand using traditional tools and techniques. His work can be found in museums as well as the private collections of some of the world’s most famous people. First place AGTA Spectrum Awards 2009. Second place AGTA Spectrum Awards 2010.

HELOISA FITZGERALD   Heloisa Fitzgerald’s jewelry celebrates life’s timeless beauty. Her designs are inspired by her passion for art and love. Each hand-finished piece offers a simplicity which is characterized by a sophistication that is as elegant as it is mesmerizing. The beauty of Heloisa’s jewelry extends through the interchangeable, versatile designs that allow each piece to be easily transformed from casual daytime to formal evening wear.   JULIA BEHRENDS   Architectural forms, beautiful color and excellent quality combined with superb materials are the cornerstone of her innovative and sophisticated fine designer jewels. The Women’s Jewelry Association recognized Julia’s unique artistry when they awarded her the DIVA Design Award. Since then she has received multiple JCK Jewelers Choice Awards, MJSA Vision Award and has been honored with the prestigious Spectrum Award from the AGTA. KATIE DECKER   Inspired by her studies, travels, and imagination, Katie designs elegant pieces for women of all ages. Striking a balance between classic and contemporary, her designs evoke a timeless sophistication suitable for passing down through the generations. Katie concentrates on fine jewelry that may be worn from daytime to evening events. Using the highest quality materials she melds diamonds, semi-precious stones, and pearls with unique, whimsical designs available in 18k yellow, white and rose gold. KRISTEN PASTERNAK   “My ultimate goal is to create pieces of jewelry that my clients love to wear - that make them feel comfortable and confident. I hope that these designs will one day be heirloom pieces that women pass down to their daughters and granddaughters. In that respect, I always strive to make my designs classic yet modern and of the finest quality and craftsmanship.”   MARGERY HIRSCHEY   Inspired by ancient jewelry, Margery works with high karat gold and imperfect stones. She designs for women with a strong sense of individuality and style. Her work is carried in fine stores across the United States, including ABC Home in New York City, Ikram in Chicago and Roseark in Los Angeles. RUSSELL JONES Using original models of his own design, Russell creates fresh and modern pieces with high karat gold and semi-precious and precious stones. His design sensibility is clean with a very subtle nod to historical styles of jewelry.    Show info can be found at JA NY Show.

Designer business tips from our seminar last week

It was a great joint venture between our company and Collective-E last week... Beth Schoenfeldt and I each moderated a panel and the 50+ attendees were really on their game. The questions were plentiful.

Tips from the experts include:

Make yourself unique -- we don't need more beautiful jewelry we need more jewelry that has a unique point of view. Sarah Graham has made her name on her blackened metal alloy mixed with yellow and white golds.

Be persistent but not a stalker for press and retailers.

Pitch appropriately -- don't send funky jewels to bridal mags, nor mega-diamond jewels to Redbook. Don't pitch Lucky if you don't have any national distribution.

Court retailers for a while -- they have to cycle people out to let you in so it can take a season or three. Be patient but persistent. And very very friendly about it. Empathy is the key.

Sales reps are very hard to find in the fine jewelry business so before you're established (and some come to you or you meet them at trade shows once you're doing them!) hire an enthusiastic advocate for your designs.

After the seminar we had a tour of the show floor and many of the attendees were so thrilled to meet the exhibiting designers. Here, Erica Molinari, gives great advice to these young entrepreneurs.

 

 

30TH Anniversary of JA New Designer Gallery - what a party!

This was the 30th anniversary of the JA Show's New Designer Gallery and we threw ourselves quite a fete!

First came the ceremony - nearly 50 of the 300+ alumni came to celebrate and remember old times with each other... seen in the photo is Janis Savitt (M+J Savitt) Steven Lagos, Beth Moskowitz, David Yurman, Sheila Kahn, Frederica, Karen Gerstl, Deborah Blohm, Kristin Moore and Esther Gallant.

Each having been in the New Designer Gallery when they debuted in the industry. It was a GREAT time.

Next came a reunion dinner I organized for all -- we had more than 120 people there -- all laughing and telling stories and genuinely having a ball.

This was one of those epic events that made you glad to be part of this crazy business. Next time we have an event - - I hope you all can be there!