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.
Applications are now ready for the 2011 One of a Kind Shows in NYC and Chicago. The New York show has two dates: Nov. 10-13 and 17-20, 2011.
Deadline is May 2, 2011.
Jeweler's who have done the 2010 NYC show:
Jeweler's who have done the 2010 Chicago show:
Visit the Chicago show's exhibitor page here and the page for the New York event here.
“Beginning in 2010, and culminating at the summer 2013 event, temporary and permanent NYIGF floor plan changes will align with planned construction and renovation of the Javits Convention Center," according to GLM.
“The transformation of the Javits Center will include installation of a new green roof; construction of the new Javits Center North which extends the building North to 40th Street; and major renovations to building systems, skylights and roof.”'
Designer Maker will include some 360 designer-makers from across the United States and around the world, and Handmade: Global Resources will include some 200 imported resources featuring traditional designs and craftsmanship and Fair Trade production from around the world.
The JA NY Special Delivery show is a unique event -- it's timed for last minute stock for the jewelry retailers. Exhibitors bring specials, deals, overstocks and regular merchandise to entice folks at this time of year.
Each year it has gotten stronger and this year there was true crowds on day one. Unfortunately it's not the day I had my camera in hand plus access to the skyboxes over the show floor for a good shot. I got requests for an overview photo so I'm posting it even though it doesn't well represent the buyer attendance.
This was the second show where JA showcased designers in my newly invented trade show concept -- designLAB. A group booth for jewelry designers that gives each a small display space, shared resources and an open layout. Buyers seem to love it. It was truly busy most of the show and the designers had a great time.
On the left is Mikelle Terson of Mikelle Designs, NYC showing off her yoga inspired jewels.
Anzie Stein and her daughter Jaclyn had a great display of candy-colored sparkling gem designs from her eponymous collection Anzie Jewelry. On the right is Rina Young who came with a huge array of her kinetic, sculptural designs in sterling and gold. They definitely have fun in the designLAB.
Monica of Rosario Designs brought her uber-fashionable designs from Columbia for her second-ever JA Show. While Ann Garrett, right, brought her collection of shagrin skin bangles and accessories. Very au courrant and popular.
Two trays of trend setting designs by ExEx Jewelry by Claudia Agudelo. Big, bold drusy rings and wide dramatic cuffs in sterling are big sellers for her this year.
I heard more often than not, "We had a good show. We didn't expect much and so we are very, very pleased with what happened."
What a relief.
I'm not saying we're out of the woods yet -- but I am thinking we can see glimmers of light at the end of the forest. There were still those seeing no light but I am wondering if it's almost generational -- did these people resond to the market? Add new? Add lower-priced or better styled? I saw a lot of designers introduce silver. Or smaller. Or lighter. Or well-marketed.
But the world won't look the same post-recession. The new luxury customer will be different than the old and we all have to adapt.
Speaking of new behavior -- I was tweeting up a storm during the Couture show. And using facebook, too.
If you want to see what I saw:
friend me on Facebook -- Cindy Edelstein
follow me on Twitter -- http://twitter.com/CindyEdelstein
Traffic at the Handmade section of the NY Gift Show was slower than last year, said many, but the popular designer lines still had a good show.
And we had fun visiting with so many great friends.
Trends spotted at the show:
GREEN Jewelry is gaining a real toehold in our industry (see early post on Fair Jewelry Summit) and the latest to take the concept and run with it was Cynthia Gale of GeoArt. Her new Go Green campaign was attracting a lot of attention.
That's Cynthia on the right.
Another great green initiative is Julie Bergstein's (on the left) new locket collection for her eponymous line Just Jules. She combines vintage lockets, watch fobs and other trinkets with pearls and beads and chain to create contemporary keepsakes. She told us that she sold out by the second day -- she's on the hunt for more vintage lockets so if you see any/have any to sell -- email her from her website at www.justjules.com.
Stephen Estelle saw a great interest in his vermeil collection. His rationale? "They're simultaneously selling down with the economy (from the karat gold line) while feeling like you're keeping up because it's gold and not silver," said Stephen. Great understanding of the marketplace.
here's Suzanne Vaughan of Ann Sportun looking as cool and graceful as the jewels!
Can you see the size of those baroque pearls in front of her! To die for!
Over at Somer's Jewelry
owner at Hilary Randolph told us that her gold WAS selling better than
expected -- considering she's predominently a silver line this was
surprising news indeed.
While at the Ann Sportun/Experimetal booth they were getting some traction for their diamond designs. These reports gave us hope that the year won't be as bad as we keep fearing it could be!
The Accessories Circuit trade show was quite busy on Tuesday when we visited. This 3-day trade show is always fun for us since we get to see more than jewelry -- every accessories category along with some ready-to-wear is on display.
Given the current economic climate we were thrilled to see that many of our favorite designers were working away writing orders and a few were too busy to talk to us despite dropping by a few times.
What we did get to see were some terrific new spring lines and continued growth by some of today's most happenin' designers.
At Mizuki's booth we saw the designer herself chatting with Fragments owner Janet Goldman (middle) and CEO Marla Sabo (left) and we couldn't resist capturing their new year's smiles.
Mizuki's collection now features "stories" that help merchandise her prolific designs.
[TIP: Creating stories helps you and your buyers organize, refer to and display your different works cohesively]
Mizuki's new story in rose gold and rose quartz seemed particularly enticing for this spring.
Rose seems to be the word of the season -- rose gold, rose-cuts, rosey colored gems -- we were feelin' in the pink after a few hours at the show.
Susan Kalan had great reaction to her new 18k designs that she brought to supplement her 14k work -- giving optimism that fashionable designs can sell well at higher pricepoints. She sold both collections well with her Vitrine collection of translucent gems in large, diamond accented settings doing particularly well.
Saundra Messinger added some color to her signature matte silver designs this season -- a beautiful way to continue her collection. Here she is modeling new bracelets
for us!
Jamie Joseph (seen below with her adorable husband) added even more color to her line showing off soft pink Kunzite as often as she could in her "Saturn" necklaces which let the stone swing independently from the gold setting "orbiting" it. She's the originator of this concept and it's definitely fun and fashionable. Her choker bracelets were also getting a lot of attention because big color is where it's at this year!
Marquis shapes and cool colors were making all the news at the Pade Vavre booth. Many new styles featured flashing labradorite and moonstones in marquis, rose cut and natural crystal shapes. Organic is the word for Pade with her emphasis on twiggy textures, natural found object forms like sharks teeth and lava and uncut gems.
Many designers we met reported ending 2007 on the positive side -- again good news based on current economy and overall industry reports.
Watch here for our Jeweler's Resource end-of-year business survey results coming shortly.
