Back to the Cutting Edge...
2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Collection - A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted
These are the faceted gems in anything other than a "classic" cut - there were some stunners...like this fabulous Aquamarine from one of my favorite gem cutters...
Entry 249 David Brackna
David A. Brackna Gemcutter
Germantown, MD
24.68 ct. bar cushion-brilliant-cut Aquamarine.
...and lots of Paraiba Tourmaline...
Entry 557 Jeffrey Bilgore
Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
New York, NY
14.73 ct. round Paraiba Tourmaline.
Entry 318 Allen Kleiman
A. Kleiman & Co.
San Francisco, CA
3.64 ct. natural oval-shaped Paraiba Tourmaline.
Entry 539 Joseph Ambalu
Amba Gem Corp
New York, NY
16.88 ct. cushion-cut Paraiba Tourmaline.
...and pink lots of hot, hot PINK!!!!
Two glorious Rhodocrosite from Ben Kho - not sure how he is able to get such a precise cut in such a soft stone...
Entry 254 Ben Kho
Kho International, Ltd.
Decatur, GA
11.48 ct. antique cushion-cut Rhodochrosite.
Entry 255 Ben Kho
Kho International, Ltd.
Decatur, GA
16.02 ct. fantasy cushion-cut Rhodochrosite.
...and the category WINNER!
Entry 316 Allen Kleiman
A. Kleiman & Co.
San Francisco, CA
10.78 ct. natural heart-shaped red Spinel.
Refine the designs of your jewelry by adding findings specifically made for a particular piece. Information relevant to making tiny elements that move and soldering pieces in close proximity will be shared. A collection of historic examples and contemporary designs will stimulate your imagination. Bench tips and detailed descriptions of the sequence of building both simple and complex mechanisms will be explored.
BIO: Marilynn has her MFA from The School of the American Craftsmen at the 
This is a 3-Day workshop which explores the narrative and painterly potential of kiln formed glass. Students will be introduced to a variety of expressive kiln forming techniques to enable the use of text and images in their glass work. This class will be of interest to artists such as print makers, painters, poets, or anyone for whom imagery, layering and personal expression are desired elements. Working with Bullseye glass, frit, powder, and stringer, students will create pre-fired design elements to be used in subsequent glass projects, combined with other glass techniques and/or adapted to other media. Stenciling, sifting and sgrafitto with powders are some of the processes to be covered. Opacity, transparency, and design concepts will also be considered. Students will combine these kilnforming processes in a final project. While basic kiln practices will be touched upon, the focus of the class will be on the expressive use of the materials and creating glass art based on the students signature work. Prior glass experience is beneficial but artists of other media are encouraged to enroll.
