NAJA's ACE-It Schedule!

ACE™ It Conferences by NAJA

Appraisers Continuing Education

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers announces its 39th Annual Winter ACE© It Education Conference to be held in Tucson, AZ, February 3-4, 2013.

The appraisal organization dedicated exclusively to gems and jewelry presents an outstanding program to assist the professional appraiser’s continuing education and an unparalleled networking experience. 

Weekend Vendor Spotlight on Rob Lowe Assoc.

The Rob Lowe booth at GJX is always slammed and don't be surprised if you run into some of the biggest names in faceting! ...which is an obvious indicator of the quality and reputation of this company's product.  Whether it is facet rough, pre-forms or cut gems you can count on the Rob Lowe booth!  Rob is easy to work with and always carries the rare stones that make your work stand out from the crowd and if "chain of custody" is important to you...he deals direct with the mine and can tell you exactly where your rough came from.

My apologies to Rob - these cases were jammed full but I didn't get over to photograph them until the last day...

Robert P. Lowe Jr.
Lowe Associates - Brasil
Gemstones, Rough, Specimens
Tucson - Feb 1 - 6, 2011 - GJX booth # 205
e-mail: USA  robertplowejr (at) juno.com 
e-mail: Brasil robertplowejr (at) uol.com.br

 

 

Discover Precious Metal Clay - Jewelry Artist Carrie Story Offering Classes at #TucsonGemShow

When you have most major Designers and Makers in one place at one time you would be nuts not to check into classes and seminars.  Some of the most talented and brightest minds in the field will be teaching in Tucson during the Tucson Gem Shows...we will be highlighting some here!

Jewelry Artist Brings Metal Clay Excitement 

to Tucson Design Students

North Carolina Artisan, Carrie Story will be teaching Jewelry Design classes using Metal Clay at the JOGS Show and The Tucson Bead Show, February 3rd through February 10th, 2013.  

Fine silver metal clay, is a versatile, easy-to-use material that allows just about anyone to make their own beautiful, real silver jewelry in a matter of hours.

Metal clay is a crafting medium consisting of very small particles of metal such as silver, gold, bronze, or copper mixed with an organic binder and water for use in making jewelry, beads and small sculptures. 

Originating in Japan in 1990, metal clay can be shaped just like any soft clay, by hand or using molds. After drying, the clay can be fired in a variety of ways such as in a kiln, with a handheld gas torch, or on a gas stove. The binder burns away, leaving the pure sintered metal.

Since its introduction to the US in late 1995, metal clay has found enthusiastic users among jewelers, polymer clay artists, bead makers, hobbyists and enamellists.

Throughout her career, Carrie 's design expertise has been apparent, today she is an  accomplished jewelry maker and highly sought after, enthusiastic instructor.

From an early age, Carrie exhibited an interest in the creative arts and garnered recognition in college, winning a state award in graphic design for four custom pieces showcased in area museums. In 2005, Carrie began creating beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings and soon after established her own business, Divine Ornaments.

Carrie quickly developed a passion for metal clay after taking several classes, which fueled her desire to share her vast knowledge with students. Known for her approachable and dynamic teaching style, Carrie maintains an enjoyable atmosphere where students feel free to express their own gifts and talents while encouraging individuals’ creativity, curiosity and appreciation for art; Carrie’s dedication to teaching is obvious to her students.

Carrie, gains creative inspiration from nature and the animals around her.  She currently serves as a Contributing Artist for Metal Clay Today and has had her work in Metal Clay Artist Magazine.  Carrie is a Certified PMC Instructor and holds membership with The Creative Center. Carrie is committed to her own professional development and continuously seeks out opportunities to improve her skills so that she can best serve her students.

Carrie will be offering a variety of classes in Tucson - from Beginners Metal Clay, Building Rings and Setting Cabochons to UV Resin.

For more information about classes, times and dates or to Register please visit Carrie's Website Divine Ornaments:  http://www.divineornaments.net/

Weekend Vendor Spotlight - Wolfe Lapidary!

We have grown accustomed to seeing Tom Wolfe Minerals & Petrified Wood at most of the major Gem & Mineral Shows. 

Cases of SPECIAL & RARE GOODS at the 2012 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show!

....but do you know about their latest endeavor?

Wolfe Lapidary!

Tom Wolfe Minerals & Petrified Wood   http://www.tomwolfeminerals.com/

Wolfe Lapidary   http://www.wolfelapidary.com/

AGTA Announces Tools, Technology & Services Pavilion at GemFair™ Tucson

New Tools, Technology & Services Pavilion 

at 2013 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is pleased to announce the new Tools, Technology and Services Pavilion at the 2013 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson Show.

After conducting an extensive survey of show attendees the number one thing the buyers asked for was more tools, technology and services! This is an important category for many buyers and the expanded pavilion adds a lot of value for those buyers who are interested in the many products that will be offered. The synergy of the exhibitors in the pavilion makes it easier for buyers to focus on this category when shopping at GemFair.

GemFair is one of the few shows to offer this specialized pavilion in Tucson. Product and educational demonstrations will be offered in the pavilion through out the show in order to increase traffic. With all of the new excitement and build-up around the pavilion AGTA will dedicate additional resources to marketing its fabulous new location and amenities!

If you have a manufacturing component in your business, the Tools, Technology and Services Pavilion is a destination you must see in 2013!

What Would Winning An AGTA Spectrum Award Mean To You?

If you get a moment go over to YouTube and watch the new videos from the AGTA...they are interviewing winners of the Spectrum Award. 

They each answer Two questions...

1. Tell us about your winning entry.

2. What did winning an AGTA Spectrum Award mean to your business?

This particular video features Ashleigh Branstetter who entered an elegant pair of Tahitian Pearl and Sapphire Cufflinks (above) and she won a Manufacturing Honors Award in the Men's Wear Category.

So - Ashleigh, what does winning a Spectrum Award mean to your business?

Collector Day At The Westward Look Fine Mineral Show 2012

This is just Part One of my coverage of this show that has, due to the gorgeous minerals, fabulous exhibitors and collectors, captured my heart.  Collectors Day is a celebration and a fixed date on my Tucson Calendar because I meet up with a brilliant group of women.  We enjoy a delicious lunch on the patio overlooking the town of Tucson and we relax at the resort in the hills.


From the Fine Mineral Show Website:  Our Saturday event, known as Collector Day, is an all-day event (10AM - 4PM) where we invite a special guest to display their private mineral collection in the lobby of the Westward Look Resort. Our special guest is on hand throughout the event to answer any questions, meet anyone coming by our just chat the time away. This has become an extremely popular, must-stop visit for many people at the Tucson show to learn more about this wonderful hobby.


The Featured Collector in 2012 was Ron Gladnick and in a brilliant move the exhibit included original paintings and illustrations of mineral specimens from the Gladnick Private Collection by famous wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira.

As the story goes, the day he was born, an owl flew into his room through an open window and perched on the side of his crib. An unusual event for any newborn, however a very prophetic event for Sri Lankan-born wildlife artist and nature conservationist Gamini Ratnavira.

While this may have been Gamini's first direct link with nature, it wasn't until five years later when, fighting loneliness after his parents' divorce, Gamini observed the one event that would forever tie him to his life's passion.

"It had just rained and I was outside feeling sorry for myself. I started to watch a raindrop roll off the edge of a leaf and I was fascinated by the colors and the movement of those colors in that tiny raindrop. Then it fell to the ground and was absorbed by the dirt to nourish the plants. It was at that exact moment that I realized how big, complex and all-encompassing nature really is. As I was thinking about all of this and how it all tied together, I realized that for the first time in months, I had completely stopped thinking about my family situation and was actually able to smile. That's the power of nature."

This is from a fabulous write up about Gamini on the Blue Cap Productions Website here - click through for the entire story:
http://www.bluecapproductions.com/gamini/index.html


Enjoy this too brief Photo Journal - for more photos check out the Westward Look Fine Mineral Show 2012 Album on the Tucson Gem Show Facebook page.  


(BTW - you do not have to have a Facebook account to view the photos)

The Gladnick Collection was displayed in two large cases with
Gamini's paintings flanking them.

As you can see from the reflection this is a crowded event with visitors clamoring to photograph to exhibit and for a photo op with the Featured Collector!

Since I never seem to get photos of the grounds for this show I am adding this great shot from Dave Waisman's 2009 Album on his Fine Mineral Show page on Facebook!