This has been a whirlwind two weeks - first I got to spend times with Mark Anderson and Jessica Dow (you may know them as Different Seasons Designs).
After Jess and Mark left it was on to the Tucson Gem Show - if you have ever wanted to attend the show but have never had the opportunity - join me and be my guest at the Tucson Gem Show.
Tucson Gem Show - Live!    http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/
...if you aren't familiar with Blogger blogs - all photos can be bigger simply by clicking on them and the posts run backwards so to see the earlier shows click "older posts" at the bottom of the page.
 

I have decided that I need to find more structure in my writing and in order to learn to apply myself I am now writing a Daily blog.

The support from the people I have met online means a lot to me - please let me know what you think!

http://dailyjewel.blogspot.com/

Robyn Hawk
Tucson Gem Show - Live http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/ 
Jewelry & Gem Artists http://jewelrygemartisans.blogspot.com/  
Fly On The Wall-Views and Reviews http://flyviewsandreviews.blogspot.com/
 
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." -Goethe

So many people have been asking "How do I get started in..."  that I thought you might be interested to know...the next 4 episodes on TV Weekly's Plum & Verdigris Show (Jewelry Making Tutorials) will be commited to teaching the BASICS!!!

June is Basic Training month on Plum & Verdigris. Get in jewelry-making shape!    

Jewelry Making - Basic Training with Tamara Berg will look at a different aspect of making Jewelry in each episode!

AIRING NOW!!!  Is Part One of a four week Boot Camp go to:
http://pnv.tvweekly.com/thisweek.php

Basic Training - Part 1 - Wire Basics:
Tamara is getting back to Basics in this episode—and a good place to begin is with wire, as it can be an integral part of the start and the finish of a fun piece of jewelry. Newbie and Artisans alike can benefit from Basic Training!

Up-coming episodes are:
Basic Training - Part 2 - Chain Basics
Basic Training - Part 3 - Soldering Basics
Basic Training - Part 4 - Bead Knotting Basics

Take a minute and browse thru the archives while you are at TV Weekly!

Robyn Hawk
Tucson Gem Show - Live http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/ 
Jewelry & Gem Artists http://jewelrygemartisans.blogspot.com/  
Fly On The Wall-Views/Reviews http://flyviewsreviews.blogspot.com/ 
Now You've Done It...You're On My List  http://youareonmylist.vox.com/

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." -Goethe

 

   DTLA Series, by Sue Dorman, Marina del Rey, CA

To honor "World Fair Trade Day" (May 10th) I thought that an Art Show was in order, especially a show of "repurposed" art.

I heartily recommend that you take a few moments to enjoy the wacky, wonderful and truly beautiful in the current show - Composting Good and Evil: Redesign for Sanctimonious Sinners now "live" on the Ethical Metalsmiths website at: 

    http://www.ethicalmetalsmiths.org/CGE_Intro.html

A call for entries was posted last November on a number of websites and list serves and sent to schools and metal arts organizations.
    
Artists were asked to consider how to reconcile the way we consume the world's resources, our "evil" habits, with our "good" intentions.

They were asked "to consider what would happen if we tossed our smug habits into a heap? What would happen if we composted our shameless sins, our saintly intentions and our fertile imaginations and pledged to use the resulting fecund glory to redesign and nurture the world?"

Rethinking, redesigning, recycling and repurposing were encouraged.
 
Eighty nine artists responded. The resulting exhibition is a subtly subversive and engaging visual essay about choosing change; it is insightful, humorous, startling, ironic, challenging, beautiful, puzzling, erotic, traditional, thoughtful, accomplished and "other."

There was a digital screening and reception at the SNAG conference in Savannah in addition to its showing on an outdoor digital billboard in front of the building.

If you live in the Southern California Area - This is a MUST DO!

Tonight was the Gala Opening for the Bench Jewelers Conference and Suppliers Expo (Information follows report)!  http://benchconference.com

Following a really nice spread (food & drinks) courtesy of The Platinum Guild and one other vendor that I can't remember (I will update this tomorrow), Brad Simon (with the onstage assistance of his son) emceed a Jeweler's Version of "The Price is Right!

Just like the TV game show we had the opportunity to "Come on Down" and compete to win tools & equipment.  Many of the companies exhibiting at the Suppliers Expo donated great prizes to be won.  This is NO JOKE there were amazing gifts $250 certificates for SouthEastern Findings, Gift Certificates for David H. Fell, Equipment and Tools!!!!

For those of you that missed the Opening Gala - there is good news - all prizes not won during the game on Friday night will be given away on Saturday afternoon in a Consolation Drawing. 

All but one prizes that is - I WON A PRIZE!!!!  The Advanced Stone Setting Class At GIA - is MINE!

The Suppliers Expo is a mere $15 at the door and the information and education provided far surpassed my expectations!!!!  The vendors booths were all well manned and  all the vendors had time to personally interact with people - there were "hands on" Lazer Welding Demos, a really good demo of two MJSA Innovation Award winners Firescoff and my personal favorite - Lee Marshall (father of Bonny Doon) was there with his amazing new project "Knew Projects"! 

I don't think I have ever seen as much excitement as there was around the Knew Concept Saw and while I expected it with the Electric Saw - the Manual Saw was drew just as many amazed expressions!!!!  http://knewconcepts.com/

Seen in the crowd among the Jeweler's from across the country...one of my favorite people Dave Arens (of Koil Kutter fame)!  It is always nice to meet-up with friends and fellow Orchid Members.

I am returning after class tomorrow and hope to be able to add some photos to tomorrow's report!!!

While it is probably too late to register for the Saturday Classes I am going to tease you by including the info.  It isn't too late to get into the Sunday sessions.

Saturday  Session 6   9:30 – 10:30am
601  Advanced Setting
602  Rubber Mold Making
603  Marketing Platinum
604  The Final Finish
605  Casting for the Small Shop
 
 
Saturday Session 7  11:00 – 12:00pm
701  Hand Wax Carving - Pendant
702  Jewelry Photography
703  Platinum Casting
704  Managing Your Melee
705  Fascination with Fancies
 
 
Sunday  Session 8   9:30 – 10:30am
801  Basic Setting
802  Unique Jewelry Fabrication
803  Adventures at the Bench
805  Casting for the Small Shop
 
 
Sunday Session 9  11:00 – 12:00pm
901  Hand Wax Carving - Pendant
902  PhotoShop for Jewelers
903  Creative Platinum Fabrication
905  Fascination with Fancies
 
Sessions are in the capable hands of some of the finest artists and instructors in their fields...Jurgen Maerz (Platinum), Wayne Emery (Working With Colored Stones), and
Joel McFadden & Mark Grosser are the "Dueling Designers" (CAD-CAM)!

The Passion Awards were handed out to a great range of artists in an expanded group of fields...CAD-CAM: Ladies Jewelry, Men's Jewelry & Ladies Rings; Finished Jewelry, Ladies Jewelry, Men's Jewelry & Ladies Rings; and Laser Welded Jewelry!

Bench Jewelers Educational Conference
The Educational Conference will have a new format this year and will run from Thursday through Sunday, April 24th – 27th.  Attend 1, 2, 3, or all 4 days.  There will be Seminars, Bench Demonstrations, Networking Opportunities, Discussion Groups, Meals and MORE!  Whether you are a beginner looking to develop your skills and build your career or a seasoned veteran of the bench looking to refresh your skills and rejuvenate your career, the conference programs will help jump-start your creativity and motivate you to accomplish your goals.

General Sessions will be held during the Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo at all of the meals.  Paid attendees can attend these General Sessions, PLUS their choice of Break-Out Seminars.  For more information on the General Sessions or the Break-Out Seminars go to: http://benchconference.com/Attendee/seminar.html

Bench Jewelers Supplier's Expo
The Supplier's Expo showcases tools & equipment, findings, refiners, casting houses, diamond & stone dealers, laser welders, CAD programs and more.  EVERYTHING A BENCH JEWELER NEEDS IS HERE!  Friday & Saturday, April 25th & 26th!

Remember about  two weeks ago - I posted a review of TVWeekly's Jewelry Show - Plum & Verdigris?

http://aflyonthewall.multiply.com/journal

Well check out Tamara's latest offering...very cool!

-------------------------------------------
Leather Man Cuff - Tamara is a jewelry artist known for creating exquisite, dainty pieces for women to wear. But not this time! Oh, women can still wear this cuff, and some might call it handsome rather than beautiful—but dainty, I think not! Get out your tools to hammer and punch your way to this Leather Man Cuff.
--------------------------------------------

Robyn Hawk
Tucson Gem Show - Live http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/ 
Jewelry & Gem Artists http://jewelrygemartisans.blogspot.com/  
Fly On The Wall-Views/Reviews http://aflyonthewall.multiply.com/ 
Now You've Done It...You're On My List  http://youareonmylist.vox.com/

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." -Goethe

The Best Advice to Becoming A Better Bench Jeweler Ever...
Crammed Into 4 Days

Don't Let This Opportunity Pass You By – Register TODAY!
 
Two Great Events - One Fantastic Weekend
 

Bench Jewelers Supplier's Expo
Friday & Saturday April 25 – 26

Bench Jewelers Educational Conference
Thursday through Sunday April 24 – 27

Produced BY Bench Jewelers FOR Bench Jewelers
We Know and Understand Your Needs and Concerns

at the Marriott Hotel Los Angeles Airport,
5855 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA  90045

The Supplier's Expo showcases tools & equipment, findings, refiners,
casting houses, diamond & stone dealers, laser welders, CAD programs
and more.  EVERYTHING A BENCH JEWELER NEEDS IS HERE! 

Plus a Gala Reception Friday Evening with a chance to win great
prizes from the vendors.

This show comes from BWSimon - the folks that bring you BenchTips
Magazine, E-BenchTips Online, and BenchTelevision.com!

For details see: http://www.benchconference.com/

Is the Tucson Gem Show something that you have always wanted to do - but - it’s too expense, to large, too scary...whatever your reason for not (in the words of Nike) "Just Doing It" - come along to the Tucson Gem Show as my Guest!

I am a PR & Marketing Pro and a student in a Jewelry Making & Lapidary program in Venice, CA.  I am also completing the course work for my Graduate Gemologist Cert with GIA. 

I not only attended the 2008 Tucson Gem Show, I wrote a daily blog entry. While my Class commitments kept me in a limited number of shows - I invite you to share my experiences at the 40+ Shows that make up the Tucson Gem Show!

Remember that as with most blog entries the latest entry is at the top - if you want more - click "older posts" at the end of the page!

http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/

 

If you are traveling to Tucson for the show this year check out the schedule at the Tucson Electric Park Learning Center!  http://electricparklearningcenter.com

This year the Learning Center has expanded it's offerings,...beading, wire wrapping, even a seminar that will take you on a wild adventure to mine gems! 

But we haven't forgotten the favorites from last year...you can still learn to set a stone in a stone, drill a hole in gem material, there will be faceting and cabbing demos, using a Foredom...and so much more!

In a Learning Center exclusive - Fred Ward will unveil the latest addition to his "Fred Ward Gem Book Series" - Phenomenal Gems!  Mr. Ward will have books available - get your copy autographed!

If you make it to the Learning Center - introduce yourselves - I would love to meet you!   If you can't make it to Tucson this year - Be My Guest!  Subscribe to my blog and check out the shows!

Robyn Hawk

Tucson Gem Show - Live http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/
Jewelry & Gem Artists http://jewelrygemartisans.blogspot.com/
Fly On The Wall-Views/Reviews http://aflyonthewall.multiply.com/