15 Stories Project: How I became famous in 1997.

Everyone wants to know what happened next (in regards to the Mr. Grey the Goldsmith story)...

Well, the drama with Mr. Grey the Goldsmith was over. I never saw him again after that fatal day and have recently found out, through the grapevine, that he is no longer making jewelry due to a medical condition. Despite our tumultuous end, this saddens me because he really was a master at his craft.

To continue...
A month after the firing/resignation at Mr. Grey the Goldsmith's, I became famous...

HAHAHAHA! Well, I didn't exactly became famous, but I had an incredible press opportunity fall into my lap. I had a full feature article written about me in the jewelry trade magazine Lapidary Journal (now known as Lapidary Journal-Jewelry Artist)

January 1997 - Lapidary Journal

January 1997 - Lapidary Journal 

I was still working for Mr. Grey the Goldsmith when I received a call from Lapidary Journal (sometime in 1996). They said wanted to write a feature article about my work and was told a journalist would soon contact me for an interview and a meeting. I was speechless but inside my head I was thinking, "What?! Me? A whole article about ME?" I had been in business part time for less than two years...HOW and WHY did they want to write about ME?!!? I can't rightly recall but I'm sure I hung up the phone on that that day and jumped up and down with excitement!

The writer, Cathleen McCarthy called me and we arranged to meet at a local craft show. I was excited and nervous while she "played" with my kinetic jewelry. Later, she called me for the phone interview. I was really nervous for this and so afraid I was going to sound like a total idiot.

The article was published in January 1997---a few weeks after I lost my job with Mr. Grey the Goldsmith and a few weeks before I started my next (and last) full time job working for another jeweler. (That story may be next!)

Today, Cathleen McCarthy publishes her own blog/on-line magazine for jewelry lovers, The Jewelry Loupe. She also continues to write for Lapidary Journal-Jewelry Artist, as well many other publications.

Nervous Habit Rings

There is something particularly intimate about a ring---Not only because it is used as a symbol of love---but because it literally surrounds and becomes a part of the wearer more so than other jewelry. Our hands are the main source of our gestural language...we wave hello, we hug, we shake and hold hands...

Nervous Habit Ring #7. Made in 1996-ish.
Published in "Fidgeting in Style" Lapidary Journal January 1997 and "1000 Rings", Lark Books.

I have always liked to make rings that are gestural, playful, kinetic....
Rings that can be enjoyed by the wearer and viewer, rings that are conversation starters, rings that are more than just rings...

Revisiting my love for kinetic rings in the Ring-a-Week Challenge has made me think about some of my older designs. I recently rephotographed them since I had no digital images of them---only slides! (How old school is that?!)

Nervous Habit Ring #8? Made in 1996-ish.
Published in "Fidgeting in Style" Lapidary Journal January 1997.

Recent press

Here's a quick post about some print press I have received this year...

my Bubble Ring in skirt! magazine - February 2010

my Vine Leaf Rings in Watch & Jewelry Review - June 2010

National Jeweler - July 2010

Lapidary Journal/Jewelry Artist - September 2010

Thanks for reading! I have some exciting projects I be blogging about soon...stay tuned!

Artful home fall catalog

A few of my items from the Midnight Marquise Collection are included in the fall Artful home catalog...which is due to shipped out any day now. If you would like a copy of this beautiful catalog please sign up on their website here or simply shop online!

Marquise Chain Bracelet, Layered Midnight Marquise Pendant and earrings: oxidized sterling silver, 18k gold and cultured fresh-water pearls.

Recent Press: Fine Jewelry News

I am delighted to say that my Effervescence Brooch #1 was included in the May/June issue of Fine Jewelry News in a feature about jewelry that evokes childhood fun and games entitled "Trends: Play."

Babycenter: MOMformation blog interview

I was recently interviewed for the Babycenter's blog : MOMformation. Babycenter is an amazing resource for all Mom's...it has information from fertility to parenting to fashion! I am participating in their week long jewelry giveaway. Read the interview to find out how you can enter to win a pair of my Bubble Earrings! Hurry you have to enter by midnight Thursday, April 2! To read and enter click here!

Recent Press: INDESIGN

My Marquise Chain Necklace was featured in the January/February issue of INDESIGN magazine!

Blog Nods for my Bubble Collection

I recently discovered my jewelry in some blog gift guides...

My Effervescence Earrings were in GilBea's Jewelry Lover's Gift Guide. GilBea has a fantastic blog about fashion & the handmade and how to combine the two...AND she makes gorgeous handpainted silk accessories! Check out her shop here.

The always fabulous Julie Morrison (aka MAJESTYinc.) has added my Effervescence Ring to her blog wish list. MAJESTYinc makes handmade vinyl accessories that are creative, colorful and whimsical. Check out her shop here.

Web Press - Jewelry of the Day

My Bubble Pendant #5 was selected for the Jewelry of the Day on Tuesday, November 18. Jewelry of the Day is a blog which features a daily selection of handmade jewelry. Thanks, Eric!This pendant is available in my Etsy shop, as well as many of my other designs...ANY purchase that mentions this blog post (in "message to seller" during checkout) will receive free shipping (refunded via pay pal)! Click here to shop!

Jeweler's Resource Bureau & Etsy...

I am excited to announce that I was interviewed by Frank Stankus of the Jeweler's Resource Bureau for their "What Works" series. The article entitled "What Works: Selling Your Goods on the Etsy Craft Site" is a candid, tactful and informative introduction to Etsy for members of the Jeweler's Resource Bureau.
To view the entire article, you must be a member...and I highly recommend becoming a member to all jewelry designers! The Jeweler's Resource Bureau has an amazing amount of resources available, such as: suppliers, shows, competitions, publicity opportunities, marketing tips, consultations, and the list goes on... Check it out and sign up here!

Niche Awards Finalist!

I was recently informed that my "Kinetic Mod Necklace" has been chosen as one of the 2009 Niche Awards Finalists! The winners of the awards will be announced on February 15, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA at a banquet and ceremony during the Buyers Market of American Craft.

Wish me Luck...because....

This is my 8th time as a Niche Award Finalist...but I have yet to win the award. I am beginning to feel like the Susan Lucci of the Niche Awards. I think it took her 19 Emmy nominations before she won...geez!

Some more Web Press...

I'm happy to announce that my Abacus Wave Cufflinks were featured in blufuse: a new, hip blog featuring modern men products. Very Cool stuff in the blog!

My Midnight Marquise Bracelet was also mentioned on dianalerias.net in the post Jewelry: Favorite Picks. Thank you!

Marquise Pendant gets Web Press x 2

Jewelry of the Day is a wonderful blog for jewelry addicts! It features a daily selection of hand made jewelry with links to where you can purchase the items. And I'm happy to say that my Asymmetrical Marquise Pendant is the item of TODAY! Thanks for choosing my pendant!
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The same pendant was featured yesterday on Etsy's The Storque article entitled Sterling Silver Jewelry!

Satellite Collection & A Blog nod...

Last week my original Satellite Ring was featured on panie przodem, a contemporary jewelry blog based out of Poland! It it a great honor to be included with such inspiring avant-garde jewelers. Thanks, Dominika!
With that said, I have also recently decided to resurrect my Satellite designs. In the past this collection has mainly been flatware (cocktail spoon, fork and martini sticks). Now, I am working on adding many new jewelry pieces. The first two are now available in my etsy shop.

Satellite Ring #2

Satellite Earrings #1

More Satellite designs coming soon...keep posted!

Featured in blog... 18kt

Several of my designs were featured on 18kt! It is a contemporary jewelery blog based out of Spain which highlights jewelry news and designers from all over the world. This is a great honor for me because I am such a fan of this visually stimulating blog! Thanks, masaoms!

Featured in blog... Pfeiffer Photos

Tina Pfeiffer recently contacted me to let me know that she featured me on her blog, Pfeiffer Photos. She had kind words for my work and showcased it by embedding my Trunkt portfolio. I knew this could be done, but I've never tried it. It looks GREAT...check it out! I can't wait to play around with this widget!

Check out Pfeiffer Photos on etsy. I especially like their graphic compositions of everyday objects, like these:

Carts by Pfeiffer Photos

Rental Skates by Pfeiffer Photos

Necklace in INDESIGN!

My goal for more PRESS in 2008 is succeeding! My "Effervescence Necklace" was featured in the July 2008 issue of INDESIGN magazine! Kathy Zaltas of Zaltas Gallery had some nice things to say about the necklace, such as: "It's one of those styles that puts a smile on your face each time you clasp it around your neck."

Recent Advertisements...

Here are some recent ads I've participated in...
This was a co-op ad with Etsy.com. It was in the June/July issue of
BUST magazine. Can you see my Abacus Bracelet? It's pretty small...but it is a full page ad in a national magazine!

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This is another co-op ad I participated in. I went in with 3 of my galleries and it was in the August 2008 American Style magazine. Thanks to Gallery 50, Allanstand and MARCHi!

Cufflinks in INSTORE magazine!

A few months ago I received word that the senior editor of INSTORE magazine was looking for jewelry submissions for the magazine's product section. Each month a different product category and it's various price ranges is featured in a multiple page spread---for example: Bridal jewelry, Men's jewelry, Back-to-School jewelry, etc. I jumped at the opportunity and sent the editor a CD full of my jewelry images. I crossed my fingers and waited...

Yesterday, I received my copy of the June issue of INSTORE and there were my cufflinks!!! Needless to say, I'm thrilled!

A pleasant surprise!

I was happy to hear that the folks at the Rosen Group chose one of my images for their Summer Buyers Market brochure. I exhibit at the February show every year, but this is the first time in 9 years that I will be doing the August show. Keep posted for my booth info and new work...
Here's the info on the show:
The Buyers Market of American Craft, (BMAC) is held twice a year at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia, is a wholesale show that offers the world's largest venue for artists to meet qualified buyers. This show provides a professional setting for the development of wholesale contacts and generates new business for both buyers and sellers of American craft art. The BMAC is produced by The Rosen Group.
1-800-432-7238
August 2 - 4, 2008