Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist March/April 2021

we, the imperfect people

THAT JANUARY was exceptionally cold. Just out of college, I’d moved to DC where icebreakers would soon be at work on the partly frozen Potomac River. When I wasn’t looking for a job, I took advantage of Washington’s world-renowned cultural offerings, happily focusing on those that were free, open to the public, and indoors. It was an unimaginable luxury, and I had my pick. I wandered at will through the Smithsonian’s newly opened Air and Space Museum, original Castle building, and venerable National Museum of Natural History, which also became a great professional resource to me when I began working at this magazine. At the National Gallery of Art cafeteria, I splurged on a coffee just so I could sit, entranced, by the new Cascade waterfall installation outside its windows. Every…

design challenges

Your Settings…

letters

Re: "Their Student Days" page 74 Editor’s Note: We received this tribute to a mentor’s mentor from one of our sources for a current story about how artist/instructors learned their craft. Recently, Michael and I lost someone very special to us and an immense figure in the world of handmade fine jewelry. Larry Van Craeynest, Michael’s mentor for years and friend for even longer, passed away on January 15. Larry and all of the old craftsmen Michael apprenticed and learned under shaped who he is as an artist today. We appreciate being able to convey our sadness about such a loss to the community. In his honor, we have set up the Larry Van Craeynest Master Your Craft Scholarship; details are available at https://bold.org/scholarships/larry-van-craeynest-master-your-craft-scholarship. We are also in the process of creating another scholarship…

next time

DEADLINES: APRIL 30, 2021 Email digital scans at 300 DPI or send photocopies of no more than three sketches per challenge, indicating the design factor that is your starting point. Sketches will not be returned. WRITE TO US ANYTIME: What do you think about what you’ve seen and read in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist? SEND SKETCHES & LETTERS for possible print or online publication to: mwhite@goldenpeakmedia.com. Please include your name, city, and state, and indicate “Your Turn” on the subject line.…

their turn

Noël Yovovich’s Etched Pin Sterling silver → “BEFORE YOU ETCH,” P.44 → “KEEPSAKE BOX,” P.50 Hayley Tsang Sather’s Terra 3 Flameworked glass beads → “TAKING IT TO THE NET,” P.54 → “SOME ELECTRONICS REQUIRED,” P.62 → “REMOTE TEACH & REACH,” P.68 Betsy Lehndorff’s Bubble Wand and Container Silver, crystal → “BUBBLING WITH JOY,” P.28 Ashley Lauwereins’ Ruby Fuchsite Flower Earrings Sterling silver, ruby fuchsite → “BLACK MOON,” P.24 Peggy Haupt’s Filigree on Metal Pendant Silver, lapis lazuli → “HAIR’S TO QUICK & EASY!” P.40 Christine Dhein’s White Nile Necklace Recycled 24K gold and sterling silver → “ECO STUDIO,” P.80 → “DOER’S PROFILE,” P.88 Kieu Pham Gray’s Luster Earrings Sterling silver, pearls → “MALACHITE WITH A TWIST,” P.34 Jeff Fulkerson’s Ladder Shank Ring Turquoise, sterling silver → “TAKING IT TO THE NET,” P.54 → “SOME ELECTRONICS REQUIRED,” P.62 → “REMOTE TEACH & REACH,” P.68 Nanz Aalund’s Pill Boxes #3 and #5 Roll-printed sterling silver, antique typewriter keys, 18K gold → “TAKING IT TO THE NET,” P.54 → “SOME ELECTRONICS REQUIRED,” P.62 → “REMOTE TEACH…

educating to sell

IF YOU’RE SELLING HANDMADE goods, the time and skill it takes to produce them is part of their value, part of what you’re asking customers to pay for. How can they appreciate what goes into that jewelry unless you tell them? If you sell your jewelry behind a booth at craft shows, you can answer questions and offer insight into what customers are looking at. They’re more likely to buy jewelry they’re admiring when they learn you sculpted it from polymer clay or fired the enamel in your kiln, that the metal was fused in your studio or you carved the setting. But in a year devoid of interaction, how do you create appreciation for your handiwork? Many makers are learning to substitute virtual for live. Where a jeweler might have once…