Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist May - June 2016

JIM LAWSON had taken quite a few photographs of jewelry for Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist before I’d become much involved in a shot. I hadn’t needed to. Taking a great photo of great jewelry is no mean feat, but when you’re shooting knockout designs from such talented artists as we’re fortunate enough to work with, I expect a pro to give us great images, and Jim did just that. And then we ran a feature on manufactured chain. I’d asked my then-art director for an opening shot that would show a variety of chain types in a photo with a little flair. I didn’t know what exactly, but something more dynamic than a catalog full of regimented rows of taut, static chain. The first shot caught my eye, didn’t look like it…

NEXT TIME: Roger Halas’s Mokumé Gané Stingray Pendant, COVER. Riff on a design feature of this piece such as color, texture, form, value, line, space, repetition, balance, contrast, unity, or variety for your sketch. Sketch a setting for this square emerald cut red garnet, cut by Jim Perkins, page 46. DEADLINES: JUNE 30, 2016 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: Karla. Rosenbusch@fwcommunity.com. Include your name, city, and state, and indicate “Your Turn” on the subject line. DESIGN CHALLENGES YOUR COVER RIFFS: Designs based on Jeff Fulkerson’s Heart to…

JIM LAWSON had taken quite a few photographs of jewelry for Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist before I’d become much involved in a shot. I hadn’t needed to. Taking a great photo of great jewelry is no mean feat, but when you’re shooting knockout designs from such talented artists as we’re fortunate enough to work with, I expect a pro to give us great images, and Jim did just that. And then we ran a feature on manufactured chain. I’d asked my then-art director for an opening shot that would show a variety of chain types in a photo with a little flair. I didn’t know what exactly, but something more dynamic than a catalog full of regimented rows of taut, static chain. The first shot caught my eye, didn’t look…

JEFF FULKERSON’S Stone on Stone Pendant Sterling silver, copper, Picasso marble, sunstone, Padparadscha sapphire “How to Use Homemade Stamps” Page 26 “Stamped Silver Cuff” Page 30 WANT TO BECOME AN LJJA CONTRIBUTOR? Contributors’ guidelines can be found at www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/submissions ROGER HALAS’S Dolphin Pendant Mokumé gané, aquamarine eye; chasing and repoussé “Mokume Gane Stingray Pendant” Page 40 ART 7’S Moscow Bracelet/Necklace Amber beads, charms, magnetic closure Trends Page 48 ALYSIA SÁNCHEZ MELNIKOV’S Ring Agate, sterling silver “Artist As Model” Page 12 MELISSA CABLE’S Popped Cork Cuff Cork cord, leather, crystals “Leather and Metal Graffiti Necklace” Page 52 VALERIE NAIFEH’S Elements Collection Ring Stack 18K yellow gold, gemstones, pearl Trends Page 48 JERA LODGE’S Necklace Steel wire, felt “Artist As Model” Page 12…

Aside from the jewelry itself, few things are more important than good photographs of your work. Your jewelry can be incredibly unique and beautifully crafted, but if you use a muddy, badly-lit image when you post a piece for sale or apply to a contest or show, you may blow an important opportunity. Conversely, a well-composed, perfectly-lit image can make even mediocre work appealing. Some designers get quite good at shooting their own work. Others find they have neither the eye nor the patience. If you’re one of latter, start saving. You should be investing in a professional photographer. That requires a few hundred bucks a pop, but if you land an important customer or place in a major contest, you’ll get it back in spades. Baiyang Qiu was rejected the first…

NEXT TIME: Roger Halas’s Mokumé Gané Stingray Pendant, COVER. Riff on a design feature of this piece such as color, texture, form, value, line, space, repetition, balance, contrast, unity, or variety for your sketch. Sketch a setting for this square emerald cut red garnet, cut by Jim Perkins, page 46. DEADLINES: JUNE 30, 2016 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: Karla. Rosenbusch@fwcommunity.com. Include your name, city, and state, and indicate “Your Turn” on the subject…