MJSA’s At the Bench Live at JCK Las Vegas
Below are the 2011 sessions that ran at JCK Las Vegas, which took place June 3-6 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Also listed are related articles from MJSA Journal, the flagship monthly magazine published by MJSA. The articles will be distributed at all sessions, and can also be ordered through the MJSA Article Archive. All articles are free to MJSA members; non-members pay $5 per page.
The 2012 sessions are currently being developed. Please check back again for updates.
Our thanks to our Bench & Tool Sponsor: Stuller Inc.
The Sessions
June 4
Using Handmade Chain in Custom Designs
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ann Cahoon
As consumer demand for custom jewelry grows, so too are the ways in which jewelers are creating unique, personalized pieces. One method to add personalization is through the use of handmade chain. Ann Cahoon will show techniques for creating handcrafted chain to complement specific custom designs.
Related MJSA Journal articles:
"Style Components: Trends in Chain and Findings," by Tina Wojtkielo Snyder. September 2010.
"In the Loop: Textile Techniques in Jewelry Making," by Michael David Sturlin. January 2011.
June 4
Mythbusters: Challenging Tradition at the Bench
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Ann Cahoon
Venerable traditions have built up regarding how bench jewelers should go about their craft. And, like all traditions, some may be true and some may be little more than myths. Join Ann Cahoon and she sets about separating hard facts from tall tales. Whether focusing on accepted procedures for equipment maintenance, the selection of tools for specific tasks, or simple safety procedures, she will challenge the traditions—and attendees will come away with new insights.
Related MJSA Journal articles:
"Cut It Out! Deubunking Three Myths about Sawing," by Ann Cahoon. May 2011.
"Myth Buster: Challenging the Myth That Magnesia Blocks Are Superior to Charcoal Blocks," by Ann Cahoon. June 2009.
"Get Buffed: Debunking the Myth That Singeing Buffs to Prep Them Is Faster and More Effective than Raking Them," by Ann Cahoon. August 2009.
June 5
New Techniques for Setting Princess-Cut Diamonds
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Joel McFadden
Princess-cut diamonds are among the most popular styles favored by consumers, but their sharp edges must be protected: Too much stress from the setting, and they could easily become damaged. Joel McFadden will demonstrate a new technique he developed that will simplify the setting process and ensure the stone’s points remain unharmed.
Related MJSA Journal articles:
"The Royal Treatment: Setting a Princess-Cut Stone in V-Prongs," by Gregg Todd. February 2005.
"Get to the Point: Tips and Techniques for Setting Marquise, Princess-Cut, and Other Stones with Points," by Arthur Skuratowicz. January 2005.
June 5
Tips for Finishing and Pre-Finishing Jewelry
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Joel McFadden
A piece of jewelry can rise and fall on the quality of its finish. Joel McFadden—renowned for the refinement of his finishing and polishing work—shows how to quickly and efficiently finish all areas of a piece to ensure everything shines.
Related MJSA Journal articles:
"Smooth Sailing: Tools, Tips, and Techniques to Help You Achieve a Superior Finish," by Gary Dawson. February 2006.
"The 4C Project: Crafting a Custom Gent’s Ring around a Cushion-Cut Diamond," by Joel McFadden. April 2011.
June 6
CAD at the Bench: Tips and Tricks, Part 1
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Jim Tuttle
The rise of computer-aided design (CAD) has been a great aid to bench jewelers—if jewelers know how to use it wisely. From stone layout to making parts fit together, Jim will show inside tricks for combining handwork with CAD modeling to help the bench jeweler work faster and make better jewelry.
June 6
Advanced CAD at the Bench: Tips & Tricks, Part 2
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Jim Tuttle
More tricks to help jewelers incorporate CAD to speed their production at the bench and create finely detailed pieces that would be unattainable through hand work alone.
Related MJSA Journal articles:
"The New Realities of CAD," by Shawna Kulpa and Peggy Jo Donahue. Includes chart comparing CAD systems. February 2011.
"Ways and Means: How Green Lake Jewelry Works Used CAD/CAM to Create a Custom Piece on a Tight Budget," by John Shanahan. April 2010.
"Building Decisions: Design Considerations for Milling and Rapid Prototyping," by Mark Maxwell and Steve Workman. January 2009.
About the Presenters
Ann Cahoon, the owner of Flying Marquis Studio in the greater Boston area, is a designer/goldsmith focusing on custom and limited production work in gold and platinum. A graduate of the Maine College of Art and Boston’s North Bennett Street School, she is an instructor at the Metalwerx School for Jewelry and Metal Arts. Her "Mythbusters" series of articles appears periodically in MJSA Journal.
Joel McFadden is an award-winning designer and owner of JMD Custom Jewelry in Red Bank, New Jersey. One of the most experienced diamond setters in the United States, he has given training courses to other jewelers throughout the country and offers several videos on stone setting.
Jim Tuttle is the owner of Seattle-based Green Lake Jewelry Works, which specializes in custom design. With more than 20 years’ experience as a bench jeweler as well as a background in industrial engineering, he uses CAD/CAM for about 90 percent of his custom projects.