MJSA Expo New York Seminar Program
Featuring some of the industry’s most renowned industry leaders and master jewelers, the free seminars at Expo address the most pressing issues facing jewelry designers, manufacturers, and suppliers today.
Below are the seminars that took place during the 2012 show.
Sunday, March 11
Selling Your Message—No Matter the Metal
Given the current metals prices, many jewelry makers and designers are using lower-cost materials in imaginative ways—and finding new ways of selling the value of their work. This session presented practical examples of how noted designers have raised the profiles of their brands, and how attendees could do the same by delivering compelling stories and messages that turn heads and drive sales. Moderator: Andrea Hill, StrategyWerx. Panelists: Robin Haley, Robin Haley Jewelry; Gloria Maccaroni, Gurhan; Alex Woo, Alex Woo Inc.; Killian Rieder, Chamilia. Sponsored by Prime Time Mfg.
MJSA’s At the Bench Live: The Finishing Touch
A piece of jewelry can rise and fall on the quality of its finish. In this session, attendees saw first-hand the various techniques that can efficiently ensure all areas of a piece are finished and polished to perfection. Presenter: Joel McFadden, JMD Jewelry. Bench and Tool Sponsor: Stuller Inc.
Subcontracting Jewelry Work
More and more jewelry makers and designers are subcontracting parts of the jewelry making process to save time, gain efficiencies, and capitalize on others’ expertise. This seminar offered advice on how to subcontract effectively, from soliciting recommendations, comparing subcontractors, and agreeing on payment terms to crafting clear communications and managing expectations. Moderator: Tina Snyder, MJSA. Panelists: Kitty Hundley, Sierra Design Studio; Nancy Schuring, Devon Fine Jewelry; Rosemarie Billanti, Billanti Casting Co. Inc.; Jane Bohan, Jane Bohan Inc.; and Steve Adler, A3DM Technologies.
Finding Inspiration
"Will the idea for my next design ever arrive?" It’s a question that jewelry makers and designers have all asked at some point, as they struggle to produce new, creative work. In this seminar, Alishan Halebian—a designer and goldsmith well-known for his exotic designs and imaginative use of metals and gems,—described how he invokes his muse, and how attendees could his techniques to stoke their own creativity. Presenter: Alishan Halebian, Alishan. Sponsored by Victor Settings/Joseph Casting
Monday, March 12
By the Numbers:
What’s Ahead for the Jewelry Industry
Who will be buying jewelry in the next ten years? What type of jewelry will they want, and to which messages will they best respond? Where will U.S.-based jewelry makers/designers fit in? These are the types of questions addressed in a new report by Ken Gassman of the Jewelry Industry Research Institute. This session explored the answers. It offered practical strategies for capitalizing on current trends and positioning a company for success. Presenter: Andrea Hill, StrategyWerx. Sponsored by Materion Corp.
MJSA’s At the Bench Live: Secret Shop Weapons
Every bench jeweler has a favorite tool—the one that makes their job easier and expands their capabilities. This seminar identified some of the tools that noted jewelers and designers just can’t live without, as well as how they can be effectively applied. Based on the new MJSA Press book, Secret Shop Weapons. Presenter: Ann Cahoon, Flying Marquis Studio. Bench and Tool Sponsor: Stuller Inc.
Critique My Website!
Jewelry makers and designers labor to create the best websites possible for their products. Yet few have the resources to bring in experts who can critique them, suggest user-friendly changes, and offer search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. This session analyzed several well-trafficked websites that have "the right stuff." Prior to the show, prospective attendees submitted their own websites for critique; the panel pulled submissions at random to critique during the session. Moderator Eugene Brill, Rio Grande. Panelists: Michael Schechter, Honora Pearls; Jennifer Gandia, Greenwich Jewelers; Kathy Maurella, Greenwich Jewelers website consultant.
Green Shop Practices
The "green" movement is growing! More and more jewelry makers and designers are using recycled and ethically sourced jewelry materials, as well as following eco-friendly practices in their shops—and their customers are taking notice. This session talked about the simple and practical steps that others have taken to become more responsible and environmentally friendly—and how attendees could follow their path. Presenter: Christine Dhein, Revere Academy of Jewelry; editor, Green Jewelry News.
Tuesday, March 13
Future of Design Business Incubator Contest LIVE Finale
What would happen if "American Idol" came to the jewelry industry? If it were lucky, it would resemble the Future of Design, a "business incubator" competition developed by the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau (JRB) and StrategyWerx. Unlike other jewelry contests, Future of Design evaluated business development skills, not just design acumen. The finale took place on the last day of the 2012 MJSA Expo New York, with designer Bree Richey named the winner of a $250,000 prize package. Congratulations to Bree and to all the finalists!
Judges for the contest included:
• Andrea Hill of StrategyWerx, business planning strategy and coaching
• Kate Peterson of Performance Concepts, sales training and retail promotion
• Mendel Rotenberg of Induscan, manufacturing services (he’s designer Sara Blaine’s husband and makes her line and others)
• Jim DeMattei of Viewpoint Showrooms, who will sell the line
• Cindy Edelstein of the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, who will offer coaching, promotion, and business marketing advice