MJSA Journal Online
Every month, readers turn to MJSA Journal for the latest technical insights, bench tips, fashion trends, and business and marketing insights. It is the premier industry magazine devoted to keeping professional jewelry designers and makers of all sizes informed, inspired, and profitable. As one reader said, "The Journal’s in-depth bench info and hands-on instruction are unmatched in the industry... People that read the Journal love it—nothing else in the industry helps them to run their businesses as efficiently."
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Online Articles
Take Two
By Tina Wojtkielo Snyder
What do you do when you realize your virtual inventory is virtually impossible to manufacture? With so many jewelry designers turning to CAD to realize their visions, such predicaments are becoming more and more common. This article details how two budding designers had to modify their award-winning designs to ensure they could be successfully manufactured. Go to Article
Glamour Girl
A step-by-step video demonstrating how to make a Swarovski Elements Crystaltex band bracelet. Go to Article
Tricks of the Techy Trade
CAD modelers share their favorite tips. Go to Article
Outback Memories
See designer Michael Endlich’s take on a group of treasured gemstones inherited from a close relative that is at the heart of this year’s MJSA Online Design Challenge. Go to Article
Mystery Box Challenge
By Tina Wojtkielo Snyder
What happens when you give three designers identical boxes of mystery materials and parameters—and ask them to let their imaginations run wild. Go to Article
Social Media Roundup: Debating Rebedo
Tiffany & Co.’s new Rubedo pink metal alloy stirred a spirited discussion among the members of MJSA’s LinkedIn group, generating more than 300 comments. Go to Article
Five On: CAD/CAM
Below are a series of articles providing in-depth looks at CAD/CAM that previously appeared in MJSA Journal. Copies of these articles can be ordered in the MJSA Bookstore.
Curves with Intentions
By Charlie Herner
The benefits of creating well-considered curves in CAD.
The Quest for Imperfection
By Lee Krombholz
A classically trained goldsmith was has embraced CAD/CAM, Lee Krombholz is on a quest to find ways to bring together the best of both worlds—to create jewelry pieces in CAD/CAM that have a handcrafted feel. The answer, he thinks, lies in the Wabi Sabi aesthetic.
Brave New World
By Steven Adler and Shawna Kulpa
Modern CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) technology has taken the age-old practice of creating a wax model and moved it firmly into the 21st century. In this article, you’ll read about how additive and subtractive manufacturing are evolving to meet the needs of jewelry makers, as well as find a chart comparing jewelry-specific CAM systems on the market.
The New Realities of CAD
By Peggy Jo Donahue and Shawna Kulpa
In part one of two-part series exploring jewelry-specific CAD/CAM options, we offer two case studies of jewelers who have been using and experimenting with CAD for multiple years. In addition, we present a comprehensive chart comparing the most popular CAD systems on the market today.
CAD Best Practices
By Mark Maxwell
In this first installment of the series, jewelry Mark Maxwell shares three tips for modeling that will better enable you to communicate with your contract service provider, modify files, and save them for later use.
Want to read even more about CAD/CAM? Search our Online Article Archive to find additional articles.
MJSA Member Pages
The articles below appeared in the May issue of MJSA Journal. They are available only to MJSA members, who will need to enter their login codes and passwords. If you need help, please contact MJSA.
Touch of Gold
By Shannon L. Brown
In the fifth article in a periodic series on "The Art of Handcraft," you’ll see how jewelry artist Jayne Redman adds elegance and value to her work using keum-boo. The ancient Korean technique of bonding 24k gold foil to another metal surface, usually silver, brings life to her nature-inspired, sculptural silver jewelry designs.
Web Wisdom
Michael Alexander’s Sketchbook website page tells a story.
Wear It Well
By Shannon L. Brown
Deirdre Featherstone designs convertible color.
Piercing Discovery
Alan Revere repurposes broken saw blades.
Also in the May Print Edition
Behind the Design
A look at designer Eric Stewart’s favorites.
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
By Andrea Hill
A look at spending marketing dollars wisely.
Bring Your A-Game
By Joel McFadden
Designing around an incredible Asscher.
Glamour Girl
By Nick Regine
A step-by-step guide on making a Swarovski Elements Crystaltex band bracelet.
Sticky Tricks
By Shawna Kulpa
How to remove shellac from your jewelry pieces.
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