Addie and I spent the afternoon yesterday in the video studio here at Kalmbach. Our video dudes taped us as we demo'd the next batch of Basics to be added to the AJ website. We'll be sure to keep you posted as these segments hit the web. Check... Read More

A couple of years ago, I found a big bag of broken jewelry at a flea market for $5. Of course, I had to buy it. The bag held broken pearl necklaces and beaded jewelry, rings and earrings that were missing their jewels, and many clip-on earrings that had... Read More

Lately, the news has been full of reports of product recalls due to lead content — reports ranging from responsible reportage of genuine hazards of which we should be aware to alarmist overkill to send us all into yet one more collective tizzy. For me... Read More

Last week, I celebrated my birthday. One of the coolest gifts I got was from Associate Editor Addie Kidd. As I unwrapped her gift, I realized that the box could contain only jewelry. I got excited — you know that jewelry from a jeweler will be good. Happily... Read More

The January 2008 issue of Art Jewelry just arrived in our offices, and if you're a subscriber, you'll be receiving your copy soon, too. As always, you'll find projects to make from metal, metal clay, wire, and more. Let us know what you think... Read More

I love factories. Well, actually it's the highly specialized machines inside them that I can't seem to get enough of. The loud noises and smells... I could probably leave those behind. My factory fascination dates back to my childhood; I was introduced... Read More

Things were mighty festive around here yesterday. It was our annual company party––practically an all-day soiree where we go a little crazy. This year, the theme was “Lost in Paradise,” and the competition was “on” for each department to outdo the next... Read More

Here's one of my deep, dark secrets. I don't like telephones. When I was growing up, my parents always had firm guidelines about how much time we spent on the telephone, and strange as it may seem, neither myself nor my sister chafed against those... Read More

If you saw Kristin's blog earlier, then you know that she, Jill, and I went down to the Windy City to attend SOFA (Sculptural Objects & Functional Art) at Navy Pier earlier this month. Not only did we make plenty of new artist and contributor... Read More

On December 7th from 11 a.m. until I'm too overstimulated to go on, I'll be at the 2007 One Of A Kind Show and Sale at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago with Art Jewelry editors Jill Erickson and Addie Kidd. The coolest thing about the show — I... Read More

Katie's last post about upcoming fine arts and craft shows got me thinking about other ways artists get their work in front of a select group of folks who are likely to buy their wares. One popular trend these days is the "home show." Which... Read More

I don't enjoy shopping and have even managed to cut trips to the grocery store down to one each month. Craft shows are one of the few exceptions to my "I hate shopping" standpoint. If you also like attending craft shows, here are a few upcoming... Read More

One of the fun things about having the job I do is the links that people send me. Most of the time they're pretty straightforward — a heads-up about a cool artist, or a neat new gallery, or something of the sort. Most of the time, when I click on... Read More

My first trip to the SOFA (Sculpture Objects & Functional Art) show in Chicago last Friday, November 2, 2007, was a success. According to the press coordinator at the show, about 300 jewelry artists were featured there. I saw some amazing work. I... Read More

Certainly not I. I adore handmade things! I "smith" my own gold, knit my own scarves, and sew my own duvets. I rarely "chef" my own meals...but that avoidance is another story entirely. One of the greatest things to happen to the handmade... Read More