Search results matching tag 'conference'

Bench Jewelers Conf & Orchid Dinner

robynahawk — Sat, 03 May 2008 05:53:03 GMT

I want to take a minute to thank ALL of the wonderful people that took the time to explain processes and demonstrate products and educate at the Bench Conference and Suppliers Expo!!!!

I attended along with close to 40 members of the Venice Adult School - Jewelry Making Program. From the conference staff to the experts demonstrating products - everyone was supportive, informative and made all of us feel like we had made the right career choice when looking to the Jewelry Arts!

Those of you who are sitting in a foot of snow missed out on four days of 80 degree temperatures in a location that was 15 minutes from the beach.

A special thank you to Mike at Foredom who went out of his way to speak to our class and to Lee Marshall who patiently let each student sit down and try his Knew Concept Saw...also to Dave with Allset; Vic Joyner with the coolest mold making system; Wayne Emery with his USB Little Camera; *** with ABI; the Fox Burr/Kyle Abrasives guys (this was a popular booth); speaking of popular - Oliver with Firescoff (who obliged every time I asked him to "demonstrate it for my friend"); and the Laser Welding Demos; Conference Speakers, Joel McFadden, Mark Grosser, and Steve Satow. Last but not least thank you Brad Simon (and his Bench family) for being such a gracious host and for bringing the conference to the West Coast!

The "Price is Right Game" on Friday was so much fun, and not just because I won a prize (thanks to the Stuller table). After the Suppliers Expo broke down on Saturday night we all met at the Orchid Dinner. This was a really lovely evening with about 7 Orchid members and a group of presenters who also joined us!

Lead by Brad Simon we all adjourned to the Latitude 33 Restaurant at the Marriott...the food was good and the company even better. Joel McFadden came with one of his apprentices (a lovely young lady, unfortunately I can't remmber her name), Mark Grosser (what a kick this guy is and so talented), Steve Satow (this guy is a genius with tools), and speaking of tools - Dave Arens, Wayne Emery (did you ever find your "yellow flowers"?), a wonderful artist from Idaho, Ingrid ( she does amazing stuff with antler, porcupine quills, etc.), my "date" Deanna (an engineer by day, jeweler by night) and presenting the "toy" of the evening (no, not his Knew Concept Saw - a FedEx pen!) - Lee Marshall - I can't say enough good stuff about this guy...he has made jewelry doable for "older folks" like me and has to be one of the friendliest guys around! Now I know that I am missing at least two maybe three people - please don't take it as a slight - like I said my memory isn't what it used to be!

Can you tell I was impressed?

Robyn Hawk

Tucson Gem Show - Live http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/
Jewelry & Gem Artists http://jewelrygemartisans.blogspot.com/
Fly On The Wall-Views/Reviews http://aflyonthewall.multiply.com/

Now You've Done It...You're On My List http://youareonmylist.vox.com/

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." -Goethe

If you live in the Southern California Area - This is a MUST DO!

robynahawk — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 07:22:16 GMT

If you live in the Southern California Area - This is a MUST DO!

Tonight was the Gala Opening for the Bench Jewelers Conference and Suppliers Expo (Information follows report)! http://benchconference.com

Following a really nice spread (food & drinks) courtesy of The Platinum Guild and one other vendor that I can't remember (I will update this tomorrow), Brad Simon (with the onstage assistance of his son) emceed a Jeweler's Version of "The Price is Right!

Just like the TV game show we had the opportunity to "Come on Down" and compete to win tools & equipment. Many of the companies exhibiting at the Suppliers Expo donated great prizes to be won. This is NO JOKE there were amazing gifts $250 certificates for SouthEastern Findings, Gift Certificates for David H. Fell, Equipment and Tools!!!!

For those of you that missed the Opening Gala - there is good news - all prizes not won during the game on Friday night will be given away on Saturday afternoon in a Consolation Drawing.

All but one prizes that is - I WON A PRIZE!!!! The Advanced Stone Setting Class At GIA - is MINE!

The Suppliers Expo is a mere $15 at the door and the information and education provided far surpassed my expectations!!!! The vendors booths were all well manned and all the vendors had time to personally interact with people - there were "hands on" Lazer Welding Demos, a really good demo of two MJSA Innovation Award winners Firescoff and my personal favorite - Lee Marshall (father of Bonny Doon) was there with his amazing new project "Knew Projects"!

I don't think I have ever seen as much excitement as there was around the Knew Concept Saw and while I expected it with the Electric Saw - the Manual Saw was drew just as many amazed expressions!!!! http://knewconcepts.com/

Seen in the crowd among the Jeweler's from across the country...one of my favorite people Dave Arens (of Koil Kutter fame)! It is always nice to meet-up with friends and fellow Orchid Members.

I am returning after class tomorrow and hope to be able to add some photos to tomorrow's report!!!

While it is probably too late to register for the Saturday Classes I am going to tease you by including the info. It isn't too late to get into the Sunday sessions.

Saturday Session 6 9:30 – 10:30am
601 Advanced Setting
602 Rubber Mold Making
603 Marketing Platinum
604 The Final Finish
605 Casting for the Small Shop

Saturday Session 7 11:00 – 12:00pm
701 Hand Wax Carving - Pendant
702 Jewelry Photography
703 Platinum Casting
704 Managing Your Melee
705 Fascination with Fancies

Sunday Session 8 9:30 – 10:30am
801 Basic Setting
802 Unique Jewelry Fabrication
803 Adventures at the Bench
805 Casting for the Small Shop

Sunday Session 9 11:00 – 12:00pm
901 Hand Wax Carving - Pendant
902 PhotoShop for Jewelers
903 Creative Platinum Fabrication
905 Fascination with Fancies

Sessions are in the capable hands of some of the finest artists and instructors in their fields...Jurgen Maerz (Platinum), Wayne Emery (Working With Colored Stones), and
Joel McFadden & Mark Grosser are the "Dueling Designers" (CAD-CAM)!

The Passion Awards were handed out to a great range of artists in an expanded group of fields...CAD-CAM: Ladies Jewelry, Men's Jewelry & Ladies Rings; Finished Jewelry, Ladies Jewelry, Men's Jewelry & Ladies Rings; and Laser Welded Jewelry!

Bench Jewelers Educational Conference
The Educational Conference will have a new format this year and will run from Thursday through Sunday, April 24th – 27th. Attend 1, 2, 3, or all 4 days. There will be Seminars, Bench Demonstrations, Networking Opportunities, Discussion Groups, Meals and MORE! Whether you are a beginner looking to develop your skills and build your career or a seasoned veteran of the bench looking to refresh your skills and rejuvenate your career, the conference programs will help jump-start your creativity and motivate you to accomplish your goals.

General Sessions will be held during the Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo at all of the meals. Paid attendees can attend these General Sessions, PLUS their choice of Break-Out Seminars. For more information on the General Sessions or the Break-Out Seminars go to: http://benchconference.com/Attendee/seminar.html

Bench Jewelers Supplier's Expo
The Supplier's Expo showcases tools & equipment, findings, refiners, casting houses, diamond & stone dealers, laser welders, CAD programs and more. EVERYTHING A BENCH JEWELER NEEDS IS HERE! Friday & Saturday, April 25th & 26th!

SYNERGY I: Moving Forward/Looking Back

PenguinTrax — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 19:41:18 GMT

National Polymer Clay Guild Conference 2008
SYNERGY I: Moving Forward/Looking Back
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland
Thursday – Saturday

February 21-23, 2008

(Same time and location as the American Crafts Council Show)

Join teachers and artists from the polymer clay, metal clay, jewelry making and art communities for an extraordinary experience including:

Technique, Design and Business Seminars
Panel discussions
Guest Speakers
Vendor Fair
Teacher Fair
Gallery with historical exhibits and finished work for sale
Gala closing banquet

NPCG Member Registration $245 includes six seminars and all forums/presentations

Non member registration slightly higher or join the NPCG for just $30