(ATTLEBORO, Mass.) – An exploration into the future of jewelry design and manufacturing – from advancements in 3-D printing to designing in the “cloud” – will kick off the seminar program of the 2016 MJSA Expo, which will run March 13-15 at the Javits Center in New York City.
The program will also feature sessions on freehand sketching, tracking digital advertising, and explaining and promoting the craft of custom design, along with a live “At the Bench” demonstration of setting side stones. In addition, the popular Jewelry Making 101 series (which presents basic bench techniques in a clear, entertaining way) will return with Joel McFadden of Joel McFadden Designs in Red Bank, New Jersey, who will demonstrate methods for setting both bezels and channels.
Presented by MJSA, the trade association dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, Expo features a wide range of exhibitors offering tools, technologies, supplies, and services needed to make and sell jewelry profitably. This year it will run simultaneously with JA New York Spring and LUEUR Spring, with qualified attendees able to attend all three shows with one badge.
The seminars will run the first two days of the show; all are located on the show floor and free to attendees, with the exception of the Jewelry Making 101 sessions. The 101 sessions will take place in an adjacent meeting room and cost $45 for MJSA members, $65 for non-members.
The lineup includes:
Shop of Tomorrow, Part 1: The Future of Jewelry Design
Sunday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Moderator:Andrea Hill, StrategyWerx. Panelists:Kevin Abernathy, BISventures; Steven Adler, A3DM Technologies; and Michael Raphael, Direct Dimensions Inc.
This panel discussion will focus on such anticipated design technologies and trends as advancements in CAD and virtual “sculpting,” the growing importance of cybersecurity, and “intelligent” software that could make recommendations for certain designs.
Shop of Tomorrow, Part 2: The Future of Jewelry Manufacturing
Sunday, March 13, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Moderator: Andrea Hill, StrategyWerx. Panelists: Kevin Abernathy, BISventures; Steven Adler, A3DM Technologies; and Michael Raphael, Direct Dimensions Inc.
This follow-up session will focus on the future of jewelry manufacturing – advancements in 3-D printing, the future of Direct Metal Laser Sintering (in which jewelry is “grown” from metal), and the impending importance of the “cloud.”
Quick Draw: Techniques for Freehand Sketching
Sunday, March 13, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Presented by Rémy Rotenier, Rémy Design
Designer Rémy Rotenier will show how the ability to create freehand sketches can prove invaluable to your business: retailers can bring a design to life before a customer’s eyes, and jewelry designers can provide visual guidance to a CAD artist or model maker.
Jewelry Making 101: Setting Techniques
Sunday, March 13, 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Bezel Settings Made Easier
2 to 3:30 p.m. – Channel Setting for Beginners
Presented by Joel McFadden, Joel McFadden Designs
This program, made possible through the support of the MJSA Education Foundation, will explain and demonstrate basic jewelry techniques in a clear, simple, and entertaining way. Sessions will take place in Meeting Room 2D02.
At the Bench Live: Setting Side Stones in an Engagement Ring
Monday, March 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Presented by Lee Krombholz, Krombholz Jewelers/Just Like You Designs. Bench and Tool Sponsor: Stuller
This session will break down the range of ways in which side stones can be used to create unique and durable designs, and it will demonstrate, in detail, how to set the stones to create practical, memorable styles.
Getting Personal: Defining, Explaining, and Promoting Custom Design
Monday, March 14, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Presented by Joel McFadden, Joel McFadden Designs; and Lee Krombholz, Krombholz Jewelers/Just Like You Designs
In this session, leading jewelers discuss the degrees of custom (from the simple selection of a gemstone and a mounting to a truly from scratch design), the quality standards unique to custom work, and how to explain and promote custom design to ensure customers understand their options and get exactly what they want.
Tracking Your Digital Advertising
Monday, March 14, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Presented by Matthew Perosi, chief thinker, Sapphire Collaborative
In this session attendees will learn how, through coding techniques and strategies, they can track the traffic generated from all of their digital efforts to ensure they invest wisely and gain maximum value.
A complete outline of MJSA Expo seminars, as well as information for buyers, hotel and travel providers for the event, and opportunities for onsite marketing and promotions, can be found by visiting the MJSA website, MJSA.org. Full registration and details are also available online.
