The Atlanta
Contemporary Jewelry Show

Notes from a jewelry designer who attended

© by Beth Blackwell; all rights reserved

The 2nd annual Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show was held at the Defoor Center in Atlanta. I drove over after work and spent several hours wandering through the displays of 26 exhibitors from across the country.

Crock Rock copper cuff
by Beth Blackwell

For a new metalsmith, it was an amazing experience to have the opportunity to talk shop with cutting edge designers and pick their brains about methods and techniques.

Lena Marie Echelle from Dallas, Texas, was friendly and open about her inspirations and techniques. I'd researched Lena before attending the show because I love her Planta Rubra cuff bracelet.

We chatted about patinas, and she suggested that I experiment with nature's resources - such as salt, baking powder, ammonia and soil to see what colors develop when combined with copper, brass and sterling silver.

Marcia Macdonald from Greensboro, NC is another interesting, accomplished artist.

Marcia uses everyday materials in really unique ways. She mixes a variety of media in with silver, including wood, which she paints and carves into beautiful earrings, rings and pendants.

I really liked her earrings that were crafted from the brushes of old paintbrushes as well as her not so perfectly round sterling silver bangles.

I commented on the irregular shape and she replied, "Our wrists are not perfectly round, so why should our bracelets be?" Right on, Marcia!

There were several goldsmiths there, including Julia Fluker and Lee Marraccini.

I really enjoyed my conversation with Lee. I asked him how he got started in jewelry - and as I waited to hear about his fine arts degree from a prestige design school, he answered, "I started with an adult education class."

Oh, what a relief, especially as someone who began metalsmithing at a local arts center at the ripe old age of 41! You are never too old to learn!

Red Coral Teardrops necklace
by Beth Blackwell

Capping off this inspiring weekend was my all-day seminar on Sunday with Thomas Mann on how to create "Big Links"

Tom began as a theater set designer, and out of his fascination for construction he was inspired to create jewelry with very precise, mechanical designs.

Class began with a demonstration which included a detailed explanation of how to use a jeweler's saw. He emphasized the importance of mastering the skill of sawing and explained how to move with the tool to create the perfect cut.

After completing the demo, we returned to our benches to implement what he'd just taught us. My sawing was effortless and almost perfect!

I showed Tom the design I'd cut out just last week, and compared it to what I'd just created in his class. We were both blown away by the improvement.

Crock Rock sterling silver ring
by Beth Blackwell

More Info on the
Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show

What an amazing experience! How fun to collaborate and learn from masters in our field!

For more information on the participating designers, please visit the Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show website.