The Florida Society of Goldsmiths is very pleased to announce that Alan Revere of San Francisco has been selected as the 2009 recipient of the National Metalsmiths Hall of Fame Award in the category of Artist/Arts Educator. The award recognizes outstanding contributions and consistent support of the metalsmithing arts. Jean Marie DeSpiegler, FSG's Executive Director stated, "We are very excited to add Mr. Revere to the list of distinguished recipients."

The National Metalsmiths Hall of Fame began in 1999. Here is a list of individuals who have been inducted to date: Kurt Matzdorf in 1999, Phil London in 2000, Ramona Solberg in 2001, Mary Ann Scherr and Jack Prip in 2002, John Paul Miller in 2003, Bob Ebendorf and Helen Drutt English in 2004, John Cogswell in 2006, Jean Stark in 2007 and Mary Lee Hu in 2008.

The Hall of Fame is housed at the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.  One wall of the metals studio/classroom is dedicated to this and includes photos of each recipient and an example of his or her work. The award itself was a group effort. It was designed by Phil London along with Julia Woodman, who constructed the silver tessellated piece. Ken Wynsma, a woodworker and metalsmith, constructed the base.

The Florida Society of Goldsmiths has over 400 members in several chapters around the state. Mr. Revere is widely known and respected as a leader in the jewelry industry, as an award-winning designer and as an educator and author. He has taught over 10,000 students in all aspects of jewelry making, mostly at his school, the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, in San Francisco, California. Upon receiving the award, Alan acknowledged all of the goldsmiths who went before him throughout history, and who through their efforts paved the way for today's craftsmen and women. The members of FSG are excited to give this award to one of the most important individuals in our field today.

Above: Alan Revere holding the 2009 National Metalsmith's Hall of Fame Award in the category of Artist/Arts Educator
Photo by Christine Dhein

Jewelry Arts Awards 2009

The Jewelery Arts Awards 2009 Winners included past Revere students, Naomi Sarna, (above left) Best of Competition, Genevieve Yang, (above right) First Place Bracelets, Marie Scarpa, First Place Pendants/Necklaces, and Nanz Aalund, First Place Earrings.

Saul Bell Awards 2009


Revere student, Jonathan Rutledge (above left) was the winner of the 2009 Saul Bell Award in the Beads Category and past Masters Symposium Instructor, Falcher Fusager (above right) was the winner of the Enamel Category. AJDC member Geoffrey Giles was the Grand Prize winner in the Gold/Platinum Category.

Business Development Grant Copper Circle Finalist












JTI graduate, Elizabeth Lass, (above left) was named a Top 10 Copper Circle Finalist in a 2009 national annual competition for emerging designers for the jewelry she markets under the business name Elixer9. The Jewelry Design Business Development Grant program sponsored by industry supplier Halstead Bead Inc. awards cash grants and valuable business plan assistance to jewelry entrepreneurs. Download the 2010 application.

Salida Riverside Fine Art Festival Award
Chris Nelson (below) was the winner of the 1st Place Award in the 3D Arts Category at the Salida Riverside Fine Arts Festival, juried by Harold O'Connor and others.



Covers and Feature Articles in Industry Publications
Ornament Magazine featured an article about the work of Revere Graduate,Kim Fox (below left) in their 35th Anniversary issue.

Revere student, Karen Gill's piece "Sankofa" (below center) appeared on the cover and in the "Design Challenge" of the September, 2009 issue of Jewelry Artist.

The August, 2009 issue of Jewelry Business contains an article featuring past student Pamela Lauz (below right).

The problem: You need a piece of half-round gold wire for a ring shank-and you need it right away. You don't have any on-hand, and there is no time to place an order. All you have is round wire that is larger than what you need for the shank, and a round draw plate.

The solution: Take the round gold wire (it must be larger than the half-round wire you desire) and fold it in half, tapping the bend tight with a hammer. Taper the bent end in preparation for inserting it into a draw plate. You can do this by step rolling in a mill, by forging out the end with a hammer, or by filing to a taper. If the ends separate, solder them together and continue to taper them. Aneal and then draw the two wires down through the graduated holes of a round draw plate. The round wires are pressed together, forming a flat boundary between them. The result: A half-round wire for the ring shank.

You can also make 1/3 or 1/4 round wire by starting with three or four pieces of round wire, respectively, and following the technique described above.

This tip is from 101 Bench Tips by Alan Revere, published by MJSA. Illustration is by Sean Kane. Order now!

Sincerely,

 

Christine Dhein, Revere instructor and assistant director, has been invited to be a guest lecturer at the Green Jewellery and Objects Symposium and teach a Master Class on Green Jewelry Techniques at the Queensland College of Art in Brisbane, Australia November 13-15, 2009.
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Above: Green Jewelry Techniques class project by Christine Dhein in recycled sterling silver, rubber, and salvaged countertop.