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AJF NEWSLETTER
JULY
2010
Dear  ,
 
In the July newsletter we bring two reports from the AJF trip to London. The trip was a great success with lots of terrific jewelry to be seen (and frequently purchased as well!).  New Zealand jewelry artist Jacqui Chan writes about her experience at Talente 2010, the all craft media exhibition held at the same time as Schmuck in Munich. Mexican jeweler Martacarmela Sotelo brings a Latin American perspective to the Gray Area Symposium in Mexico City and what it meant to her. In addition we have a couple book reviews you should check out and an interesting article about the new work being done with diamonds in Israel. We feel that the Art Jewelry Forum is really starting to hit its stride with our reporting on events and ideas in the field. Thanks for helping support this effort. Wear something good today!

Mike Holmes
A LETTER FROM THE AJF BOARD CHAIR 
Summer is a quiet time for AJF activities. All the applications are in for the Emerging Artist Award and the jurying will take place at the end of June 2010. As soon as we have selected the honored maker we will let you know. We are looking forward to receiving applications from institutions for the Jewelry Exhibition Award in the fall. However, despite the lack of obvious activity, your diligent and devoted board is still working away to make changes to increase our effectiveness as the best jewelry forum in the world. We have begun hearing rumors that our programs and our website and blog activities are stirring other contemporary jewelry forces to action. We couldn't wish for more.

Susan Cummins
AJF Chair
JUST PUBLISHED ON OUR WEBSITE 
 
Draycott HotelLONDON TRIP REVIEW I
by Susan Cummins
There was a lovely chill in the air as the AJF London trip got off to an appropriate start with a tea and scones event at the traditional Draycott Hotel. Click to read more.
Electrum Gallery LONDON TRIP REVIEW II
by Mike Holmes
If you are looking for excellent ceramics you will find lots to admire at the British Crafts Council's COLLECT art fair. But really the reason to go to London in May is the jewelry. Click to read more.
JacquiA JEWELRY PILGRIMAGE
by Jacqui Chan
A late night last October doesn't feel so long ago. In the studio, burning the midnight oil, polishing off my online submission for Talente. At the time it felt like one of those lotteries - 'gotta be in to win'. Click to read more.
BOOK REVIEWS JUST PUBLISHED ON OUR WEBSITE 
 
one of a kindONE OF A KIND: AMERICAN ART JEWELRY TODAY
by Rachel Carren
This volume, published in both the United States and in the United Kingdom under two different titles, provides an excellent entry into the field of art jewelry. The book includes essays and a gallery section. Lewin's introduction looks at the foundation of American art jewelry and seeks to define the parameters of art jewelry as a practice.Click to read more.
The New JewelryTHE NEW JEWELRY: TRENDS + TRADITIONS
by Mike Holmes
The New Jewelry doesn't look so new twenty years on but this book by Peter Dormer and Ralph Turner remains a good source for serious discussion of what makes art jewelry different from other kinds of jewelry.
Click to read more.
Lark Book500 SERIES
by Ron Porter
Blah, Blah, Blah. Do you ever tire of words? It seems that we are inundated with them from the time we wake until we finally escape them in sleep. What to do short of exile? Relax, take a deep breath, and use your eyes for seeing, not reading!
Click to read more.
LINKS TO OUR MANY NEW BLOG POSTS

Faking ItFAKING IT (AGAIN)
by Emily Banis
On Saturday 15 May 2010 a group of jewelers, artists, writers, curators, scholars, dealers, industry insiders, and lovers of jewelry gathered in the luxurious University Club in New York City to discuss the idea of fakes and forgeries throughout jewelry history.  Click to read more.

DariaDESIGNING DIAMONDS
by Hadas Levin
The exhibition On the Point of a Diamond is a collaboration between the Jewelry Designers Group of the Israel Community of Designers and the Israel Diamond Institute.  Click to read more.



JiroCONSIDERING THE GRAY AREA
by Martacarmela Sotelo
Contemporary art? Yes! In México we have the biggest contemporary art collection in Latin America, owned by the Jumex Foundation.  Click to read more.



IlsePRISON BREAK
by Pene Walsh
I had never spoken to Ilse Marie Erl or read anything about the brooch before, but I sort of knew that the concrete came from Mt Eden prison in Auckland.  Click to read more.


Petals ChockerSMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED
by Elisa Bongfelt
I recently began using diamonds as a way to add the undeniable sparkle they possess to my work. Because diamonds are so eye catching, I think one of the biggest challenges in contemporary jewelry is to allow the work to be the focus, not the stone in it.  Click to read more.

Therapy couchDEAR READER
Recently AJF made the decision to enable the comments function on our blog. You, our lovely readers, can now tell us what you think and take part in a stimulating dialog about contemporary jewelry. We have been inundated with responses. . . Click to read more.
QUICK LINKS