Otto Künzli, Oh say!, 1991, brooch, gold, photo: © VG BildKunst 2013

As reliable reporters for AJF's online magazine, Ben Lignel, Marthe Le Van, Aaron Decker, and I spent four days in Munich running from one exhibit to the next. This offered us an opportunity to experience the experimental, the self reflective, and the best and the worst the field has to offer. We have taken the temperature of the place, and over the next few weeks, we will publish a series of articles to share our views. We hope you find them insightful and informative. Were you at Schmuck? What were your thoughts about what you saw?

Coming up next are a number of events listed for your convenience. If you will be attending the SNAG conference, please note that we are organizing a special dinner event for    AJF members. Please come.

Wishing you joy on this spring day in California,

Susan Cummins

AJF Board Chair

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: 2013 ART JEWELRY FORUM ARTIST AWARD

Details on Top American Prize for an Emerging Art Jeweler Released

AJF is accepting applications for the 2013 Art Jewelry Forum Artist Award for an Emerging Jeweler. This is the 14th year the organization is awarding a cash prize to a contemporary artist. The amount of the 2013 award is $7500. The purpose of the Art Jewelry Forum Artist Award for an Emerging Jeweler is to acknowledge promise, innovation, and individuality in a jeweler's work and to help advance her career.

Jurors selecting this year's prizewinner are: 2012 Art Jewelry Forum Artist Award winner Noon Passama; Lindsay Pollack, Editor in Chief of Art in America and a collector of art jewelry; and Ruudt Peters, illustrious vanguard jeweler and professor at Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School, Florence, Italy.

We encourage you to share this exciting opportunity with eligible jewelers. For detailed entry guidelines, please visit our website.

Munich dinner, photo: Susan Cummins

The AJF dinner in Munich was SOLD OUT and spilling out of the private room into the dining room itself. The conversations were lively and energetic. It was very gratifying to be so warmly embraced by the international community, and so of course, we will do it again next year.

CALENDAR ESPECIALLY FOR YOU: SNAG Conference, Toronto, Canada

The Society of North American Goldsmiths is holding their annual conference in Toronto from May 15 to May 18, 2013. The conference, titled "Meta Mosaic," celebrates diverse activity in jewelry and metalsmithing in the twenty-first century.  

For a conference overview and to register, visit the SNAG website. Make your plans to go now.  

Of special note: former AJF editor Damian Skinner will deliver a talk at the conference. Don't miss it.

Vagabondo Restaurant, photo: Vagabondo

The dinner will cost $55, and you can sign up to attend on the website. Please feel free to bring a friend.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Rijksmuseum, photo: Myra May

Due to high hotel charges and a lack of good rooms available in September, we have changed the dates of the AJF trip to Amsterdam.  

The NEW DATES are OCTOBER 10-14, 2013.  

We will start with a dinner on the evening of October 10th and follow with four full days of events. Our main hotel is the Sofitel, located in the heart of the city.  

Please let us know your interest, and make your reservations now for the best rates.

Harry Bertoia, 1943-50, photo: LAMA

During the March auctions at Sotheby's 20th Century Design, Rago Modern, and Quittenbaum's Design, none of the jewelry sold. You can now go the appropriate websites and buy the pieces directly for the low estimate.

Harry Bertoia brooch, estimate $10,000-$15,000

LAMA March auction results:

Harry Bertoia brooch, sold for $21,875

Ed Levin brooch, sold for $500

Skinner March 12 auction results:

Lot 108 Robert Lee Morris bangle, estimate $200-$300, sold for $450

Lot 110 Robert Lee Morris cuff, estimate $300-$500, sold for $960

Lot 111 Robert Lee Morris armlet, estimate $500-$700, sold for $1140

Lot 112 Robert Lee Morris necklace and earrings, estimate $400-$600, sold for $1440

Lot 114 Art Smith earrings, estimate $1300-$1500, sold for $2640

Lot 115 Art Smith brooch, estimate $400-$600, sold for $1020

Lot 116 Art Smith neck ring, estimate $2000-$4000, sold for $3690

Lot 117 Art Smith ear pendants, estimate $800-$1200, unsold

Lot 118 Art Smith bracelet, estimate $2500-$3500, sold for $4674

Lot 119 Art Smith ring, estimate $800-$1200, sold for $923

Lot 145 Wiener Werkstätte necklace, estimate $3000-$5000, sold for $5400

Galerie Elsa Vanier, photo: Elsa Vanier

France is famous for the company jewel, but there are independents who need representation, too. Galerie Elsa Vanier has stepped in to give them a place to show what they can do. Elsa Vanier answers questions posed by Susan Cummins.

Susan Cummins: How would you describe the type of jewelry you show?  

Elsa Vanier: I show various types of jewelry. It can have an antique feel to it. It can be very bold--large volumes in stainless steel or titanium with or without gemstones, and even resin. (I select non-precious material from an artist only when she also works with gold). I am offering a venue to those talented artists who do not find the adequate space in France. Read more...