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Find here up-to-date information about the ultimate industry’s events and shows from around the globe.

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Latest news and events of the jewelry industry

SOFA New York Fair

Leading international galleries and independent artists present museum quality work which bridges design, decorative and fine art. You can see masterworks in ceramics, glass, metal, wood and fiber.

For more info, click here.

From the official SOFA web-site they explain what the fair is all about:

“In showcasing remarkable artistry from leading artists and designers, museum curators from around the world routinely take in this fair. On view is dazzling contemporary glass art based on centuries old rich Venetian traditions, sculptural Japanese ceramics, superb hollowware by Scandinavian silversmiths, modernist and contemporary furniture, and the most avant-garde European art jewelry. The acclaimed SOFA Lecture Series featuring major museum curators, collectors and artists takes place concurrently.”

There are three exciting lectures about jewelry! The first is a survey of Daphne Farago Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the second is about Adam Paxon´s acrylic jewelry and finally Karen Pontoppidan jewelry presented by SNAG!!!

Bead shows and more bead shows

Some of the most famous shows are: The Whole Bead Show, Lapidary´s Journal BeadFest, International Gem and Jewelry Show, Bead and Button Show, Bead Expo, Intergalactic Bead Shows, Rings and Things Bead Tour and the all-time favorite Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show.

A great source for bead events calendar is the Lapidary Journal web-site: Lapidary Journal.

Here are the events for MAY 2008:

MAY 1-4, PHOENIX, AZ - BEAD EXPO PHOENIX. 1st-4th, classes; 2nd-4th, expo. Phoenix Convention Center. Not juried. 610-232-5700, www.beadexpo.com. Open to the public.

May 4-7, New York, NY - International Fashion Jewelry & Accessory Group. IFJAG Show. Roosevelt Hotel. 401-295-4564, www.jewelrytradeshows.com.

May 10-11, Reno, NV - Reno Gem & Mineral Society. Annual Jackpot of Gems Show. Reno Livestock Events Center. 775-356-8820, www.renorockclub.com. Open to the public.

May 16-18, Grapevine, TX - Dallas Bead Renaissance Show. Grapevine Convention Center, 1209 S. Main St. 16th-17th, 10-6; 18th, 10-5. J & J Promotions L.L.C., 505-894-1293, fax 505-894-4080, info@beadshow.com, www.beadshow.com.

MAY 29-JUNE 1, NEW YORK, NY - SOFA NEW YORK. Opening night: May 28. Park Avenue Armory. No vendors. 800-563-SOFA, www.sofaexpo.com. Open to the public.

May 30-Jun. 1, Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Bead Renaissance Show. Palace Station Hotel & Casino, 2411 W. Sahara Ave. 30th-31st. 10-6; 1st, 10-5. J & J Promotions L.L.C., 505-894-1293, fax 505-894-4080, info@beadshow.com, www.beadshow.com.

MAY 30-JUNE 3, LAS VEGAS, NV - JCK LAS VEGAS. Sands Expo & Convention Center and The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. 800-257-3626, www.jckgroup.com. Credentials required.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact any show.

New Traditional Jewellery Contest (SIERAAD)

Registration dead-line: 1st June 2008; Completed design and registration form mailed dead-line: 1st of July, 2008. Fee: €25.

SIERAAD is an annual Art Fair held in the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam; this year from 6 thru 9 November 2008.

It is a large-scale platform where you’ll find makers of high-quality silverware and high-profile contemporary jewelry designers all under one roof. It is a cutting edge event for the latest and the best contemporary jewelry.

This is one of those international shows that are in my list of to-do´s in my jewelry making career… Check out this amazing Art Fair at SIERAAD Art Fair. This year they have also organized a contest under the heading New Traditional Jewelry. The theme for it is cheeky and sassy: Intimacy!

On their web-site www.newtraditionaljewellery.com they explain that:

“Intimacy and jewellery design have, for centuries, been inextricably bound up with each other.

Wearing a piece of jewellery on the bare skin may be a gesture of intimacy in itself. Intimacy may be found in the styling of the ornament. The material chosen may be intimate; after all, some mineral and organic gemstones have explicitly intimate and even erotic significance. Intimacy may be found in the historical starting point of/inspiration for the ornament. Intimacy may be found in the spot where the ornament is worn. An ornament is not always visible, but it is tangible and present.

To the jury, intimacy stands for affectionate, intimate, confidential and mysterious.

As previous contests had the themes mentioned above, the themes of mourning, loss and death will be outside the scope of the 2008 contest. Eroticism and sexuality, however, will be within the scope of the 2008 theme”.

Registration should be submitted by e-mail before 1st June 2008 and the fully completed design and registration form should be mailed by 1st July 2008.

For all you European subscribers of Jewelers Xpress, and everybody else that wishes to register and participate in this design oriented contest, please don’t miss this opportunity or at least go and see the international Art Fair and tell us about it!

Update on: Ponoko´s 10 Day Jewelry Design Challenge

I found very good stuff there, great designs, elaborate ideas and imaginative ways of taking advantage of a laser cutter. Make sure to stay connected with this new design and manufacturing trend. Have a look at their Blog.

Did any of you participate or win? Please tell us about it!