GZ Art+Design Spots 2007 3

Sign of Belief

The competition New Traditional Jewellery is being held for the second time and is focusing this year on the topic of 'belief'. Whether this means belief in the sense of an established religious community or of a non-organized spirituality, beliefs represent a personal understanding of life, which can be presented in the form of a symbol, worn on the body. Religious jewelry and spiritual objects can look back on a rich tradition. We only need to think of rosary beads, relict holders with the last remains of saints, crucifixes, medallions, all forms of Buddha figures, charm bracelets, prayer chains, amulets and special pendants to ward off the evil eye or wearable receptacles to store Koran passages and other holy texts.

New Traditional Jewellery 2007 is inviting jewelry artists from Germany and abroad to enrich existing traditions with new forms. The design should produce jewelry that embodies a new relationship, personal spirituality, a new form for one of the world religions or new saints and new symbols that provide strength. The competition New Traditional Jewellery is part of the Sieraad 2007 trade fair, held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The five winners will be announced during the trade fair, and an exhibition featuring a selection of the 40-50 best designs will be organized. Participant information: www.newtraditionaljewellery.com * ahe

Looking Back to the Front

From 2nd Juni to 29st July, the Italian le Arti Orafe academy and art gallery in Lucca showed a retrospective by Annamaria Zanella. Pieces from 1993 to 2007 formed the focus of the display, presented under the motto 'Making poetic constructions from jewelry'. The work of Annamaria Zanella departs from the purely geometric designs of the Padua School to emerge with a strongly individual trait. Iron, gold and silver sheets, segments and bands are transformed by a process originating from a decisive creative impetus which concentrates on their 'skin' through oxidation, niello, acrylic enamels, lacquers, resins, pigments, engraving and beating. The chromatic element acquires an ever more predominant role in the artist's development: acid greens, strong reds, deep blues, pearl-like fuchsias and even total black penetrate and completely enshroud the sheeting, becoming a compact ensemble with which the structure of the piece of jewelry is created. Structures, constructions permeated by a pulsing energy, by an evocative force that make the Zanella jewels pieces full of emotion, poetry and pathos. www.leartiorafeartgallery.it * ahe

International Exchange through RRH Scholarship

For the fourth time, students from vocational colleges, universities or academies have the opportunity of training to be a goldsmith or jewelry designer by completing half a year at a European training institution. The Pforzheim-based C. Hafner gold and silver-separating institute is again offering the Ruth-Reisert-Hafner (RRH) scholarship and supporting young designers and International exchange. This year, students from the Alchimia in Florence an d the National Academy of Arts in Sofia can also take part alongside young German designers. For the first time, participants will be offered the chance to order a package of silver alloy free of charge from C. Hafner, which they can then use in their work. The items of jewelry must be submitted by 17th September and will be judged on 11th October by the panel, which will be comprised of Isabella Hund (jewelry designer, Munich), Peter Skubic (jewelry and metal designer, St. Michael) and Peter Bauhuis (goldsmith, Munich). The prizes will be awarded on 16th November in the  production rooms of C. Hafner. For registration documents and further information, please see www.c-hafner.de * cete

Barbara Schmidt, Isabella Hund and Giovanni Corvaja judging the RRH 2006

Freshly Designed Treasures of the Sea

Marc-Jens Biegel, managing director of Frankfurt-based family company Biegel, has devised a successful concept by working with product designers who design exclusive jewelry collections for him. After cooperating with internationally renowned designers such as Axel Kufus, Werner Aisslinger o' Konstantin Grcic, this jeweler and goldsmith is now presenting the new 'Oyster' series. The new collection will be presented at the Frankfurt 'design annual' and was developed by Munich product designer Stefan Diez (recently awarded the Nation al Prize for Product Design) together with his wife Saskia Diez and subsequently created by Marc-Jens Biegel. The pieces are characterized by their subtle designs and versatility: a rose gold disc with three holes, for example, is perfectly curved so as to serve as a setting for a round pearl which it holds securely in place without any other fixings. The gold surrounds the pearl like an oyster and holds it in place. The 'oyster' also comes as a ring, necklace, earring or bracelet in rose gold with freshwater pearls. www.biegel.bizwww.thedesignannual.de * cete

Fragile Diplomacy

Diplomatic relations between governments need to be carefully managed and nurtured. This is no recent revelation; it's as old as mankind. Contentious issues between sovereigns have long been smoothed over through the giving of generous gifts. The exhibition 'Fragile Diplomacy Meissen Porcelain for European Courts', running from 15th November 2007 to 11^th February 2008, exhibits gifts created from valuable objects by the Meissen company. In around 1720, Meissen porcelain became a highly regarded gift between the noble courts of Europe. The exhibition in the New York Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture displays u nusual collections of crockery, vases and figurines. www.boc.bard.edu * cete

Jewelry Made from Antique Glass Beads

Marc Mann's illuminated Jew elights always have something new to offer. His latest coup are items of jewelry made from antique trade beads. The variety of colors and shapes of the beads inspired Marc Mann to create more and more new designs: from light and airy weaves such as 'Disorder' and 'Photophora' to material-emphasizing arrangements such as 'Trash'. The 'Flowerchild Bracelet' combines very rare and expensive beads - so-called 'Green Annular Trade Beads' - with collected bottle necks. He has developed a collection of luminous items of jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces and head wear.

The magic of these creations make Marc Mann forget the high cost of the raw materials as well as the time-consuming search and subsequent cleaning and intensive sorting on the lightbox. Only through these steps is the required quality of the beads attained, which is reflected to the maximum under the light. The patina of the old pieces contrasts with the modern lighting techniques used in the jewelry objects, illuminating the highlights of the works. The artist uses miniature LEDs for this. Trade beads, antique glass beads, were produced in Europe, particularly in Venice, Bohemia and Holland for large-scale trade with the African colonies. Gold, palm oil, ivory and also slaves were exchanged for the colorful glass beads. Today they are much sought-after collector's items. www.marcmann.com * ahe

Wattens, Austria: Signity GemVisions 2008

Signity, Swarovski's brand for precision-cut genuine and created gemstones launched Gem Visions 2008, the trend book for the fine jewelry market, at the JCK International Jewelry Show in Las Vegas. "The key word being 'essential', Gem Visions 2008 tracks two distinct directions - a new streamlined severity, i.e. a Shaker-style Puritanism, which is strengthening the current return to classics; and the continually evolving 'romantic' trend is now moving towards the richness of history and heritage, magic and mystery," explains Dr. Birgit Rieder, GemVisions project director, and marketing services manager for genuine and created stones for D. Swarovski & Co. "The all-embracing organic mega trend, our preoccupation with the planet, will continue to be strong throughout 2008, while romance takes a new turn by teaming up with a playful, high-tech bent."

The four design directions identified by Gem Visions research for 2008 are Origems, Bluematrix, Mysticglam and iRomance, with each theme divided into three key looks: New this year from Signity, to complement 2008 forecasted trends, is warm, golden Honey Passion Topaz; the intriguing, organic Spiral Cut in White Topaz; and the luxuriously glinting, metallic Marcasite Jewelmesh, Signity's spectacularly fluid gem fabric. New in Signity's extensive line-up of created stones is the vibrant Mint Green Cubic Zirconia; and new cuts including the asymmetric Bizarre Square, and the soft, floral Petal Cut. www.signity.com * ahe

8 x 8

For the 4th time, Sachsen-based watchmaker Nomos is sponsoring a competition which is specially aimed at film nostalgia: The 'Nomos Super 8 film prize' is aimed at amateur film makers and universities who still work with real chemical materials - and not video techniques. The Super-B format was in vogue for more than 20 years, before it was replaced by video techniques. Today, it's mostly just the real enthusiasts of this old technique who make super 8 films. The topic for films submitted is left open to participants. The only condition: the film must be made using Super 8 format and cannot be any longer than 8 minutes. The main prize is a Tangente Super 8 watch model designed by Nomos (with a film spool on the watch face, in-house and hand-wound movement as well as various watch-making specialties such as a Glashutte ¾ plate worth 890 euros) - engraved for the winner as well as 500 euros in cash. Watches are also awarded for second place and the best international film contributions. Application forms can be downloaded from the website of the 'Schmalfilm' magazine which pays homage to this nostalgic film-making material Prizes will be awarded on 20th October at the Babylon cinema in Berlin centre. www.schmalfilm.de * cete

Fragment Stories

"When something breaks, the fragments tell stories about the things it once was". The unique pieces created by jewelry designer Christine Schonau developed from this notion. This student of the Hanau State Academy of Drawing has named her new collection 'Fragment Stories'. Her works are characterized by a fascination with individual fragments which can be found everywhere - on paths, in fields and even in rivers. They are luminous white, colorful and patterned, interestingly curved; decorated with gold edging or heavily weathered. Every fragment is unique. The observer is forced to ask himself: what was it before as a whole, where did it belong? The pattern or form hints at the overall connection and so tells a story of becoming and decaying. It might, for example, be the story of a broken plate. How did it get broken? What period does it date from? Who owned it and ate from it? In her collection, Christine Schonau places the various fragments together to form a new whole, creating their own story. It's up to the observer or wearer of the jewelry to contemplate the origin of the fragments and summarize them in story. schoenau-christine@t-online.de * ahe

Damien Hirst Reaches the Price Level of the Old Masters

A skull set with flawless pave-set diamonds (weighing a total of 1,106.18 carats) and going by the title 'For the Love of God' was the centerpiece and dramatic highlight of London-based Damien Hirst's exhibition 'Beyond Belief in June. The artwork itself the platinum skull cast is, according to Hirst, based on the head of a 35 year old man who died at the end of the 18th century - ruffled a few feathers, as did its price. At 75 million euros. 'For the Love of God' is currently the most expensive work by a contemporary artist and elevates Hirst, renowned for his artistic provocations, to the price levels of Pablo Picasso and Gustav Klimt. www.whitecube.com * cete

Alen Muller-Hellwig Stipend Awarded

On June 10, the Alen Muller-Hellwig Stipend was awarded to the state certified jewelry designer Christine Lambrecht from Rendsburg for excellently crafted work. Her Physalis rings are named after a fruit from South America. The truly beautiful, branched capillaries found in the fruit are artistically incorporated into the ring surface. A ring appears akin to a cross section of the fruit, while another is like the opened shell of the fruit. The prize was awarded by Caroline Schwarz, representative of the state of Schleswig-Holstein for minorities and culture. The award took place as part of the opening celebrations for the 2007 Annual Show by the Professional Association for Handicrafts in Schleswig-Holstein. The "Deutsche Verband Frau und Kultur e.V., Gruppe Lubeck" (German Association of women and culture membership corporation, group Lubeck) created this prize in 1989 to mark the 75 years of the association's history. The prize is issued every three years and comes with 5,000 euros. It is targeted at all craftsmen and women working in the northern states of Germany. www.verband-frau-und-kultur.de * ahe

Cellini Award for Flying Beetle

In Ancient Egypt, the scarab was sacred and appeared in numerous forms, from expensive talismans to plain amulets. Even today, the scarab is one of the most popular souvenirs on the Nile. Master goldsmith and vice president of the Central Association of German Goldsmiths, Silversmiths and Jewelers, Uta Werner-Dick, was recently awarded with the highly coveted Cellini medal for her interpretation of the 'flying scarab'. The piece, created at her Augsburg-based goldsmith workshop, is entitled 'Tanz tu tu' and is made from rhodinated sterling silver and tourmaline and worn as a pendant on a silk ribbon. Uta Werner-Dick's specialty are scarabs and her goldsmith studio in the old town of Augsburg is known locally as the 'beetle house'. * kph

HRD Awards 2007 - A Night at the Opera

Against the backdrop of a spectacular evening extravaganza of music and dance, the 2007 HRD Awards diamond jewelry design contest reached its climax on June 13, with the announcement of a winner and four finalists. The ceremony, dominated by the theme of this year's competition 'A Night at the Opera' was held in the Koningin Elrsabethzaal in Antwerp. The top prize in the competition was taken by Alina Sossou-Alamorean (39) from France. Her entry 'La cape indomptable' is a cape made out of iron wire. "Women go to the opera dressed in a cape. A diamond shower on a rough iron cloud… to sublimate the looks of the women," states Alina. The 574 rough diamonds, pearl drops, cabochons and cubes have a total weight of 983.57 carats. The four finalists were Hitomi Sasaki (27) Japan, with her head jewel 'Chrysanthemum', Sancha Livia Resende (49), Brazil, with the mini coat 'Glamourissime', Annelies Weinberger (26), Belgium, with a mouth piece 'Tache de beaute' and Timothe Windeshausen (29), Belgium, with his jewel 'Bois Givres'. www.hrdawards.com * ahe

Alina Sossou-Alamorean

Annelies Weinberger

Sancha Livia Resende

Timothe Windeshausen

The Elb Gallery Enriches the Jewelry Scene

In mid-June, Jewelry designer Heike Elfrink and qualified jewelry and product designer Jenna Brommer opened their own exhibition in Dusseldorf, attended by a great number of guests. They first presented their own works at the Elb Gallery. The gallery will soon also play host to exhibitions by various other designers. Heike Elfrink's pieces explore the structure, form and legality of the living world. She focuses on contrasts, for example, by combining clear basic forms with playful details or by bringing together different materials, colors and shapes. Her tantalum partner rings are a new highlight in the art of jewelry making. Jenna Brommer likes to play on contrasts and cliches, brings the familiar into a new context, changes traditions and as such creates space for something new. Her works are pompous, extravagant and unique - and are often delivered with a wink of the eye. She creates unique pieces and series in this way. The two jewelry designers use classic materials such as gold, silver and gemstones as well as unconventional materials in their creations. The pieces are created exclusively in their own workshop. www.galerie-elb.de * ahe

Heike Elfrink

Jenna Brommer

… and the winner is…

The 45,000 euro North Rhine Westphalia state prize for arts and crafts is the biggest state prize in Germany. Since 1963, it has been awarded every two years in eight different crafts categories such as jewelry, textiles/leather, ceramics, stone, glass and metalwork. In the jewelry category goldsmith Sibylle Falkenberg from Schwelm walked away with the 5000 euro prize. The jury of independent judges was unanimously impressed by her work and cited her perfect design implementation, competent application of the materials used and excellent aesthetic quality of the body-space design as reasons for their decision. The 'Group 1: 43' piece comprising five items of jewelry is made from silver, steel and gold. www.kunsthandwerk-nrw.de * cete

Shaun Leane wins the Town & Country Couture Design Awards 2007

Shaun Leane's latest creation has been crowned winner of the Town & Country Couture Design Awards 2007 in the United States. Winning the Best of Brida category, the Diamond Captured Tear ring set consists of three rings which interlock beautifully to represent the celebration of all three occasions; the engagement ring, wedding ring and the eternity ring. Conceptually inspiring, the three rings are designed so that they can be worn individually to allow the complete set to build up through time. Crafted in 18 Karat white gold, the engagement ring and eternity ring both have a central two carat tear shaped diamond tipped with pave set stones. The wedding ring is carpeted in white diamonds to add an extra touch of luster. The award winning Diamond Captured Tear ring set is part of Shaun Leane's recently released Captured collection. Centered on the shape of a tear drop, Captured represents tears captured in times of love, strength and pass on. www.shaunleane.com * ahe

The First Digital Ring Measurement Device

The first digital measuring device by Elma for determining finger size is an innovation for goldsmiths and jewelers. The ring meter measures quickly, accurately, comfortably and reliably and gives ring widths according to all international standards. As such, trying on of lots of different sizes, often by pushing the finger into steel rings which are too small, can become a thing of the past. By measuring different parts of the finger, fluctuations in finger size due to temperature or arthrosis are taken into account. This is a particular advantage when special hand-crafted solutions are required, e.g. a spring or ball in the inner ring band. www.eima-germany.com * ahe

In the Shade of the Tree

Jewelry and photographs by Mari Ishikawa will be on display from September, 27 until October, 20 at the Alternatives Gallery in Rome, Italy. Mari lshikawa was born in Japan in 1964. She obtained a masters degree in art from the Nara University of Education and subsequently studied jewelry making at the Hiko Mizuno College of Jewelry in Japan. In 1994 she moved to Munich, where she has been living ever since, to study jewelry at the Academy of Fine Arts under the guidance of Otto Kunzli.

In 1999 she became a 'Master student' and obtained her degree in 2001. The artist gained recognition and was awarded various prizes and awards. She was awarded two scholarships from the Munich Academy (1996/1998), the 8th Itami City Contemporary Craft Award in 1997, the Herbert Hoffmann Prize for jewelry in 2000 and 1st prize at the Bohmler Art Awards, Munich, in 2000. Her work has travelled around the world in solo and group exhibitions and forms part of the collections at the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, Germany, the Hiko Mizuno Collection, Tokyo, the Grassi Museum, Leipzig, Germany, the Pinakothek Der Moderne, Munich, Germany and Ville de Cagnes-sur-Mer, France.

Mari lshikawa's main inspiration in her jewelry-making has always stemmed from her home culture. Her works illustrate deep roots in Japanese tradition and rituals. 'In the shade of the tree', the title of her latest collection and exhibition, reflects her interest in nature, drawn from the "Pillow Book" of poems written by Sei Shonagon in 1000 AD. This book has become a classic in Japanese literature and culture and is studied by most Japanese students. The poems tell us about dawn and dusk, the many colors that change with the passing hours, the passage of time and the consequent transformation of a bud into a flower. Ishikawa uses photography to explore nature and the phenomenon of transformation it experiences with the changing of the seasons. Her findings are then translated into contemporary jewelry expressing profoundness, delicacy and femininity. www.alternatives.it * ahe

Jerwood Applied Arts Prize

Susan Cross and Adam Paxon are the joint winners of the Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2007: Jewelry - the most prestigious prize in the applied arts world, worth ₤30,000, which is run by the Crafts Council and Jerwood Charitable Foundation to celebrate innovation, commitment and excellence within the applied arts.

Adam Paxon

Susan Cross

The judges felt that Susan Cross and Adam Paxon were worthy joint prize winners, both representing different aspects of contemporary jewelry today. Although using divergent techniques and materials - Adam works mainly in acrylic and Susan in oxidised silver - it was considered that there was a shared connection in the way each uses structure and layering in their work. Both artists' work was considered to be complex in construction, exquisitely made and showing superb craftsmanship. They also equally responded to the challenge of the prize and produced significant new work for the exhibition. The Jerwood Applied Arts prize runs over a six-year cycle, with each year representing a different medium within the applied arts field: jewelry textiles, ceramics, glass, furniture and metal- The prize is now part of the Jerwood Visual Arts series, which includes awards for contemporary painting, drawing, photography and sculpture, all exhibited at the Jerwood Space. Roanne Dods, Director, Jerwood Charitable Foundation said, "The work in this exhibition and the shortlisted artists taking part show that the applied arts can sit firmly alongside the rest of the fine arts." Susan Cross about her work. "My creative process is informed by travel among other cultures, each developmental stage of my work can be identified with my experience of a place. The output of the last six years reflects my responses to the physical and emotional impact of these journeys, expressed through complex structures, flexibility, sensuous line and color. "Adam Paxon commenting his jewelry. "I'm interested in how light can change a piece be guided through it, contained, and even protected out over the skin or a garment. These processes also help distance the pieces as much as possible from the stock color and form of their raw materials."

The touring exhibition of the shortlisted artists Susan Cross, Nora Fok, Grainne Morton, Yoko Izawa, Adam Paxon and Mah Rana will be shown at The Collection, Lincoln (11 August 30 September 2007), at National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh (12 October - 2 March 2008) and Bradford 1 Gallery, Bradford (15 March - 25 May 2008). www.craftscouncil.org.ukwww.jerwoodspace.co.uk * cp

Correction

In GZ Art + Design 2-2007 on page 32, the legend to the necklace 'Raindrops' by Ines Arndt erroneously stated that the motto of the Platinum Design Competition 2005 was 'Blue Planet'. The competition ran under the motto 'Platinum and Water'. 'Blue Planet' was the title of the piece submitted by Liz Grafe, a globe made of platinum as body art that won first prize. * ahe

New Directions in Jewellery II

"New Directions in Jewellery II" is an extraordinary selection of exciting contemporary jewelry. Borders are tested, expanded and broken. Many of the pieces are radical and, especially due to this, trend setting. International heavyweights in jewelry design such as Karl Fritsch, Ted Noten and Monika Brugger are lust as much included, as are young talents like Constanze Schreiber, Kirsten Bak and Carla Nuis. After the success of the book New Directions in Jewellery, published in 2005, the second edition New Directions in Jewellery II once more presents a fantastic collection of work.

Lin Cheung, Indigo Clarke, Beccy Clarke, "New Directions in Jewellery II", Black Dog Publishing, 1^st edition November 2006, pocketbook, English, 192 pages, 300 color photographies, format 25 x 21 cm, ISBN13: 9781904772552, EUR 30.95

The self-evidence driving the makers is flowing - ranging from experimental, courageous artists through to creative goldsmiths, working with their perfectly honed crafts skills, deeply rooted in a centuries-old tradition. Traditional techniques are also refined in this way, and also extended and combined in new ways. Experiments with new materials show new paths. The biographies of all of the creators provide insight into the background behind jewelry and ready mades. In the introduction, Amy Sackville correctly writes of provocative, difficult jewelry and also of playful and amusing jewelry. New contexts, ways of thinking and their implementation produce fresh creations - sometimes surreal, often symbolic and always sensual. www.blackdogonline.com * cp

Fashion Body Cult

The new "Fashion Body Cult" sheds a new multi-perspective light on the issue of fashion: twenty renowned authors discuss aspects of fashion and issues relating to the portrayal and potential of fashion using current examples from the 19th and 20^th centuries. Exciting essays about paradoxes in fashion "Fashion is a triumph of forgery rather than originality") or about the grotesque alienation of the body and relative unwearability of clothes as an artistic force are accompanied by numerous photos and images. In addition to fashion designers and experts, artists, journalists, art and theatre experts as well as communications sociologists give their views and show that fashion can serve as a starting point for interdisciplinary exchange and enable an open form of communication. * cete

Claudia Aguilar with fashion by Peter Wiesmann "Fashion Body Cult", Arnoldsche Art Publishers, Elke Bippus, Dorothea Mink (eds.). 320 pages, 16 x 25 cm, more than 200 color images, text in German and English, ISBN 978-3-89790-264-0, EUR 39.80 / SFr 71

Japanese Patinas

This unique volume brings ancient Japanese techniques and recipes to the West for the first time. Detailed information on chemicals traditional recipes and techniques make this a studio-based reference, complemented by photographs of work from artists in the US and Japan. Ertoku Sugimori: "Each alloy has unique color possibilities and the wide range of patina recipes offers a rich palette." This book is the result of his ten years of research in metalsmithing. For many years, metalsmiths in the West have admired the rich and subtle patinas that characterize Japanese metalwork. Information on the methods of obtaining these surfaces is often difficult to find even for people working in Japan. As a contemporary artist it is important to Sugimori: "to acknowledge the traditions and techniques of the past and to simultaneously endeavor to move forward into an unknown future." * cp

Eitoku Sugimori, hardback, 110 pages, 15.24 x 22.86 cm, 75 color photos and illustrations, published 2004 by Brynmorgen Press, www.rdv-online.com

Fine Gold Foil for Great Effects

Educator, author and jeweler, Christine Dhein presents Keum-Boo, an ancient Korean technique where 24 karat gold foil is bonded to the surface of silver or other metals. This produces a rich gold color, while using very little foil. The simplicity of this technique makes it a fun, inexpensive way to add gold to a piece of jewelry. The DVD is very well filmed, with clear, step-by-step demonstrations and useful tips and tricks, the first 60-minute volume, Keum-Boo Basics, guides through creating a pair of keum-boo earrings and adding patina. This DVD is perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a solid understanding of the keum-boo process. Chapters include Diffusion Bonding, Depletion Silvering, Factors for Success, Setting Up Your Work Space, Torch Safety, Cutting Gold Foil, Burnishing, Making Earrings and Applying Patina.

Christine Dhein, "Keum-Boo Basics", DVD, 2006, English, EUR 36.66, available from Ruehle-Diebener-Verlag: www.rdv-online.com

Christine Dhein, "Beyong the Basics", DVD, 2006, English, EUR 44.00, available from Ruehle-Diebener-Verlag: www.rdv-online.com

The second 90-minute volume, Keum-Boo: Beyond the Basics, covers more jewelry making techniques including roller printing and hollow form construction. On this DVD more keum-boo procedures are explained in detail including bonding gold to a three-dimensional, textured surface and much more. Chapters include Diffusion Bonding, Annealing, Roller Printing, Sawing & Filing, Dapping, Soldering, Depleting a Hollow Form, Applying Gold to a Hollow Form, Burnishing on a Hollow Form, Checking Your Work, Repairing a Tear, Variations & Patina, plus, a special feature on Making Gold Foil. Both volumes include tool and materials lists plus industry resources. Both DVDs are also explaining basic goldsmithing know how, necessary for the keum-boo process like how to prepare the charcoal for annealing or how to prepare the acid for pickling. * cp

Ornament as Art

The Ornament as Art exhibition: Avant-garde jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection, opening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, this fall, places contemporary jewelry within a larger framework of twentieth and twenty-first century art. Tracing the history of the artists and the aesthetic influences and technical innovation of the jewelry the exhibition showcases a broad array of national and international works from the 1960s through to today. In addition to approximately 275 pieces of jewelry Ornament as Art also contains drawings, watercolors, sketchbooks and sculptural constructions by the artists. The exhibition draws its objects entirely from the MFAHs celebrated Helen Williams Drutt Collection of contemporary jewelry the most significant contemporary jewelry collection in the United States. Acquired by the museum in 2002 the collection, assembled by legendary scholar and gallerist Helen Drutt, consists of 720 pieces of jewelry and 84 works on paper. Over 175 artists from 18 different countries are represented with the largest concentration working in the United States, Western Europe, Japan and Australia. Ornament as Art is on view from September 30,2007 through to January 21, 2008 in the MFAH s Audrey Jones Beck Building. The exhibition will then begin a national tour, appearing next at the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery in Washington D.C. www.mfah.org * ahe

Stanley Lechtzin

David Watkins

Liv Blavarp

Silver from Waasland

From October 2, 2007 until January 6, 2008, the world famous Sterckshof Silver Museum, Antwerp will present the breathtaking work by the silversmiths that worked in Waasland to the left of the Schelde between approx. 1700 and 1869. To this day, we know very little of these master craftsmen. Who were they and where did they come from? For the first time, the artistic silversmith work from Beveren, Lokeren, Rupelmonde, Sint-Niklaas and Temse can be marveled at in this unique exhibition. The Silver Museum is housed in Sterckshof Castle in Deurne, a town just outside of the City of Antwerp. www.zilvermuseum.be * ahe

Vienna, Tokyo, Zurich - Design Show Blickfang on World Tour

Between October and November, the design show 'Blickfang' will be putting in a guest appearance in an impressive three venues around the world. What is now the largest, progressive fair for international, young design will be opening its doors in the venerable halls of the Viennese Museum for Applied Art (MAK) from October 19 to 21. After this, 40 designers from Austria, Switzerland and Germany and others from Belgium, Czech Republic and Sweden will present their products on the fiercely competitive and, for many designers, very exciting Japanese market, when from October 31 to November 4, the second Tokyo 'Blickfang' will be held parallel to the already established industry events '100% Design Tokyo' and 'Tokyo Designer's Week'. Conversely, the 'Blickfang' opens in Zurich for the 11th time; from November 23 lo 25, roughly 220 designers will put out their latest creative ideas to pasture in the Congress House. Over the past few years, the special concept of the design sales fair has established it as one of the most important meeting points within the international design scene: young and sometimes prominent designers from the fields of furniture, fashion and jewelry present and sell their collections, while also being available to explain their ideas and product histories. Competent advice, right from the source - that is what fascinates the design loving visitors. www.blickfang.com * cete

Vienna: MAK, October 19 to 21, 2007

Tokyo: Jingu-Gaien, October 31 to November 4, 2007

Zurich: Congress House, November 23 to 25, 2007

Cherryblossom