The 2012 Niche Award Winners for Jewelry Design

Cityscape Lisa Hawthorne, the winner in the gold jewelry with stones category. 

The annual Niche Awards, which honors the best in contemporary design by American and Canadian artisans, were presented February 18 during a ceremony at the Buyers Market of American Craft tradeshow in Philadelphia.

Professionals and college students received awards in several categories including gold, silver and

Jewelry of a Feather and Other Materials and Techniques that Flock Together

Candy colored bracelets by Carol Martin Jewelry.

The thing about jewelry is that creativity and art doesn’t have to be restricted to precious materials or a structured ways of doing things. Individuality was clearly evident and prevalent among the jewelry designers at the recent Buyers Market of American Craft show held in Philadelphia, held Feb. 17-21. 

Carol Martin JewelryThe Durango, Colo.

Rugged and Delicate, the Jewelry of Élise Bergeron

20k gold ring with purple sapphire.

The jewelry section of the Buyers Market of American Craft show in Philadelphia was energized with several new exhibitors presenting innovative concepts and designs. Among the standouts was Élise Bergeron. Technically, this is her second BMAC show. Last year’s show was to be the debut of her new company, but a snowstorm in Philadelphia caused the Quebec,

Ellinghaus’ Dancing Pendants

14K pendant with black and white agate and garnet.

It’s easy to see that metalsmith Nancy Ellinghaus enjoys her work. “There’s nothing like picking up a hammer and making things move,” she said during the recent Buyers Market of American Craft show in Philadelphia.



14K pendant with opal.
Ellinghaus specializes in pendants in 14k gold or silver. She pairs her metal circular and wave-like

Intricate and Inspired High-Karat Gold Jewelry from Alchemic Synthesis

Greek Tsavorite Necklace. 22K gold, tsavorites, 1st century Roman loop-in-loop chain.

One of the bright spots of the recent Buyers Market of American Craft show was meeting Cynthia Alderdice and Lois Mansfield, who co-own and operate Alchemic Synthesis Studio in Annapolis, Md. The BMAC show (held February 17-21) was their first time attempting to appeal to a wholesale audience. Hopefully, it

J. Rudy Lewis Jewelry Searches for Historical and Cultural Truths

Victoria's Cuff in silver and brass with leather.

Metalsmith J. Rudy Lewis had one of the shorter commutes of all the exhibitors at the Buyers Market of American Craft show. That’s because he lives in Philadelphia where the trade show for fine craft and art products was held February 17-21.

Lewis works with gold, silver and leather. He produces jewelry for women, men and children, in some

Scandinavian Inspired Lorak Jewelry Designs

18k Hot Pepper pendant with diamonds.

There were a few new jewelry designers at the recent Buyers Market of American Craft show in Philadelphia and one of those new faces was Anna Lorich Akers, who operates under the name, Lorak Designs.

The recent graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design says she her main influence comes from her Scandinavian heritage, admiring the region’s functional

J. Petet’s Gold Jewelry Designs

18k gold pendant, ring and earrings with pink tourmaline.

The rising price of gold has caused many jewelry designers and manufacturers to find creative ways to lighten the amount of the precious metal they use for their jewelry. Not John Petet. At the Buyers Market of American Craft, held February 17-21 in Philadelphia, he said he is still creating his textured gold jewelry designs in the same

Colorful Enamel Jewelry from Magick

24k gold cloisonné enameling set in 18k yellow gold with garnets and diamonds (2 ct.).

Color has been a trend in the jewelry industry in recent years, primarily because of the economic recession as designers and manufacturers look to embellish their jewelry with colored gemstones and less expensive colored diamonds. However, very few have delved into the painstaking work of enamel jewelry that

Decaying Wood Becomes Living Jewelry for Sarah Graham

Pendant made of oxidized cobalt chrome.

A decaying piece of wood found under an avocado tree turned into the inspiration of Sarah Graham’s latest line of jewelry.
Nature has always been the source of this accomplished California metalsmith's work, but lately she has taken her inspiration to new levels by employing different techniques and using new metals, she said during the Buyers Market of

Buffalo Symbolizes Marriage, Inspires Jewelry Design Business

A golden bird on a silver branch with opal flowers.

How often do businesses begin with an act of love inspired by the animal kingdom as seen on YouTube?

Manya Tessler and Roumen Vragov wanted to seal their marriage with a self-made ring. At the time, they were not jewelry designers but Tessler worked with clay and was able to create a ring. Vragov decided the inspiration for the ring should

Modern, Sleek Designs of Pierre-Yves Jewelry

A necklace made of 18K gray gold, 71.66ct amethyst center stone, tsavorite garnets, and 9mm-11.5mm Tahitian pearls.

“Modern architecture” is how Pierre-Yves Paquette describes his jewelry designs. The consistencies in his creations are the use of strong, sculptured lines,18k textured gold, and a subtle use of color. But within that framework he uses several techniques and a variety of

2011 Niche Award Winners in Jewelry Design

Oceanic Bangle Bracelet

The winners of the 2011 Niche Awards for jewelry were announced February 18 during the Buyers Market of American Craft show in Philadelphia. The Niche Awards annually celebrate excellence and innovation in American and Canadian craft. They are sponsored by the trade publication, Niche.

Judging was based on three main criteria:

• technical excellence, both in surface