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 Designer-centric News & Views 5/17/12   JEWELRY INDUSTRY:   Awesome explanation of trademark usage for jewelers by Sara Yood of the Jeweler's Vigilance Committee (JVC) bookmark this one! [ via NationalJeweler] If you're going to Vegas and you're NOT exhibiting then there's a lot of great education for you to attend at JCK Show. Rappaport is hosting a free diamond conference on Sunday 6/2. [via Rappaport] Designers MUST learn about the professional jewel thieves that prey on our industry. I know many designers don't think of themselves as "part of the industry" but if you go to jewelry stores and trade shows -- you can be a target. Read how to protect yourself. [via JCK] Designers must think about the modern day consumer when building their brand, said... Read More

Designer-centric News & Views 4/27/12         JEWELRY INDUSTRY: Online sales tax gains more momentum. Will likely be voted on by the Senate on April 24. You and your customers will be affected.  [via JCK] Artisans of handmade goods interested in participating in the Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair at the historic Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station in NYC  should submit applications online by June 14. [via JCK] Gold prices fell last week -- jewelers are happy [JCK] after it took a plunge on April 15th [via JCK] after a new low on April 12th [via JCK] ... want to read all that the industry has been saying about this? Check out Rob Bates' blog [via JCK]. New showroom by Andrea Hansen and Courtney Cohen offers more services to help... Read More

  At the finale to the Future of Design Business Incubator Contest the three finaists have to make a presentation. They are given some guidelines like "you should include up to 3 minutes of background (where you've come from/what you've done) and then the rest is a look forward: How you plan to build your company, what you think your challenges will be, and how you plan to overcome them. We want to gain a strong sense of you as business managers, planners, and leaders." For many this was their first time on a stage and certainly their first time making such a public pitch. For many it was also the first time using Powerpoint! Presentations take many forms -- to a prospective buyer (often the bigger the store the bigger the presentation) or an editor or perhaps even... Read More

designerDAY 2013 is ready to roll -- we're so excited for this year's line up of speakers and for the two new features we've added.  The theme is KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and we're tacking some of the most troublesome issues plagueing design'preneurs this year. First -- we'll have a session by Belinda Pruyne of Business Innovation Group about finding your ISP -- innovative Selling Proposition. Belinda is a business coach who has worked with a lot of artists and creative businesses and she's expert at helping you articulate what makes you and your jewelry unique. Next we delve into the issue of appraisals and what happens when a customer brings your jewelry to an appraiser who isn't famiilar with your work or the designer concept and appraises it for basic scrap costs. And your... Read More

Bergdorf Goodman has appointed Elizabeth Hui von der Goltz senior vice president and general merchandise manager, responsible for the jewelry category, as well as fine apparel, designer sportswear, bridal, coats, lingerie, and swimwear. Von der Golt will report to president Joshua Schulman. She joined Bergdorf Goodman in 2000 as a buyer, and most recently served as vice president, divisional merchandise manager for couture and advanced designer collections.   [jckonline.com]... Read More