This past December, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Reporter carried a feature article by Susan Phinney, “Jewelry artists are flourishing in Seattle.” Art Jewelry Forum members are included in this article. To read the entire piece, click here: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/251895_artjewelry.html

The most recent issue of Departures magazine featured the work of Dutch jewelry artists. For that article, click here: http://www.departures.com/wg/wg_0306_dutch.html

The following is a report on the Palm Beach Fine Craft show from AJF member Marianne Hunter. We welcome contributions by members for the AJF web site to this category at any time.

The Palm Beach Fine Craft show lived up to its name with aisles of simply fabulous art work in all media! There were 10 artists working in non-jewelry metals including sculpture, functional sculpture, flatware, judaica and lighting.

There were 22 jewelers listed but I can only put the artist and work together for this one-person review for those listed below.

Namu Cho was there with his work which is very clean precisely elegant work. Even though his work is often architecturally structured, his references to nature and life prevent it from being cold.

Jaclyn Davidson has been showing for the past couple of years a very different approach to her work. She is less focused on the heavy gold carved and enameled pieces she has been so respected for, and is now showing beautifully fabricated pieces of roses and buds and pods, stems and leaves all as light and airy and beautifully executed that they feel as if life has only just left them. A huge departure for an established artist and very exciting to see.

Pat Flynn was there with his beautifully balanced work of black, forge-marked iron contrasted with dustings of sparkling white diamonds and yellow gold. It’s amazing how his pieces look so timelessly elegant using the hand forged nail as a starting point. Good design does trump old ideas.

Stuart Golder, as always has immaculate, sophisticated woven gold pieces. He works with a precision that would drive me mad to attempt. His pieces are for everyday and gala depending on the piece.

Cornelia Goldsmith was showing new pieces, in sculptural gold granulation, of more complex design…linked elements, more colored stones etc. Cornelia’s work is very feminine and more organic and lively than most who work in granulation.

Rob Greene’s work continues to amaze me. His instinct for selecting and cutting stones to their best advantage is without competition. His metal work is always in support of what he feels from the stone; inventive but subdued, perfectly crafted. As one who loves images in stone, I always look forward to Rob’s new work.

Valerie Hector is showing some great new sculptural pieces in her intense beadwork method. Always a treat to see, the new pieces were really a delight!

Barbara Heinrich’s studio produces a vast array of necklaces and bracelets with lots of pearls and stone beads mixed with elements of sculptural gold…lots of texture and movement.

Tom Herman is a jeweler’s jeweler. His engraved and carved gold is as fine as any I’ve ever seen anywhere. He combines both artistry and craftsmanship to absolute perfection. He is another who uses story-telling stones with great sensitivity as well as others just for their color as an ornament to his fine metal design.

Marianne Hunter…well, I’d best leave this alone…but I did have new work I was very happy to be showing and which had a very positive response

John Iverson is someone I’ve only recently come to know of and found his work very fine and inventive.

Holly Lee can always be counted on for works of impressive strength. There is a sculptural weight to even her more delicate pieces that speaks of larger issues. The integrity of her vision shines through in each piece.