emiko-o reware

Lifetime Achievement Award

9am on Thursday, May 21 and we’re all gathered in the large ballroom for the Keynote by Stanley Lechtzin (I’m a bit behind on my posts, as it is currently Day 3, but let’s pretend for now it’s still Day 2, Thursday). First, however, Stanley was awarded the SNAG Lifetime Achiement Award, very fitting as this year’s theme is Revolution! Cynthia Eid created and presented this beautiful silver vessel award (as shown in the slide above onscreen). Stanley gave a moving speech, personally thanking individuals and sending out his love to each of them, for being so supportive of him over the years. In closing, he had all the students in the audience stand up, and to them he said, “You are the most important part of this conference; you are the future of this organization.” Over 200 students are in attendance this year, not too bad out of 700 attendees!

Stanley Lechtzin

Incoming President, Harlan Butt introduced Stanley for the following Keynote address, the theme and title which I love and is my personal motto this year, “Seizing of Opportunities.”

He continues to be at the forefront of our field, leading the way for art jewelry to integrate with today’s technologies, from design in CAD/CAM to realization in 3D resin modeling. In his keynote, he posed these questions which I pose to you:

Are you recognizing your opportunities?

Are you using your opportunities to their fullest?

Are you preparing your students for the future?

He went on to share these words of wisdom: “This is not a dress rehearsal. When they [opportunities] come up, grab them.” And lastly, “Those who CAN, Do; Those who can Do it Better, Teach.”

A few weeks ago I got a call from ReadyMade magazine, which was interested in writing a story about me and my LEGO work (they had a LEGO focus and found me on Etsy). So not only will you see me in next month’s print issue on the newstands, but I was also interviewed by the lovely Katherine Sharpe, the new online editor for this article that went online today! Definitely one of the best written interviews I’ve had so far. She calls me “Miss Modular”, and I have to say I find it quite catchy and appropriate. Go to ReadyMade to read the article.

I’ve got less than 24 hours to get everything ready for the SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) “Revolution” conference in Philadelphia–the heat is on, to pack, and finish my new pieces (see Cygne Noir in progress, to right) for the Jewelry In Motion runway show on Thursday, May 21 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

SNAG has tapped me to be an official blogger for the conference, along with Francesca Vitali and Gabriel Craig. Check our bios and links to their blogs on the SNAG Conference page. Stay tuned here for updates and images from the conference, starting Wednesday, May 20.