WJA Foundation Announces Grant Winners
They include recipients of the WJA Carelle Grant, WJA Veteran’s Grant, and chapter member grants.
Dawn Grady, designer of Junebug Jewelry Designs, is the recipient of the Carelle/WJA Member Grant.
The grant was created 10 years ago in honor of Brooke Tivol McGrath. Born into the Tivol jewelry family in Kansas City, Missouri, Tivol McGrath’s career took her to New York City, though she didn’t stray far from the family profession.
She worked as the director of strategic merchandising and product development at Carelle, her dream job, until her death at age 28.
Carelle has upped the grant in Tivol McGrath’s honor to $7,500 from its previous $5,000.
It has also shifted the focus to help a jewelry professional who has been in business for at least five years, with the grant meant to be used as an investment in technology, such as ecommerce, digital education, or machinery.
Recipient Grady is a mostly self-taught designer who uses ancient and modern metalsmithing techniques to create mixed metal pieces for Junebug Jewelry Designs.
Launched about a decade ago, Junebug features styles made of copper, Argentium silver, and gemstones. She sells online and at her storefront in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rikiesha Metzger, the creator behind Rikiesha’s Adornments, is the recipient of the WJA Foundation’s 2021 Veteran’s Grant.
Awarded in partnership with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, the $5,000 grant supports a jewelry or watch professional who is a United States military veteran.
Metzger is a Ph.D. student in visual arts at the Institute for Doctoral Studies. The artist, student, teacher, and sculptor has been making jewelry for about 15 years, including earrings and small figurine art objects.
Metzger says wire is her favorite material to work with. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., she earned an M.A. in community arts from Maryland Institute College of Art, a B.A. from Morgan State University in fine arts, and a B.S. from NC Agricultural and Technical State University in electronics technology.
WJA also awards annual grants to members of its nationwide chapters.
Last year, it awarded six additional WJA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Member Grants for Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color applicants and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + applicants.
In total, recipients by chapter are:
• Austin: Hima Yalamanchili
• Boston: Martha Seely
• Chicago: Nancy Hudson, Viviana Langhoff, Nora McCarthy
• Dallas: Gayla Moores
• DC/MD/VA: Catherine Rudacille
• Las Vegas: Michelle Walden Fink
• Los Angeles: Bevelyn Esparza, Lauren McCawley
• Miami: Tracey Arrington, Tiffany Joachim
• NY Metro: Brecken Branstrator, Olga Gonzalez, Jih Ha, Jodi Innerfield, Elyssa Jenkins Pérez, Delphine Leymarie
• No Chapter Nearby: Benicia Broeker, Heather Younger Morton
• Northern California: Kate Eickelberg, Olivia Shih, Alisa Thorp, Creek Van Houten
• Ohio/Kentucky: Katherine Cotterill, Andrea Koenig
• Philadelphia: Carly Kent
• San Diego: Jennifer DeMoro, Niki Grandics, Christine Lopez, Charlyn Olver
• Seattle: Megan Martin, Jolica Taguiped
• Twin Cities: Dawn Bruggeman, Liz Stingl-Griggs
The Latest
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
The 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.