Independents

WJA Announces 2019 Scholarship and Grant Winners

IndependentsJul 17, 2019

WJA Announces 2019 Scholarship and Grant Winners

The Women’s Jewelry Association will award $65,500 total to 49 women this year.

20190717_WJA-winners.jpg
The WJA will award $65,500 in scholarships and grants this year to 49 women, including (left to right) Anne Holman, Jen Townsend, Coco de Salazar, Nora Micheli Hernandez and Xabrina Michel’li Thompson.

New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association will award $65,500 in grants and scholarships to 49 women this year.

The recipients will use the funds to underwrite education and advance their professional careers.

“Our grant and scholarship winners are an impressive group,” Executive Director Bernadette Mack said. “Helping women enter and sustain careers in the jewelry business is one of the most important goals of the Women’s Jewelry Association.”

The recipients are as follows.

--The Carelle-WJA Grant Winner ($5,000): Anne Holman and Jen Townsend, The Smithery

Holman and Townsend developed their own jewelry businesses before they decided to collaborate. Together they built The Smithery, a shop and metalsmith studio focused on contemporary jewelry and modern craft located in Columbus, Ohio.

It features their own jewelry, as well as over 70 American and international artists. It also has an exhibition gallery and classroom area offering jewelry and enameling workshops.

Holman and Townsend plan to use their grant to create a separate studio space and acquire additional tools for more classes.

--The Female Veteran Scholarship ($5,000): Nora Micheli Hernandez

Micheli Hernandez is currently a student at the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology at Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas, slated to graduate later this year with certificates in jewelry repair, computer-aided design and jewelry technology.

Hernandez is a disabled veteran of the U.S. Army. She plans on creating custom jewelry and working with other disabled veterans, and will use the WJA grant money to buy the equipment and supplies needed to set up her studio.

--The Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship ($5,000): Coco de Salazar

De Salazar is a jewelry designer and artist in Miami, Florida. She has been metalsmithing for nine years and currently teaches fabrication and soldering classes at Jewelry Creations Workshop in North Miami.

Her jewelry line, De Salazar Jewelry, is designed and produced in her private Miami studio. De Salazar is also a graphic designer and fine arts photographer, focusing on branding, marketing and design needs for clients.

She

plans to use her scholarship to pursue the Comprehensive CAD/CAM for Jewelry certificate through the Gemological Institute of America.

--The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship ($5,000): Xabrina Michel’li Thompson

Michel’li Thompson is a 22-year-old graduate of one of South Africa’s leading girls’ schools, Epworth High School. She will use her scholarship funds toward a graduate gemologist diploma from GIA, which she is currently working toward.

Thompson currently works in the jewelry industry, traveling widely to market and source jewelry products.

She plans to develop a freshwater pearl, colored stone and sterling silver jewelry brand and also wants to establish a WJA chapter in her home country in South Africa.

--The June Herman Designer/Creator Scholarship ($5,000): Qianwen Lu

Qianwen Lu is a student at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where she is studying towards her degree in jewelry design. She plans to continue studying jewelry in a post-graduate course.

--The Peggy Kirby Designer Scholarship ($5,000): Hsinyu Chu

Hsinyu Chu received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion design and Master of Fine Arts in jewelry metal art at Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She also studied at the now-closed Revere Academy.

Chu received a jewelry design and technology diploma and a graduate jeweler diploma from GIA and is a student in its graduate pearls program. In 2017, she launched her jewelry workshop, JC Art & Design, in San Francisco’s Mission District before moving it to Milpitas, California.

Chu would also like to become an appraiser and wishes to take an appraisal course.


Students scholarships also will be awarded to the following.
--Designer/Creator: Lauren Delbracco ($3,000), Xun Liu ($2,500), Zoe Larson ($1,500) and Melissa Cousins ($1,000);
--Designer: Mengjie Zhang ($2,000) and Xinchen LI ($1,000); and
--Non-Designer: Bonnie Cornell ($3,000), Jennifer Pollard ($2,500), Katie Soule ($1,500) and Laura Marsolek ($1,000).

WJA previously announced that 32 member grants of $500 each would be awarded to recipients around the country. They are as follows.

--Austin: Jen Leddy-Barnes;
--Boston: Wendy Jo New;
--Chicago: Sue Rosengard, Anne Van der Meulen and Olivia Zale;
--Colorado: Alexandra Fitzgerald;
--Dallas: Kelly Grise and Patricia Schrag;
--Houston: Maggie Segrich;
--Los Angeles: Harvinder Keila;
--Miami: Tiffany Joachim;
--Northern California: Sara Beck, Christy Comstock and Brittany Stadtmiller;
--NY Metro: Kristine Cabanban, AnnaLisa Cervi, Christine Malle, Stephanie Maslow Blackman and Annmarie Sclafani Stewart;
--Ohio/Kentucky: Christina Miller and Leslie Wright;
--Philadelphia: Christine Alaniz;
--Providence: Jennifer Skiba;
--Raleigh: Martha D'Alessandro;
--San Diego: Laura Fischer, Niki Grandics and Kathleen Lynagh House;
--Seattle: Nancy Castillo and Jessica Herner;
--Twin Cities: Jennifer Bellefleur and Dawn Bruggeman; and
--Charlotte Preston “Get’s it Done” Grant: Betsy Sanders.

Funds for WJA scholarships and grants are raised through the annual Awards for Excellence Gala, individual member donations and sponsorships.

This year’s AFE gala will be held on Monday, July 29 at Pier 60 in New York, once again featuring a silent auction and raffle. The event also will honor three industry visionaries.

Tickets to the awards gala are available at WomensJewelryAssociation.com.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Stock image of rough diamonds from the Kimberley mine
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says

The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.

Pomellato Mini London blue topaz and diamond bracelet
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%

The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.

Zadok Rolex Austin
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in Austin

Its opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Crowd of people in a shopping mall
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in July

Respondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Making a Killing in Diamonds by Rob Bates
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series

“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.

Tacori bezel-set diamond bands
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LA

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Mighty Fierce Audacious Necklace, Sandy Rubin Aziza Necklace, Koulianos Designs Illuminations Shield Pendant
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New Designers

The first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.

Auctim emerald auction
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough Emeralds

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

AGS Board President for 2025-2026 Alexis Padis
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President

She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

Nanis Ipanema Collection Campaign
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

Kevin O’ Leary and George Mayer of The 1916 Company
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance Platform

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

Jemma Wynne Forme Toggle Necklace
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ Necklace

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

September Hong Kong jewelry show
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong Show

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Bulgari Celestial Mosaic spinel necklace
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

De Beers marine mining vessel the SS Nujoma
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

Francesca Villa Fantasia Collection The Crab Pendant, The Mermaid Pendant, Keep Dancing Seahorse Pendant, Keep Dancing Ladybug Pendant, Secret Dreams Pendant, The Puffer Fish Takes Flight Pendant
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

Breitling’s special Eagles Super Bowl watch on gold bracelet
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

Silvia Furmanovich Kasmir Collection Carnelian Bracelet and Sketch
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern India

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

LAFD Fire Station 44 and Fire Station 16
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

A Vanitas by Hannah Martin and Guy Berryman Sothebys
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s London

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

Cover of the book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History”
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the Holidays

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy