Note: For a full list of available articles on design (including those available in PDF format only), go to the MJSA Bookstore. To return to the online article search, click here.
Ahead of the Curve Tips for sketching cuff bracelet designs. By Rémy Rotenier
All in Good Time Announcing the winners of the 2016 MJSA Vision Awards
An Antidote to Convention Andy Cooperman’s Poison Ring No. 2. By Irina Hawkins
The Art of the Bead Three unique approaches to beadwork. By Gerrie Davies and Tina Wojtkielo Snyder
Art of Handcraft: The Call of Color A look at how jeweler Valerie Jo Coulson creates gemstone-inlaid jewelry. By John Shanahan
Beyond the Basic Bead Two designers who have redefined the basic bead. By Shawna Kulpa
Burma Ban Busted U.S. ban on Burmese gemstones is lifted. By Deborah A. Yonick
By Your Side Claudia Kretchmer pays tribute to her father in a two-stone tension ring. By Shannon L. Brown
CAD/CAM Corner: Calibrated Clay Integrating ZBrush into CAD jewelry design. By Darla Alvarez, GIA jewelry design & technology instructor
Casting Call Dawn Muscio designs a palladium bowtie worthy of the red carpet. By Shannon L. Brown
Cause and Effect William Travis Kukovich talks philanthropy. By Irina Hawkins
Coined Memories Adel Chefridi honors his childhood. By Irina Hawkins
Coloring Outside the Lines Three designers take on MJSA’s annual Mystery Box Challenge. By Shawna Kulpa
Come into Bloom Chi Huynh discusses his Blossom Ring’s unique abilities. By Irina Hawkins
Cosmic Connections Ezra Satok-Wolman crafts a tribute to Pythagoras. By Shannon L. Brown
Crafting a Custom Pearl Necklace Gregory Crawford describes crafting a custom pearl necklace.
A Cure for the Blues Julie Lamb’s mirror-cut aquamarine ring. By Tina Snyder
Design Heroes Suzy Landa discusses Pat Flynn’s work. By Irina Hawkins
Design Heroes Megan Thorne discusses Lene Vibe’s magical jewelry. By Irina Hawkins
Design Heroes Mimi Favre discusses her favorite designers. By Irina Hawkins
Dream On The 2019 Mystery Box Challenge. By Shawna Kulpa
Evolving Contrasts Annie Koenig explains how she used juxtapositions to create a harmonizing design.
Eyes on the Prize A showcase of the winners of the 2014 MJSA Vision Awards. By Shawna Kulpa and Rebecca Oster Bach
Fanning the Creative Spark Getting into the zone starts with knowing yourself. By Andrea Koenig
Finding Forethought When creating a piece of jewelry, consider the chain and findings as an integral part of your design—not an afterthought. By Shannon L. Brown
Fire and Ice Eva Martin explains how designed her Fire and Ice earrings to give her customer the choice between looks. By Shawna Kulpa
Fit for a Queen Garen Garibian’s royal ring. By Tina Synder
Five Faves: Alex Woo A look at Alex Woo’s top five sources of inspiration.
Five Faves: Anita Sondore A look at Anita Sondore’s top five sources of inspiration.
Five Faves: Chihiro Makio Designer Chihiro Makio shares her top five sources of inspiration.
Five Faves: Erik Stewart A look at Erik Stewart’s top five sources of inspiration.
Five Faves: Rebecca Myers A look at Rebecca Myers’s top five sources of inspiration.
Five Faves: Sydney Lynch A look at Sydney Lynch’s top five sources of inspiration.
Five Faves: Todd Pownell A look at Todd Pownell’s top five sources of inspiration.
Five Faves: Tomasz Donocik Designer Tomasz Donocik shares his top five sources of inspiration.
Flight of Fancy Michael Barin captures nature as art with his silver butterfly ring. By Shannon L. Brown
For the Boys A look at Ryan Roberts’ untitled award-winning ring. By Shannon L. Brown
From the Deep Kent Raible fuses his way to victory with his 18k yellow gold, 20k rose gold, and platinum pendant. By Shannon Brown
Functional Design Designers showcase components as the focus of their designs. By Shawna Kulpa
Garden’s Glory The story behind the creation of JJ Buckar’s Peruvian Wild Flower. By Shannon L. Brown
Get Creative with Belle Brooke Barer Tapping inspiration with Belle Brooke Barer.
Get Creative with Gregoré Morin Tapping inspiration with Gregoré Morin.
Getting Connected Inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge, Erik Stewart crafts Transit. By Shannon L. Brown
Gift from the Sea How the loss of one ring led Aleksandra Vali to create her Le Mirage ring. By Sharon Elaine Thompson
Great Beginnings Getting to know Alishan Halebian. By Irina Hawkins
Great Beginnings Getting to Know Gregoré Morin. By Irina Hawkins
Great Beginnings Getting to know Mark Loren. By Irina Hawkins
Great Beginnings Getting to know Mark Schneider. By Irina Hawkins
Group Effort The inspiring story behind the Matilija Poppy Project. By Tina Snyder
Handle with Care Tips for designing with and setting delicate gemstones.
Here Comes the Sun Finding inspiration with Tomasz Donocik. By Irina Hawkins
High Strung Using beads to create high-fashion designs at lower price points. By Shannon L. Brown
The House that Class Built Finding inspiration with Petra Class. By Irina Hawkins
Imperfect Perfection Alishan Halebian’s sphere is a metaphor for light and life. By Shannon L. Brown
Inspiration Found Announcing the winners of the 2018 MJSA Vision Awards
In the Mood Todd Reed discusses his Aquamarine Cuff bracelet. By Tina Wojtkielo Snyder
Laser Engraving Tips for laser marking and engraving jewelry
Lean and Mean Tips for making thin metal designs safe and strong. By Charles Lewton-Brain
Let It Roar Jonathan Rutledge’s homage to the Ishtar Gate. By Irina Hawkins
Light Show Claudio Pino captures the night sky in Magnificent Stellaire. By Shannon L. Brown
Behind the Design: Lovely Lotus Tony Snodgrass challenges himself with his flower ring. By Irina Hawkins
Lunar Love The story behind Genevieve Yang’s Large Lunar Cycle necklace. By Shawna Kulpa
Lustrous Twist Anil Maloo captures a win with his pearl cage earrings. By Shannon L. Brown
Luxe Looks for Less Tips for creating beautiful designs on small budgets. By Elisabeth Beller
Mad About Color Liz Sabol’s Cheshire Cat necklace. By Tina Snyder
Made for a Renaissance Woman Paul Robilotti’s ode on a Grecian coin. By Irina Hawkins
Making Your Mark Three jewelry companies putting engravers to use as design tools, creating unique and personalized details that help set their jewelry apart. By Shannon L. Brown
Minimalist and Monumental Michael David Sturlin discusses his Ring to Brighten a Rainy Day. By Irina Hawkins
Mirror, Mirror Robin Waynee fabricates a reversible pearl pendant. By Shannon L. Brown
Mon Cheerie A look at the story behind Ion Ionescu’s Pillow for Dreaming, the first-place winning ring in the Evening Wear category of the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards. By Shawna Kulpa
A Nod to the Past Adam Foster’s modern interpretation of an ancient myth. By Irina Hawkins
Night Beauty Craftsmanship is key for Llyn Strong’s wearable art. By Irina Hawkins
Night Light Read about the challenges Adam Neeley faced when creating his Moonlight and Caviar ring, which won first place, Professional Design Excellence, in the 2012 MJSA Vision Awards. By Shannon L. Brown
Off the Beaten Path Crafting jewelry around unusual gemstones. By Tina Wojkielo Snyder
Organic Geometry Sydney Lynch creates a bi-metal organic geometric bracelet. By Shannon L. Brown
The Pendulum Swings Both Ways Kate Hubley’s pendulum earrings. By Irina Hawkins
Perfect Vintage Kelly Liddicoat turns heads with her Swirling Spirits ring. By Shannon L. Brown
Playing Favorites Discover the favorite pieces of four designers—Jason Dow, Emanuela Duca, Elizabeth Garvin, Paula Crevoshay—and the reasons these pieces hold a special place in their hearts. By Shawna Kulpa
Playing Favorites: A Fitting Tribute Catherine and Michael Jensen choose their favorite design
Proud Peacock Katy Briscoe follows her instincts to create Raj. By Shannon L. Brown
Pure Imagination Announcing the winners of the 2017 MJSA Vision Awards
Red Carpet Design Michelle Pajak-Reynolds works her way to the Emmy Awards. By Irina Hawkins
Redefining Balance Cynthia Eid deconstructs her playful Choices necklace. By Irina Hawkins
Rings on the Run Tips for sketching ring designs while on the go. By Rémy Rotenier
A Riveting Tribute Jenny Reeves uses rivets to secure her five-layer, San-Francisco-inspired Argentium silver ring. By Shawna Kulpa
The Right Mix Learn the six key ingredients necessary for designers to create cohesive collections of work that are designed to be sellable. By Cindy Edelstein
The Road Less Traveled Imagination and a few creative detours lead to success for the 2019 MJSA Vision Award winners. By John Shanahan, Shawna Kulpa, Tina Snyder, and Rebecca Oster Bach.
Rock On Leon Megé hits a high note with his Maestro ring. By Shannon L. Brown
Rock-Solid Bonds A look at Cynthia Renée Zava’s Torres del Paine ring.
Creative Design: Seeking Solitude Playing favorites with Dallae Kang. By Irina Hawkins
Shifting Sand Keiko Mita’s earrings reflect her childhood by the sea. By Tina Snyder
A Sneak Peek A look inside Jimin Jung’s Interiority Bangle. By Irina Hawkins
Solo Act Designing a solitaire engagement ring. By Rémy Rotenier
Spiky Sophistication Finding inspiration with Marcia Budet. By Irina Hawkins
Storytelling The story behind the winners of the 2015 MJSA Vision Awards.
Striking a Balance Crafting exquisite jewelry with unique gems. By Alishan Halebian
Striking the Right Note The 2019 MJSA Challenge: Responsibly Sourced Designs
Stuck in a Rut Tips for getting over a creative block. By Shawna Kulpa
Super Model Randy Polk glamorizes stainless steel in his Cover Girl ring.
Taking Flight Finding Inspiration with Zoltan David. By Irina Hawkins
Think Big Jennifer Rabe-Morin makes a statement with a fire agate. By Shannon L. Brown
Think Creative Designers share tales of inspiration. By Irina Hawkins
Time Warp Jason McLeod on the inspiration for his Many Worlds cuff
Tiny Bubbles Bruce Hartman was inspired by the rocky coast of Maine to hand carve a carnelian that is at the center of his award-winning pendant. By Shawna Kulpa
Tips From the Trenches Julie Romanenko shares lessons she’s learned. By Irina Hawkins
Turning Point Ryan Roberts’ foray into CAD proves rewarding in these revolving, award-winning earrings. By Shannon Brown
Under the Sea The ebb and flow of Marie Cabirou’s Swinging Necklace. By Tina Synder
Up to the Challenge The allure of alternative metals. By John Shanahan
Walking a Tightrope The hoops Pierre-Yves Paquette jumped through to complete his Circus, Circus ring. By Shannon L. Brown
Warming Trend The story behind Robin Waynee’s Green Moonstone bracelet. By Sharon Elaine Thompson
Wear It Well Deirdre Featherstone designs convertible color. By Shannon L. Brown
Whom Do You Wear? Barbara Heinrich ruminates on John Iversen’s aesthetic. By Irina Hawkins
A Winged Nymph Dennis Dejonghe rediscovers a gem. By Irina Hawkins
World Class A look at Erik Stewart’s Hollein ring. By Shannon L. Brown
World of Whimsy Behind the creation of Christi Anderson’s Fairy Queen of Keys Castle necklace. By Sharon Elaine Thompson
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