Shining Stars 2010

DC
Liz Emrich

Liz Emrich is the founder of Liz Emrich Designs, and creates sterling silver jewelry that is bold, earthy and symbolic, that gives a woman the power to tell her story. A self-taught designer and craftsman, Liz Emrich originally began creating jewelry as a form of private self-expression while she pursued a career as an attorney.  She also spent significant time and effort researching the history of jewelry design, particularly the jewelry of medieval and renaissance Europe.

As her interest progressed, she took classes at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia to build her knowledge of construction and casting.  Liz very quickly found that her heart was more in crafting metal and stone than in pushing papers around, and gave up her legal practice in 2000 to pursue more creative options.  After serving as an intern in the Design Center Pavillion at JCK, Liz founded Agincourt Designs in 2003, which later became Liz Emrich Designs in 2006. 

Initially focusing on one-of-a-kind wirework designs, Liz soon began developing plans for a line of sterling silver casted pieces in 2007. Her jewelry, which focuses on the power of symbols to tell personal stories, has done well in local boutiques in Virginia and has appeared in the pages of Modern Jewelry.  She has been active in the Women in Jewelry Association for several years, helping to found the DC chapter in 2008. Her long-awaited premiere line of sterling silver jewelry debuts in March 2010.

New England
Kerilyn Rodi

Kerilyn Rodi has over 19 years experience in the jewelry industry and has been associated with several Rhode Island manufactures. Kerilyn began her career journey in the industry in 1991 at T. Sardelli & Sons Inc., an internationally known company that manufactures earrings and various jewelry products.  She worked her way up the corporate ladder no matter what challenges or tasks she faced.  Kerilyn was ready to solve any and all problems.

Continuing her successful career, an opportunity presented itself at Armburst Chain where Kerilyn developed over the next six years.  Now a customer service manager at Providence Chain, one of the largest jewelry chain manufacturing companies in the world, she continues executing top level customer service. You may see Kerilyn in New York, Las Vegas, or Hong Kong at the many trade show she attends.

Kerilyn joined the New England Chapter of WJA in 2006 and immediately wanted to participate. Taking over the reins as chairman of the membership committee, she has been a valuable asset; working with her team, increasing membership by 30%.  

Kerilyn is personable and has high integrity and energy which has been an asset to WJA.
Kerilyn a native of Rhode Island is a member of the Providence Jewelers Club and enjoys reading, and shopping while caring for her two dogs, Caito and Neve, and an Amazon Parrot, Jack.

Metro
Karen Janowski

Karen Janowski has been working in the jewelry industry for 25 years in a number of positions.  Unlike most people who grew up around a family business she wandered into it accidentally after graduating from SUNY Buffalo as a psychology major.  She began her jewelry career working with her father at Tishman & Lipp, a manufacturer of high end jewelry and watches where she had responsibilities in sourcing, sales and marketing.  She has been a wholesaler, colored stone buyer and seller, and diamond broker. For nine years she worked as Vice-President of Janos Consultants with her husband Ben on numerous consulting projects in the industry and as Director of Diamond Vision Services, a high quality digital photography service for the jewelry designers and manufacturers. 

In 2007 she joined Tiffany & Co. as a sales professional on the Main Floor in the flagship store. She has served on the board of the Metro Chapter since its inception as Treasurer, Vice-President and became Co-President beginning 2010.

Northern California
Kathy Loewenstern

Born to modest Texas beginnings, Kathy Loewenstern chucked the accent and cowboy boots to pursue the exciting life of a corporate executive.

Inspired during boring meetings, Kathy developed her first jewelry dreams watching others fiddle and fidget with their jewelry, pens, cell phones and anything else within fingers' reach. She formed her vision of jewelry that was playful, yet appropriate to wear to the office or out on the town. After years of sketching, taking classes, and dreaming, she had the opportunity and guts to pursue her dream and launched kathylo rocks, LLC. The company's smash hit lines of playful fine jewelry are now sold in over 500 stores.

Headquartered in San Francisco, kathy lo rocks, LLC is a team of talented, diverse and occasionally irreverent artists. Each is uniquely talented and all our dedicated to providing outstanding customer service. Thank you for supporting our cause.

Midwest
Merrill Essex

Merrill Essex is co-owner of Essex Antiques & Collectibles, Ltd., a full-service estate settlement and transition management business serving the greater Chicago area. Merrill has spent the past five years implementing her career in gemology and estate jewelry from her prior life as an MBA marketing consultant. While completing her G.G., Merrill worked part time in the fine jewelry department of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, gaining experience with estate jewelry and timepieces. Shortly after receiving her G.G. in May, 2006, she joined luxury jeweler, Razny Jewelers, as in-house gemologist and appraiser.

With her heart in the estate business, in late 2007, Merrill rejoined EAC fulltime and became a Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.  Merrill handles all estate valuations, fine jewelry appraisals, and the disposition of fine jewelry from the estates her company liquidates. She enjoys this field tremendously because it combines the elements of beauty, analytical challenge and a people orientation. She has given numerous presentations on estate jewelry and the disposition process for clients, civic societies and not for profit organizations.

As an entrepreneur, Merrill feels it is important to be open to new opportunities which are slightly beyond reach in order to gain new skills, make new contacts and remain competitive in a changing market.  WJA has played a key role in providing these opportunities through continuing education, networking, support and friendship. In 2007 and 2008, Merrill served on the Conference Committees for the WJA Midwest’s Women in the Know Conferences. In 2008, she became Treasurer for the WJA-Midwest Chapter.  She has used her entrepreneurial approach to modernize the treasury function, the basis for this recognition. This year, with the benefit of a 2009 WJA Member Grant, Merrill will continue her appraisal education at NAJA. She looks forward to continuing her commitment to WJA, as well as to mentoring others.

Merrill participates in a variety of charitable causes which provide food to local soup kitchens, and meals to the homebound, including the Chicago Food Depository, Campus Kitchens and the Weight Watchers’ Lose for Good program. Merrill is on the Board of the Raven Theatre in Chicago. She volunteers with the Evanston History Center, and the National Cancer Society Relay for Life. She is a member of the GIA Alumni Association, the Pearl Society, Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School Alumni Group and the Kellogg Executive Women’s Network.

San Diego
Kimberly Vagner

Kimberly Vagner has been in the jewelry industry for eight years. She received her bachelor's degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University. Half way through school she decided she wanted to go a different route than politics, and become a gemologist. To learn more about the field, she started volunteering in the mineral sciences department of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History.  Surrounded by boxes and binders full of slides she set to work cataloging their image collection.  After graduating she moved to San Diego where she got a job working at GIA and started taking their distance education courses in gemology. In 2005 she obtained her G.G.

She still works at GIA, in the museum, where she assists the curator.

Kim is an active board member of the San Diego Women's Jewelry Association chapter.  She served as events co-chair the past two years, and is currently marketing co-chair.

Mid-Atlantic
Kalli Nicholas Haeflein

Kalli Nicholas-Haeflein is a Pennsylvania artist who works from her studio nestled in the Bucks County countryside, surrounded by nature.  She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art and a second major in Fashion Design from the University of Delaware.  Kalli is the owner of WinterberryCards.com a handmade greeting card company founded in January 2000.  When designing her cards she draws heavily on her experience working in the jewelry industry.  She works in multimedia and specializes in watercolor painting, pen & ink and an inventive layering technique, of her own design, using handmade papers.  Her intent is to create just the right tone or mood for the sender and the recipient.  Each card is original and proudly made in the USA.  Unlike mass-produced cards, all cards are handmade, unique and no two are exactly the same. Recipients often view the card as a special gift and as art suitable for framing. She is also a mother and accomplished jewelry designer. 

Twin Cities
Kathy Bernu
 
Success in business is both a goal and an adventure I’ve found humbling and rewarding.  When I left the University of Minnesota as a young and enthusiastic goldsmith, I mistakenly thought that all I needed were a few tools and some paying clients.  Lacking the proper work space, ventilation, and silver solder without cadmium, I became ill with cadmium poisoning.  After a lengthy illness I was forced to give up my torch and design for other jewelers. I did that for a number of years before becoming Creative Director for a graphic company. 

In 1993, I joined a colleague and together began a company called Christian Family Jewelers.  We sold to Christian Book Stores and Gift Catalogs.  During this time I was also going through a significant period of grief; having lost two important people in my life.  My youngest child was an infant so my design time was limited to the early hours of the morning.  One of those mornings I found myself drawing the simple shape of a tear and was surprised by how emotional I became. I was overwhelmed that grief had overtaken even my pencil.  There was a drawing of a rose from another design close by; I placed it over the tear and realized I was looking at a symbol of both love and loss.  It didn’t look like a jewelry design although I desperately wanted it to be- so I made just one.  I studied the drawing for days and thought of the passage from Scripture - “love never ends”.  I was struck by the reality that love is the one virtue that lives on into eternity.  The symbol became consoling because there was something death could never take.

I never intended to share this small symbol or the story behind it, it was too personal- but the need seemed too great.  In 2001, I bought out my business partner and reincorporated under Kathy Bernu Design, Inc. dba Christian Family Jewelers, Inc. I have a license agreement with Stuller who offers the Memorial Tear® to the jewelry industry.  To date, we have sold over 700,000 pieces in the Memorial Tear® line. We have received numerous notes and absorbed many stories and tears of those who grieve and look for ways to honor and remember a love they still cherish.

Rocky Mountain
Katherine Gramas G.G., G.I.A.

Katherine Thoma-Gramas, G.G.  is currently the Merchandise Manager for MJ Christensen Diamonds and has been a member of the W.J.A. since 2008.

Her interest in the jewelry industry started at age eleven when her mother and step-father owned a small antique business. They taught her how to recognize valuable watches and jewelry as well as determine if the pearls and gemstone were genuine. Her career began soon after in high school when she started working for local gemologist Paul Reussille in Red Bank NJ, whose passion inspired her to get the same credentials.

After working for Whitehall jewelers as an assistant manager, Kat enrolled at G.I.A. in Carlsbad CA and earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma is 1998.  Following that, she was the buyer for Leo Hamel and Company in San Diego and in 2000 moved back to NYC to accept a position with Tiffany and Company in the Gem Acquisition department. She continued with TCO in various retail locations including Short Hills, South coast Plaza and Fashion Valley until 2006 when her husband was transferred to Dallas TX. While there, she worked for the Zale Corporation in the QA department until they moved in late 2007 to Las Vegas NV where they now reside with their six dogs.

Kat and her husband regularly volunteer with the children at a local shelter and have become involved with other community charities.  She also spends time designing and creating jewelry as well as other handmade items.  After a previous membership with the San Diego Gem and Mineral Society, she has recently joined the Southern Nevada Gem and Mineral Society to improve her lapidary skills. Her last nineteen years in the industry have been filled with beautiful gemstones, fabulous jewelry and memorable relationships.  Each position she has held has increased her knowledge and strengthened her love of the business.

Pacific Northwest
Sandra Jerde

In 2004, I started at Ben Bridge Jeweler’s Corporate Office in the Special Orders Department and I had no idea what the difference was between CARAT and KARAT. Meg Seyler (our current chapter president) was working for Ben Bridge in the Quality Control Department at this time and ‘took me under her wing.'

I am now very close to completing my GIA studies, culminating in my Graduate Gemologist title.  I also have my Registered Jeweler title through the American Gem Society (AGS) and my ultimate goal is to receive the title of Certified Gemologist Appraiser.

Meg invited me to the WJA chapter meetings. I like the fact that we can meet with other industry professionals and share ideas and experiences with one another. It was very helpful for me being new to the industry to hear stories from some of the women who have been in the industry for many years.

I am now in charge of the Communications for our WJA chapter. I send the newsletters and Evite invitations to our members keeping them up to date and letting them know about different events going on in our area.

LA (co-Shining Star)
Judi Shechter

A Graduate Gemologist with more than 34 years experience in the industry, Ms. Shechter began accumulating her extensive knowledge of the industry and gemstones during eight years of work as a manager, buyer, and appraiser for a fine jewelry store in Los Angeles.

Ms. Shechter held a number of positions during her 24 years with GIA, including gemology instructor, distance education manager, and manager of the nationally acclaimed GIA bookstore and Liaison for Education, Corporate Sales and Trade Associations. She also worked closely with the developers of several gemology and jewelry courses and programs for the Institute.

During her career with GIA, Ms. Shechter coordinated with trade organizations such as the Jewelers of America, American Gem Trade Association, National Pawn Brokers Association, and JCK.  In this capacity, Ms Shechter worked with the American Gem Society, where she assisted in the creation of their educational programs; the Independent Jewelers Organization, where she helped develop the Master Jewelers program and arranged educational seminars; and the World Gold Council, where she co-authored and presented the first Gold Seminar.  Ms. Shechter has been on the GIA Career Fair committee since its beginning specifically in the organization of the Career Coaching sessions. 
In the three years immediately before rejoining GIA, Ms. Shechter was Operations Manager of MVI Marketing Ltd. in Beverly Hills. The company does marketing and consulting exclusively in the jewelry, gem, and watch industry. One of Ms. Shechter’s efforts there was working with Indo Argyle Diamond Council to elevate that organization’s position in the U.S. market.

Judith has been a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the WJA for 17 years and has served on the board as co-President 2006-2007 Los Angeles Chapter, the Scholarship and Grant committee, DIVA Design Competition committee and was co-chair for the Los Angeles Chapter Program and Event committee.  She co-chaired the inaugural Los Angeles Women in the Know conference in 2007. Ms. Shechter is on the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California board of directors, is a member of the American Gem Society and holds the G.G., C.G. and A.J.P. diplomas.

LA (co-Shining Star)
Veronica Clark-Hudson

Veronica Clark-Hudson began her career working as a computer analyst-instructor and marketing representative for IBM corporation.  After relocating to Hong Kong for seven years, she taught English in the upper division at Hong Kong International School. Returning to the U.S. east coast, she freelanced before working again as a computer analyst on the 1984 ABC TV Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. After graduating from the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, Veronica entered the jewelry industry where she has worked for the last twenty-two years; first as assistant manager of the jewelry department at a chain store, then as assistant store manager at a satellite store. In 1989 Veronica began a career at GIA teaching various traveling gemology classes. She then worked in GIA’s marketing department where she developed and managed a new sales department. In 1997 she launched, then developed, the Los Angeles branch of GIA where she directed day-to-day operations for nearly twelve years. Currently, Veronica is a freelance trainer and consultant.

Veronica has been an active member of the Women’s Jewelry Association for seventeen years. She served on the LA Chapter Board of Directors, as past chapter co-President, past Program co-chair, on the Scholarship/Grants and Diva Design competition committees.  Veronica also served as co-chair of the inaugural west coast Women in the Know conference. She has been a member of the Jewelers 24Karat Club of Southern California Board of Directors and American Gem Society. Veronica received the prestigious GIA “Staff Member of the Year” award and is currently active in the GIA Alumni Association. In addition, she has been a volunteer coach at GIA Career Fair and is a volunteer at the Special Olympics Southern California.

Southwest
Sissy Jones

Sissy Jones started Sissy’s Log Cabin in 1970 in a 900 square foot log cabin that she rescued from demolition for her antique store.  When people came in and sold her old watch slides she developed the slide bracelet and has made history.  With the birth of her new trade she jumped from antiques to jewelry although her first love is still antiques.  Sissy has studied at the Gemological Institute of America in California, McCarthy Jewelry Design School in Mena, Trenton Jewelry/ Goldsmith School in Memphis and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.  She is also a licensed appraiser of antiques and antique jewelry.

As Sissy has proved there is nothing ordinary about her or Sissy’s Log Cabin.

Sissy’s Log Cabin

“Life’s too short for ordinary jewelry.”  The slogan says volumes about Sissy Jones and the business she founded in Pine Bluff 35 years ago.

From a one-woman, 900 square-foot antique store, Sissy’s has grown to become the state’s largest independent jewelry store, with 32 employees, including several family members, son Bill Jones and daughter Ginger Cheatham. 

Sissy’s Log Cabin is much more that its namesake these days, filling 12,000 square feet.  Fifty three showcase display fine jewelry, including the store’s signature slide bracelets, diamonds and exquisite fine jewelry; along with a wide selection of timepieces.  Popular brands include Rolex, Cartier, LAGOS, Mikimoto, and Judith Ripka with several other designs of interchangeable earrings and enhancers.

In addition, Sissy’s staff designs and makes original jewelry for customers around the world.  Bill Jones has won the National Jewelry Design Award in the past.  They also carry unique items like baby and bridal gifts, antiques and decorating items.

Antiques are still Sissy’s love, but she decided to make the jump from antiques to jewelry and threw herself into her adopted craft with enthusiasm.  She has studied at the Gemological Institute of America in California.  McCarthy Jewelry Design School in Mena, Trenton Jewelry/Goldsmith School in Memphis and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.  She is a licensed appraiser of antique jewelry.

Sissy’s staff, called her “working family,” includes eight full-time goldsmiths which have won several design awards, a graduate gemologist, lapidarist, master watchmaker, a professional sales and personal service team and in-house ad agency.

“Life’s too short not to envision your dreams and realize your vision” could be an alternate slogan for Sissy’s Log Cabin and its founder.  Whether designing jewelry, selling antiques or assembling a staff, Sissy Jones has always surpassed expectations.