Midwest Chapter
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Eastern Wisconsin
875 N Michigan Ave
Suite 2848
Chicago, IL 60611
Telephone: 312.787.8588
Email: rthuston@circajewels.com
Become a member today!!
Midwest Chapter Board of Directors
President: Ruth Thuston
Immediate Past President: Ellie Thompson
Vice President: Renee Barry
Treasurer: Merrill J. Essex
Secretary: Linda Nerad
Communications Chair: Renee Barry
Advertising: Ellie Thompson
Newsletter: Renee Barry
Public Relations: Julie Schwalbe
Marketing: Susanne Siegel
Membership Co-Chairs: Laurie Watt and Ashley Chan
Mentorship Chair: Penny Ruston
Historian: Mila Samokhina
Programs Co-Chairs: Denise Hartman, Alison Neumann, and Susanne Siegel
Members at Large: Anne Brett and Jean Arger
Webmaster: Katie Hammond
Click Here to Be Added to the Email Mailing List!
Ongoing Networking
Chew, Chat and Chill, “the 3 C’s” Now in Chicago AND Oak Brook
6:00-8:30 pm
First Wednesday Evening of Every Month - APRIL 7
Cash Bar - no RSVP or WJA membership required
Drop in as you can and bring friends!
Frankie’s Scaloppine
900 North Michigan Av, 5th floor
Chicago, IL 60611
312-266-2500
Click Here for Restaurant Information
Braxton Seafood Grill
3 Oakbrook Center
Oak Brook, IL
630.574.2155
Click Here for Restaurant Information
Please contact Renee Barry for further information.
Upcoming Chapter Events
April 24, 2010
Smart Show Event
May 11, 2010
Membership Celebration Dinner
July 21, 2010
Concert in the Park
September 27, 2010
Diana Singer Lecture
December 2010
Holiday Party
Past Chapter Events
February 17, 2010
Tucson Show Gem Review
Mallers Building
5 S Wabash, 18th floor
6:00pm
Richard Drucker & Stuart Robertson of Gemworld International will present their popular post Tucson trends and pricing.
$30 per WJA member | $40 per non-member
Cash wine bar, Buffet dinner & dessert
RSVP Denise Hartman 312-759-8777
denise_hartman@hotmail.com
Tuesday January 12, 2010
Get Your Head Shot!
A members only opportunity to get a new headshot at a great price. Makeup and Hair by our own Mila Samokhina
Photography by Yakov Strelchim
Mallers Building
5 S Wabash, 18th floor
Book your session between 4:30-9:30pm
$90 per person
RSVP Denise Hartman 312-759-8777
denise_hartman@hotmail.com
Monday December 7, 2009
Chicago Area Jewelry Associations Holiday Party
Wildfire 159 W Erie Street Chicago, IL
6:30-10pm
A holiday tradition filled w/ fun, food and friends
$30 per person Cash Bar, Fantastic Dinner
RSVP Gary Dolinko 847-298-0010 x331
gary@msrr.net
June 15, 2009
Lizzadro Museum Night
Drinks & hors d'oeuvres 5:30-9 p.m.
Enlighten yourself: Lecture on Scottish Jewelry 7 p.m.
220 Cottage Hill Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
WJA Midwest Membership Celebration
Congratulations to the following Women’s Jewelry Association Midwest Chapter members who received awards at the Membership Celebration on May 12 at Chicago’s Cliffdweller’s Club:
Lifetime Achievement Award – presented to Ida Lessman for her achievements and dedication to the jewelry business for the last 75+ years
Rising Star – Katie Hammond of Trabert & Hoeffer, Jewels
New Entrepreneur of 2009 – Mila Samokhina of her own La Mila, Inc.
Women Making a Difference – Ruth Thuston of Circa, and Julie Schwalbe of Forever Facets, Inc.
Shining Star – Denise Hartman of N. Green & Son
On the event, Julie Schwalbe commented “From the many new, young members to those who have been in the jewelry business for a long time, it was clear to see that age does not matter to the members of WJA. Lots of laughs, hugs, and congratulations were exchanged and it was obvious that everyone in attendance truly loves being part of this membership.”