From Warren and
Land of Odds
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May 15, 2025
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Hi everyone,
Some Updates and Things Happening.
(Please share this newsletter)
Some Updates and Things Happening.
(Please share this newsletter)
In this Issue:
1. What Does It Mean To Be A Professional In The Arts?
2. Jewelry Heightens “Tailored For You” Theme of Met Gala
3. INSTORE Design 2025 Awards: Pearls Category
4. How To Be A Social Media Star
5. The Signet Ring
Some articles you may have missed
Featured
1. What Does It Mean To Be A Professional In The Arts?
Continue readiing this article by Ivan Barnett
“The word professional gets tossed around a lot. It shows up on resumes, in bios, on LinkedIn profiles, and in funding proposals. It implies credibility, mastery, and often, innovation. But in the arts, where the boundaries are more fluid and the path less linear, professionalism doesn’t always look the way the wider world expects. It rarely fits neatly into a traditional space. And more importantly, it doesn’t have to.
For more than 25 years, I was creative director at Patina Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico — a space that celebrated contemporary studio jewelry artists working at the highest level of their disciplines. We didn’t represent work that merely looked good under lights. We represented work made with intention, with heart, with soul, and with vision. That was the benchmark for professionalism as I came to understand it: not a title, but a way of being.
Now, through Serious Play, I work with artists, gallerists, and cultural leaders who ask deeper questions. How do I define success on my own terms? How do I grow without losing my center? What does it mean to be a working artist or arts leader right now, in the face of global uncertainty, shifting values, and vanishing support systems?”
Continue readiing this article by Ivan Barnett
As co-founder and creative director of Patina Gallery
2. Jewelry Heightens “Tailored For You” Theme of Met Gala
Read the full article and scroll through all the pictures here.
by Beth Bernstein
“From brooches to statement necklaces and diamonds galore, the Met Gala, which always takes place the first Monday in May, was a veritable feast for the eyes when it came to jewelry and how celebrity guests interpreted the theme of the evening, “Tailored For You.” As always, the theme for the gala left room for creative interpretation — in this case, menswear tailoring and suitings that will be on display as part of Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s exhibition. For 2025, the exhibition is entitled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and is partly inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Miller is a guest curator of the exhibit with the Costume Institute’s curator in charge, Andrew Bolton. The exhibit features a cultural and historical look at Black style and dandyism, which dates to the 18th century. It is the first exhibit to focus exclusively on designers of color. As for the gala, the turnout couldn’t have been more star-studded, with big names from arenas such as film, music and sports.”
Read the full article and scroll through all the pictures here.
3. INSTORE Design 2025 Awards: Pearls Category
4. How To Be A Social Media Star (InStore Magazine, by Eileen McClelland, 5/2025)
“The jewelers finding the most success aren’t just posting sporadically — they’re committing time and resources, experimenting with multiple platforms, and leveraging the unique storytelling capabilities that only video can provide. whether it’s viral videos that rack up six-figure views, educational content about gemstones that builds trust, or behind-the-scenes looks at custom design processes that humanize the business, these retailers are finding that authenticity and creativity drive both engagement and sales.”
It’s a job. You have to devote time to it.
You want to establish expertise. You want to provide a window into your products and services.
You want to recruit and retain customers.
You want to clearly identify your competitive advantage(s).
Video reins supreme.
It all comes down to good storytelling.
5. The Signet Ring
There was a short article in the most recent newsletter (#79) from Klimt02 about signet rings, some history, and some examples of contemporary interpretations.
“Passed down from one family member to another, the signet ring represents clan or family affiliation and carries deep symbolic and historical value. Originally used to authenticate official documents, this iconic jewellery typology has transcended centuries, worn by ancient Egyptian nobles, embraced by religious orders with the renowned Papal Fisherman’s Ring, associated with the mafia in the previous century, and now adopted as a fashion statement by the bling-bling generation. / Cécile Maes”
Square Top Signet Rings by Noam Elyashiv
Du bist so toll by Karl Fritsch
Identity by Zhipeng Wang
Mixed Felings Signet Ring by Stefanie Verhoef
SOME POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
FLUENCY IN JEWELRY DESIGN SERIES:
Is It The Idea Or The Material?
What Does It Mean To Become A Professional?
Essential Questions About Jewelry Design
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS by Warren Feld
Sat, 6/7, 1–4, WIRE WRAPPED CABOCHON PENDANT, Hoamsy, Nashville, Fait La Force Brewery,1414 3rd Ave S, Ste 101, Nashville
Register :https://www.hoamsy.com/experiences/detail/6azTthSZL5h76jCqKjNp
Sat, 6/21, 1–4, PEARL KNOTTING, Hoamsy, Nashville, LC Goat, Germantown, 1220 2nd Ave N
Register: www.hoamsy.com
Sat, 7/19, 9am-Noon, INTRODUCTION TO WIRE WEAVING and MAYAN PENDANT
Middle Tenn Gem & Mineral Society, Donelson Fifty Forward
Registration begins June 21
http://www.mtgms.org/schools.htm
Sat, 7/19, 1–4pm, WIRE WORKING INTRODUCTION and MIX N MATCH BRACELET
Middle Tenn Gem & Mineral Society, Donelson Fifty Forward
Registration begins June 21
http://www.mtgms.org/schools.htm
Sat, 7/26, 1–4pm, WIRE WOVEN MAYAN PENDANT, Hoamsy, Nashville, LC Goat, Germantown, 1220 2nd Ave N
Register: www.hoamsy.com
Sat, 8/16, 9am-Noon, WIRE WRAPPED CABOCHON PENDANT
Middle Tenn Gem & Mineral Society, Donelson Fifty Forward
Registration begins June 21
http://www.mtgms.org/schools.htm
Sat, 8/16, 1–4pm, WIRE WEAVE 2 and SUN PENDANT
Middle Tenn Gem & Mineral Society, Donelson Fifty Forward
Registration begins June 21
http://www.mtgms.org/schools.htm
Sat, 8/23, 1–4pm, WIRE WRAP MIX N MATCH BRACELET, Hoamsy, Nashville, LC Goat, Germantown, 1220 2nd Ave N
Register: www.hoamsy.com
Sat, 9/20, 9am-Noon, LEARN BEAD WEAVING: RIGHT ANGLE WEAVE and CURVY RAW BRACELET
Middle Tenn Gem & Mineral Society, Donelson Fifty Forward
Registration begins June 21
http://www.mtgms.org/schools.htm
Sat, 9/20, 1–4pm, INTRO TO EVEN COUNT, FLAT PEYOTE and JUNGLE FLOWER BRACELET
Middle Tenn Gem & Mineral Society, Donelson Fifty Forward
Registration begins June 21
http://www.mtgms.org/schools.htm
9/15/2025–10/15/2025 Art Jewelry Exhibit at Pryor Gallery, Columbia State Community College
My pieces will be showcased an this exhibit. In the works is a possible Seminar and a beading workshop.
Repairs Stumping You?
Let Me Take A Look
I take in a lot of jewelry repairs. People either bring them to me in Columbia, TN, or, I pick them up and deliver them back in Nashville. I am in Nashville at least once a week. It’s been convenient for most people to meet me at Green Hills Mall. But if not, I can come to your workplace or your home. This is perfectly fine for me. My turnaround time typically is 3–4 weeks.
I do most repairs, but I do not do any soldering. I also do not repair watches. These are the kinds of repairs I do:
o Beaded jewelry
o Pearl knotting, hand knotting
o Size/Length adjustment
o Re-stringing
o Wire work/weave/wrap
o Micro macrame
o Broken clasp replacfement
o Earring repair
o Replace lost rhinestones or gemstones
o Stone setting
o Stretchy bracelet
o Metal working which does not involve soldering
o Bead woven jewelry and purses
o Beaded clothing
o Custom jewelry design
View my How-To-Repair-Jewelry videos on our Jewelry Designers’ Hub.
My most recent how-to: Converting 3-Strand Stretchy Bracelet to Cable Wire W/ Clasp
WARREN FELD JEWELRY (www.warrenfeldjewelry.com)
Custom Design, Workshops, Video Tutorials, Webinars, Coaching, Kits, Group Activities, Repairs
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on my Patreon hub
Be part of a community of jewelry designers who recognize that we have a different way of thinking and doing than other types of crafters or artists.
One free downloadable Mini-Lesson of your choice for all new members!
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shop.warrenfeldjewelry.com
Where you can buy:
Seed Beads and Delicas, Kits, Books, Finished Jewelry
school.warrenfeldjewelry.com
Take advantage of our video tutorials, mini-lessons, projects and our coaching services:
Read articles about jewelry design and about the business of craft:
Articles on Medium.com
Books (in kindle, ebook or print formats) by Warren Feld, purchase from Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com:
Kits by Warren Feld
Ask about my COACHING services
Arrange a GROUP ACTIVITY
Add your email address to my Warren Feld Jewelry emailing list here.
Thanks for being here. I look forward to sharing more resources, tips,
sources of inspiration and insights with you.
Join A Community Of Jewelry Designers
On My Patreon Hub
From Warren and
“I am fascinated with juxtaposition and fluidity of materials. My work is about exploring the aspects of ephemeral impressions and the urbanity of metal. I use precious metals, stones and alternative materials to explore these expressions.”
Using low-tech traditional metal smithing techniques and tools, each piece is created in Lesley’s studio in the tradition of the American Studio Art Jewelry movement of the 1940’s through the 60’s, which dictates that the work is created entirely in the artist’s studio. Her work is hand fabricated using recycled metals and ethically, sustainably-mined gemstones.
SOME POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:CONQUERING THE CREATIVE MARKETPLACE SERIES:
Thanks for being here. I look forward to sharing more resources, tips,
