2018 Bench Jeweler Workshop Wrap-Up
At the end of March, Stuller welcomed more than 200 jewelers to the 2018 Bench Jeweler Workshop. The atmosphere was electric! The show floor buzzed with tradeshow-like energy. Live product demonstrations highlighted big brands like Asiga® 3D Printers, Orion™ Laser Welders, and Best Built Engravers, to name just a few. The back to back class schedule included basic diamond grading, social media photography, working with platinum, and many more.
Watch the official Bench Jeweler Workshop 2018 Recap
Meet the Experts
Stuller welcomed industry experts onto the show floor to flex their skills and share their expertise.
Master Engraver Sam Alfano, best known for his intricate designs, precise detail, and flawless execution, demonstrated his talent using a GRS® engraver on the demo floor. Manufacturing Maven Dana Fawbush, known for his custom jewelry designs and manufacturing practices, showed onlookers the ins and outs of setting in platinum. Master Goldsmith Jason Chandler from the Portland Jewelry Academy brought metal forming alive on the show floor using the latest techniques. Goldsmith Kelly Williams, owner of K.W. Goldsmith and creator of Whiplash Designs, exhibited her hand engraving skills in real time. Here’s a sample of her incredible work.
Here is today’s setting and hand engraving demo that I did for the @stullerinc bench jewelers workshop. #benchjeweler #benchpro #stullerbenchpro #handengraved
#handmadejewelry #gemstones #customjewlery #gentsring A post shared by Kelly Williams (@whiplashcowgirl) on Mar 24, 2018 at 3:43pm PDT
The 3rd Annual Battle of the Benches® Competition Begins!
Meet the Contestants
David Adamson Patrick Dobbs Craig Farley Jyothi Forman
Read all about the Battle of the Benches competitors and their extensive skillsets here
Day 1: From CAD to Complete
David Adamson Jyothi Forman Patrick Dobbs
Craig Farley Brian Clark
To enter Battle of the Benches, participants had to submit a qualifying CAD design to catch our attention. Then, to begin the competition, each competitor brought their designs to life in real time. With a crowd of onlookers and distractions at every turn, our five challengers forged stunning masterpieces.
And the winner is . . . Craig Farley
After nearly thirty minutes of deliberation, the judging panel named Craig Farley’s creation the first day’s winner. His contemporary East-West design featured a dazzling oval-cut Swarovski Peridot center stone. The split shank design with beaded and diamond accents landed the top spot. This intricately crafted design was completely on-trend.
Breaking News!
When the competition is live, anything can happen! After an intense first day, defending champion, Jyothi Forman fell sick and couldn’t compete. Enter: Brian Clark, Master Jeweler from All American Jewelry Designers, Inc. The standby competitor was rushed to the show floor to fill Jyothi’s spot. Day 2: Parts & Pieces Challenge
Day two of the 2018 Bench Jeweler Workshop required challengers to build a piece of their choosing from an array of raw materials. The competitors could create their designs using any tools on the demo floor. Equipment ranged from fully-stocked model benches, laser welders, engravers, plating units — everything they needed. Contestants were hard to track down as they whisked about the demo floor completing their tasks. Patrick Dobbs Craig Farley
Brian Clark David Adamson
And the winner is . . . Patrick Dobbs
Having competed in this competition before, Dobbs was able to learn from his experience to improve his performance. After fumbling to complete his piece in the 2016 competition, Patrick knew what was necessary to dominate this year. From the onset, he reminded himself, “make it simple, make it beautiful, make it easy to complete” (especially going up against such talented competitors). His winning design combined an organic form with beaming diamond accents and a large Swarovski Blue Zircon center stone.
Day 3: The Finish Line Challenge
In today’s fast-changing jewelry industry, CAD is arguably the most powerful tool in a jeweler’s workshop. So it’s only appropriate that the final challenge hinged on building a contest-winning CAD design. The instructions read:
“A few weeks ago, the world recently celebrated International Women’s Day. The day recognizes the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. While there are women in our personal lives that have impacted all of us, your task is to create a statement ring, necklace, or bracelet for a well-known, prominent woman.
It can be a historical figure, or someone currently paving the way for future generations to flourish. You can design for any well-known iconic female you choose.”
Patrick Dobbs David Adamson Craig Farley Brian Clark
Each of the competitors came up with a unique design for the iconic lady of their choosing. David Adamson used RhinoGold to create his CAD design, while the other three competitors used Matrix®.
Patrick Dobbs created a contemporary blue sapphire ring for the late Princess Diana. David Adamson designed a piece inspired by unity and togetherness for Michelle Obama. Craig Farley devised an intricately-beaded necklace for the ancient Egyptian ruler Cleopatra. Brian Clark’s creation was in honor of Dolly Parton who pioneered the Imagination Library program.
And the winner is . . . Patrick Dobbs
Patrick set out to create an exciting concept for this project. “I had the hardest time coming up with it [his design]. I came up with it by thinking about the Elton John song [Candle in the Wind]. And that’s where I came up with the whole idea and thought process. Then I was off and running!”
Grand Champion: Patrick Dobbs “It was a tough decision because they were all amazing,” said Battle of the Benches judge, Angela Busby. “The competitors gave their all, and it definitely showed in the final product.” In the end, the judging panel named Patrick Dobbs the 2018 Bench Jeweler Workshop Champion of the Battle of the Benches Challenge.
Special Guests
In Good Company Stuller welcomed Adam Voss and his team to the 2018 Bench Jeweler Workshop to film the fifth iteration of Stuller’s In Good Company mini-series. The film crew shot live demos and interviewed Workshop attendees,including Brian Barnes (pictured above).
Watch the In Good Company mini-series here
Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology Patrick Dobbs represented the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology. Over twenty students visited the 2018 Bench Jeweler Workshop to experience the tools, training, software, and expertise Stuller offers. “I wanted to draw attention to the school — one of the finest jewelry schools in the country,” Patrick explained. “I went to school there, and it’s where I got all my knowledge. I’m on the board and helping with the curriculum. So I just wanted to make sure people were aware of this school still.”
A Special Thanks
A very special thanks to Swarovski Gemstones for donating the stones used in the Battle of the Benches competition.
That’s a wrap — the 2018 Bench Jeweler Workshop was a roaring success! Did you attend? Which seminar was your favorite? How was the experience overall? Tell us in the comment section below.
2017 Bench Jeweler Workshop Wrap-Up
This past weekend, Stuller opened its doors to over 200 jewelers for its Bench Jeweler Workshop. Attendees sat through a multitude of classes touching topics from stone grading and identification, digital technology, product demonstrations and training, and all things in between. Factory tours throughout the weekend gave a glimpse of the facility’s operations and all that Stuller offers. But the main attraction was the 2nd annual Battle of the Benches® competition. Four exceptional bench jewelers exhibited their skill at the bench in an exciting design contest as onlookers watched the competition unfold.
Meet the Contestants
Jonathan Smiddy Meghan Proctor David Adamson Jyothi Forman Day 1: Design
The first challenge centered on creative ideation and CAD design. After given a profile of Crystal Pearl, a fictional client and Hollywood actress searching for the perfect piece to don on the red carpet, participants were asked to design, model, and render a fitting piece of jewelry. Paired with a simple black dress, contestants decided whether to create a ring, necklace or bracelet for their award-winning client. Her stylish inspiration stemmed from New York City, her energetic hometown.
Each contestant took a unique approach to the design. David Adamson used RhinoGold while the other three competitors used Matrix® to tackle the task. The outcome was spectacular! All four jewelers designed red carpet worthy necklaces for Hollywood’s newest starlet.
Jonathan Smiddy Meghan Proctor David Adamson Jyothi Forman
And the winner is.. Jonathon Smiddy
His structurally inspired pendant design perfectly reflected the New York City skyline. The marvelously, intricate design incorporated architecture.
Day 2: Parts & Pieces Challenge
Contestants found an array of materials laid out on the showroom floor. They could choose their materials and use any tools on the demo floor to create a piece of their choosing — no limits. Equipment ranged from fully stocked model benches, laser welders, engravers, plating units — everything they could possibly need. Contestants were hard to track down as they whisked about the demo floor completing their tasks.
Jonathan Smiddy Meghan Proctor David Adamson Jyothi Forman Each engineered a unique project, from David Adamson’s ring with airy scrollwork to Jonathan Smiddy’s dazzling three-stone pendant with bezel set gemstones.
And the winner is.. Jyothi Forman
Her concave brooch featured a rose gold background offset with an asymmetrical flower that could spin on its rivet. The blooming centerpiece included bezel-set spring colored gemstones. “I wanted to create a really warm and inviting piece to represent how I feel about Lafayette,” she explained. “So I created this piece out of rose and white gold with the flower that spins on a rivet.”
Day 3: The Finish Line
Upon entering the Battle of the Benches competition, all contestants submitted a CAD design entry piece. Cast in-house, contestants had to assemble, set, prep and polish to perfection their original entries. Working against the clock, three contestants fashioned highly detailed pendants while Jyothi Forman completed a spectacular sapphire cocktail ring.
Jonathan Smiddy Meghan Proctor David Adamson Jyothi Forman
And the winner is.. Jyothi Forman Jyothi’s unique angle earned her the victory in the final round. The split shank cocktail ring featured dazzling engraving, a beautifully faceted sapphire, and a sculpted flower on the bottom of the band. Jyothi explained, “I took my time. My piece is quite simple, so I wanted to get everything perfect and clean it up beautifully. From the top, it’s quite a simple piece but then looking at the side you see all the beadwork, the engraving, and the detailed flower at the bottom of the ring.”
Grand Champion: Jyothi Forman
Crowned the overall winner of the Battle of the Benches®, our Australian entrant landed in the top spot through her consistent bench performance and her unique, expert approach. “What an honor. It was such fun, I had a really good time here, and that’s what I wanted. Winning is just a bonus,” she gushed. And when asked about the idea of returning next year to defend her title, Jyothi replied, ”That’d be amazing, I’ve had such a good time here, it’s awesome!” Honorable Mention
We’re indebted to this year’s alternate in the Battle of the Benches competition, Marty Collins. When an exhibitor had to back out at the last minute, Marty filled the spot by assembling his CAD entry right on the demo floor. His skillful demonstration made an exceptional addition to the workshop experience — hats off to him!
The Judges are in Town
A very special thanks to our brilliant panel of judges in this year’s competition. “We had difficulty coming to a true consensus in grading the pieces,” Matthew Tratner explained. “Trying to pick a winner from the work in front of us was amazing .” To decide the weekend’s big winner, our judges faced challenging deliberations. Pictured left to right:
• Adrienne Keleher, Stuller’s own Findings Senior Product Manager
• Kevin Kelly of Kevin Kelly Jewelers
• Sharie Fogarty, Executive Administration Manager of Jewelers of America
• Matthew Tratner, Director of Membership & Sales of Jewelers of America and Publisher of National Jeweler
• Peggy Jo Donahue of Donahue Communications
Did you attend Bench Jeweler Workshop this year? Which seminar was your favorite? How was the experience overall? Tell us in the comment section below. For more on Bench Jeweler Workshop 2017 and live videos of the event, visit Stuller.com/workshoplive.
Meet Jyothi Forman – Battle of the Benches® Contestant
Jyothi Forman is a jeweler at Georgies Fine Jewellery in Narooma, New South Wales, Australia. She specializes in hand fabricating custom jewelry. Jyothi, a blossoming 24 years old, grew up in a small regional town called Tanja and went to school in Bega, New South Wales. Outside of work, she loves exploring the outdoors. Mountain biking, playing soccer, painting, and hanging out with her sweet pup, Baxter, are a few of her favorite activities.
“I’ve always been a very practical person and love working in a hands-on manner. In school, I loved ceramics, woodwork, metalwork, and visual arts. When I stumbled upon the jewelry trade, I couldn’t believe my luck! It combines everything I enjoy: practicality, creativity, and an ongoing challenge,” Jyothi explains. “I knew I loved making jewelry since my first day on the bench.” Throughout her apprenticeship, she’s had many amazing opportunities arise. Jyothi has competed in many competitions and represented Australia in the International WorldSkills Competition in Brazil. This honor gave her an unforgettable experience. “Placing second in the world and earning a silver medal was quite a remarkable feat!” she says. “I couldn’t have done it without my supportive, generous boss, Georgie Staley.”
Jyothi Forman’s silver medal standing in the Worldskills International Competition Custom design remains central to Jyothi. It enables her customers to have unique pieces of jewelry that express who they are. “Custom jewelry tells the owner’s story while also reflecting the designer’s gifts. The highly involved process is very rewarding. The customer is delighted with their jewelry because they have contributed to the design,” she says.
For Jyothi, the most challenging jobs are the large, intricate handmade pieces. However, these are also her favorite! “I love a challenge. I love the problem solving and attention to detail, then seeing everything come together at the end into a beautiful piece of jewelry. Every day as a jeweler is different. From resurrecting old family heirlooms to handcrafting brand new ones for future generations. Each day brings about a new challenge, all equally rewarding.”
At the beginning of March 2017, Jyothi married her partner, Mitchell. They’ve been together since high school. He is a watchmaker and both work at Georgies Fine Jewellery. “I’ll forever treasure when he proposed to me with all the materials necessary to make my very own engagement ring: Parti sapphire, diamonds, and raw metal,” she recounts. “From there, I handcrafted my ring from platinum and small accents of green gold. The center stone is a yellow-green Australian Parti Sapphire and side stones are diamonds.” Her beautiful ring is pictured here.
Jyothi and her husband Mitchell have never been to America and are tremendously excited to come over for the competition!
Here are just a few of her awards and recognitions, along with her most prized custom designs-
Nationwide Jewellers Apprentice of the Year – 2013 & 2014 Melbourne Polytechnic Best 2nd year Apprentice Jeweler – 2013 Melbourne Polytechnic Best 3rd year Apprentice Jeweler – 2014 Melbourne Polytechnics Outstanding Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – 2015 Melbourne Polytechnic Outstanding Student of the Year – 2015 Worldskills Australia regional competition, Melbourne – 2013 • Gold Worldskills Australia national competition – 2014 • Gold Worldskills Oceania competition – 2015 • Gold Worldskills International Competition – 2015 • Silver Announced in Triple J’s 25 under 25 2015
This ring was custom designed “This one was very fun to at Georgies Fine Jewellery create, as I had to make the and handmade by Jyothi. It white gold appear woven through features sapphires and the yellow gold band,” Jyothi diamonds in a beautiful, explains. unique gold ring.
We’re gearing up for our annualBattle of the Benches® competition, which begins March 24. Meet David Adamson, the defending champ here.