IA Sum 14 - IA Jewelers Association

IJA Jeweler
The Official Newsletter of the Iowa Jewelers Association
Summer 2014
Volume 25, Number 3
2014 Design Contest Winners Announced
Inside this issue…
President’s Message
2
Board of Directors
2
Associate Ads
Inside
The IJA Annual Jewelry Design Contest was
held on June 21st in Dubuque as part of the
2014 Annual Conference. The competition
categories were changed to match the
Jewelers of America competition held in
January each year during the JANY-Winter
Show. Best of Show & People’s Choice winners received an engraved plaque; all other
winners received a certificate. And the winners, by category, are:
Conference
Highlights
3
JFC Canister
Program
5
Women’s Jewelry up to $2,000
6
Inside
First Place &
Best of Show
Crystal Doland
Doland Jewelers
Davenport
River Bandits
Registration Form
Member Benefits
7
Featured: Lending Library
Happy 90th Birthday
Evelyn Wedel
8
Calendar of Events
IA Jewelers Day at the
River Bandits
August 24
Gates Open: 11:45 a.m.
Game Time: 1:15 p.m.
Davenport, IA
Madison Jewelry Expo
September 13-14, 2014
Marriott Madison West
Middleton, IW
www.madisonjewelryexpo.com
SMART Jewelry Show
April 18-20, 2014
Navy Pier
Chicago, IL
www.smartjewelryshow.com
JCK Las Vegas Show
May 29 - June 1
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Las Vegas, NV
www.jckonline.com/lasvegas
Description: 14 ky custom pendant with
Obsidian:Bronze accented with 18 round
diamonds = .26tw SI2 G/H
Second Place
Jonathan McCoy
McCoyJewelers
Dubuque
Description: Women’s 18k yellow gold band
holding 1.02 ct. round starburst cut mali garnet in prong setting with .20ctw natural white
round brilliant cut accent diamonds in prong
setting on hand stippled shank.
Third Place
Connie Tharp
Fiscus Diamond Jewelry
Ankeny
Description: Natural multi-colored 10-13mm
South Sea Pearl Pendant with fabricated
clasp in 14k white, yellow, red & green gold.
Women’s Jewelry $2,000 - $5,000
First Place &
People’s Choice
Jaimi Kiger
Grunwald & Kiger Fine
Jewelers, Mason City
Description: 14kt 2-tone diamond earrings,
bezel set with one round .50ct irradiated
blue diamond & .26 ct tw white diamonds.
Earrings dangle & swivel.
Second Place
Jonathan McCoy
McCoyJewelers
Dubuque
Description: 18k recycled white gold band
with bezel set 2.11 ct antique cushion cut
enhanced clarity, brown diamond with
irregularly sized mélange of natural colored
brilliant cut round diamonds on hand
hammered shank.
Women’s Jewelry over $5,000
First Place
Dan Grunwald
Grunwald & Kiger Fine
Jewelers, Mason City
Description: 14kt 2-tone pendant with 5
channel set diamonds down center, weighing
.02, .02, .04, .07, .07 & one brown oval
diamond weighing 1.63 ct.
The Iowa Jewelers Association would like to
congratulate all participants in the 2014 contest - what an excellent show of talent and
fine workmanship!
Mark your 2015 calendar for June 27th and
get started on your entry today!
Summer 2014
IJA JEWELER
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IJA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
From the President. . . .
Willie McGivern
President
Iowa Jewelers
Fellow Jewelry Professionals, President
not plan on attending the RJO show coming up in Minneapolis, MN on August 16th‐18th? If you are a member of RJO, take advantage of this wonderful event. This is a great op‐
portunity to see what is new and exciting in the jewelry industry as well as glean some great information to take back to your store employees. After all folks, we work hard all year for the five weeks prior to Christmas! Thanks to everyone who attended the 2014 IJA Annual Conference in Dubuque. The golf tournament was great, with beautiful weather….a little warm, but hey I’m not going to complain about it being too hot after this past winter. We were fortunate this year to have such excellent and infor‐
mative speakers. Congratulations to the winners in each category of the jewelry design contest (see front page). I was im‐
pressed by the craftsmanship and creativity of all the pieces. Closer to home, why not join us for a day at the River Bandits at the beautiful Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport on Sunday, August 24th. The River Bandits are a great team and always exciting to watch! The gates will open at 11:45 a.m. and the game starts at 1:15 p.m. Bring your staff for a relaxing Sunday afternoon at the ballpark, tickets are just $10. The Madison Jewelry Expo on September 13th‐14th in Middleton WI is another great event you don’t want to miss. Please mark your calendars today At the annual banquet, Howard Wilshire of and join us for one or all of these upcoming events. Wilshire Jewelers in New Hampton, was presented with the President’s Award. Learn all you can, because knowledge is Howard has made a significant mark in the power. The salesmen are now doing their jewelry industry for a long time and it was fall runs and as they come into your shop, truly an honor to present him with this please thank them for all they do for our award. Congratulations also to Ed Bacon Jr. profession and the Iowa Jewelers Associa‐
who was inducted into the IJA Society of tion. If they are an Associate Member, Fellows. It was a great honor as he has really thank them for the time and the proved to the jewelry industry that he be‐ monies that support our association. And, longs in this prestigious society. His son if they’re not a member, why not encour‐
accepted the award on his behalf. age them to join; call the IJA office and they The dog days of summer have begun and now is the time to starting thinking about the holiday season, reflect on what you did last season, what worked and what didn’t. After all, there’s only a little over 20 more weeks til Christmas. As the biggest selling time for jewelers a lot of thought should go into what was a hit last year and what you can do to increase your traffic. Perhaps a different type of advertising medium, maybe bring in a hot, new line, or a gift for your customers! It is not too late to come up with something creative that will drive customers through your doors and increase your sales. Why will be glad to send out an information bro‐
chure. Always an Irishman, Willie McGivern, President Iowa Jewelers Association WILLIE MCGIVERN
McGiverns Fine Jewelry & Gifts
(563) 355-4362
1st Vice President
NOEL FISCUS
Fiscus Diamond Jewelers
(515) 964-9098
2nd Vice President
WILL DOLAND
Doland Jewelers
(563) 326-1847
Secretary
NANCY KUHL
J.H. Revell Jewelers & Goldsmiths
(563) 359-8856
Treasurer
JAIMI KIGER
Grunwald & Kiger Fine Jewelers
(641) 423-5116
Past President
CHUCK KUBA
Iowa Diamond
(515) 246-8070
Directors
KATE DICKENS
Herteen & Stocker, Inc.
(319) 338-4212
STEVEN GINSBERG
Ginsberg Jewelers
(319) 363-3563
BILL HAMMEN
Bill’s Jewelry, Inc.
(641) 236-1008
Tom Keleher
Keleher’s Jewelry
(319) 465-3640
CAROLINE NELSON
Carrick’s Hallmark
(712) 262-4145
ALAN YEGGE
Artisan’s Jewelry Design
(515) 243-4112
Sales Representatives
LAURIE BROWN
Endless Jewelry USA
(402) 657-4033
RICK KUPFER
Camelot Bridal
(800) 535-3501 Ex. 748
GREG O’DONNELL
Diamond Emotions/Endless Designs
(952) 334-1082
Executive Director
NANCY FISCHER
P.O. Box 6192
St. Cloud, MN 56302-6192
(320) 654-6775 or (800) 669-8547
Fax: (320) 253-3324
Email: info@IAjewelers.org
Website: www.IAjewelers.org
Summer 2014
IJA JEWELER
PAGE 3
Annual Conference Highlights!
The 2014 IJA Annual Golf Outing and Conference was held After dinner, President Willie McGivern
on June 20-22 at the Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark in addressed the group and presented
Dubuque.
the IJA Presidential Award to Howard
Wilshire of Wilshire Jewelers in
The group gathered Friday for the annual Golf Outing held New Hampton. The award is considat the Lacoma Golf Course, where 17 golfers enjoyed a
ered the highest honor of distinction
Team Scramble and a beautiful day of play; some of them
given by the association. Pictured (L
even golfed well!
to R) Willie, Howard & Marty Wilshire.
The day wrapped up with some participating in a sunset
The IJA Society of Fellows Award
dinner cruise and others staying back to socialize in the
followed, which was established
President’s Suite.
to honor individuals who have
Saturday it was back to business as the Board convened
made a significant impact on the
for a morning meeting and jewelers spent the afternoon
jewelry industry in Iowa. The 2014
attending presentations from Rob Williams, Entrepreneuraward went to Ed Bacon, Jr. post
ship Outreach at the UNI followed by a Jewelers Round
humously, of Bacon Jewelers in
Table.
Boone. His son, Ed Bacon, III,
accepted the award on his behalf.
The evening brought the Traveler’s Display & Social along
Pictured (L to R) Willie, Ed & Carol Bacon
with the Annual Banquet & Awards Program. The Jewelry
Design Contest was also held and entries were on display Mark your calendar now for the 2015 Annual Conference
for the popular vote on the “People’s Choice” award.
scheduled for June 26-28; watch for details as they unfold.
Summer 2014
IJA JEWELER
PAGE 4
Summer 2014
IJA JEWELER
PAGE 5
DOES YOUR STORE HAVE A CANISTER ON THE COUNTER?
The Jewelers for Children (JFC) canister program is a
great way for your company to support JFC and to
involve your employees and customers. The attractive
canister and plexiglas stand are available, free of
charge, to anyone who would like to participate in the
program.
Jewelers can invite customers to make donations with
the proceeds going to support programs such as:
~ St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
~ Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
~ Make-A-Wish ® America
~ National CASA Association.
For more information on JFC and the canister program, call 212-687-2949 or visit
their website at www.jewelersforchildren.org.
Are you a manufacturer, supplier, sales rep, watchmaker, individual or retired jeweler interested in joining as a member of the Iowa Jewelers Association? Check out the Members page at www.IAjewelers.org to download an application. Or, email us at info@IAjewelers.org, call us at 1‐800‐669‐8547 with any questions or to receive membership information in the mail. Summer 2014
IJA JEWELER
PAGE 6
Let’s Play Ball - Double Hitter for Iowa Jewelers
Store Owners, Managers, Employees and Guests, please join us as the River Bandits
go up against the Cedar Rapids Kernel’s on Sunday August 24th.
2nd Annual “Day at the River Bandits”!
Sunday, August 24th vs. Cedar Rapids
Game time 1:15 p.m.
Tickets: $10.00 each
A special thanks to Suite Sponsor:
Sharon Swanson
Riddle’s Jewelry - Davenport
Tickets available in the Suite, on a first come-first serve
basis. Suite attendees will also partake in complimentary food and a cash bar. Kids 3 and under are free.
Overflow seating reserved in the Upper Box.
A registration form is enclosed in this newsletter and is
also available on our website at www.IAjewelers.org.
A special thanks to committee members …
 Nancy Kuhl, J. H. Revell Jewelers & Goldsmiths
 Willie McGivern, McGiverns Fine Jewelry & Gifts
 Sharon Swanson, Riddle’s Jewelry
Hurry! Registration deadline is August 20th!
Highlights from Day at the Iowa Cubs
Committee members Noel Fiscus, Fiscus Diamond
Jewelers and Tricia Heimke of Iowa Jewelers Supply said
a GREAT time was had by all. Attendees came from as
far away as Clinton, Kansas City and St. Paul and the
weather was PERFECT!
Summer 2014
IJA JEWELER
2014 Membership Dues:
PAGE 7
$105 first store; $75 each additional location
Dues billed annually, covering January through December
IJA Member Benefits:
 Annual Conference & Golf Outing  Federated Insurance Programs
 Membership Certificate
 Annual Membership Directory
 FedEx Jewelry Shipping Program  Quarterly Newsletter Service
 Education
 Jewelry Design Contest
 Security First! Alert Service
 Legislative
 Trade Shows
- GIA Discounts
- Lending Library
- Seminars
Featured Benefit: Lending Library
Do you realize that there’s only a little over 20 more weeks till Christmas? As the biggest selling time for jewelers, this is
an excellent time of year to gather your employees at weekly or monthly staff meetings to brush up on those critical sales
and customer service skills. Or, to offer a quick review of information on diamonds, pearls or colored stones.
The Iowa Jewelers Association offers a variety of training options – from the seminars offered at the Annual Conference,
self study courses on certification to in-house training courses using our Lending Library. The Lending Library includes
many opportunities for education via DVD’s, videotapes, audiotapes and books that are excellent training tools for all of
your store employees. The content of the tapes range from product knowledge to sales skills to store security. In addition, there are tapes that feature various bench techniques demonstrated by Master Bench Jewelers.
The material is available to IJA members free of charge and to non-members for a nominal cost.
For more information on any of our Member Benefits, or to obtain a complete Lending Library list and order form, contact the IJA office at 800-669-8547 or email us a info@IAjewelers.org. You can also download a copy by going to the
Members page of our website at www.IAjewelers.org and clicking on the link under Education - Lending Library.
I O W A J E W E L E R S AS S O C I A T I O N
P.O. Box 6192
St. Cloud, MN 56302-6192
320-654-6775 or 800-669-8547
Website: www.IAjewelers.org
Email: info@IAjewelers.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Registration Form Inside!
Iowa Jewelers Day at
the River Bandits
90t
h
N
EVELY
It has been brought to our attention that Evelyn Wedel, past owner of Iowa Jewelers Supply, is turning 90 in September. Evelyn's family is asking for your help in getting as many birthday wishes to her as possible. You can do so by mailing a card, sending an email, or calling her personally. We know she will really enjoy hearing from dear friends and colleagues on this very special milestone! Evelyn Wedel/Kathy Herzog 14801 E. Summerfield St. Wichita, KS 67230 Email: kathy.herzog@gmail.com Phone: 316‐866‐2099