INSTORE

INSTORE Show Spotlight: Ready for a Bench Challenge – with a Twist?

Published

1 year ago

June 20, 2023

INSTORE Staff

A favorite feature of The SMART Jewelry Show returns — with a twist! Designed in partnership with MJSA, the Bench Pressure Challenge includes two separate challenges – one featuring a mystery box of materials, which our competitors will turn into jewelry that will be displayed at the show. There, they will explain their vision and techniques to the audience. The second challenge will take place on-site where competitors will have just three hours to resize a bypass ring shank, attach differently sized and shaped basket heads to the ring, set the heads with stones and apply a final finish.

Join us for The INSTORE Show August 13-15 in Rosemont to watch the competition live on the show floor. When the challenges aren’t running, the stations will be used by bench jewelers for daily demos where you can learn new techniques and ask questions. Don’t miss all the action.

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”