Press Releases

MJSA Press Book Honored for Publishing Excellence

Published

6 years ago

July 2, 2018

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) The MJSA Press book A Jeweler’s Guide to Apprenticeships: How to Create Effective Programs has won a Silver Award in the technical book category of the 2018 Association Media & Publishing EXCEL Awards competition, which recognizes excellence in association publishing. Written by educator and award-winning jewelry artist Nanz Aalund, the book was published in 2017.

Suitable for shop owners, students, and instructors alike, the 208-page volume provides insights into all aspects of setting up a training program in the shop. It presents easily applied methods for teaching apprentices, as well as advice for finding and choosing suitable candidates. The guide also includes reproducible tests for tool identification and safety procedures, step-by-step projects (with color photos) to hone common skills, and accounts from professional jewelers about their own experiences as apprentices and trainers.

Charles Lewton-Brain, an award-winning author and goldsmith who for many years taught in the Jewellery and Metals Program at the Alberta College of Art & Design in Canada, served as technical editor of the book and wrote the introduction.

A Jeweler’s Guide to Apprenticeships is part of the MJSA Education Foundation’s BEaJEWELER initiative, which seeks to bring “new blood” into the jewelry industry. It’s available for $29.50 on MJSA.org. MJSA members will receive a 15 percent discount. To learn more, e-mail MJSA publisher Rich Youmans, rich.youmans@mjsa.org, or call 1-800-444-MJSA, ext. 3025.

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”