(PRESS RELEASE) LAFAYETTE, LA – Stuller’s annual event for bench jewelers, Bench Jeweler Workshop, is returning to its global headquarters in Lafayette, LA, on March 22 and 23, 2019.
“Workshop is the ultimate educational and networking event for bench jewelers,” said Tammy Lail, vice president of tools and metals. “This event brings hundreds of bench jewelers together in one place, to learn from each other, as well as industry pros.”
The two-day event will host a variety of Stuller and industry experts presenting hands-on demos and in-depth training and classes.
Some of the new classes, demos and tours include:
- Basic Jewelry Sizing
- Diamonds and Gemstones Private Tours
- Social Media Uncovered
The fourth annual Battle of the Benches competition will also take place on the demo floor.
“This year, three exceptional bench jewelers will be selected to compete against defending champion Patrick Dobbs, in a real-time design contest,” said Lail. “The contestants will compete in two different challenges – parts and pieces, and prep and polish.”
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For more information on the Battle of the Benches competition, visit www.stuller.com/battleofthebenches. For more information on Bench Jeweler Workshop, visit www.stuller.com/workshop.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."