Press Releases

Stuller Wraps Up Annual Bench Jeweler Workshop 

Published

7 years ago

March 28, 2018

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) LAFAYETTE, LA – Stuller hosted its annual Bench Jeweler Workshop March 23rd through March 25th, with more than 200 jewelers from across the world visiting its global headquarters in Lafayette, Louisiana.

“Having two hundred talented bench jewelers from across the country all under one roof for an entire weekend definitely makes for a one-of-a-kind event,” says Tammy Lail, vice president of tools, metals, and packaging. “Everyone leaves with something – whether it’s innovative ideas to implement in their shop, tools and equipment to improve efficiency, or new connections that will last a lifetime.”

The 3rd annual Battle of the Benches competition consisted of three different challenges – Polishing and Finishing with Swarovski gemstones™, Parts and Pieces, and CAD and Rendering. The jewelers selected for this year’s competition were: 2017 defending champion, Jyothi Forman of Georgies Fine Jewellery, who fell ill after the first competition and could no longer compete, David Adamson of David Adamson Designer Jewelry, Patrick Dobbs representing the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Craig Farley of FCF Jewelry Designs, and alternate Brian Clark of All American Jewelry Designers, Inc. The winners were as follows:

Polishing and Finishing Challenge – Craig Farley
Parts and Pieces Challenge – Patrick Dobbs
CAD and Render Challenge – Patrick Dobbs
Overall Winner – Patrick Dobbs

“It was a tough decision because they were all amazing,” says Battle of the Benches judge, Angela Busby. “The competitors gave their all, and it definitely showed in the final product.”

“It’s a huge honor,” says Patrick Dobbs, the overall winner. “The jewelers that I competed against, they are all very talented, it could have been any of them too.”

To see more of the event and competition pieces, visit our Facebook page at HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/Stullerinc” Facebook.com/Stullerinc.

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.