Press Releases

WJA Announces 2020 Carelle/WJA Member Grant Winner

This year’s winner is Eve Streicker.

Published

3 years ago

May 5, 2020

INSTORE Staff

Eve-Streicker

(PRESS RELEASE) The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has awarded Eve Streicker, the founder of Original Eve Designs, the 2020 Carelle/WJA Member Grant in memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath.

WJA created the grant in collaboration with the jewelry brand, Carelle, and its co-founder and designer, Chana Regev. McGrath worked at Carelle, helping to establish the brand’s identity, before her untimely death at 28 from a rare blood infection. She was a great supporter of WJA.

The WJA Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, administers the merit-based grant via a jury process and a competitive scoring matrix. It’s awarded to a member in the first five years of business to help her achieve her aspirations and grow her fledgling company with a $5,000 grant.

Streicker specializes in creating custom fine jewelry and jewelry collections. With work experience at Tiffany & Co. in education and luxury sales training, in museum and auction house settings, as well as managing jewelry production for small designers and purchasing estate jewelry from the public, she has a wide array of experiences that contribute to her love for jewelry, history, gemstones, and craftsmanship.

The designer holds Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Pearl diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). She received her M.F.A. in Metal/Jewelry/CAD-CAM from Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Philadelphia, and her B.A. in Art History and Studio Art Practice from Williams College, Williamstown, MA.

Streicker is currently president of the WJA Metro New York chapter. She is also a member of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), Jewelers of America (JA), and the GIA Alumni Association. She has jewelry work in the permanent collection of the Bernard Museum in NYC and is also the recipient of the 2017 WJA Shining Star Award, a 2015 WJA Member Grant, and the 2013 Bertha Anolic Memorial Grant.

The WJA Foundation raises funds for its member grants and scholarships throughout the year. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide education, business support, and mentorship to its members.

On May 5, WJA is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity during the COVID-19 crisis. Individuals are encouraged to use the power of generosity to remain connected and support their communities during this critical moment.

Donations to the WJA Foundation can be made here. Industry members who want to support WJA grants and scholarships can also designate the WJA Foundation as their charity supporter via the AmazonSmile program. Details available at the link above.

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It was time. Teri Allen and her brother, Nick Pavlich, Jr., had been at the helm of Dearborn Jewelers of Plymouth in Plymouth, Mich., for decades. Their father, Nick Pavlich, Sr., had founded the store in 1950, but after so many wonderful years helping families around Michigan celebrate their most important moments, it was time to get some “moments” of their own. Teri says Wilkerson was the logical choice to run their retirement sale. “They’re the only company that specializes in closing jewelry stores,” she says. During the sale, Teri says a highlight was seeing so many generations of customers who wanted to buy “that one last piece of jewelry from us.” Would she recommend Wilkerson? Absolutely. “There is no way that I would have been able to do this by myself.”