JCK, B&B Trade Show Trip Report

Hi All,

Doing back to back trade shows starting in Las Vegas for the Couture Show / JCK Show and then going directly to Bead & Button is a most fascinating trip each year. LOTS of information! Going from the  high end world of finished jewelry to the best of the jewelry making world has to offer spotting trends so I can try to be a trend setter!

Spotting and then interpreting trends from fashion & luxury finished jewelry into the jewelry making arena can certainly be challenging, but is also quite fun. I feel I am getting better at it (I should be I have been at it long enough!)

How does one do this? After pinpointing emerging trends focus on choice of material options and choose the best ones to interpret emerging trends from fashion jewelry; join them to current trends in jewelry making design by technique.

 I saw a lot of continuing jewelry trends in Las Vegas still going strong...nature, tons of ornate frilly flourishes, paisley and floral to name a few themes.  Gold with blackened silver was plentiful as well as the use of diamond studded gemstone components and rings.

One of the interesting emerging trends at JCK is the combination of hard and soft materials and the combination of high end components with low end materials. Such as a  diamond studded bead on hemp or leather cord bracelet. Bow tie closures with chain, fabric with gemstone beads.

At JCK my favorite pavilion by far was the Turkey! Unbelievable talent and a style that I saw no where else. Very organic, yet decadent. Lots of gold with blackened silver and pave champagne diamonds...wowie zowie! Drool. Going from section to section (country to country) I found it fascinating how each country had something distinct and recognizable about a technique or certain style.  It is certainly more evident when you see them all together like that. One of the things I love about JCK.

My FAVORITE Jewelry Designer Sevan Bicakc known as Lord of the rings (from Turkey) was in attendance at the Couture Show! He is a master and amazing! Check out the detail and the scenery  within technique and amazing craftsmanship! The man's a genius!

  Brilliant micro mosaic with precious gems!

There was so much talent and amazing quality that it was almost overwhelming at times. I found my psyche feeling completely saturated! But then along would come some comic relief!

My favorite BOOTH NAME at JCK: (sorry cannot resist!)

 

Can you believe that?! Cracked me up! I think it must have been intentional!

Some other favorite visuals from Las Vegas:

Flourishes are still HOT in a BIG way! This one was between the elevators at the Wynn were I stayed...just gorgeous! Probably 10 feet tall!

  Other decorative elements at the Wynn...

 

Sorbet at the Venetian! Yum!

 

Tao Restaurantfor dinner love this massive Buddha!

Great way to end a  trade show marathon walking day! The spa at the Wynn...ahhhh...

Back to biz...Hot colors continue to be  rose colored pinks, purples backed with darker colors to make them pop and more dramatic.

Over to the jewelry making end of things the Bead & Button Show was enjoyable as it is every year. From my end of things attendance was a little lower than last year but actually still all right (meaning still turned a profit). Though when I spoke to other exhibitors the elusive "great show" kept being offered up. Not sure if this was to keep up appearances or not. Even Betcey from Beyond Beadery noticed her line wasn't quite as long as usual!  (Love those folks! :o)

 Trend wise seems to me that Steampunk is on it's way out, but nature themes are still in.  Bezels are hot and selling, as well as kinetic jewelry; pieces that incorporate movement. Some on-going trends...obviously the cuff and  tons-o-bangles, bib necklaces, huge chandelier earrings with lots of dangles, and multi-strand beaded necklaces. One of the coolest things I saw while out and about was this what I am calling the "morphed culture look". As more and more jewelry designers go directly to the individual jewelry makers (often working out of their homes) in other countries and give them their own contemporary designs this hybrid develops. For instance, you can always tell Hill Tribe Silver and or something that has been made in Bali... mix these recognizable materials and or techniques with contemporary American design sense and you get the morphed culture look. Very cool!

I saw a lot of carved gemstones and teardrop shapes, sphere shapes but less on the geometrics and more on the softer feminine curvilinear shapes. (Curvilinear is one of my favorite words)

At Bead & Button...was it just me or was there more booths with bead weaving kits this year than ever before? What exactly does this mean? Hey and did you know B&B offered 580 classes in the educational component of B&B this year?!!! Holy classroom Batman!

Here's my booth in my new spot on the corner in 1008!

 

 

and me in it...

QUESTION: If anyone knows the name of the lovely young woman who was walking around wearing the chainmaille garments could you please give me her contact info? Like a dummy I did not get it from her directly the two different times we spoke. I would like to contact her. Not sure if she was exhibiting or what. I would like to contact her.

Trade show brain damage: Which of these things doesn't belong? One of these things is not like the other!

 

End of show...all done! Until next year!

 

Gotta get to work...more soon!

xoxo

Jill

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Vintage Jewelry]

Nice post. Very funny and interesting. I think my friend was in this exhibition in LA. He also jewel maker. Thanks for the post and good luck!

[r4 dsi]

Making jewellery is not an easy task. Its requires a great skill.
Very interesting Blog. Hope it will always be alive!

[silver bracelet]

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