Halstead Jewelry Blog Authors
Ashley Maldonado
Ashley is the Digital Marketing Specialist at Halstead. She grew up in the Prescott area and holds degrees in Strategic Communications and International Affairs. She and studio dog Mavis enjoy spending as much time as possible in the employee studio at Halstead.View articles written by Ashley
Erica Stice
Erica is Halstead's resident Jill of All Trades. She has been with the company for 14 years in a variety of departments. Her favorite role by far is what she's doing now as the Jewelry Studio Coordinator. She teaches classes to the Halstead employees on jewelry making and coordinates with guest instructors when they visit. She has fallen in love with metalsmithing and is excited to share her adventures here on the blog. Erica's top tip for new metalsmiths is: "Practice! Be patient with yourself and have fun with it. Don't be afraid to ask questions. All of us at Halstead enjoy helping people whether it's questions on products or technical help in the studio. We're here for you."View articles written by Erica
Hilary Halstead Scott
Hilary Halstead Scott is the President of Halstead, a wholesale jewelry supply company in Northern Arizona. She is the second generation of Halsteads to own and operate the business. Hilary has an MBA in Marketing and a Masters of International Business.View articles written by Hilary
Kelli Vanyek Greene
Previous small jewelry business and gallery owner. Passionate about bringing the jewelry community together and supporting small businesses. Marketing & Creative Manager at Halstead.View articles written by Kelli
Bethany Blackshear
Product Photographer at Halstead. Bethany has been involved and loved photography for over 20 years. She lives with her husband and son here in Prescott Arizona.View articles written by Bethany
Mercedes Berg
Mercedes is the former Marketing Coordinator at Halstead.View articles written by Mercedes
Kristen Baird
Kristen Baird is the owner and designer behind Kristen Baird Jewelry based in Savannah, GA. In addition to many other awards in her career, she won the Halstead Grant in 2017.View articles written by Kristen
Lisa Lehmann
Jewelry design is what I do. But it's the people I design for, and the connections I make every day that make my heart soar. With each design, I am thinking of the story behind the piece. Who will be wearing this? What will it make her feel? I believe this is my God-given talent. And I MUST share that with the world. To be able to create in this way is such a gift! My designs focus on simple lines, sexy curves and amazing ethically sourced gemstones. Caring for our planet is VERY important to me and my studio practices reflect that.View articles written by Lisa
Michelle Orman
Michelle Orman is the president of Last Word Communications, which spearheads the communications for the COUTURE show, as well as U.S. Antique Shows and JA New York Shows. She also works with a curated selection of independent, contemporary jewelry designers. A 20 year veteran of the jewelry industry, Michelle is obsessed with all things jewelry, watch and antiques related.View articles written by Michelle
Vince Pontillo-Verrastro
Vince Pontillo-Verrastro is a Studio Jeweler, Co-Founder of His+His Studio (Menomonie WI) and Freelance Educator at #TalkToVince, an affordable creative consultation service designed for all creative artists. Currently he works full-time as a Design Fabricator for Token Jewelry Designs (Eau Claire WI) and is a former Assistant Professor of Metals+Contemporary Art Jewelry/Foundations at University of Wisconsin - Stout. Vince received his MFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design from Indiana University, Bloomington in 2015, and his BFA in Metals /Jewelry Design from SUNY Buffalo State College in 2012. Nationally and internationally recognized, his work has been exhibited at locations such as Mette Saabye’s Gallery (Copenhagen DNK), Bilk Gallery (Canberra AUS), Seton Hill University’s Harlan Gallery (Greensburg PA), .M Contemporary (Woollahra, Sydney AUS), Gallery Marzee (Nijmegen NLD), and Espace Solidor (Place du Château, Cagnes-sur-Mer FRA) where his work is permanently collected. Vince’s current work, stack’a dimes, combines his love of learning to MIG weld with his dad at the age of 8 and his passion for making jewelry. This personal connection to making becomes a way for him to conceptually address familial connections, preciousness and intimacy through the format of studio jewelry.View articles written by Vince
