Halstead Jewelry Blog Authors
Ashley Maldonado
Ashley is the Content & 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 the former Studio Coordinator at Halstead. She spent 14 years with the company across a variety of departments but fell in love with metalsmithing. 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
Janelle Hinesley
Janelle Hinesley is the senior graphic design ninja and photographer at Halstead. She has over a decade of experience in both fields and loves to share her knowledge with jewelers to help them grow their businesses. Her pup Koda loves being the unofficial ‘squeaker tester’ of the Halstead Jewelry Studio.View articles written by Janelle
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
Former 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
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
Michael David Sturlin
Michael is a renowned studio jewelry artist, goldsmith, writer, educator, and industry consultant. With over 40 years in the metalsmithing and jewelry industry, he has learned the ins and outs of not only jewelry making but marketing your business and setting it up for success. Michael has previously taught at the Revere Academy and hosts workshops and retreats at his studio in Scottsdale, AZ. Michael was the 2018 Halstead Grant guest judge.View articles written by Michael
Bella Neyman
Bella Neyman is the co-founder of New York City Jewelry Week. She is also an independent curator and journalist specializing in contemporary jewelry. Most recently she was on the Curatorial Advisory Committee for "45 Stories in Jewelry: 1947 to Now" at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. Since graduating with a Master’s Degree in Decorative Arts and Design History from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum & Parsons, The New School for Design in 2008, she has worked for some of New York City’s leading design galleries. Bella’s articles have been published in The New York Times, American Craft, and the Magazine Antiques. She is also a frequent contributor to Metalsmith magazine. Bella is on the Board of Art Jewelry Forum. She resides with her family in Brooklyn.View articles written by Bella
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
Tracy Matthews
Tracy is co-founder of Flourish & Thrive Academy, an author, podcast host, and jewelry industry vet. She helps jewelry and creative product makers, designers, and retailers with marketing and e-commerce strategies.View articles written by Tracy
Adriane Dalton
Adriane is an artist, writer, and educator based in Philadelphia, PA. She is the current editor-in-chief of Metalsmith Magazine. She holds an MA in the history of decorative arts and design from Parsons, The New School for Design and a BFA in craft and material studies from the University of the Arts. Adriane has contributed regularly to Art Jewelry Forum and held various curatorial positions.View articles written by Adriane
Amy Fortunato
Amy is the designer and maker behind Cowboy’s Sweetheart Jewelry, based in Colorado. She was the Halstead Grant winner in 2010.View articles written by Amy
Andrea Li
Andrea owns Andrea Li Designs, a one-of-a-kind gemstone jewelry company. She’s also a self-described Pinterest marketing geek. Andrea coaches jewelry designers and makers on Pinterest marketing through the Momentum Program at Flourish and Thrive. She has also worked with internal product teams at Pinterest.View articles written by Andrea
Jennifer Heebner
Jennifer Heebner is the part-time executive director for the Cultured Pearl Association of America, where she helps promote pearls through articles, social media, marketing initiatives, and an international design contest. Jennifer doubles as an award-winning journalist who has been covering fine jewelry and fashion for more than 23 years and has long been a proponent of sustainable and beautiful pearls and the people behind the gems. Jennifer is based in New York City, where she routinely meets with industry leaders and brands, and travels to major international trade shows to maintain a pulse on the market. She also writes about designers, private collections, and business features for her own consumer-focused editorial website at jenniferheebner.com, The GemGuide, Rapaport, and is the editor in chief of The Jewelry Book.View articles written by Jennifer
Lilian Raji
Lilian Raji is a strategic communications advisor that helps luxury lifestyle companies connect deeply with their target customers. She also pens the PR Advisor column for National Jeweler magazine, where she shares insights on how emerging jewelry companies can do their own public relations. Connect with her on social media or visit www.lilianraji.com to see how she can help you.View articles written by Lilian
Liz Kantner
Liz Kantner is passionate about working with independent jewelry artists to help them to define their voices and thrive in the modern marketplace. After making her mark as Marketing Manager for Todd Reed, Liz left to found her own company, Stay Gold, and also curated brands for JA New York’s New Designer Gallery and jewelry for a local boutique. Liz now works exclusively for Stay Gold, where she dedicates herself to a select roster of fine jewelry clients, nurturing them to success through digital marketing, trade show strategy, sales-driving techniques, and branding.View articles written by Liz
Mariel Diaz
Mariel Diaz is the founder of Accounting for Jewelers, a firm that partners with jewelry businesses throughout the US for accounting services from bookkeeping and budgeting to taxes. Mariel oversees service operations, develops and implements the company’s long-term initiatives to sustain the jewelry industry, and works directly with clients for advisory services. She is a 2nd generation jeweler and was previously a GIA Graduate Gemologist, JA Certified Bench Jeweler and German-trained Gemstone Carver before she became an Accountant.View articles written by Mariel
Marthe Le Van
Marthe is passionate about discovering, developing, and promoting exceptional jewelry design. She is the owner of Mora Gallery, a contemporary jewelry gallery in Asheville, NC. Marthe was the guest judge for the 2017 Halstead Grand and is a writer, editor, and curator. Additionally, she has offered a number of business services to those in the industry, including marketing, writing, styling, and brand development.View articles written by Marthe
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
Nils Krueger
Nils Krueger provides art development and career advice, as well as marketing services to artists through his OnlineArtCoach.com website. He is an artist and educator, as well as a mentor and coach who helps artists to reach their full potential in regards to their art and their career. Nils is a faculty member at the San Francisco Academy of art University, where he has been teaching since 2000.View articles written by Nils
Paulette Werger
Paulette is a metalsmithing living and working in New Hampshire. She exhibits and sells her work both national and internationally, and teaches workshops in jewelry making and metalsmithing techniques. She is a founding member of Metalpeople Studio in Madison, WI. Her current studio, Metalpeople East, is located in New Hampshire. Paulette also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston, MA and the Alliance for the Visual Arts in Lebanon, NH.View articles written by Paulette
Robin Kramer
Robin is the founder of Red Boot Consulting. For over 20 years she has worked primarily with small, upscale brands and designers to bring their products to market, gain maximum exposure to their target customers, and build relationships with retailers. Robin is also the co-founder of Flourish & Thrive, an online business education platform for jewelry designers. Robin is a sought-after speaker, participating in the Halstead Jewelry Business Forum in both 2021 and 2022.View articles written by Robin
Sarah Rachel Brown
Sarah Rachel Brown is an adornment artist located in Philadelphia where she is a member of the JV Collective, a collaborative contemporary jewelry studio. Beyond the studio, Sarah is Art Jewelry Forum’s US Ambassador, the Custom Design Specialist for Bario Neal Jewelry and was the founding Metals Coordinator for the Pentaculum Residency at the Arrowmont School of Art and Crafts. Most recently, Sarah is known for Perceived Value, a podcast launched in 2017, acclaimed for radical transparency and candid interviews discussing the financial and logistical aspects of artist’s careers.View articles written by Sarah Rachel
Sylvie Alusitz
Sylvie is the current Studio Coordinator here at Halstead. She teaches jewelry and metalsmithing classes to Halstead employees and coordinates with guest instructors when they visit. Sylvie received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MFA in Metal from SUNY New Paltz. She loves to share her knowledge, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!View articles written by Sylvie
Vince Pontillo-Verrastro
Vince is a studio jeweler and co-founder of His+His Studio in Wisconsin. He’s a freelance educator at #TalkToVince, an affordable creative consultation service designed for any artist and currently works full-time as a design fabricator for Token Jewelry Design. Vince has also taught at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the Jewelry and Foundations departments. He received is MFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design from Indiana University, Bloomington and his BFA in Metals/Jewelry Design from SUNY Buffalo State College.View articles written by Vince
