Saul Bell Design Award Second Round Judges 2013
Jennifer Heebner
JCK Senior Editor, New York, NY
Jennifer has covered bridal, fashion, and business trends for JCK and jckonline.com for 15 years. Dedicated to helping retailers and designers improve their businesses, Heebner delights in unearthing and sharing great ideas from retailers nationwide, and in helping up-and-coming jewelry designers get the media exposure they need to launch careers. A former partner in a furniture-restoration business, she has first-hand experience running a retail shop, is a resource for the consumer press for her trade knowledge, and can be tracked roaming the globe from one jewelry show to another by way of her Style 360 Blog, and Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Hannah Connorton
Fashion Editor, National Jeweler, New York, NY
Providing relevant news and market insights to retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers within the fine jewelry industry. As the fashion editor, I meet and speak with fine jewelry designers, brands and manufacturers regularly to familiarize with and report on newly released lines and collections, while tracking upcoming and ongoing trends in jewelry fashion. "I also keep track of and write on the subject of national and international jewelry auctions, as well as the developments and status of specific organizations within the industry. "Additionally, I cover emerging ideas and advancements in the realm of social networking as it pertains to fine jewelry retailers, bringing the benefits and hurdles of technological marketing to our audience.
Marlene Richey
Marlene Richey, Boston, MA
During my 30+ year career in jewelry I have run a wholesale design business, a retail gallery, participated in hundreds of shows - craft and trade, indoors and out, juried and not juried, dreadful and successful. I traveled for a decade selling our jewelry in every nook and cranny of the US. I have served on numerous boards of directors (SNAG, CJDG, MCA), consult with emerging and not-so-emerging artists both nationally and internationally, teach seminars and classes (including at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC), give speeches and participate on panels, write articles for jewelry/craft publications, write a regular column in Art Jewelry magazine called “Business Savvy” and have a book published by the MJSA Press on running a small jewelry design business called “Profiting by Design.”
“Profiting” won the Gold Award for the Society of National Association Publications in the spring of 2009 as well as Marlene winning the Contemporary Design Group’s Designer Advocate for 2009.
Ron Beauchamp
Jeweler and family founded NMJA, Albuquerque, NM
Ron Beauchamp has been designing jewelry since the early 1970s, and has won several prestigious design awards including a Spectrum Award (sponsored by the American Gem Trade Association and featuring excellence in design with precious colored gemstones) in 1988, and in 1997 the Premier Award from the N.M. Jewelers Association.
Beauchamp’s New Mexico roots are deep. His parents, Mac and Ione, founded Beauchamp Jewelers in 1951. A second-generation watchmaker, Mac Beauchamp had learned how to make jewelry in the 1960s, and he soon taught his son.
The younger Beauchamp began designing jewelry at age 13. In high school, he would walk to the store from Sandia High School and work for his father, polishing jewelry. These days, Beauchamp splits his time between administrative work, being on the showroom floor and designing.
With his wife, Cecilia Navarrete Beauchamp, enjoys spending time skiing, hiking, and rock climbing, among other pursuits. The two have climbed the 19,340-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in southeastern Africa.
Beauchamp says many of his jewelry designs are inspired by his outdoor adventures.
Although he attended the University of New Mexico for two years, taking a variety of classes that reflected his multidimensional interests, Beauchamp soon realized the jewelry business was really where he wanted to be. He has a brother and a sister, both of whom worked in the store when they were younger, but Beauchamp is the only one who remains active in the family business.
Beauchamp is also a known philanthropist who gives his time and resources to his community. He has been nominated for a 2009 Samaritan Counseling Center New Mexico Ethics in Business award.
Phaedra Barrack
Lilly Barrack, Albuquerque, NM
Lilly Barrack, the daughter of an engineer and artist, has always been surrounded by art. She studied at Trinity University in Texas and after years of painting, she turned to her talent of creating jewelry. Lilly's world travels have resulted in cross-cultural influences with Africa playing a major role. Her designs are geometric and simple yet filled with expression and power.
As the vice president of Lilly's company, Phaedra has had the privilege of working by her side and learning from such an incredible woman. She will be representing Lilly and is confident that she will portray Lilly's wonderful artistic spirit. Phaedra also serves on the Board of Directors for the Albuquerque Museum.
| 2013 First Round Judges |
| G.L. Miller |
Owner, Studio GL |
| Gregg Burgard |
Rio Grande |
| Paula Brenton |
Owner, Silver Owl Inc. |
| Bill Pollack |
Owner, Relios |
| Bernie Butterfield |
Owner, Butterfield |