WJA Awards Total of $65K to 45 Women

RAPAPORT… The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has revealed the
winners of its 2018 Excellence Awards scholarships and grants.



The group will award a total of $65,000 —
raised through its Awards for Excellence Gala, individual member donations and
sponsorships — to 45 women. Twelve of those recipients are students in
programs focused on jewelry making and design.


“It is important that WJA encourages and continues to
support the professional growth and educational endeavors of women in the
jewelry and watch industries,” board president Jenny Luker said Monday.


“The recipients are all extraordinary and exceptional at
what they do. We are excited to see what new opportunities they will bring to
our industry.”


The 2018 scholarship and grant winners are:

Award: Carelle ($5,000)
Winner: Christina Miller, cofounder and former executive director of
Ethical Metalsmiths.


Veteran Scholarship, sponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Insurance Group ($5,000)

Lisa West, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graduate
and freelance computer-aided-design jewelry designer.


Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship ($5,000)

Julie Martin, founder of Scout Mandolin, a luxury brand that
makes custom one-of-a-kind engagement rings, wedding bands and fine jewelry.


Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship ($5,000)

Magan Byron, a student at the GIA.


The June Herman Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
($7,000)

Hsinyu Chu, GIA


Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($5,000)

Hannah Hash, GIA


Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($3,000)

Ekaterina Korzh, University of Iowa


Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Zihan Yang, Savannah College of Art and Design



The Peggy Kirby Scholarship Award ($5,000)

Sidnee Tyree, Kendall College of Art and Design



Non-Designer Scholarship ($3,000)

Jacqueline Lapuck, GIA


Non-Designer Scholarship ($1,000 each)

Natalie Tjaden, University of Tennessee

Madison Desmond, GIA

Sarah Andrie, GIA

Jodi Webster, University of Kansas


Grant winners listed by WJA Chapter:



Austin: Mousumi Shaw

Boston: Lori Magno, Siran Varadian

Chicago: Arica DeArcos, Kelly Jacobson, Susanne
Siegel, Stephanie Wishnoff

Colorado: Julia Mancarella

Dallas: Linda Friedel, Margueriette Hutchison

Lafayette: Mindi Courville

Los Angeles: Harvinder Keila, Tania Silpanone

Northern California: Deborah Durant, Brooke Miller,
Rhoma Young

NY Metro: Maricha Genovese, Deborah Halperin,
Delphine Leymarie

Ohio/Kentucky: Dawn Grady, Andrea Koenig

Providence: Marilyn Salvatore

Salt Lake City: Liz Deane

San Diego: Marreena Appleton, Jennifer DeMoro,
Christine Lopez, Peggy Tsiamis

Seattle: Andrea Price, Danielle Saudino

Twin Cities: Julie Burkhart-Haid, Laura McDonald


Charlotte Preston “Gets it Done” Grant: Nancy Hudson

Image: Ring by Ekaterina Korzh