Chapters

Mid-Atlantic Chapter

Delaware, Maryland, Southern New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia

Telephone: 717-808-7676  

Email: wjachapter@gmail.com

President: 1st Vice President:		Oanh Nguyen Kalli Nicholas Haeflein
Secretary:		Hedda Schupak (interim)
Treasurer:		Lisa Huczko
VP Membership/ Scholarship & Grant:		Mindy Robbins
VP Events		Karen McKinney
Sales & Marketing		Suzanna Stull
Founding President:		Gena Alulis
Immediate Past President:		Nan Piper Kochanski
Chapter Advisors:		Hedda Schupak Gena Alulis
Director at Large:		Dena Robbins

 

Upcoming Chapter Events

February 11, 2010
Meet & Greet
6:30 - 9 p.m.
Circ bar in the Philadelphia Marriott, adjacent to the Pennsylvania Convention Center
1201 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19017
An informal meet & greet networking event right after the Jewelry Preview of the Buyers Market of American Craft show. Complimentary registration to the show.
Cash bar, hors d'oeuvres
Click here for the invitation.

Recent Chapter Events

June 11, 2009
Cheap & Cheerful: Small Group Discussions about Tough Times & How to Cope
"A gathering of creative minds for continued success during tough times"
Pepper's Italian Restaurant at 6 p.m.
239 Town Center Rd.
King of Prussia, PA 19406

Discussion ideas: Stock balancing, paying your vendors, keeping morale up, working with your bank, selling ideas & dreams

Send $25 check to City Line Jeweler, Attn: Oanh Nguyen, 54 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603, (717) 808-7676, wjachapter@gmail.com

September 22, 2008
“Mix and Mingle” Networking Dinner

Mon Ami Gabi
Topic: Being a Woman in a Man’s Industry

July 21, 2008

Medieval and Renaissance Jewelry:  Making History a Thing of Beauty

by Liz Georges-Jewelry Designer and Living History Enthusiast

7 p.m. at The Mineral Kingdom

1221 Potomac Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20007

“Jewelry is how a woman announces who she is.”  The romantic ideals and the gracious forms and workmanship of the Medieval and Renaissance periods still influence designers today.  But where did it come from?  The story of European jewelry from 1200 to 1600 is the story of Europe itself – the trends, the materials, the technologies are all reflective of the radical transformations that were happening in nearly every political, social and economic institution of the time.  Think that fashion has nothing to do with history?  Think again.

June 9, 2008

Palladium: The Right White Choice

Presented by Kate Peterson

7 p.m. at Charleston Alexander Diamond Importers

7845 Wisconsin Avenue

Bethesda, MD 20814

"It is a jeweler's dream, a consumer's opportunity, and a pure, natural hidden treasure." - Scott Kay

Even though Palladium has only been recently reintroduced to the jewelry industry, the excitement about this naturally white luxury metal is very high. The number of designers, manufacturers producing Palladium jewelry, has increased to more than 50 companies in less than one year.   The potential for Palladium is amazing! 

As with every new stone, metal or jewelry trend however, Palladium sales can still fall apart at the counter if the retail salesperson is not prepared with both the facts and the appropriate methods for communicating information to the customer.

This program, sponsored by the Palladium Alliance International and presented by Kate Peterson, explained all you need to know about this amazing metal:  the features, benefits and consumer applications that will put YOU on the cutting edge of fashion, design and innovation with today’s customer.

May 6, 2008
Annual Networking Event and Dinner
Phila, PA at 6:00 pm

Sponsored by: Rio Tinto Diamonds
Keynote speaker: Mark Smelzer, Publisher for JCK

Ristorante La Buca

May 5, 2008

Mount Vernon in Spring

Featuring: LYNNE LOUBE, G.G., Master Gemologist, Appraiser

Presents: “GEMS OF ENDEARMENT”

The Jewelry of Martha & George Washington in the collection at Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

October

Jewelry Making Event

King of Prussia, PA

September

Business Seminar

During the Pennsylvania Jewelers Association Annual Convention

Harrisburg, PA

April 30

Lagos Factory Tour

Philadelphia, PA

Click here to view the save the date announcement.

April 23

Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem

Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History

Washington, DC

Presented by the DC/VA/MD Affiliate of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter

Click here to view the invitation and registration information.

March 20

Annual Networking Dinner

Ristorante LaBuca, Philadelphia, PA

6:00 PM

Jim Donovan of CBS3 will present “How to Get Media Attention on Your Business.”

$50 Members/$55 Nonmembers

Save $5 by pre-registering by March 12!

For more information or to register, please call 610-337-9292.

 

Sponsored by Pease & Curren

WJA-PA is now the Mid-Atlantic Chapter

As a testament to the strength and momentum of the growing Pennsylvania Chapter (it’s five years old and now has 55 members in the Keystone state), WJA National has expanded the affiliate’s domain to include nearby states and regions that lack a WJA presence. States include Delaware, Maryland, Southern New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. The new Chapter name is WJA Mid-Atlantic. New duties include encouraging growth in adopted territories, offering financial and mentoring support to interested parties.

WJA Mid-Atlantic Hosts Seminar at the Pennsylvania Jewelers Convention

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter hosted another business seminar at the Annual PJA Convention in Harrisburg, Pa. Author and television personality, Soni Diamond, educated jewelers on the values of networking during an afternoon session. Tea and scones were offered, compliments of the Chapter. Diamond sold copies of her “Life’s A Pitch” book to jewelers after her talk.

WJA Mid-Atlantic unveils a second fundraiser

A second piece of jewelry-themed merchandise was recently unveiled by the Chapter to help raise money for its educational endeavors. Oversized diamond engagement ring key holders are now for sale for $20, and feature a Keystone-shaped tag that reads “WJA-PA Chapter.” Tags are provided courtesy of King of Prussia-based Superfit, maker of hinged ring shanks. To purchase, contact Jennifer Heebner at (267) 481-4120.

WJA Mid-Atlantic Meets Joan Rivers at JCK Show

Board members Gena Alulis, Jennifer Heebner, and Deb Yonick caught up with celebrity Joan Rivers after her keynote speech at the JCK Jewelry Show in Las Vegas. The trio gave Rivers two Chapter t-shirts, which were inspired by a remark made by the comedian: “I don’t exercise. If God wanted me to bend over, He would have put diamonds on the floor.” The quote is printed on the back of shirts; the front features diamonds. Proceeds from shirt sales fund educational venues for the Chapter.

WJA Mid-Atlantic Sponsors Spa Event in York, Pa.

Mid-Atlantic Chapter members recently participated in a day of pampering in York, Pa. Highlights of the day included manicures, facials, cosmetic tips and products, and a mini jewelry show and sale by Silpada.