S3-12: Patricia Carruth, Third-Generation Jeweler, Commitment Designer and Storyteller

Middle and high school jewelry programs are booming across America as upcoming generations discover this captivating artform that combines creativity, critical thinking and endless potential! This episode of For the Love of Jewelers welcomes Bryan Petersen of Bozeman High and Stacie Smith of Gallatin High School—two enthusiastic Rio for Schools instructors from Bozeman, Montana, who empower aspiring teens to learn new skills as they help forge the next generation of jewelers. They join co-hosts, Paulene Everett of the Rio Grande Jewelry Tech Team and Mark Nelson, Rio for Schools Education Coordinator, to discuss the younger generations’ growing interest in jewelry fabrication and metalsmithing.

Kicking off season five, our For the Love of Jewelers Podcast co-hosts, Paulene Everett and Shane Hendren, chat with the 2023 Fall Design Challenge Winner, Benjamin Claus. Tune in as they discuss the concept and inspiration behind his prizewinning design, Divine Feminine Rising. They discuss his path to jewelry making, the joy of connecting to other creators and clients through social media and the value of taking risks on one’s journey to self-actualization.

Boline Strand, artisan and winner of the For the Love of Jewelers Summer Earring Challenge, draws creative inspiration from the minimalist traditions of Denmark while exploring themes of growth and transformation in sculptural jewelry design. With a background in painting and mosaic work, she experiments with form and color through traditional gold and silversmithing techniques, creating “wearable sculptures” in karat gold, recycled sterling silver and natural gemstones. Boline joins host Courtney Gray in this episode of the For the Love of Jewelers podcast to discuss the power of symbolism and the influence of her personal history on the evolution of her design aesthetic. Learn how the concept of “play” and her “use what you have” mantra informs her creative process as she discusses the honor and aftermath of winning Rio Grande’s Summer Earring Challenge.

Meet the co-founders of New York City Jewelry Week, Bella Neyman and JB Jones. With a Master of Arts in History of Design and Curatorial Studies, Bella is an established historian, independent curator and journalist specializing in contemporary jewelry and currently serves as the mastermind of programming for NYCJW. JB Jones employs her background in creative direction, having served on The Site UnScene platform for emerging street artists in Los Angeles, to oversee event initiatives, marketing and social media content and educational programs. She also co-hosts NYC Jewelry Week’s podcast Rough Cut, one of the largest jewelry industry podcasts in the United States. Tune in as host Courtney Grey stirs memories and asks big questions of the cultivated, self-proclaimed “crazy” women of NYCJW.Pouring their hearts out with pride, they share how they joined forces to produce a weeklong, city-wide festival of over a hundred live and virtual events, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity, encouraging makers, curators, independent designers and brands to tell their story through jewelry.

Peter Gilroy is an industry innovator and artisan forged by his passion for rock climbing and self-inspired mantra, “Choose adventure.” After working during summers for his uncle, master goldsmith Phil Poirier, and internalizing years of jewelry-making knowledge, Peter now owns Bonny Doon Hydraulic Presses and Tooling. Additionally, he runs his own design business, offering jewelry, hats, belts and accessories. As a true advocate for sharing knowledge, he often teaches classes on die making and using Bonny Doon tools and machinery. Listen in as he chats with host Courtney Gray on this episode of the For the Love of Jewelers podcast about combining his passion for the outdoors with designing artistic, meaningful jewelry. Through creative experimentation and fearlessly turning mistakes into successes along the way, Peter shares his perspective on artistic freedom. They discuss the importance of “play” in the learning and design process, a brief touch on the history of Damascus steel and so much more!

Jeweler, entrepreneur and influencer Nick Noyes creates one-of-a-kind heirloom jewelry designs, favoring high-karat gold, a stunning spectrum of custom-cut colored gemstones and intricate hand engraving. After years of creating handcrafted wire-wrapped jewelry to sell on the music-festival circuit, Nick attended the New Approach School for Jewelers to further develop his craft, and his evolution continues. In this episode of For the Love of Jewelers, Nick joins host Courtney Gray for a candid discussion of his creative path, his journey from music-festival wild child to high-end custom jewelry artist, balancing work and parenthood, the role of sobriety in his personal and professional success and so much more!

In Swahili, moyo means heart. Monica Stephenson, founder of ANZA Gems, founding collaborator of two NGOs—PACT and the Tanzania Women’s Miners Association (TAWOMA) of Moyo Gems—and President of the Board of Ethical Metalsmiths has devoted her career to responsible and fair-mined jewelry practices. A documentary film project in East Africa led her to the edge of a tsavorite mine, and the rest is history still in the making. Monica has spent the better part of the last decade working with women in the supply chain—an oftentimes invisible resource. “The reason we focus on women is that when you benefit women, the entire community will benefit. There's a ripple effect to everything,” she says. Bringing passion to every opportunity, Monica joins host Courtney Gray in this For the Love of Jewelers podcast episode devoted to uplifting women, serving mining communities that serve us and the growth of a fair-mined industry.

Sarah Sides, CEO and owner of Love Weld and Permanent Jewelry Solutions (PJS) has experienced exponential growth since 2020. Her national Love Weld brand, currently in eight different locations across the United States, anticipates nearly doubling its storefronts by the end of 2023. Its sister-company PJS teaches welding safety and permanent jewelry best practices. By offering high-quality chain and charms, and using the right technology, Sarah’s storytelling business model creates personal meaning for every one of her customers. “That’s the brand right there. That’s the concept. That’s where it needs to go,” Sarah shares. Learn what inspired Sarah’s successful entrepreneurship (hint: it may have been a hip-hop icon) in this For the Love of Jewelers podcast episode dedicated to community and connections.

Writer, journalist and curator Vikki Tobak is the author of Contact High and Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History. In collaboration with pioneering jewelers, rappers and other industry artists, her work—of provocative essays and poignant photography—documents the creative subculture within hip-hop. “Early jewelers had to understand something about hip-hop, which is that hip-hop loves customization, and they love remixing and . . . having something different from everybody else. That applies to the music . . . the fashion . . . and the jewelry,” Vikki says. Listen to a star-studded For the Love of Jewelers podcast episode filled with stories of iconic designs worn by hip-hop’s greats. From Biggie’s Jesus piece to Rocafella chains, this episode is one for the books! 

CEO of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), John W. Ford, Sr. states, “that if you’re in the sale of colored gems, you need to be associated with ethically-sourced gems.” At the helm of an organization whose members share this mine-to-market mentality, John confidently knows that every AGTA gemstone, “comes with ethics. It comes with disclosure. It is a peace of mind.” John’s jewelry journey began nearly four decades ago. Through entrepreneurship and decades of award-winning designs, his passion for colored gemstones—especially Australian black opals—naturally led him to his current position. Before his inaugural AGTA GemFair™ Tucson, John sat down with For the Love of Jewelers podcast host Courtney Gray to discuss details on colored gemstones, cultured pearls and the latest collaboration between AGTA and Rio Grande. It’s all included in this engaging fourth season premiere episode!