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 Our May 22, 2013 meeting opened with our guest speaker, David Mandel, saying how glad he was to be among so many people that, like himself, have a real love for all things that sparkle, glitter and shine! "The Crystal Man", as he has become known after twice winning the Swarovski Crystal Challenge, "Be Naturally Inspired", presented a breathtaking slideshow of his spectacularly larger-than-life art pieces and jewelry -- all made with Swarovski crystals. It was an extraordinary show of glitter and color – truly a feast for the imagination and the senses!
David's love for jewelry began very early in life. He remembers, at 4 years old, how his grandmother's jewelry box was his favorite place to play. She was quite the lady with a collection of jewelry that was meticulously organized, labeled and much loved. David would read her issues of "Work Basket", an early craft magazine, from which he ordered his first beads and findings from the small ads in the back. Anything that glittered, sparkled and/or shone became his medium. David, always a creative child, began assembling and selling pre-fabricated jewelry while still in grade school. This led to his life-long interest in vintage and costume jewelry.
Throughout high school, David's creativity was encouraged by his parents through independent art study programs and weekend art classes. Being born in the New York metropolitan area afforded him the opportunity to gain inspiration from Manhattan's rich wealth of museums, art galleries and fabulous shops. During the 1980's, in addition to working in retail, he attended the Traphagen School of Fashion in NYC. David later moved into Manhattan where he attended The Art Students League and received a Revson grant that allowed him to pursue his art uninterrupted. At this time, he had to make a choice between continuing down the fine art path or begin to feed his soul and make his artistic mark in the jewelry world. Fortunately for all of us, he chose the latter and began paving his way within the jewelry industry.
While apprenticing with the highly respected costume and theatrical jeweler, Lawrence Vrba, David began to accept commissions for his own projects. With the help and encouragement of friends and famed jeweler, Robert Sorrell, he devised a business plan and left Larry Vrba's nest. His work soon caught the eye of collectible and vintage dealers around the globe and his creations became sought after by collectors throughout North America, Europe and Japan. In 1980, David established his own jewelry company signing his designed works: "The Show Must Go On!"
David has collaborated with clothing designers such as James Purcell, Chad Evans, Betsey Johnson, Madeline Goebel and Marc Bower. Not only have his creations waltzed down some very prestigious catwalks like Victoria Secret, they have also been worn by a host of celebrities such as Fran Drescher, Taylor Swift and Cate Blanchette; and appeared in numerous theatrical productions including the Off-Broadway show, "How To Write A Play", and the film, "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Love Julie Newmar".
David has made innumerable donations over the years to charity organizations, such as his fantasy headdress-mask for the charity, Save Venice, Inc. (co-sponsored by Swarovski and Bulgari). Another of David's most whimsical creations was a life size banana headdress and accessories for an anniversary fashion show to celebrate the new Chiquita Banana Girl, under the tents of Bryant Park here in NYC during Fashion Week.
Presently, in connection with Swarovski, he has designed and handmade several elaborate pieces for the 2012 Victoria Secret runway show during Fashion Week. These pieces were magnificent and a true example of David's unstoppable creativity. He also produces his own line of one-of-a-kind bridal jewelry. His work will be featured at the Museum of Art & Design's (MAD) upcoming June exhibit, "The Jewelry Collection of Barbara Berger" and will appear in a major publication on this collection.
The meeting ended with David saying, "I think of myself as a crystal – multi-faceted with the vitality of life, full of angles, refractions and contradictions. Expect the unexpected from me." What a wonderful inspiration for us all!
Please be sure to scroll down to view some wonderful pictures
from this meeting!
BSGNY President, Cynthia Stern, donning an incredible dinosaur necklace she picked up while in the UK this month, opened the meeting with the following announcements:
Unfortunately, we were forced to cancel "Tips and Tricks" originally scheduled for this evening due to a shortage of volunteers and FIT construction issues forcing a change in our meeting location. We will keep you updated as to when "Tips & Tricks" will be rescheduled. With that being said, we are delighted and most grateful to have David Mandel, jewelry designer extraordinaire, who has graciously stepped in at the last minute, to entertain us this evening with his love of all that glitters and shines. Rest assured you will not be disappointed! And be sure to check out our end-of year Book Sale also going on this evening!
Volunteers to demonstrate various bead stitches, wire work, embroidery, etc. are needed for our upcoming "Tips and Tricks" event scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2013
- We were reminded to pick up the Luncheon sign-up forms and to send in our checks to attend our "Spring Into Summer" Luncheon on Sunday, June 23rd at Morton's Steakhouse. There's still time to sign up (deadline extended) – so don't procrastinate!!! Get your sign-up forms in to us NOW and don't miss out on all the fun!!!!!
- This year's event will be an all-new format which will include:
- Meal will be served as a sit-down luncheon with a wide variety of menu choices to satisfy every palate
- Vendors will be present for all of us to add an item or two to our "I always need something" bead stashes.
- For those attending, in addition to our usual raffle drawing, we are implementing a "Grab Bag" facet to the event in which we are asking everyone to bring a small bead-related wrapped gift (no more than a $5 value) to add to our grab bag from which ALL in attendance will draw a surprise gift to take home – so, search your bead or book collections and pass on something that you probably don't need anymore, but that someone else will enjoy. Let's make this one of our most memorable events!
Planning continues for our juried exhibition, WOB IX, scheduled for June 2014. The board members will be further exploring the possibility of the event being held on Governor's Island. NOW is the time to get started on your most spectacular designs for submission. Good Luck to all of you!
Members will be receiving, in our June mailing, more details about our annual bus trip to BeadFest Philadelphia on Saturday, August 24, 2013. Thank you again to Elaine Harrison for volunteering to coordinate the trip this year.
Members were reminded that it is never too early to start working on handmade inventory for our upcoming Handmade Holiday Craft Fair in December. Members were reminded that ALL items being sold must be HANDMADE by the BSGNY MEMBER ONLY. ALL types of crafts including non-beaded items may be sold as long as the items are HANDMADE by a BSGNY Member – so keep that in mind when selecting your inventory. |
GENERAL BUSINESS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
