Reporting Live from Milano Jewelry Week!

A report from the field with first impressions and feelings

On Friday morning, I popped into the venue to repair my piece that had been damaged in transit. It wasn’t so bad– a pearl had popped off and needed reassembly. This was my first glimpse of the space, the historic Palazzo Bovara, an 18th century palace now an exhibition venue. It was breathtaking! I had a true “pinch me” moment: I am exhibiting my jewelry here?!

The gorgeous Palazzo Bovara exhibition space.

WHen I first arrived, the bridge cuff was displayed upside down. I was able to fix it, but not allowed to add a QR code or a photo of how it’s worn.

The exhibition opened to the public on Saturday morning. This was also my first time viewing my work, alongside everyone else’s at the show.

To be brutally honest, I felt a bit deflated!

My pieces looked so small compared to many others, and the exhibit was huge. Most disappointing was that I didn’t have any control over how it was displayed. I knew this, but I thought there’d be some way to show how the bridge cuff was worn. I asked if I could add a QR code or a photo in the display, but it wasn’t permitted.

The Ethereal Bridge Cuff, which has a big impact when worn on the face, looks like nothing when displayed out of context on a piece of white foam core. I’d have to rely on a patient, curious viewer to take the time to read a small description next to the piece, assuming they read/understood English!

I was encouraged to network with other artists and industry folk, attend talks and put myself out there. So I gathered my pride and went to a talk.

I’m so I glad I did! Indigenous designers Jennifer Younger and Wabanookwe Irick gave a talk entitled Heritage in Every Piece, discussing cultural appropriation vs. appreciation. So interesting presented in a European context, where many people don’t even realize there are still Indigenous Peoples in North America!

Jennifer Younger and Wabanookwe Irick discuss approriation vs. appreciation in design.

Parisian Gallery owner trying on the Ethereal Bridge Cuff

I returned to my exhibition uplifted and inspired. I stayed near my pieces wearing the bridge cuff and engaging viewers.

I find self-promotion extremely uncomfortable. But when I stood there wearing my piece, many more people connected with it. I made more new friends and hopefully valuable contacts for the future.

I am learning so much and practicing the hardest part of the job. Skill and creativity that comes easy for me, but networking and self-promotion are very tough!

I felt much more confident going into Day 2.

Showing off the Bridge cuff and standing near my display case.