WJA Foundation Announces Grant Winners
They include recipients of the WJA Carelle Grant, WJA Veteran’s Grant, and chapter member grants.

Dawn Grady, designer of Junebug Jewelry Designs, is the recipient of the Carelle/WJA Member Grant.
The grant was created 10 years ago in honor of Brooke Tivol McGrath. Born into the Tivol jewelry family in Kansas City, Missouri, Tivol McGrath’s career took her to New York City, though she didn’t stray far from the family profession.
She worked as the director of strategic merchandising and product development at Carelle, her dream job, until her death at age 28.
Carelle has upped the grant in Tivol McGrath’s honor to $7,500 from its previous $5,000.
It has also shifted the focus to help a jewelry professional who has been in business for at least five years, with the grant meant to be used as an investment in technology, such as ecommerce, digital education, or machinery.
Recipient Grady is a mostly self-taught designer who uses ancient and modern metalsmithing techniques to create mixed metal pieces for Junebug Jewelry Designs.
Launched about a decade ago, Junebug features styles made of copper, Argentium silver, and gemstones. She sells online and at her storefront in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rikiesha Metzger, the creator behind Rikiesha’s Adornments, is the recipient of the WJA Foundation’s 2021 Veteran’s Grant.

Awarded in partnership with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, the $5,000 grant supports a jewelry or watch professional who is a United States military veteran.
Metzger is a Ph.D. student in visual arts at the Institute for Doctoral Studies. The artist, student, teacher, and sculptor has been making jewelry for about 15 years, including earrings and small figurine art objects.
Metzger says wire is her favorite material to work with. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., she earned an M.A. in community arts from Maryland Institute College of Art, a B.A. from Morgan State University in fine arts, and a B.S. from NC Agricultural and Technical State University in electronics technology.
WJA also awards annual grants to members of its nationwide chapters.
Last year, it awarded six additional WJA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Member Grants for Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color applicants and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + applicants.
In total, recipients by chapter are:
• Austin: Hima Yalamanchili
• Boston: Martha Seely
• Chicago: Nancy Hudson, Viviana Langhoff, Nora McCarthy
• Dallas: Gayla Moores
• DC/MD/VA: Catherine Rudacille
• Las Vegas: Michelle Walden Fink
• Los Angeles: Bevelyn Esparza, Lauren McCawley
• Miami: Tracey Arrington, Tiffany Joachim
• NY Metro: Brecken Branstrator, Olga Gonzalez, Jih Ha, Jodi Innerfield, Elyssa Jenkins Pérez, Delphine Leymarie
• No Chapter Nearby: Benicia Broeker, Heather Younger Morton
• Northern California: Kate Eickelberg, Olivia Shih, Alisa Thorp, Creek Van Houten
• Ohio/Kentucky: Katherine Cotterill, Andrea Koenig
• Philadelphia: Carly Kent
• San Diego: Jennifer DeMoro, Niki Grandics, Christine Lopez, Charlyn Olver
• Seattle: Megan Martin, Jolica Taguiped
• Twin Cities: Dawn Bruggeman, Liz Stingl-Griggs
The Latest

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.


Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.