MajorsJan 30, 2024
6 Retailers Chosen for New JA, BIJC Business Program MajorsFeb 12, 2024
WJA Launches First Canadian Chapter
The association also announced WJA Toronto’s board of directors.
WJA has launched WJA Toronto, its first chapter outside of the U.S.
New York— The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has announced its first Canadian chapter, WJA Toronto, as well the chapter’s 2024 board of directors.
Last September, WJA hosted its first Toronto event at the Arcadia Studio, in partnership with the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA). Of the 75 in attendance, many expressed interest in chapter leadership positions, WJA said.
The association has since conducted interviews with potential candidates, selecting Alanna Campbell and Shelbey Dodds as WJA Toronto’s inaugural presidents.
“I’m delighted to welcome our newest WJA Toronto chapter. Our co-presidents, Alanna Campbell and Shelbey Dodds, are building a board to bring the WJA mission to the Canadian jewelry industry,” said WJA President Susan Chandler.
“We are grateful for the Canadian Jewellers Association who shared our vision and helped us last fall kick off our latest international initiative. I look forward to all that the Canadian chapter will accomplish in the next many years.”
Related stories will be right here …
Last September, WJA hosted its first Toronto event at the Arcadia Studio, in partnership with the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA). Of the 75 in attendance, many expressed interest in chapter leadership positions, WJA said.
The association has since conducted interviews with potential candidates, selecting Alanna Campbell and Shelbey Dodds as WJA Toronto’s inaugural presidents.
“I’m delighted to welcome our newest WJA Toronto chapter. Our co-presidents, Alanna Campbell and Shelbey Dodds, are building a board to bring the WJA mission to the Canadian jewelry industry,” said WJA President Susan Chandler.
“We are grateful for the Canadian Jewellers Association who shared our vision and helped us last fall kick off our latest international initiative. I look forward to all that the Canadian chapter will accomplish in the next many years.”
Campbell has been a WJA member since 2021 and served as a board member of the New York Metro chapter in 2022 and 2023. She owns AC Appraisals, which provides independent jewelry appraisal services in the region of Ottawa, Ontario, as well as membership coordinator for CJA.
She started in the jewelry industry in 2013 as a sales representative for a local fine jewelry store and in 2016, earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA. Campbell earned her Registered Master Valuer designation in 2018.
She is delighted to support WJA’s entry into Canada with Dodds, the association said.
Dodds is a Toronto-based jeweler and is a partner in metal casting company Triocast, which she joined as casting assistant in 2021, the year it launched. She later rose to lead and principal caster and eventually to her current role with the company.
In her role, she has propelled Triocast into over a million dollars in sales, the association said, as well as prepared curriculum and taught casting intensives, most recently in Edmonton, Alberta.
She graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 2015 with her BFA in jewelry design and metalsmithing, followed by several artist residency programs, including one with the Harbourfront Centre in 2017.
Dodds has also received grants from the Arts Nova Scotia and the Ontario Arts Council and participated in exhibitions nationally and internationally.
Co-presidents Campbell and Dodd are joined by fellow 2024 WJA Toronto Board Members:
Communications Co-Vice President, Sydney Abrams of Fair Trade Jewellery Co;
Membership Co-Vice President, Gada Alejlo of Williams Distinctive Gems;
Treasurer, Anita Bhandari of Aarkish Diamonds;
Communications Co-Vice President, Sanaz Doost of Sanaz Doost Fine Jewelry;
Programming Vice President, Ari Fudim of York International Gems Ltd; and
Membership Co-Vice President, Ashley McFarlane of Omi Woods.
“We are overwhelmed by the positive response following the WJA Toronto launch event that took place in September 2023. We have the support of a diverse and extremely talented board. We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of these and other volunteers to assist in bringing WJA Toronto to life,” said Campbell.
Dodds added, “2024 will be focused on establishing a solid foundation for WJA Toronto. We look forward to hosting a selection of WJA’s signature events as well as growing our membership.”
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ EarringsCommemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest StateEditor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price StabilityAs the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 25, 2024
De Beers’ H1 Revenue Falls 21% in ‘Weak’ MarketLab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
IndependentsJul 25, 2024
Store Designer Ruth Mellergaard DiesA longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
FinancialsJul 25, 2024
Boucheron, Pomellato Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2 The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
FinancialsJul 24, 2024
LVMH’s First-Half Jewelry, Watch Sales Dip 5%Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High JewelryThe Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance ProviderUnion Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship WinnerLos Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
SourcingJul 23, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 15% in Q2The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
IndependentsJul 23, 2024
Long’s Jewelers Is Giving Away a Luxury Cape Cod VacationThe giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ CampaignThe ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
Policies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant WinnersThe grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With CustomerGhazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJCThe organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEORentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor BoutiqueThe 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ NecklaceDance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
New Etsy Campaign Prioritizes Creators Amid BacklashSellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
Swarovski Names Ariana Grande as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe celebrity will star in Swarovski’s holiday campaign.
