[Book] Masters: Gold: Major Works by Leading Artists

Jewelry Discussion
1

I am so excited! After what seems like forever the book I authored
“Masters: Gold” published by Lark Books is finally ready for
pre-orders on Amazon

Price: $16.47

I was approached to write the biographies for this book project in
the fall of 2007 by Marthe LeVan. She asked me to submit a list of
individual jewelry artisans whom I considered to be at the top of
the art/metals field working in gold. We had several enjoyable
conversations regarding the choices of goldsmiths for the book. In
the end I was delighted and inspired by the illustrious line up of
international renown artisans.

The “Masters: Gold” book is in the “Masters” series from Lark and
follows on the heals of Alan Revere’s Masters: Gemstones. The jewelry
and artisans featured in “Masters: Gold” differs from the previous
book in that all the work show is made by the artisans themselves.
The jewelry showcased in “Masters: Gold” comes directly from the
hands of each artist/goldsmith.I am so blessed to have been chosen to
research and write the biographies for 40 of the top jewelry artists
alive today.

Artist such as Namu Cho, Harold O’Connor, Barbara Heinrich, Michael
Becker, Gerd Rothman, Claude Chavent, Michael Good, and my personal
heros of Philip Sajet and Wendy Ramshaw. The Italian artists are
strongly represented by Stefano Marchetti, Bruno Martinazzi, Giovanni
Corvaja and many more from the Padua School. Japanese, British,
German, and French jewelry artisans are represented along with their
American colleagues. To my delight there are also the beloved friends
and mentors like Mary Lee Hu and Abrasha. Many other wonderful
art/jewelers are also featured and I do not want slight them by not
mentioning them, it is just all the artisans are incredibly talented.

The “Masters: Gold” book is important from an Art Historical aspect
since no current works by these masters are being included in
traditional Art History texts. I am so proud that with this book, I
can fulfill a promise I made to Mary Lee Hu during my masters degree
program. That promise was to use my degree to promote and advance
the study and documentation of the Studio Jewelry/Art Jewelry
movement.

The experience of working with Marthe and Lark Books editor Ray
Hemachandra has been wonderful. It was fun to talk with Ray as he is
a former Bellingham, Washington resident, having started his career
as an editor for the local newspaper here. We were able to speak with
understanding of the wild beauty of cross-country skiing along the
Nooksack river and the friendly disposition of Bellingham’s
residents. The professional and respectful exchanges I experienced
with all the members of the Lark Books staff made the hard work
related to the “Masters: Gold” book project an overall positive
involvement.

I want to thank Marthe and Ray for the opportunity and support in
creating such a beautiful and unexpected completion of my promise

Nanz Aalund

2

Nanz,

If anyone has the quality of knowledge, and the ability of writing,
it is you. Marthe LeVan and Lark Books, are to be commended in their
choice of you.

I anxiously await the release date.

Thanks for your continuing, astute support of this wonderful Jewelry
melange. Yes, you certainly kept your word to the wonderful Mary Lee
Hu. No surprise there.

Hugs and Thanks,
Terrie

3

Dear Terrie, Thanks for the kind words. I guess I didn’t time my
post very well, since it appeared on the last day of the month. So,
if Hanuman will indulge me I will post it again.

I am so excited! After what seems like forever the book I authored
“Masters: Gold” published by Lark Books is finally ready for pre-
orders
on Amazon.

I was approached to write the biographies for this book project in
the fall of 2007 by Marthe LeVan. She asked me to submit a list of
individual jewelry artisans whom I considered to be at the top of
the art/metals field working in gold. We had several enjoyable
conversations regarding the choices of goldsmiths for the book. In
the end I was delighted and inspired by the illustrious line up of
internationally renown artisans.

The “Masters: Gold” book is in the “Masters” series from Lark and
follows on the heals of Alan Revere’s Masters: Gemstones. The jewelry
and artisans featured in “Masters: Gold” differs from the previous
book in that all the work show is made by the artisans themselves.
The jewelry showcased in “Masters: Gold” comes directly from the
hands of each artist/goldsmith. I am so blessed to have been chosen to
research and write the biographies for 40 of the top jewelry artists
alive today.

Artist such as Namu Cho, Harold O’Connor, Barbara Heinrich, Michael
Becker, Gerd Rothman, Claude Chavent, Michael Good, and my personal
heros of Philip Sajet and Wendy Ramshaw. The Italian artists are
strongly represented by Stefano Marchetti, Bruno Martinazzi, Giovanni
Corvaja and many more from the Padua School. Japanese, British,
German, and French jewelry artisans are represented along with their
American colleagues. To my delight there are also the beloved friends
and mentors like Mary Lee Hu and Abrasha. Many other wonderful
art/jewelers are also featured and I do not want slight them by not
mentioning them, it is just all the artisans are incredibly talented.

The “Masters: Gold” book is important from an Art Historical aspect
since no current works by these masters are being included in
traditional Art History texts. I am so proud that with this book, I
can fulfill a promise I made to Mary Lee Hu during my masters degree
program. That promise was to use my degree to promote and advance
the study and documentation of the Studio Jewelry/Art Jewelry
movement.

The experience of working with Marthe and Lark Books editor Ray
Hemachandra has been wonderful. It was fun to talk with Ray as he is
a former Bellingham, Washington resident, having started his career
as an editor for the local newspaper here. We were able to speak with
understanding of the wild beauty of cross-country skiing along the
Nooksack river and the friendly disposition of Bellingham’s
residents. The professional and respectful exchanges I experienced
with all the members of the Lark Books staff made the hard work
related to the “Masters: Gold” book project an overall positive
involvement.

I want to thank Marthe and Ray for the opportunity and support in
creating such a beautiful and unexpected completion of my promise.

Nanz Aalund