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There is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness.
(Dave Barry)

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Ganoksin wrote:

The Ganoksin Project
S i n c e 1 9 9 6
Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Techniques
http://www.ganoksin.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 1 March 2006
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Rio Grande, in collaboration with Ganoksin (parent to the Orchid
Forums), Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA), The
Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), and Bench Media, proudly
announces Clasp - A Convergence of Jewelers. The jewelry industry
continues to need purely educational forums that embrace a broad
cross-section of industry members - these industry leaders developed
Clasp to answer that need.

Clasp will be the first conference of its kind - an educational
conference designed to serve small manufacturers, metalsmiths,
designing jewelers and bench jewelers. Clasp will explore all aspects
of jewelry making art, striving to educate and inspire jewelry-makers
across the industry in a casual, collaborative setting that provides
extensive opportunities to network with peers and to hear and interact
with speakers from inside and outside the industry.

Clasp is committed to presenting topics in three theme tracks: Muse,
Method and Money. Offerings in the Muse track will help each
jewelry-maker tap more effectively into their creativity by inspiring
and energizing them with compelling ideas for nourishing the creative
center. Offerings in the Method track will enhance jewelry making
skills at all levels. Offerings in the Money track will explore the
business topics that are essential to jewelry makers. Working together,
these three tracks will provide tangible, valuable information that
each attendee can apply immediately for improved business and creative
results.

In addition, Clasp will serve to invigorate and reinvest in the jewelry
industry. Rio Grande finances and produces Clasp; Ganoksin, MJSA, SNAG
and Bench Media provide advisory support. This effort will build
individual jewelry makers' success and will strengthen the entire
jewelry industry. Every person working within the industry - from
home-based bench to production manufacturing - will benefit by Clasp.

The inaugural conference will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, from
September 15-17, 2006.

For details and more information, visit http://www.claspconvergence.com


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The Ganoksin Project (http://www.ganoksin.com) is the largest virtual
single information source for searchable archived content for jewelry
and metals in the world. Its 6500 Orchid members foster sharing,
support community, enhance productivity and encourage studio safety, by
promoting education in the jewelry and metal arts worldwide.

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