CJDG’s Cindy Edelstein Memorial Charity Auction

Cindy Edelstein was one of those rare individuals, about whom nobody has anything bad to say (nothing, nada, zilch – ask around).  She was an entrepreneur, editor, author, and jewelry industry consultant; who passed away, at the age of 51, in January of 2016.

A staunch advocate for designers, and a mentor to so many, Edelstein co-founded the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau with her husband, Frank; and was an in-demand trade show consultant for COUTURE, JCK, and AGTA.  It was in this roll that I met her, and where she took me under her wing.  Cindy was always the first to comment on a social media post, or to email me some insight about a design-related theory with which I might’ve been noodling.

When I first began attending COUTURE, some designers just wouldn’t make the time to meet with me.  I mean, it happens.  I had to admit that, much to my chagrin, not everyone had heard of me.  But Cindy, an editor herself (who was a fan of both my writing and my moxie), would personally escort me to those booths – with that smile so big she was just curls, glasses, and teeth –  and after a quick intro and a bit of that Cindy magic…  Well, let’s just say that my COUTURE dance-card has been full, ever since.

As this year’s COUTURE approaches (June 2nd – 6th, at Wynn Las Vegas), the Contemporary Jewelry Design Group decided to produce a charity auction, in Cindy’s memory.  Comprised of jewelry donated by the CJDG’s members, the proceeds of the auction will be split between a pair of organizations – Jewelers for Children, that serves kids affected by illness, abuse, or neglect; and the Women’s Jewelry Association, that awards an annual Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship.

You can peruse the auction, now, at Auction.CJDG.Jewelry; and can bid anytime until June 3rd.  And since I was already soaking in it (thanks, Madge!), I figured that I’d curate some of the stand-out pieces in the auction, for your edification.  So, look over my selections; check-out the auction; bid on your favorite items; and lemme know if you concur with my picks.

So, good luck, and happy bidding!

And to Cindy, thank you for everything: You made such a difference.