FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Theresa Kwong, TK Metal Arts, Debuts at JCK Tucson, Feb. 1-4
The designer was a 2016 finalist in the JCK Design Center Editors' Choice Awards in Las Vegas
Theresa Kwong of TK Metal Arts, one of three finalists in the Rising Star division of the 2016 JCK Las Vegas Show Design Center's Editors' Choice Awards competition, will be appearing at JCK's Tucson Show for the first time, from Feb. 1-4 , 2017, at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. Kwong will be in the Design Center in Booth #DC13. "I was delighted to be chosen by editors to be a finalist in the Editors' Choice awards," says Kwong. "It's led to some wonderful opportunities, and I look forward to introducing my work to the retailers who attend JCK Tucson."
New looks for TK Metal Arts in Tucson will be found in Kwong's Eden collection, which features more diminutive versions of the natural flowers and leaves in her bolder jewelry. Also new is her Slims collection, based on simple oval shapes that are more geometric. "I developed these pieces for budget-minded buyers, although they include 18k gold/sterling silver bimetals, and some solid 18k gold elements in them, too," the designer says. "I hand fabricate every piece of my jewelry from recycled precious metals. With hand fabrication, I can retain crisp curvy lines."
Kwong, a trained architect, forms her pieces from flat sheets of gold, silver, and copper, using various hammers. "Each hammer stroke slowly coaxes these thin sheets of metal into strong but delicate looking organic forms," says the artist. "When I create a piece of jewelry, I strive for visual beauty when viewed from different angles. Craftsmanship, proportion, and comfort of wear are all important to me. All pieces are equally inspired by natural and built environments."
The designer was the winner of the 2014 Alice Abrams Future of Design Fund Scholarship, which she used to further her jewelry studies at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. The scholarship was established by the late Cindy Edelstein, owner of Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, to foster the future development of talented American jewelry designers by providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships and the production of educational seminars, conferences and publications to support the future of design in the fine jewelry business. "I know that Cindy, who was the originator of the idea for JCK Las Vegas show's Design Center back in 1992, would be so delighted to see me exhibiting again in Tucson's JCK Design Center," says Kwong.
The artist originally received her Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. She has studied under numerous masters and is especially influenced by designer and artist Michael Good.
To learn more about Theresa Kwong of TK Metal Arts, visit tkmetalarts.com and plan to stop by Kwong's booth, Booth #DC13 in the JCK Design Center.
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ABOUT TK METAL ARTS
Jewelry artist Theresa Kwong, TK Metal Arts, is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She constructs each piece of jewelry by hand, using recycled precious metals and/or ethically sourced gemstones. Kwong draws her Inspiration from organic forms, and the sweeping curves create visual movement from all angles. The designer's sculptural jewelry is unique, bold and eco-friendly.
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