Sonoma Jeweler Selected for Prestigious Art Award

This piece was crafted by Fritz & Mischell, Sonoma jewelers who won an award for their work.

Baltimore, Md.— Sonoma Jewelry artists Charles “Fritz” Pearce and Mischell Maldonado of Fritz & Mischell have been named a Merit Award winner for the August 2007 Buyers Market of American Craft. Only four artists in four categories were selected from hundreds of applications.
Fritz & Mischell began their partnership in January of 2004. Their collaboration on design and execution enable them to harmoniously unite materials and technique in a refreshing manner, the award said. Inspired by symmetry as well as the order in chaos found throughout nature, Fritz & Mischell’s designs incorporate gold, diamonds, natural gems, pearls, sterling silver, 22K Bi-Metal.
The Merit Award is designed to help emerging artists successfully enter the wholesale marketplace. Winners receive booth space at a reduced cost and are assigned a mentor to guide them through their entrance into the wholesale American craft community.
The four winners selected in four categories are as follows:
•Ceramics
YogaGoat Pottery
Amanda Ryznar
Rochester, Vt.
• Glass
Island Glassworks
Geoff Lee
Kailua, Hawaii
• Jewelry
Fritz & Mischell
Mischell Maldonado
Charles “Fritz” Pearce
Sonoma, Calif.
• Mixed Media
Alec-Reid Design
Craig Siebeneck
Kalida, Ohio
To be considered for the award, the artist must be new to the wholesale marketplace and have innovative designs, creative works and market viability. The Rosen Group, producer of the Buyers Market of American Craft, selects winners for the summer wholesale show.
The Buyers Market of American Craft is produced by The Rosen Group, a Baltimore-based arts marketing, publishing and advocacy firm. The Rosen Group also publishes NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for retailers of fine craft art, and AmericanStyle magazine, the arts lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts, collectors and travelers.