10,000 Hours or What Drives Craft? at NYC Jewelry Week 2026

We’ve all heard of the 10,000-hour rule, the idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field. But what truly makes an expert? Beyond skill, it’s an understanding of tradition, respect for materials, a drive to innovate, and, above all, a passion for the practice. Join three distinct voices in the jewelry world, Jamie Bennett, Marion Delarue, and Beau McCall, for a conversation exploring how research, experimentation, and curiosity shape their practices. Moderated by Bella Neyman, this discussion celebrates both the hand and the mind of the artist.

Jamie Bennett is one of the most influential figures in contemporary art jewelry, internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in enamel. Over a career spanning five decades, he has expanded the expressive possibilities of jewelry through his extraordinary command of color, form, and composition. His work is represented in major museum collections worldwide, and his contributions as both an artist and educator have helped shape the field of contemporary jewelry.

French artist Marion Delarue's work plays on the confusion between authenticity and imitation, between nature and artifice, through simulacra, pretense and lures. Her award-winning work is held in the collections of the RISD Museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, where her solo exhibition is currently on view through January 2027.

Beau McCall—proclaimed by American Craft magazine as “The Button Man”—creates visual and wearable art by hand-sewing clothing buttons onto mostly upcycled fabrics, materials, and objects. His artworks offer commentary on an array of topics such as pop culture and social justice. In 2024, McCall debuted his first-ever retrospective and exhibition catalog titled, "Beau McCall: Buttons On!" at Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton, MA). The exhibition is currently on a nationwide tour.

Bella Neyman is a curator, writer, and founder of NYC Jewelry Week .

NYCJW26: November 16–22, 2026

Each November, NYC Jewelry Week presents The Week, a seven-day celebration of jewelry and the people, ideas, and craftsmanship behind it. NYCJW26 brings together a global audience for a dynamic mix of in-person and virtual experiences across New York City and beyond.

Explore the full , featuring exhibitions, shopping experiences, retail collaborations, talks, panels, workshops, demonstrations, tours, and more. Virtual programs will be streamed on YouTube, while in-person events offer opportunities to engage directly with artists, designers, curators, collectors, and other members of the jewelry community.

With many programs free and open to the public, NYC Jewelry Week invites everyone—from longtime jewelry enthusiasts to those just beginning to explore the field—to discover the artistry, ideas, histories, and craftsmanship that make jewelry so compelling.

Join us for NYCJW26, November 16–22, 2026.