My Greatest Mistake at NYC Jewelry Week 2025

My Greatest Mistake: What Contemporary Jewelry Artists Learn When Things Go Wrong

The glass breaks. The concept fails. The application is rejected.

It sounds like failure. But in the crux of defeats may be the seeds of creative breakthroughs. In the field of contemporary jewelry, pushing beyond the safe and conventional is the coin of the realm. Melanie Bilenker, Aaron Decker and Myra Mimlitsch-Gray discuss the lessons that come from failures. Moderated by journalist Jennifer Altmann.

Melanie Bilenker is an American artist based in Philadelphia whose work pays tribute to the historic art of Victorian hair jewelry. She uses her own hair to “draw” images depicting ordinary moments, such as bathing and washing dishes. Her work is in many museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Aaron Decker, a jeweler and enamelist based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, creates wearable and sculptural forms that often draw from military imagery, reflecting his experiences growing up in a military family. Deckers’ interest in jewelry was inspired by his grandfather, who made clocks. His work is in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the RISD Museum in Rhode Island, the Yale University Art Gallery, The Pinakothek Der Moderne in Germany and many other museum collections.

Myra Mimlitsch-Gray explores craft as subject and object, engaging the fields’ histories and methods. Trained as a metalsmith, she directs the renowned SUNY New Paltz metal program. She is the recipient of the United States Artists Fellowship, among many other awards. Her work is in many museum collections, including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Arts and Design.

Jennifer Altmann is a journalist who writes about contemporary jewelry. Her work has appeared in The New York Times’ Style section, The Washington Post, Metalsmith Magazine, the Associated Press and many other outlets. Her series for Art Jewelry Forum, “Inside the Jewelry Box,” offers a peek into the jewelry collections of artists, gallery owners, curators and collectors. Follow her on Instagram at @jenniferaltmann, where she chronicles the contemporary jewelry scene.

Each November, NYC Jewelry Week proudly presents ‘The Week,’ a 7-day celebration dedicated to the art of jewelry. This annual festival invites a global audience to explore the world of jewelry through a dynamic mix of in-person and virtual experiences, spanning New York City and beyond. Our hybrid program features virtual programs streamed on YouTube alongside immersive on-site activities.

In-person, NYC Jewelry Week brings together leading figures in the jewelry industry to curate extraordinary experiences, including exhibitions, exclusive shopping opportunities, and retail collaborations. Attendees can also participate in insightful panel discussions that explore trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. Each event creates memorable jewelry moments that celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of the industry.

Committed to inclusivity, many of our programs are free and open to the public. NYC Jewelry Week seeks to reshape how people view jewelry by inviting everyone to appreciate the artistry behind the scenes. Join us in celebrating the transformative power of jewelry and experience the beauty and innovation that define our community.

We look forward to welcoming you to NYCJW25!

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