Nadja lands from JCK 2026 and reviews her last few days. Working the booth for Pepe Tools and getting to connect with other members of the trade, she is excited and encouraged about the state of the industry.

Moving unexpectedly, I needed a new place for my shop. Tour coming soon!

In this episode of Pass The Torch: Legacies and Jewelry, I travel to Taos, New Mexico for my first-ever visit and sit down with Peter Gilroy — jeweler, machinist, climber, and the owner of Bonny Doon Tools, where he continues the legacy of innovation in hydraulic presses and tools for the jewelry industry.

Bonny Doon Manual Press:

https://www.riogrande.com/product/bonny-doon-classic-20-ton-manual-hydraulic-press--ram/110501GP?code=110501&objectID=110501&queryID=c4668850e906c73d37556e787b974214

Bonny Doon Starter Kit: https://www.riogrande.com/product/bonny-doon-intro-starter-kit/110605GP?code=110605&objectID=110605&queryID=4ad41333b89fbcae3ed8c4b2201dd207

I’m bringing you along for my first real experience breaking down what it takes to take your jewelry to a craft show and have it be a successful event for your business. I spent several days at artisan jeweler Michael Boyd’s booth, and both Michael and his assistant Josie generously shared so much of their knowledge with me. We get into setup, displays, and all the things you don’t realize until you’re in it. This episode is brought to you by Pepe Tools.pepetools.com

Link to Saw Blade Organizer: https://pepetools.com/products/kerf-saw-blade-organizer-dispenser?variant=34796291719319&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=22802381515&utm_content=&utm_term=&gadid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22798664561&gbraid=0AAAAADo-zVPSS_FnKFnVRE63gHPOOgPKb&gclid=CjwKCAjwtcHPBhADEiwAWo3sJvAN7oFdbbWsazDyE1DvcDw0PQza8s2EWXXCWP-qs4E4LOqVqQ9JZhoChdEQAvD_BwE

Link to Nano Blades: https://pepetools.com/products/nano-jewelers-saw-blades

In this episode of Pass The Torch: Legacies in Jewelry, I sit down with Katerina Perez—one of the most influential voices in the global jewelry industry.

Known for her sharp eye, fearless opinions, and deep love for craftsmanship, Katerina has built a platform that bridges heritage maisons and emerging designers alike. But behind the polished world of high jewelry is a story of risk, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.

We talk about what it really takes to build a respected voice in an industry rooted in tradition, how storytelling shapes the value of jewelry, and why standing firm in your perspective matters.

This conversation is about more than jewelry. It’s about legacy, taste, courage, and the responsibility that comes with influence.

In this episode of Pass The Torch, Nadja moderates a Lincoln–Douglas style debate between two voices in the jewelry world, Jean Paul (JP) and Michael Robinson, centered on a timely question:Does the integration of AI in jewelry design undermine the integrity of creativity?Taking the affirmative position, JP argues that AI functions as a tool that expands creative possibilities, allowing designers to explore ideas faster while keeping vision, intention, and artistic judgment at the center of the process.Taking the opposing position, Michael defends traditional craftsmanship, emphasizing the importance of hand fabrication, learned technique, and the lineage of artisanal skill that has defined jewelry making for generations.Structured with opening statements, rebuttals, and a live crossfire discussion, the debate moves beyond theory into a passionate exchange about authorship, authenticity, and the future of the craft.As the conversation unfolds, both perspectives challenge each other—and the listener—to consider a larger question: As technology enters the studio, what truly defines creativity in jewelry design?
This Podcast is sponsored by Pepe Tools: https://pepetools.com/

What happened in Arizona? Not much after I got sick.

However, there is a lot to look forward to! These are some of the goodies I returned with as well as a personal update and a vision for the content to come.

In this solo episode, Nadja returns to Pass the Torch: Legacies in Jewelry to talk candidly about a brutal platinum project that pushed her to the edge of her skill, patience, and resolve. It’s a story about being humbled, bruised, and very aware of her limits and choosing to stay in it anyway. She also shares what it means to lock in for a serious, intense year ahead and prepares to step onto the Tucson gem show stage for the first time carrying both fresh lessons and a sharpened vision. Season 2 kicks off with brutal honesty, a deeper look at the cost of mastery, the discipline behind legacy, and what it really takes to keep showing up to the bench. Messy, funny, and unapologetically real, this episode sets the tone for a season of hard lessons and bold momentum.