ASA ANNOUNCES HOME-STUDY PROGRAM

The American Society of Appraisers now offers an audiocassette home-study version of its Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice course.

The course, which is mandatory for all ASA members, covers the history, preamble, ethics provision, competency provision, departure provision, jurisdictional exception and all 10 standards – just as does the traditional classroom course. Students advance at their own pace, then take an exam administered by a proctor.

The course includes eight audiocassettes, the USPAP manual and instructions. All students must sign a statement attesting that they listened to the tapes, read the material and took the exam on their own.

American Society of Appraisers, P.O. Box 17265, Washington, D.C. 20041; (800) ASA-VALU, fax (703) 742-8471. To enroll via Appraisal Profession Online, set your computer modem to dial (703) 478-5502.

CRAFT BUSINESS INSTITUTE SCHEDULED IN MARYLAND

The second annual Craft Business Institute will be held Sept. 15-17 at the Mt. Washington Conference Center in Baltimore, Md. The institute, produced by the Rosen Group, is designed for craftspeople, students and recent graduates who want to learn how to develop a successful career in crafts.

Craft experts will speak on more than two dozen topics, including product development, pricing, public relations, accounting, wholesaling and retailing. Participants are encouraged to bring slides and to take advantage of opportunities to network. In addition, resource suppliers will showcase their products and services.

Scholarships are available to craft students and recent graduates. The students should submit a one-page paper explaining why they should attend, the name of their school, an instructor reference, year of graduation, experience and future goals. Send applications to CBI Scholarship Program at the address below.

The $369 fee includes all programs, meals and lodging. The Rosen Group Inc., 3000 Chestnut Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, Md. 21211; (410) 889-2933, fax (410) 889-1320.

HRD INSTITUTE OFFERS NEW COURSE

The HRD Institute of Gemmology, the educational department of the Diamond High Council in Antwerp, Belgium, has expanded its curriculum of diamond grading, diamond sorting and gemology classes.

The school has added “Contemporary Diamond Jewellery Design” to its diamond program. The two-week course deals with the concept and creation of commercial and artistic jewelry and is available in Antwerp and abroad. Presentation techniques such as drawing and sketching make this course suited as an introduction to design for jewelers who want to offer more personalized service.

Diamond High Council, Public Relations Department, Hoveniersstraat 22, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium; (32-3) 222-0511, fax (32-3) 222-0724.

FLORIDA GOLDSMITHS SCHEDULE WORKSHOP

The Florida Society of Goldsmiths will conduct its ninth annual “Jewelry and Metalsmithing Workshop” Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.

Individual workshops and the artists who will present them: “Surface Embellishment,” John Cogswell; “Metal Fabrication Techniques,” Cathy Holt; “Creating by Forming Metal,” Betty Helen Longhi; “Hydraulic Press Forming,” Robert Pfuelb; “Cloisonn Enameling – Three-Dimensional Illusion,” Jean Stark; and “Bead Stringing,” Pam Nagot.

The $250 fee includes tuition, double-occupancy rooms, 11 meals, gratuities and group photograph. Contact Phil London, 8424 Monarch Circle, Seminole, Fla. 34642; (813) 398-2900; or Darrell Jackson, 445 N. Harbor Dr., Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. 34635; (813) 595-5855.

JEF ADDS APPRAISALS TO TRAINING PROGRAM

The Jewelers Education Foundation of the American Gem Society has added appraisals to its business and management training program with the launch of the “Cos Altobelli Appraisal Foundation Program.”

JEF says the program was named for Altobelli in recognition of his leadership in raising the industry’s understanding of appraisals methodology. The personal property appraising program was developed by Elly Rosen, who worked under contract to the American Gem Society.

Section I – “The Professional Appraisal Practice” – debuted in seminar format in February and is now available for home study. It covers principles, fiduciary responsibility, ethical conduct, negligence and liability. It also explains how to develop a practice and introduces appraisal report writing.

Section II – “The Appraisal Assignment” – addresses appraisal report writing, establishing the client relationship, authentication, research of markets and prices, and basic consumer functions and purposes.

Section III – “Advanced Appraisal Assignments” – covers advanced report writing, the appraiser in the legal system, advanced consumer assignments and advanced assignments for the professional client.

Introductory rates are $300 per section or $850 for all three paid in advance for AGS members or graduates of the International Society of Appraisers’ Courses 101, 102 and 103 (provided the courses were completed before 1993).

For information, call JEF President David Rotenberg at (215) 968-8900. To register, contact the American Gem Society, 8881 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, Nev. 89117; (702) 255-6500, fax (702) 255-7420.

YWCA ANNOUNCES CLASSES FOR FALL

The YWCA of New York City has announced its fall schedule of jewelry-related workshops and lectures:

• “Metalsmithing Techniques: Hollowware and Jewelry,” 6-9 p.m. on 14 Wednesdays beginning Sept. 27; $265.

• “Wax Carving and Design for Jewelry,” 6-9 p.m. in 14 sessions beginning Sept. 26 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in 14 sessions beginning Sept. 27; $265.

• “Niobium Workshop,” 2-5 p.m. on four Thursdays beginning Oct. 12; $85 for YWCA members, $105 for non-members.

• “Jewelry,” 14-session course that meets 6-9 p.m. Mondays beginning Sept. 25, 6-9 p.m. Thursdays beginning Sept. 28 and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays beginning Sept. 30; $265.

• “Pearl and Bead Stringing/Beginner and Advanced Beginner,” 2-5 p.m. on 10 Tuesdays beginning Sept. 26 and 6-9 p.m. on 10 Thursdays beginning Sept. 28; $200.

• “Beads, Glorious Beads,” 6-9 p.m. on eight Tuesdays beginning Sept. 26; $160.

• “Jewelry/Intermediate and Advanced,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on 14 Tuesdays beginning Sept. 26; $265.

• “Basic Jewelry,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. on 14 Wednesdays beginning Sept. 27; $265.

• “Enameling on Metal,” a 14-session course that meets 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. Thursdays beginning Sept. 28; $265.

YWCA of New York City, 610 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022; (212) 735-9722 or (212) 735-9731.