John A. Christensen, G. G. ~ Resume

Intro

John A. Christensen, G.G.

Currently:

Starting August 15th, 2016 I took a position as CAD manager for Studio 2015 Jewelers in Woodstock, IL. This is a familiy owned business that also has a manufacturing company that includes Dougherty Enterprises, and Thumbies, Inc.

I create designs for the retail and manage the flow between the store, Manufacturing, and the Jewelers to complete Custom jewelry entirely in-house.

As a Graduate Gemologist I also assist with Appraisals and Gem Identification when needed.

Summary of qualifications:

8/2016 - Present	Studio 2015 Jewelers Woodstock, IL CAD Manager
10/2003- 8/2016	State Street Jewelers Geneva, IL John Wears many hats at State Street Jewelers, and in the Community. Manages the repair department at the store Creates the Wax models and Computer Aided Designs (CAD) with Matrix for custom Jewelry Former President of the Geneva Lions Club Lectures to Girl Scout Troops in the store monthly about Gemstones for their jewelry badge Lectures on Gemstones and Custom Jewelry design at Museums, Jr. High, and High Schools Assists with Sales, Customer Service, Custom Design, Wax Carving, watch battery replacement, web site updates, computer related support, appraisals.
2000-2003	Jared the Galleria of Jewelry Saint Charles, IL Asst. Gen Mgr. Managing +,- 20 employees, Helped to set up 2 new stores in the Chicago area.
2000	Costello Jewelry Company Glen Ellyn, IL General Sales Sales, Appraisals, Customer Service, Custom Design, Wax Carving, watch battery replacement.
1992 - 1999	Gold Art Handmade Jewelry Urbandale, IA Owner Started Gold Art as a retail business doing custom, made-to-order pieces and original designs, Appraisals that are state of the art, repairs, antique jewelry restoration. Steady increase in sales over 7 years, with a database of over 3000 loyal customers. I have been the webmaster at www.goldart.net since May of 1996. I have developed an important web presence with this site, at that time generating 14% of my total gross sales. I am the World Internet representative for International award winning artist Michael M. Dyber. I had a local area computer network at my store, and at home, that I set up & maintain, and have experience with digital photography & graphic manipulation.
1990 - 1992	Christopher's Fine Jewelry Ankeny, IA Owner of Shop facility Handled all phases of repairs, custom work, Appraisals, production casting.
1983 - 1990	The Jeweler's Bench, Corp. Des Moines, IA Foreman A 9 person trade shop, over 40 accounts, specializing in custom work, management, stone and materials buyer. Personally trained over 20 bench jewelers in all facets of repair, stone setting, and fabrication.
1974-1983	Jonesin' - Blue Ribbon Rock & Roll Drums, Vocals, Songwriting Based in Des Moines, Iowa, then moving to Omaha, Nebraska, Jonesin' traveled 8 Midwestern States and Canada. We had a dedicated following, and appreciate all the support of all the fans over the years. Jonesin' backed up many top recording artists in it's day. Most notably; Santana, the Marshall Tucker band, U2, Sea Level, Elvin Bishop, Commander Cody, Walter Egan, Marc Jordan, Head East, Savoy Brown, Nantucket, and others.

www.dyber.net

www.goldart.net

First Place and
BEST OF SHOW
Iowa Jeweler's Association 1999

First Place
Over $3000 (Cost of Materials)
Illinois Jeweler's Association 2003

Award Winning Jewelry and Web Design

Gold Art Handmade Jewelry - Michael Dyber

Michael Dyber / Gold Art
Web Site is a Winner!
We are honored to be selected by GemKey Magazine as one of the premier colored stone web sites. The following is from our notification:

"8 December 99
Dear Sirs:
Congratulations, you have received GemKey Magazine's "Best of the Web" Award for your excellent General Colored Stone website.

The award was given based on a combination of design aspects and usability. Your company's website scored high in these categories and was published in our magazine to serve as a reference guide to trade websites that are in a class of their own or a leading industry websites.

We hope this award helps to not only bring an increased number of visitors to your website, but also recognizes the effort made to create a superior website.

Warm regards,
Russell Shor,
Editor-in-chief, GemKey Magazine "

We appreciate this award very much!
John

Education:

1975 Graduate of Newton High School, Newton, IA
June 17, 1983 Jewelmont Corp. Golden Valley, MN Jewelry Repair

June 9, 1992, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Home Study, Diamonds Course
August 24, 1992, GIA Home Study, Colored Stones Course
October 17, 1994, GIA Home Study, Diamond Grading Course
January 19, 1995, GIA Santa Monica, CA, Diamond Grading Graduate Course
September 4, 1996, GIA Home Study, Gem Identification Course
February 10, 1997, GIA Home Study, Colored Stone Grading Course
April 21, 1997, GIA Comprehensive Examination, Gemologist Degree
July 31, 1997, GIA Chicago, IL Gem Identification, Graduate Course
August 6, 1997, GIA Chicago, IL Colored Stone Grading, Graduate Course
August 6, 1997, Graduate Gemologist Degree (GIA)

May 2003, "World of Rolex" Training, Akron, OH.

2003-04 Illinois Institute of Art, Schamburg, IL, for Web Site Development

Awards received:

2003, 1st Place, Category: Over $3000 (cost of materials),
Illinois Jeweler's Association Design Competition

1999, BEST OF SHOW, Iowa Jeweler's Association Design Competition

1999, 1st Place, Category III, Iowa Jeweler's Association Design Competition

1999, "Best of the Web" GemKey Magazine, Colored Stones category

1998, 1st Place, Category III, Iowa Jeweler's Association Design Competition

1997, 2nd Place, Category III, Iowa Jeweler's Association Design Competition

The piece pictured at the top left of this page was one of the top 32 designs through JA at the International show in New York, February 2000.
Top right is the 2003 Winner.

In 1999, I had a very successful year, running my own operation. In January 2000, I relocated to St. Charles IL., then June 2013 to Maple Park, IL. I am currently working. I have been the foreman of a 9 person trade shop, Owner / Manager / Salesman / Bookkeeper / Buyer of a retail store, Asst. General Manager of a 6000+ sq. foot, multi million dollar jewelry store with over 20 people on the payroll.

I am in my element, in Woodstock, IL as a CAD designer for Studio 2015 Jewelers.

I have the experience of 37 years in the business, as a designer, owner, or manager. See my web design, and some finished jewelry pieces on this site, and at www.dyber.net

Email me at: info@johncdesigns.com

Intro