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Retail News: AZ Jeweler Helps Make A Wish Come True; Horologist Bruce Blackman Dies At 86 March 30, 2016 (0 comments)
Scottsdale, AZ—The Arizona Make-A-Wish Foundation has chosen Paul Johnson Jewelers for its “jeweler sponsor,” after the jeweler made a special collection of jewelry for the organization’s Make-A-Wish child who wants to be a dress designer.
Through Make-A-Wish, Jayne visited the jeweler to select some jewelry to go with her future designs. When Jayne arrived at the store, jewelers Clark and Bambi Johnson had pre-selected some pieces they thought Jayne might like, but after a tour of the store, Jayne knew exactly what would suit her personal taste: opals. She also asked Clark Johnson about creating jewelry with the logo for her dress designs. (Left: Jayne with Clark Johnson.)
“Unfortunately we couldn’t do that. We explained how it would require carving a wax and showed it to her, but it’s a tight time frame [till the end of the event], he told The Centurion.
The Johnsons made Jayne a few pieces of opal jewelry and gave them to her, as well as donating four $100 gift certificates and environmentally-friendly jewelry cleaner to the Make-A-Wish silent auction.
Clark and Bambi Johnson with Jayne.
Arizona residents can help raise more money for the organization by visiting a Jack in the Box restaurant and buying a Wish Star for $1, through March 31.
In Memoriam: Bruce Tanner Blackman, Jeweler And Chronometer Maker
Newport Beach, CA—Bruce Blackman, one of the nation’s few horologists, died last weekend at his home after a brief illness. He would have been 87 in May.
Blackman was born in 1929 in Altadena, CA, and as a youth discovered his life’s passion while working after school for a local clockmaker. This led to a degree in horology from Bradley University, winning a national clock design contest for chronometers, and enjoying a life of fulfillment being Newport’s “family jeweler.” After studying business at USC and working for several of Los Angeles’s finest jewelry trade stores, he set up Blackman Ltd. in 1957, serving the maritime community repairing chronometers, barometers, and compasses; then later adding fine jewelry and gifts from many European sources.
Throughout his more than 70 years in the business he was well known for his generous spirit, genuine smile, and twinkle in his eyes. He and his wife of 50 years, Trish, traveled extensively, making lifelong friendships across the globe. And though he did business with the finest jewelry and watch houses, it was the people that were most important to him. Blackman was very proud that his “salon of fine jewelry” continues into its 60th year.
A lifetime competitive sailor and member of Newport Harbor Yacht Club, Blackman very much enjoyed the camaraderie and freedom of being at sea, and indeed it was at the end of the Transpac Race in 1963 that he met his future wife, Patricia Burgess, in Honolulu.
Whether working at Blackman Ltd., adventuring across the Pacific looking for buried treasure, tagging sea birds and seals for research, hunting quail in Mexico, tending to his Bonsai Trees, creating a gourmet feast for his friends or golfing at Santa Ana Country Club, Blackman made the most of each experience and relationship. His passing occurred only a short time after returning with his wife from a final buying trip to Bangkok and Hong Kong.
Blackman is survived by his wife, Trish, four children and five grandchildren. Son David continues his legacy at Blackman Ltd.