Tiny Jewel Box in Washington, D.C., can now say it’s “America’s Coolest Jeweler,” after receiving first place in the Big Cool division (jewelry stores with six or more full-time employees) in INSTORE magazine’s list of America’s Coolest Stores for 2011. The 10-year-old competition rewards independent jewelry retailers for bringing creativity, innovation and personality to their craft. Tiny Jewel Box was cited as introducing many European designers to the U.S. for the first time and expanding into the fashion accessories and corporate gifts markets, adding weight to its first place status.

Owner Linda Goldenstein will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Goldenstein Gallery in November. Known for its commitment to local and regional artists in all mediums and styles, the gallery is the go-to place in Sedona, Ariz., for local and visiting collectors. “We appreciate our community of artists and collectors and have planned many events for them over the next two years,” says Goldenstein.

After more than 27 years, Vespermann-Cooper Gallery of Atlanta, Ga., closed its doors in late August. When founder Seranda Vespermann opened in 1984, she was one of only six glass galleries in the country. “The gallery situation has changed so much,” said Vespermann. “We are disappointed that something we had had such high hopes for did not work out, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense to be sad or melancholy about doing the smart thing.” Vespermann said she will continue to design corporate awards and stained glass commissions.

Move over, snow globes and T-shirts. Travelers at the San Francisco International Airport can now spend preflight time shopping for American-made crafts and folk art, including works by Bay Area artists, at the new Mosaic Gallery, designed by DDI and operated by Avila Travel. The attractive wood storefront at the airport’s Terminal 2 reflects the airport’s commitment to the arts.

Less than an hour east of Minneapolis and St. Paul lies the St. Croix River Valley, a land of rolling hills created by the waterway that marks the boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota. One of the area’s jewels is Hudson, Wis., a small town packed with historic charm.

There, a mid-century creamery—this is America’s dairyland, remember—still occupies a busy intersection. But large banners proclaiming “Seasons on St. Croix Gallery” make clear the building’s purpose, as does the art glass gleaming in large windows: This is a wonderfully curated collection of North American art and fine crafts, deftly slipped into the old river town’s retail mix.

The gallery is the brainchild of owner Ruth Misenko, a 60ish woman with energy and charm to spare. Correction: Seasons on St. Croix is more than an eclectic, contemporary gallery that showcases handmade work by more than 160 artists and fine craft makers. Thanks to Misenko, this is a place where customers, artists and the community come together to engage with art, as well as to buy it.

For more of “An Artful Collaboration” pick up a copy of the Summer 2011 issue of NICHE magazine..

Watches may be a functional convenience for most of us, but for the fashion-conscious, it’s the jumping-off point for telling time and making a statement.

The Keum-Boo 0001 watch by Hershal Wiggins Designs (215-796-3225) combines his signature use of argentium sterling silver with 24kt gold.

In fact, the more funky and eye-catching they are, the better. These three discerning jewelry artists are only too happy to oblige.

Linda Shull’s work incorporates her own handmade fused dichroic art glass with sterling silver in whimsical patterns to create her watches. She uses the kinetic qualities of the glass to create depth, movement and intensity. Worn loose to look like bracelets, she says the pieces are designed specifically to give both wearers and observers a dose of amusement.

The metal “Orbit Pendulum Clock” by Leonie Lacouette (845-255-3762) perfectly accentuates any wall.

Hershal Wiggins’ watch creations drew him to seek out new material. Frustrated by easily tarnished traditional sterling silver, he started working with argentium silver, an alloy heavily resistant to discoloring. Through experimentation with the metal, he created his newest watch, Keum-Boo 0001, fusing pure gold onto argentium sterling silver. His other watches with argentium silver faces have colorful bands and matching hour and minute hands.

For home decor options, Leonie Lacouette’s wall clocks would look good in any room. Her designs are simple and range from metal clocks to modern wooden timepieces. Geometric shapes often meet playful designs, and come in a variety of sizes.

Since the beginning of the year, jeweler Carrie Nunes has committed herself to making a ring a day—365 in all—to benefit the Craft Emergency Relief Fund + Artists’ Emergency Resources (CERF+). The rings vary greatly in style and price; some go for as little as $1. So far, Nunes has raised $1,200 for the organization, and she still has many more rings to go.

The cause hit even closer to home for Nunes after floods hit her hometown, Nashville, Tenn., this spring. “This project is more personal than ever as CERF+ is now helping artists right here in Tennessee who were affected by the flood,” she says. Luckily, Nunes’ studio and home were spared.

For the past 25 years, CERF+ (the plus was recently added to reflect the organization’s expanded role in helping artists) has offered grants, loans and other assistance to craft artists suffering career-threatening emergencies. Programs like its new website, www.studioprotector.org, launched May 1, aim to help artists prepare for disasters before they occur.

To purchase one of Nunes’ Ring-a-Day rings, visit her Etsy shop.