Jewelry Television’s Co-Founder Jerry Sisk Dies At Age 59

We often poke fun at Jewelry Television, but it’s time to be serious now.

The network’s co-founder Gerald D. Sisk Jr., passed away unexpectedly Sunday, according to JTV. He was only 59, which makes us feel a little more worried about our own mortality.

Jerry Sisk

Here is the link to the memorial on JTV’s website.

http://www.jtv.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-jtv-Site/default/Page-Include?cid=Gerald-D-Sisk-Memorial
Jerry Sisk

The announcement said that Sisk, JTV’s co-founder and executive vice president passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday morning. He is survived by his wife Karen, his mother, a sister and several other relatives.

Sisk was a graduate gemologist (G.I.A.), a member of the International Colored Gemstone Association, and served as a Gemstone Industry & Laboratory Conference committee member.

“A frequent guest speaker, he was honored to be chosen as one of the five most powerful people in the world of gems and gemology on the JCK 2012 Power List,” according to JTV. “His book, ‘Guide to Gems & Jewelry,’ has sold more than 15,000 copies and is in its second printing.”

Sisk was born in New York and had been a resident of Knoxville, Tenn., since college. That’s the city where JTV is based.

Sisk traveled to over 40 countries worldwide, “developed a deep appreciation for many cultures, and was well-versed in the challenges of gemstone mining and jewelry manufacturing,” JTV said. “Sisk began working in the jewelry business as a teenage apprentice.”

He created JTV in 1993 with Bob Hall and Bill Kouns, both longtime friends, and “tirelessly devoted his career to finding the best quality gemstones for the best value for JTV customers,” the network said.

“Jerry enjoyed sharing his passion for gemstones with others and especially enjoyed going on-air and talking directly to customers about how to look for the best gemstone for the money they had to spend,” JTV said.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 9908 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 7 p.m.

Family and friends will gather at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at Concord Masonic Cemetery with graveside services to follow at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s memory may be made to Beads of Courage.

Echo Of The Dreamer Is Apparently Exiting QVC

If looks like Margaret Thurman, who does the high-end dreamy Echo of the Dreamer jewelry line, is ending her stint on QVC.

We had purchased a few pieces of Echo before Thurman began doing a lower-priced collection for QVC. And we picked up one of her large pendants and and two rings when we actually went to West Chester for a Sterling Designer event. In fact, we met Thurman there.

Echo of the Dreamer for QVC

But the party is apparently over. We got an email from Thurman Thursday saying that her “final show” on QVC is this Sunday.

Here is what QVC.com says about the line:

Celebrate nature and the joys of life with Margaret Thurman’s Echo of the Dreamer jewelry collection. Inspired by her artistic journey, passion for exquisite stones, and the cultures of the world, these unique creations are adorned with stunning gems set in sterling silver or bronze.

So long Margaret. We loved your work for QVC.

HSN Sets Jan. 18 For Singer Josh Groban’s Live Performance

We already reported that singer Josh Groban was coming to HSN to hawk his new CD, but on Wednesday the home shopping network announced that he will appear on Jan. 18.

Groban will take the “HSN LIVE” stage at 9 p.m. a week from this Friday for the debut of his sixth album, “ALL THAT ECHOES,” before its official release on Feb. 5 with Reprise Records. The live one-hour concert is the latest installment of the HSN concert series, which has featured successful record launches from artists such Lionel Richie, Mary J Bilge, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett and a tribute to the late Whitney Houston.

“I’m really looking forward to performing songs from my new album for the HSN audience!” Groban said in a canned statement. “The HSN Live platform gives me the chance to engage my fans in a new and exciting way.”

Groban in 2007 was charted as the best-selling artist in the United States with over 21 million records sold. To date, he has sold over 25 million records worldwide and is the top-selling classical artist.

“We are thrilled that Josh chose HSN as the launching pad for his newest project,” said Andy Sheldon, HSN’s executive vice president of Television, Live Events and Creative. “HSN Live has become a highly respected platform within the music industry and we look forward to announcing more exciting experiences in 2013.”

HSN customers will have the opportunity to pre-order an exclusive bundle for $14.95 (plus S&H) which includes the new release, ALL THAT ECHOES and the DVD “Josh Groban: The Making of All That Echoes” which features the behind-the-scenes making of the Grammy winner’s sixth album.

“ALL THAT ECHOES” Track-Listing:

Brave
False Alarms
Falling Slowly
She Moved Through the Fair
Below the Line
E Ti Promettero
The Moon’s a Harsh Mistress
Un Alma Mas
Happy in My Heartache
Hollow Talk
Sincera
I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)

Groban co-wrote seven of the 12 tracks that appear on “ALL THAT ECHOES,” which also features five covers, including Stevie Wonder’s “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever),” Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova’s “Falling Slowly” (the Oscar-winning song from the film “Once”), and Jimmy Webb’s “The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress.”

Special guests on the album include Grammy-winning trumpet player Arturo Sandoval on “Un Alma Mas” and Italian vocalist Laura Pausini on “E Ti Promoterro.”

Immediately following the HSN concert, Groban will perform a special encore for Facebook fans which will also include an exclusive post-show chat at 10 p.m. on HSN.com and HSN’s Facebook page.

Ex-ShopNBC Host Pamela McCoy Is Coming To JTV With A Diamond Line

The cat’s finally out of the bag: Veteran ShopNBC host Pamela McCoy is coming to what some people refer to as the Hillbilly Channel, Jewelry Television.

McCoy, who spent many years as a ShopNBC host with her husband Wes, announced the news on Facebook.

“It is official!” she posted. “I can now announce my new destination.Some of you have already guessed it. I will be launching Pamela McCoy Diamonds at JTV! My first show is on Jan. 31st from 10 to 12 eastern. I am sooooo excited!!”

Pamela McCoy has landed on JTV

“I have been working on this line for almost a year,” McCoy wrote. “Every single piece of jewelry is a new design that will be launching for the first time. I chose JTV for this collection because they are the jewelry experts in the television industry. I will be posting a link to their website as well as photos of the new jewelry soon. I would love to get your feedback and support as soon as you see the collection. Thanks again for being such great friends and following me to my new home!”

The McCoys’ tenure as hosts on ShopNBC ended a while back, but Pam then did a clothing line for the network.

We think you’ll find this Pamela McCoy quite different that the one you saw on ShopNBC. She has long hair, and looks a lot younger. She bristled, and denied it, when we suggested that she had some work done. You can take a look and decide.

Angelina Jolie Stylist Jen Rade Debuts QVC Line Next Month

Want to see the stylist that probably guided actress Angelina Jolie to that thigh-high slit black red carpet dress? Then tune in to QVC next month.

Celebrity stylist Jen Rade is doing a a capsule collection, Edge by Jen Rade, for the home shopping network. It debuts Feb. 22, when QVC broadcasts live from LA during Oscar weekend.

Jen Rade

QVC already has a blurb about Rade, who also dresses Pink, on its website:

Star Power

Celebrity stylist and fashion expert Jen Rade has an impressive client roster of Hollywood’s hottest A-listers. Working with esteemed photographers on styling commercial campaigns for national brands and dressing some of the most famous faces of the entertainment industry, Jen is a talented visionary with credentials to match.

And now, she’s bringing her style expertise to QVC with an affordable line of must-have fashions debuting February 22, 2013 during QVC’s Red Carpet Style broadcast live from Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more fabulous looks from Jen in the spring.

http://www.qvc.com/JenRade.content.html?ref=CJ1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qvc.com%2FJenRade.content.html&cm_ite=AFFILIATE&cm_pla=10285745&cm_cat=4003003&cm_ven=CJ

Here’s a preview of Rade’s collection on SheFinds.com.

http://www.shefinds.com/2013/angelina-jolies-stylist-collaborates-with-qvc-for-spring/

The Skinny On Bethenny Frankel’s Jan. 12 Appearance On QVC

Reality TV veteran and talk show host Bethenny Frankel is coming to QVC.

Frankel, who recently announced that she and her husband were getting a divorce, is scheduled to appear on QVC Jan. 12 to offer a special configuration of products from her Skinnygirl Daily line, the home shopping network said Wednesday.

We had never heard of this nutrition line, although we have a bottle of Frankel’s Skinnygirl margaritas in our fridge.

“Designed to make health and wellness more accessible and easy for women on-the-go, the Skinnygirl Daily Cleanse and Restore Kit with Snack Bars (QVC Item #A232801) is a collection of the line’s most popular products,” the press release said.

And there was a canned statement from Frankel, as well.

“I developed Skinnygirl Daily in order to cater to women who lead a busy lifestyle and may not always have the time to make the healthiest choice,” Frankel said. “I’m thrilled to be sharing these products with QVC viewers, offering them the convenience they need in order to maintain a healthy and balanced life.”

The QVC Skinnygirl Daily configuration will include the Skinnygirl Daily 30-Day Supply of Cleanse and Restore, packaged in a wooden box containing recipes, all four flavors of On-The-Go Bars and a Skinnygirl Daily exclusive “Guide to a Healthier You.”

Retailing elsewhere for $118, the package will be available to QVC viewers for about $75. That’s a lot of smackers!

“Skinnygirl Daily Cleanse and Restore is a gentle, once-a-day cleanse that contains a probiotic blend and enzymes that helps to provide balance,” QVC said.

So in other words, does it keep you regular? We could use some of that (sorry, we know, TMI).

Skinnygirl On-The-Go Bars are available in four “delectable” flavors: Banana Oatmeal Dark Chocolate; Dark Chocolate Multi-Grain Pretzel; Coco-Nut with Peanut Butter; and Greek Yogurt Blueberry Crisp.

These bars are 180 calories each, kosher and all, except for the Dark Chocolate Multi-Grain Pretzel, are formulated gluten-free.

One of our astute readers noted that a line of shapewear created by Frankel is sold by QVC, and didn’t do too well in the review department.

Here is the Skinnygirl Cleanse boilerplate:

Skinnygirl Daily was envisioned by Bethenny Frankel, chef and television personality, who has strived to make healthy food delicious and accessible.

Inspired by her love for natural foods and a healthy body, she created the Skinnygirl Daily nutritional line of products to make health and wellness accessible and easy to women. Products currently include Skinnygirl Daily Cleanse & Restore, Skinnygirl Daily Weight Management & Energy, Skinnygirl Daily Vitamin Power Packets and Skinnygirl On-the-Go Bars.

The high-quality, natural products are designed for busy women of the 21st Century who are committed to an active lifestyle and balanced diet. For more information, please visit skinnygirldaily.com.