Congratulations to Spring, 2025 Jumpstarter Innovation Grant recipients, Vivian Chiu and Eiman Rezaei!
Vivian plans to acquire a VacuPress vacuum system, essential for integrating marquetry into her new series of wooden vessel forms. Unlike previous work using printed photographs, she is developing a rare technique for pictorial representation across multi-faceted wooden surfaces, requiring extreme precision.
In Vivian’s words, “Traditional glue-ups have proven inefficient for veneering complex surfaces, making the VacuPress system necessary to achieve seamless alignment and consistency. The grant will also cover building a vacuum table, veneering supplies, and safety equipment.”
Beyond improving her own work, this investment will allow her to scale production, explore advanced techniques, and share their expertise with the craft community through workshops—helping to inspire and equip future artisans. Ultimately, the funding will expand their creative possibilities and ensure that culturally significant stories continue to be told through their craft.
Eiman plans to purchase a laser welder, enabling them to explore new jewelry designs that seamlessly integrate wood and metal. His current work involves creating larger-scale jewelry forms requiring delicate substructures to support wooden veneers and functional hardware. Traditional soldering is not feasible near wood, making a laser welder essential for achieving their vision of lightweight yet wearable pieces.
Beyond advancing his one-of-a-kind work, the laser welder will also enhance his production design capabilities, particularly for earrings, allowing increased output for gallery submissions and online sales. In his words, “Financial constraints currently prevent me from pursuing this innovation independently, making the grant crucial for their creative and technical growth.”
