A van belonging to Keith Lewis, a New York jeweler in Atlanta for this weekend's American Craft Council show, was stolen from Wyndham Galleria hotel (6345 Powers Ferry Road) parking lot either late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, according to a spokesperson for the event.
Lewis' friend Seymour Mondshein, a leather handbag artist, drove the van to Atlanta from Rosemont, N.J., on Tuesday.
Among the stolen items were 500 pairs of earrings, Lewis' speciality, and nearly 480 pounds of booth fittings.
Mondshein will no longer be able to participate in the event, which takes place at the Cobb Galleria Friday through Sunday (March 13-15).
Lewis is arranging for additional pieces to be shipped from his Hudson Valley home in time for an event preview party on Thursday. Those pieces will fill a makeshift booth.
Lewis spoke to the AJC ahead of the event. He was en route by plane when he found out the van had been stolen.
Cobb police are investigating the incident.
Atlanta's American Craft Council show is one of four similar events that take place across the country. More information on the show is available on the event website.
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