Contemporary Jewellery ? :/

Been searching around for questions to answer in my video, and there is some intriguing material out there. The most common question is 'What is Contemporary Jewellery?'. 
AskJeeves.com gives us this answer 

"Contemporary Jewellery is a type of practice - understood as the contemporary offspring of a craft-based design activity that finds its origin in medieval workshops"


At the most basic level, I'm happy with that. It doesn't to anything to glorify it, yet it doesn't deface it either. Its a type of practice, yes, and it has stemmed from craft-based design and medieval metal work and goldsmithing. I think the craft element here is important in distinguishing it from fine or fashion jewellery. Yet some people hate to be aligned with the connotations that come with the word 'craft'. I don't mind, I don't think that people will look at a piece of work and go...oh its just 'craft'....i think if we push the fact that work has been 'crafted' then thats fine, I think the work should help to redefine peoples perception of 'craft'. Sure, it used to be knitting, crochet, furniture, sewing, but this is the 21st century, and a lot of meanings are changing. If people are confronted with a piece of contemporary jewellery, and they have a perception of that being craft, yet this piece isn't a knitted cardigan....I think that will speak for itself, and people will have to rethink what craft is, or, as the narrow-minded will, dismiss it and carry on. Their loss! 
One thing I have picked up on that is really helping me to come to terms with what contemporary jewellery is....is that fact that it only reaches a small audience, and being aware of that isn't limiting. I think it helps push work, because the people who will view and appreciate the work, are essentially aware of whats already been done, whats being done, what ideas are current...rather than trying to 'teach' the masses what contemporary jewellery is...which just seems a bit silly. It'd be like, when the internet first became available, trying reach EVERYONE to teach them how to use it and what its purpose was, not just the few were interested. I do think it is important for us to push the perceptions of as many people as possible, but we need to be prepared for people to not understand, and not be accepting of it. Especially those outside of the contemporary jewellery realm. I think when the jewellery comes into contact with the public it is exciting, but I do not think contemporary jewellery needs to jump out there and try to force people to understand it. I think it needs to be happy with itself, content to not be at the forefront of everyones jewellery needs. If it was...it would just be mainstream wouldn't it...and then it would lose its integrity altogether. 


This article with Lisbeth den Besten helped a lot. I recognised her from the video I watched yesterday too. 
http://www.klimt02.net/forum/index.php?item_id=948