Jewel School Design Contest 2013

It's that time of year again -- time for the JEWEL SCHOOL DESIGN CONTEST, called "Jewel School Designer Showcase Challenge."

I really like this contest a lot! Years ago, as a novice jewelry maker, I entered the contest and won the People's Choice, which was a public vote on the website and the grand prize. I won a $5,000 shopping spree for jewelry making supplies! And thus, my life as a jewelry maker began. 

As other Jewel School customers and I learned and began making jewelry together, we became "Jewel School Friends" on Facebook. I found a wonderful community of creative and lovely artists. I'm a fan of Jewel School -- but not affiliated with Jewel School -- I'm not an employee nor do I receive any kind of benefits from them -- but I am appreciative of all I've learned from Jewel School! My jewelry making, love of gemology, and many very best friends are all because of Jewel School.

The Jewel School Contest

The contest closes this year on August 21st, so you'll have to put together an entry quickly!  But entering is as simple as many of the Facebook challenges and Blog Hops we often share: you may enter one design (uploading up to 5 images of your design) in one of three categories. The categories are: 

Mixed-up media -- techniques utilizing the following as the focus of design: Kumihimo, leather, concrete or polymer clay. The winner of this category will receive Jewel School products & cash worth $1,000.

Metal Art Play -- transforming wire and/or metal into a finished piece using the following techniques/tools: metal smithing, wire work, Viking knit, art clay, chainmaille, cold or hot connections, metal forming, weaving or firing plates. The winner of this category will receive Jewel School products & cash worth $1,000.

Blissful Beading -- Includes any of the following techniques as the focus of design: knotting, beading wire, seed bead looming. The winner of this category will receive Jewel School products & cash worth $1,000.

The Jewel School judges will pick 5 finalists from each category to be voted on publically. The judges are great! So many experts and amazing artists will be judging the five finalists from each category!  

Judges will choose the finalists based on: 

*Originality
*Creative use of materials
*Level of Difficulty
*Overall finish, smooth with no seams, tool marks, or other finishes or marks outside of design intent

Judges will rate entries on a scale of 1-5; the entries with the most accumulated points will be eligible for public voting for the Grand Prize of Jewel School products and cash worth $3,500. 

Read more about the contest, view the entries so far, and enter the contest at the Jewel School website. Good luck! 

Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques.