2020 Jewelry-Making Contest Winners
Featuring Seed Beads
Like its celestial namesake, Laura Giusti's Le Soleil shone with an undeniable warmth that lit up the room with fierce allure. To mimic the fiery movement of the sun's rays, Giusti created a three-dimensional ruffled collar--a detail that immediately caught Chris' eye. "The consistency in the waves is stunning," she observed, "and the colors are beautiful." Even after moving on to other pieces, the judges returned to bask in the radial patterns and red-haute color nuances of this year's Gold Medal Grand Prize design.
Inspired by the star-flecked summer sky visible from her flower garden, Patricia Parker's Stella Polaris shone with an eye-catching vibrancy that kept Chris and the judges coming back for further exploration. "It's so well finished," Chris remarked, "and the colors are so warm." Not only is Parker's piece stunning, but convertible as well. The outer strand of the necklace can be detached and worn as a matching bracelet. It was this transformative quality and attention to detail that earned Parker's design the number two spot in this year's contest.
Julie Anstaett's Ocean Gem is an undersea treasure that feels like it was plucked from the Atlantean royal jewels. Chris saw the complete sea urchin skeleton focal as "so creative" and said, "I've never seen anything quite like it." It was this unique element, combined with a cool color palette of teal and gold, that solidified this piece's top tier standing.
With masterful florist-level composition, Keiko Wada's design Wakamurasaki caught everyone's attention. Wada's cascading, wearable beaded bouquet was inspired by Wakamura, a character in the novel Genji Monogatari. Dripping with wisteria blooms, springtime hues and woven organic forms, it's no wonder that her design was quickly named as this year's Employee's Choice. "It's absolutely beautiful," Chris said as she gently turned the piece to admire it further. "Even the clasp is stunning."
Alex Roeder's inspiration for Carnival came from the annual Brazilian festival's samba dancer costumes--a connect that immediately drew the judges to the piece. "It's so flexible, I could see a dancer wearing this," Stuart said, continuing to admire the design's vibrant celebration of movement and color as he happily marked it the winner of the President's Award.
"Rocio" means dew in Spanish, and it was the vivid colors captured in the morning droplets of Edwin Batres' garden that inspired his dimensional design. Packed with textural appeal, Rocio's creative twist on the chunky jewelry trend had judges raving and was promptly named Trendsetter. Chris was quick to comment on the tactile quality of the beads. Turning the piece in the light, she said, "The dew effect is amazing, and it's so light!"
Hummingbirds are fiercely territorial for how tiny they are. It is this brave willingness to defend their woodland territories that inspired Andrea Grzabka's Treetop Warriors. "Unbelievable, the back is as beautiful as the front," Chris remarked. Unwilling to leave the charmingly detailed piece without an award, she named it the winner of the unbound Whimsy Award.
Inspired by the handwoven Kente cloths traditionally worn by royalty in Ghana, Africa, Larry Brown's Beaded Kente Shawl honors the tradition with a mix of cultural symbols and patterns of his own creation. Chris admired the complex details and took note of the "very beautiful work."
One of the few good things to come out of this year's lonely summer is Tatiana Van Iten's design, Quarantine. In true 2020 fashion, her inspiration came from her favorite TV binge. Chris complimented the design's lively pink and red assemblage of Chinese symbolism, calling it a "beautiful combination of artifacts." It was for this decorative quality that it was chosen for the Spectacular Sculpture Award.
Featuring Metal
With fine and sterling silver, a lapidary cut cabochon and faceted gemstones, Daryl Adams created his Grand Prize Gold Medal winning design. It may be said that the success of the design could be attributed to its construction evolving out of love. Ula's Gift was inspired by Daryl's wife, who loved the coveted purple Mohave turquoise with mother-of-pearl in a bronze matrix. Adams said of the piece, "The iridescence of the pearl along with the earthiness of the turquoise [was] the perfect combination of heaven and the earthen sea ... As a final touch, the faceted ruby, which is my wife's birthstone, completes the piece ... Ula's Gift."
"Beautiful! Such intricate wirework."
- Contest Judge
Artist Barbara Briggs's Eat Your Vegetables is a design you'll want to bite into. With succulent colors and beautiful metal luster, Barbara was inspired by the spring season and lush abundance of deliciously fresh produce. Her fun and playful approach to her winning design is one of Barbara’s many talents. For over 30 years Barbara has perfected her artistry with fearless creativity and true passion for her work.
"Very clever. Wonderful enameling."
- Contest Judge
The Grand Bronze winner is a piece fit for an Egyptian deity. Cathe Campbell's Egyptian Goddess features a sultry plunging neckline that rests boldly upon the décolleté. The subtle movement of delicate antique plated brass chain, feather fringe and metallic iris seed beads work together in harmony with valiant focals to exhibit alluring, unwavering feminine power.
"Great for western-style."
- Contest Judge
A sterling silver metal clay bracelet, Adventures in Paradise is a nostalgic journey through a beloved beach day. Inspired by many beach days discovering the many mysticisms of the sea, Judy Larson and her 4-year-old granddaughter created lasting memories of adventure in their very own paradise. The bracelets ability to invoke those same childhood memories in others is why it was awarded the Employees' Choice Award.
"Amazing! Mouth-dropping. Detail is mind-boggling."
- Contest Judge
Presented with the Trendsetter Award for blazing forward into the future of jewelry designs with modern technology, Amanda Mizuno utilized the 3D-printer to create a custom mold and texture tools. Her design Mystic Moons most notably features a moonstone cabochon and blue mystic topaz gemstones all in one stunning pendant. Mizuno was praised for her creativity and willingness to explore a new medium.
"Love the creativity of using 3-D modeling."
- Contest Judge
Winner of the President's Award, Debbie Benninger's fantastical design Dragon in Formal Wear brings the magic of fantasy into reality. Described as a truly amazing design that entranced the judges with its beauty, Benninger's design features a complex collar and necktie design comprised of scalemaille, wirework, crystals, lapis and labradorite cabochons, and more.
"Wowza! Over the top and so imaginative."
- Contest Judge
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