COMPETITION DEADLINE JUNE 9, 2010
Halstead Bead, Inc. is calling for entries to its fifth annual Business Development
Grant competition for new American jewelry designers entering the bridge jewelry trade. The deadline for packet
submissions is June 9, 2010. The winner of the 2010 Grant will receive $6,000 in cash and merchandise as well as
other benefits.
The Halstead Bead Business Development Grant differs from other jewelry industry competitions and awards because
of its emphasis on business skills. Entrants must demonstrate not only extraordinary design, but also a strong
business strategy. The application experience promotes the business planning required to make a jewelry brand
commercially viable at the national level in today’s competitive market.
Designers utilizing a wide variety of fabrication techniques including casting, lampworking, metal clay, beading,
or metalsmithing are eligible to enter the competition. Candidates must be US citizens who began their businesses
after January 1, 2007. Their design companies must focus on “bridge” jewelry which is the segment between costume
jewelry and fine jewelry that includes accessories in sterling silver, Argentium, semi-precious stones, crystal,
freshwater pearls and other similar materials.
Complete application details can be found at http://www.halsteadbead.com/Grant/Application/.
Candidates must submit a design portfolio, resume and answers to several business planning questions. Applications
must be received between April 15 and June 9, 2010. The grant website also includes several helpful articles on
launching a national jewelry brand as well as information on past winners and finalists. Previous grant winners
include VOSTENAKstudios, Bridgland Studios, Belle Brooke Designs, and Ananda Khalsa Jewelry.
The grant sponsor, Halstead Bead, Inc., is one of North America’s leading jewelry supply wholesalers. The firm was
established 37 years ago and now supplies thousands of component resellers and jewelry manufacturers around the globe.
Halstead Bead, Inc. is wholesale only and sells findings, chain, wire, sheet & beads for the bridge jewelry segment.
The grant is a great idea, and hopefully it inspires some beautiful pieces!
Posted by: jewelry supplies | October 28, 2010 at 12:32 PM