2023 Jewelry-Making Contest Winners

Crystal and Glass

The 2023 Best in Show winner was awarded to Firefall Illusion. Karen Carmichael, the talented artist behind Leslie K Creations, found inspiration for her masterpiece in the captivating optical illusion that occurs at Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park. This phenomenon takes place once a year in February when the sunset's reflection on the falls creates a breathtaking illusion. The water cascading down the mountain appears as if it were flowing lava, adding a mesmerizing and ethereal quality to the scene. Karen's artwork pays homage to this natural wonder, capturing the essence of the fiery flow with her creative interpretation.

Iryna was deeply inspired to craft a stunning necklace specifically for her daughter, considering her daughter's birthstone, alexandrite. Recognizing the beauty and unique characteristic of this gemstone, Iryna sought to highlight its allure, particularly its remarkable ability to change color based on the surrounding light. With this intention in mind, she carefully designed a gorgeous necklace that would accentuate the inherent beauty and captivating nature of alexandrite. By incorporating the stone into her creation, Iryna has created a meaningful and visually striking piece that serves as a symbol of love and appreciation for her daughter.

Third Place was awarded to Renaissance Queen. Laura Embrey found inspiration for her piece from the Paperblanks' diary cover titled "Restoration: The Queen's Binding." This artwork showcases a captivating pattern of intricate swirls and flower shapes in gold against a black background. Intrigued by the design, Laura took on the technical challenge of translating these curves into a necklace that would elegantly rest on the neck. She aimed to infuse the piece with a renaissance feel, evoking the elegance and artistry of that era. To provide a contemporary contrast to the gold and black elements, Laura incorporated bright blue 'DeLite' crystals, reminiscent of the splashes of blue found in the flowers of the diary. This modern twist adds a vibrant touch to the overall design.

Metal Clay

Konomi Ota, the talented artist behind IzanaB, crafted a metal clay masterpiece utilizing the technique of color gradation. She skillfully achieved this effect by adjusting the color after firing, depending on the ratio of copper clay and silver clay used in the mix. Konomi drew inspiration from the exquisite Japanese sweets that beautifully portray seasonal flowers. These delicate confections served as a muse for her artwork, guiding her in capturing their essence and translating it into her metal clay creations. Her craftmanship is the reason that Twinkle Roses was the First Place winner.

Maria Nahlik's Little Princess of the Night design radiates a cheerful and calming presence, drawing inspiration from elements of a peaceful night. This Second Place design was crafted with meticulous care using sculpting and sintering metal clay techniques, and portrays a sleeping princess with closed eyes and a gently open mouth. The princess delicately holds a star and a moon, symbolizing the enchantment of the nighttime sky. Nestled within the curve of the chain, this whimsical pendant captures the serene beauty of a peaceful night.

Lyn Punkari crafted a remarkable metal clay brooch using sterling sheet, round wire in various gauges, PMC flowers, and gemstone beads. Woman in the Flower Crown won Third. Lyn reveals that her inspiration for this piece stems from flower headdresses, which hold a rich historical significance across various cultures. She admires the beauty and empowering nature of wearing such headdresses. By translating this inspiration into her metal clay creation, Lyn captures the essence of these floral adornments, infusing her brooch with both elegance and a sense of empowerment.

Metalwork

First Place in the Metalwork category went to Dawn Lombard's design, Kaleidoscope. Dawn is the creative force behind Dawn Lombard - Glass and Metal. She crafted a remarkable piece using enameled copper that has been laser engraved and hand-painted with Mason stains. Dawn emphasizes her commitment to sustainability, explaining that all the copper she utilizes in her work is sourced from recycled roofing materials found at her local salvage yard. Additionally, she reveals that the inspiration for this piece stemmed from a doodle she created while waiting for an appointment. This impromptu sketch became the foundation for her artistic expression, resulting in a unique and captivating creation. By combining her passion for recycling, skill in working with metal, and her creative doodling, Dawn brings forth a piece that showcases her artistic prowess and commitment to environmental consciousness.

Elaine Lawell's Ginkgo 5-Leaf design is a testament to her deep admiration for ginkgo leaves. Throughout her jewelry making journey, she has developed a fondness for this distinctive leaf and incorporated it into numerous designs. Elaine finds inspiration in the elongated and graceful shape of the ginkgo leaf, which she skillfully depicts in her creations. This Second Place winning design is a manifestation of her love for this botanical element, showcasing her ability to capture the essence of the ginkgo leaf's form and translate it into a captivating piece of jewelry.

Michele Schuler's Jewel Jackpot is more than just a ring; it encapsulates a cherished treasure. With its hand-cut letters and symbols that spin like a slot machine, it evokes a sense of excitement and nostalgia. Michele's inspiration for this unique creation stems from her childhood, where she stumbled upon three hidden slot machines in her basement, previously owned by her uncle. Despite the knowledge that playing them was off-limits, Michele couldn't resist the temptation. Using her allowance, she would sneak downstairs, insert a dime, and pull the handle, savoring the thrill of winning the jackpot. The resulting winnings were often exchanged for an abundance of candy from the local grocery store, filling her with joy and delight. Although her secret was eventually revealed when her brother, working at the store, recognized the distinct silver dimes, the joyful memories remained. To this day, Michele keeps a mini slot machine in her studio, serving as a constant reminder of those formative experiences that shaped her design aesthetic.

Seed Beads

Ryoko Dowling's eye-catching design took First Place in the Seed Beading category and was Best in Show Runner-Up. Ryoko embarked on a personal challenge with her Zinnia design, aiming to create a three-dimensional representation of the flower and its leaves while ensuring a sturdy structural base using plated herringbone stitch. She shares her fondness for zinnias in the summertime, appreciating their vibrant colors and the cheerful presence of their green leaves. Ryoko believes that these elements embody the warmth, openness, and friendliness associated with the summer season. Additionally, she finds that the delicate stamen of the zinnia adds a touch of elegance and style to the overall composition. Through her design, Ryoko endeavors to capture the vitality and liveliness of the plant, showcasing its unique characteristics and creating a wearable piece that exudes the essence of the zinnia flower.

Irina Oleinik, the mastermind behind Arteemus Ltd, has crafted a truly spectacular piece as a tribute to orchids. Orchid takes the number two spot in this year's contest. With meticulous attention to detail, she explains that the stones used in the design have open backs, allowing them to be connected to each other through a woven mesh technique. The flowers themselves are created using the intricate "braided mesh" method, resulting in a remarkable 3D effect. This thoughtful construction brings the orchids to life, capturing their delicate beauty in stunning detail. Irina's dedication to her craft shines through in this extraordinary creation, showcasing her expertise and artistry in the world of jewelry design.

Third Place went to Giannella Cau Bijoux's Egyptian Rapsody. Giannella's fascination with the ancient Egyptian civilization is evident in her appreciation for the mastery exhibited in their jewelry. The artisans of that era skillfully utilized techniques such as enameling, inlaying, and weaving a variety of materials, including natural stones, porcelain, gold, lapis lazuli, precious gemstones, and glass paste. The result was a stunning display of chromatic effects and craftsmanship. Inspired by the resplendent jewels of ancient Egypt, Giannella embarked on a journey to create a necklace that incorporated these distinctive elements. The necklace showcases a scarab with wings at the front, reminiscent of the revered symbol in ancient Egyptian culture. The choker at the back is designed to emulate the texture of snakeskin, adding an intriguing touch. Completing the magnificent design is a pendant in the shape of a lotus flower, symbolizing rebirth and spiritual enlightenment. Giannella's dedication to capturing the essence of ancient Egyptian jewelry has resulted in a remarkable piece that pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of that era.

Wirework and Chainmaille

Kristina Joseph, the talented artist behind K. Joseph Designs, brings forth the enchanting piece known as Tangled, skillfully crafted using weaving, coiling, and wire wrapping techniques. Kristina reveals that the inspiration for this piece stemmed from a game of Guitar Hero, specifically a song titled "Tangled Up in Blue." The words "tangled" and "blue" resonated with her, and she embarked on the creative journey with a collection of beautiful blue stones, allowing her artistic intuition to guide her without a predetermined plan. The result is a captivating creation that embodies the essence of being intricately intertwined, just like the chords of a song or the complexities of life, and our pick for First Place. Tangled showcases Kristina's ability to transform inspiration from unexpected sources into a stunning piece of art that captures the imagination and invites contemplation.

ANKA, the creative force behind AKKA Jewelry, skillfully breathes life into a gecko through the medium of wire. Drawing inspiration from her time spent in Ibiza, ANKA became enamored with the enchanting little creatures that she encountered daily. This fascination ignited her creative spirit, leading her to craft a personalized pendant in the shape of a lizard. Second Place went to IBZ Gecko. The lizard holds special significance as a totem animal for one of her clients, making the creation even more meaningful. ANKA's experience in Ibiza and her connection with the local wildlife serve as a catalyst for her artistic expression, resulting in a unique and personalized piece that captures the essence of her time on the island.

Third Place was awarded to Splendor of Egypt. Cassie Beyer, the talented artist behind Reminted Jewelry, specializes in crafting wirework designs featuring historical coins. In this design, Cassie has centered her creation around a silver Egyptian coin from the 1950s, adorned with an ancient Egyptian motif. Drawing inspiration from the coin's imagery, Cassie incorporates elements that evoke the beauty of a peacock, as seen in the chosen bead colors. The swirls in the design also reflect the stylized depictions often associated with this magnificent bird. By combining the historical significance of the coin with her creative vision, Cassie creates a unique piece that captures the essence of ancient Egypt and celebrates the captivating allure of peacocks.

Specialty Awards