Call for Entries: The 8th Annual Halstead Grant

Call for Entries: The 8th Annual Halstead Grant for Silver Jewelry Designers

Halstead is calling for entries to the 2013 Halstead Grant competition. The Halstead Grant is awarded each summer to a new independent jewelry artist working primarily in silver. The winner receives a prize package including $5,000 cash for their business start-up, $1,000 in jewelry supplies and recognition in the industry.

To be eligible jewelers should have begun an independent silver jewelry line within the last three years. Jewelry can be made using any jewelry making technique such as metalsmithing, casting, metal clay, wire work or beading. Any component materials can be used but the artist’s line should be primarily silver. This competition is open to US citizens with studios in the United States.

Complete application details can be found on The Halstead Grant website www.HalsteadBead.com/grant. Candidates are required to submit a design portfolio, résumé and answers to several business planning questions. Applications may be submitted between April 15 and June 9, 2013.

The grant sponsor, Halstead, is one of North America’s leading distributors of jewelry supplies. The firm is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. Halstead specializes in wholesale findings, chain, tools and metals for jewelry artists.

6th Annual Halstead Grant - Winner Announced!

Halstead Bead, Inc. announces the winner of the 6th Annual Halstead Grant for Jewelry Business Entrepreneurs. 

Philadelphia-area designer Layne Freedline of Layne Designs is the winner of the 2011 Halstead Grant for jewelry entrepreneurs. The prestigious award includes a $5,000 small business grant as well as $1,000 of jewelry supplies from the grant sponsor Halstead Bead Inc.

Layne Designs jewelry features unusual gems set in handcrafted sterling silver settings. Her line showcases stones such as jasper, druzy and labradorite with paisley inspired silver accents. Freedline plans to use the grant funds to expand her website and exhibit at a national industry trade show.

In response to winning the award Freedline said, “I am very grateful for Halstead Bead Inc., for the encouragement that this grant offers. The handmade marketplace is blossoming from this kind of motivation toward strong business practices.”

The grant is awarded to a new jeweler each year in recognition of design aptitude and business strategy. Qualified candidates must submit lengthy applications including their portfolios of original jewelry and business plan details.

“Layne submitted one of the best business plans we have seen in our six years of judging this competition. We were blown away.” said judge, Hilary Scott. “She is a talented metalsmith with an infectious passion for her craft.”

Freedline received her jewelry arts training at the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. She is continuing her education by pursuing a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. In addition to running her own studio, she also teaches jewelry classes at the Main Line Art Center in Haverford, PA.

Layne Designs is dedicated to fine quality craftsmanship so that each piece may be treasured as an heirloom. Founder, Layne Freedline has a passion for the beauty of hand-wrought metal objects. She brings to the craft a sleek, modern style with ties to the natural and cosmic.A fascination with the earth's gems and fossils has peppered her high fashion collection with unusual gems from around the world."There is nothing like holding a gem in your hand, a sparkling treasure from the earth, and honoring it with a beautiful setting for the joy of a beautiful woman."

Layne Designs joins a distinguished roster of Halstead Grant recipients since the program began six years ago. For more information and applications for the 2012 Halstead Grant check the Grant website later this year.

DEADLINE June 6th! ...for the 6th Annual Halstead Grant

Just got a great Reminder note from Hilary Scott at Halstead:

"Just a reminder that the submission deadline for The Halstead Grant is June 6^th! This long weekend is the perfect time for new jewelry designers to wrap up their submission packets. Eligibility criteria and application details are at www.HalsteadBead.com/Grant. The winning entrant will receive a $5,000 small business cash grant, $1,000 in supplies and industry recognition. Good luck to all this year’s candidates"

Competition Deadline: June 6, 2011

Halstead Bead Inc is inviting jewelry designers to enter its 6th annual grant competition for new entrepreneurs in the industry. The winner of the 2011 business development grant will receive $6,000 in cash and merchandise as well as other benefits. The award was previously known as The Jewelry Design Business Development Grant; however, it has been renamed in 2011. The award is sponsored by Halstead Bead Inc., a supplier of wholesale jewelry supplies.

Designers utilizing jewelry making techniques such as metalsmithing, lampworking, metal clay, wirework, beading, or casting are eligible to enter the competition. Candidates must be US citizens who began their businesses after January 1, 2008. Their design companies must focus on “bridge jewelry” which is the segment between costume jewelry and fine jewelry. Bridge designs are primarily crafted from sterling silver with semi-precious stones, crystal, glass, pearls and other materials. This segment is also known as “craft jewelry” or “art jewelry.”

Complete application details can be found at http://www.halsteadbead.com/Grant. Candidates are required to submit a design portfolio, resume and answers to several business planning questions. Applications must be received between April 15 and June 6, 2011. The grant website includes several helpful articles on launching a national jewelry business as well as information on past winners and finalists. Previous grant winners include Cowboy’s Sweetheart Jewelry, VOSTENAKstudios, Bridgland Studios, Belle Brooke Designs, and Ananda Khalsa Jewelry.

The Halstead Grant differs from other jewelry industry competitions because of its emphasis on small business skills. Jewelry entrepreneurs applying for the grant must demonstrate not only extraordinary design, but also a strong business strategy. The application experience promotes the small business planning required to make a jewelry brand commercially viable at the national level.

The grant sponsor, Halstead Bead, Inc., is one of North America’s leading jewelry supply wholesalers. The firm was established 38 years ago and now supplies thousands of jewelry designers and manufacturers around the globe. Halstead Bead, Inc. is wholesale only and specializes in jewelry findings, chain, wire & beads for the bridge jewelry segment.

Learn To Sell Handmade - Halstead Scholarship Available!

HALSTEAD SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for JEWELRY ARTISTS

LEARN to SELL YOUR HANDMADE CREATIONS to GALLERIES and STORES

Through a generous gift from Halstead Bead Inc., scholarships are available for jewelry artists who want to receive business training in the Visiting Artist Program of the Buyers Market of American Craft.

     The Visiting Artist Program, coming to Philadelphia February 19-20, 2011, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, will provide one- and two-day workshops teaching craft entrepreneurship — how to launch a business, develop and promote product lines and price artwork for wholesale and retail sales.

     Participants will tour the Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation’s largest wholesale tradeshow where artists from the U.S. and Canadian studios sell their work to galleries, boutiques, museum shops and catalogs.  In addition, participants will receive a portfolio or product critique from retailers and tradeshow managers.

     Offered twice a year, the Visiting Artist Program is tailored for studio-based artists   who make and sell jewelry, fashion accessories and designer products for home or office such as tile, pottery, glass art and other fine crafts.  The non-profit Arts Business Institute runs the program with a faculty of experienced retailers and artists. The Visiting Artist Program will also be offered this summer in Baltimore, Md., on July 11, 2011.

     Family-owned Halstead Bead Inc., www.halsteadbead.com, of Prescott, Ariz., has been a supplier of findings, chain, beads, wire and tools for jewelry artists since 1973.

    A scholarship donation presented to the Arts Business Institute by Halstead Bead will cover admission fees for several jewelry artists to attend the Visiting Artist Program in 2011. The company’s own Halstead Grant is presented each year to a new jewelry designer.

     To register online for the upcoming Visiting Artist Program, please visit www.artsbusinessinstitute.org. Registration is $75 for a one-day workshop and $130 for a two-day workshop. To receive a scholarship application contact Erin Hartz at erinh@rosengrp.com. The application deadline for scholarships to the Philadelphia program is February 4, 201l.  For information call 800.432.7238, ext. 206.

Halstead Bead Grant Winner Annouced!

Cowboy’s Sweetheart Jewelry Wins National Award & Business Grant

Cowboy’s Sweetheart is the 2010 winner of the 5th annual grant competition sponsored by Halstead Bead, Inc. The Jewelry Design Business Development Grant is awarded to a new jewelry entrepreneur each year.

Western jewelry designer Amy Fortunato of Cowboy’s Sweetheart rounded up top honors in the 2010 Jewelry Design Business Development Grant competition. Her prize package includes $6,000 in start-up cash and jewelry supplies. The annual award is sponsored by jewelry supply wholesaler Halstead Bead, Inc.

The grant is awarded to a new jeweler in the bridge or art jewelry segment each year in recognition of design skill and business acumen. Candidates must submit lengthy applications including portfolios of original jewelry and details of their business plans.

“Amy’s work beautifully blends western inspired silversmithing with contemporary design elements. Her line is both fashionable and affordable,” said one competition judge,Hilary Halstead Scott, “her witty branding and accessible price points are perfect for an accessory start-up in the current economy.”

Fortunato received her jewelry training as part of a Fine Arts degree from the University of Connecticut. Her career has included graphic design and jewelry production for other companies prior to launching Cowboy’s Sweetheart. Fortunato describes the genesis of her company as her answer to the call “Go West, young lady, go West!” After moving to Colorado she began her love affair with the region’s natural surroundings, history and people.

“I attempt to celebrate a little bit of the American West each time I turn out a new piece.” she stated. “I am thrilled to receive this recognition and the opportunity to grow my business.”

Cowboy’s Sweetheart joins a distinguished list of past Grant winners in the industry. Her jewelry collections are available online at www.Cowboys-Sweetheart.com. A complete list of past grant recipients and finalists as well as competition details are on the Jewelry Design Business Development Grant website at www.HalsteadBead.com/grant.

Call for Entries – Halstead Bead Grant

Call for Entries – Jewelry Design Business Development Grant

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 jewelry supplies as well as other benefits.

The Halstead Bead Jewelry 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 for their start-up. The application experience promotes the business planning required to make a jewelry brand commercially viable at the national level.

Jewelry designers utilizing a wide variety of fabrication techniques including casting, lampworking, metal clay, beading, or metalsmithing are eligible to enter the competition.

Entrepreneur candidates must be US citizens who began their small 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

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.

2009 Winner: VOSTENAKstudios (Cottonwood, AZ)

The VOSTENAKstudios line is contemporary with fluid lines and great attention to detail. Ostenak’s unique style is easily recognizable in every piece. She creates one of-a-kind statement necklaces, hairpieces and earrings with delicately intertwined metalwork in her Woven Collection. Her Ribbon Collection consists of more simple hammered styles with a highly reflective finish.

See the blog post about the 2009 Winner here!

VOSTENAKstudios Wins National Jewelry Award & Business Grant

VOSTENAKstudios is the 2009 winner of a national competition sponsored by Halstead Bead, Inc. The Jewelry Design Business Development Grant is awarded to a new jewelry design entrepreneur each year in recognition of design talent and business acumen.

Valerie Ostenak will receive a $6,000 grant of start up capital and supplies in recognition of her entrepreneurial skills and design talents. VOSTENAKstudios collections are available online at www.valerieostenak.com.

In response to winning the award Ostenak said, "I am absolutely thrilled and deliriously happy to be the 2009 winner. I am still laughing with joy!"

Ostenak’s artistic experience includes traditional jewelry training, blacksmithing, graphic design and painting. The influences of each of these media converge in her jewelry creations. Designs are crafted from Argentium sterling silver and embellished with high karat gold accents, freshwater pearls and semi-precious gemstones.

The VOSTENAKstudios line is contemporary with fluid lines and great attention to detail. Ostenak’s unique style is easily recognizable in every piece. She creates one of-a-kind statement necklaces, hairpieces and earrings with delicately intertwined metalwork in her Woven Collection. Her Ribbon Collection consists of more simple hammered styles with a highly reflective finish.

“These designs are stunning,” said Hilary Halstead Scott, a competition judge, “I literally gasped when I opened her submission packet to a portfolio montage page. It is rare to find work that is so unlike anything else in the industry.”

VOSTENAKstudios joins a distinguished group of jewelry designers who have received the Jewelry Design Business Development Grant in past years: Ananda Khalsa Jewelry, Belle Brooke Designs and Bridgland Studios. Halstead Bead Inc sponsors the annual competition for new companies in the mid-level segment of the jewelry industry known as bridge jewelry or art jewelry. Details on the award and all of this year’s top finalists can be found atwww.halsteadbead.com/grant.

Halstead Bead, Inc. is one of North America’s leading jewelry supply wholesalers. The firm was established in 1973 and supplies professional jewelry designers and manufacturers around the globe.