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On the 14th of November 2007 Beadaholic New Zealand announced the first “New Zealand National Creative Jewellery Making & Beading Designer Awards”.
Competition entries for 2008 closed May 30th. We aim for this competition to be a regular and important event in New Zealand so if you missed out getting an entry in this time, don't worry- get your thinking cap on for next years competition!
We have had a tough task with over 200 entries and an extremely high standard of skill and creativity it has not at all been easy to choose the winners. We hope our photos do a little bit of justice to the jewellery designs, although they are, of course, much better in life. To see enlargements there is a Flash player at the bottom of this page so you can take a closer look at the amazing details in these pieces of jewellery without slow page loads. We don't want to keep you waiting- so the winners are.....
1st place Prize for Overall Excellence in Open Catagory
$500 Gift certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Red Rain"
Artist: Anya Godwin (Taliswoman)
contact details; www.taliswoman.co.nz
ph 096232660
"Hand beaded embroidery with hand beaded weaving. Materials used were a vintage glass button, Garnet chip beads and glass seedbeads"
This amazing necklace is breath taking! The workmanship, attention to detail and attention to design are a real credit to Anya. We loved the colour combinations and texture as well as the use of a variety of stitches. The mixture of reds, burgundy's, pinks & garnets is both daring & artistic. The whole piece has been finished to a high level & is surprisingly soft and supple to hold. Proving Anya's skills were her 3 other entries which were all just as fabulous as well- Anya, you are a real credit to the NZ beading community!
2nd place prize for Overall Excellence in the Open Category
$200 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Pohutokawa"
Artist: Kerryn Duncan (Red Rata)
contact details; kerryn.kenneth@farmside.co.nz
"The flowers and leaves are wired onto a chain base with size 6 seedbeads used as a striking contrast.
The design is based on the Pohutokawa tree in Kerryn's parents garden. When it flowers every November the flowers almost come alive with the light behind them"
We were blown away by this unique design- this would absolutely be at home at the Wearable arts Award. The colours, construction and placement all make this instantly recognisable as a pohutokawa & the finishing techniques are done with skill & flair. The seedbead work is very artistic and this design makes you smile when you see it. This is definitely a design that I have had trouble taking photos that do justice to the true beauty of of the design- it is much, much more striking in real life.
3rd place prize for Overall Excellence in the Open Category
$100 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"The Brides Heart"
Artist: Hazel Kimbrey
contact details; beadwitch@windowslive.com ph 063433342
"Constructed using Peyote, spiral and fringe embellishment stitches incorporating Seed beads, Charlotte's, Delicas & Matagama's with Swarovski Crystal Rivoli, Bi-cones, rounds and Pearls. Copper hearts and a gorgeous Focal shell.
When Hazel found this shell she knew it was meant for a brides necklace. So along with crystals and pearls Hazel put together copper hearts and seedbead rings and a crystal rivoli"
This is certainly an eyecatching statement piece of jewellery and very much a functional piece. The care, precision and skill involved with all the stitches and design are a real credit to Hazels skills and although this looks spiky and striking, the stitches are perfectly in tension and the necklace is soft and silky like lace!
Creative Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Thor Meets Cleopatra"
Artist: Jane Thorn (Janez Jewelz)
contact details; janethorn@hotmail.com ph 078868430
Focal Beads by Deb Batten- deb@firebird-nz.comwww.firebird-nz.com
"Deb called her beads Thor and Friends, hence the name. The breastplate is made of a brass base wire (Jane loves the way brass ages) and all the beads are wired to the base. The fire polished beads add depth and sparkle especially at night. All findings except earwires are crafted by Jane. The neck was tided using gold plated brass wire and a crotched hook. This piece consisting of breastplate, earrings and bracelet took 2 weeks to make"
The work in these 3 pieces is evident and beautiful. They are definitely very creative and imaginative & although you can't see the scale from the photos the breast plate is HUGE!
Technical Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Melting Snow"
Artist: Gabrielle Isaak (Kiwi Girl Creations)
contact details; gabrielle.bsw@gmail.com
"Inspired by the melting snow and first new leaves of a Canadian spring, this piece uses freshwater pearls (coin, rice, keishi & potato), shell pearls & crystals with a sterling silver clasp."
Gabrielle's jewellery amazed us- her construction, colour choices and bead placement are flawless and carried off with a huge amount of skill. In this necklace each bead is joined to the necklace with wrapped style extra fine headpins, this is not an easy task but Gabrielle has done it to perfection- absolutely stunning!
Wire Work Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Floraison Jardin"
Artist: Amanda Dick (Pallina Designs)
contact details; www.pallinadesigns.comamanda@pallinadesigns.com
"Cuff bracelet incorporating Non-tarnish Artistic wire, Czech glass flowers & leaves, handmade polymer clay flowers, silver plated charms & 2mm silver beads, glass seedbeads and a silver plated slide clasp. This piece took approx 6 hours to complete"
Amanda's designs are fun, funky, whimsical and high quality. Her experience and skill working in wire is evident- the basic frame work is faultless, then each component is joined to the design using a series of wrapping. Care and thoughts is given to the overall colour and design making standout jewellery!
Precious Metal Clay Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Treasure Box"
Artist: Debbie Edmonds (Weebleworks)
contact details; www.weebleworks.co.nzsales@weebleworks.co.nz ph 0211162739
"Made from Art Clay Silver & featuring a dichroic glass cabochon that Debbie also made. The cube is hollow and covered with more silver clay, cubic zirconias & Swarovski crystals. Suspended on a sterling silver chain"
This piece of jewellery is breath taking! The Art Clay silver does justice to Debbie's obvious Artistic talent. The imagination & overall design of this piece is gorgeous, totally unique and absolutely professional.
Handmade Glass Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Flutterby"
Artist: Debbie Edmonds (Weebleworks)
contact details; www.weebleworks.co.nzsales@weebleworks.co.nz ph 0211162739
"Dichroic glass butterfly was made using COE90 glass. It is made up of 3 layers of glass & kiln fused at 850degC! For the back of the butterfly Debbie used sterling Silver sheet which she cut to shapes and then etched by hand. It is strung on Artistic wire with Swarovski Crystals"
Another winning entry from Debbie using another set of skills & as with her other entry, this piece is amazing! The colours of the glass are stunning & in real life it is like looking at a techni-colour Monarch butterfly. The finishing touch of etching the sterling silver back really takes this to another level and shows Debbie's attention to detail.
contact details; r24girl@ihug.co.nz ph 093728354 or 0275815933
"Fun and Funky Contemporary Hei Tiki! Made from NZ polymer Clay which is colour blended by hand and featuring Swarovski Crystals to enhance the sparkle in her eyes. The back of the pendant shows a spiralled koru impression. This piece is finished with a silk cord necklace and adjustable chain."
We loved this design! The unique, edgey kiwi-ness of the design but made so funky and fresh with the modern materials, colours, crystal eyes & quality finish. Mitch's jewellery is stand-out, high-end designs that left us wanting to own a piece for ourselves!
Mixed Media Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Colours of Paua"
Artist: Phillipa knight (Phran-j-panee Designs)
contact details; phil.knight@xtra.co.nz
" Using Paua Shell pieces, large glass pebble, fresh water pearls, Indian glass beads, seedbeads, silver chain, silver plated toggle clasp & several gauges of wire. The colours of the paua inspired this piece"
This thoughtful, carefully designed and layered wearable art is beautiful is its simplicity of understated colours but intrinsically beautiful with its paua shell, sea shell beads and glass colours- reminds us of a summer day looking in rock pools!
Glass Bead- Handmade Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Garden of Glass Bracelet"
Artist: Kathy Servian (Servian)
contact details; www.theartycrafter.co.nz
" Hand knotted bracelet using lamp worked beads made by Kathy and bought glass dagger beads. Knotting materials used are waxed cotton, mercerised cotton cord and polyester thread. Lamp worked beads are made with NZ Gaffer Glass. "
How do these glass artists do this!? Kathy not only made these stunning, funky beads she also put the whole design together in a spicy eye catching combination that hints at a NZ sub-tropical garden with haliconias & bromeilads. This is one of those pieces who's colours and texture cannot be done justice by photos.
Non-Jewellery Beadwork Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"7 Deadly Sins- Lust"
Artist: Nikita Morrow (Golden Arrow Miniatures)
contact details; nikita@goldenarrowminiatures.co.nzwww.goldenarrowminiatures.co.nz ph 068689894
" This is used for miniature horse shows. It shows off the horses head and depending on the colour, highlights the horses best features. Made using Czech glass beads, gold plated weave capsule, leather, wire buckles and rings."
Who would have thought!! A miniature horse bridle & it is super cute! Everything has been constructed with quality & function in mind and we are sure Nikitas horses look knockout wearing these.
Wedding Beadwork Merit Prize
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Bridal Tiara"
Artist: Rachael Gillard (Ohr-Spirring Design)
contact details; ohr-spirring@orcon.net.nz ph 035440109
" This amazing bridal Tiara headpiece and veil is weaved on tigertail using clear silver lined seedbeads, glass pearls and crystals. A few of the rows have been wired to keep the diamond shapes & so it can be altered to get the best effects of the veil."
I'm really not sure my words can describe how beautiful this veil is. Racheal must have the patience of a saint. This veil has painstakingly been constructed patiently and with a high level of skill, paying attention to the details of the design the entire time. From the top of the head piece to the bottom the veil, the entire design has detailing. Being such a large piece it could easily have become looks over function but this is not the case- it is totally functional and sits perfectly in position.
Junior Open for young designers
under 17yrs Prize (2 winners!)
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Chocolates"
Artist: Jehnna Anderson (16)
contact details; ph 034454995
" Yummy funky polymer clay Chocolates bracelet!"
Wearing this all day would have me raiding the cupboards by the time I got home! the Polyclay chocolates are so cute and have been made perfectly to look like the real thing! This shows a level of skill and quirky design skills that will take Jehnna far and we look forward t more designs in years to come!
Junior Open for young designers
under 17yrs Prize (2 winners!)
$50 Gift Certificate from Beadaholic NZ
"Heart"
Artist: Sage Moore (7)
contact details; www. delakaj.com
" Made for her mum using her favourite colours, this necklace is delightful!"
What a talented young lady- Sage has a fantastic set of skills & techniques already & is showing a maturity in colour selection & placement already. We also look forward to seeing more from Sage in years to come.
There were far more amazingly talented people than prizes so we have also opened up a
Highly Commended Group who all receive a $20 Beadaholic Gift Voucher!
Anita Harford (Chunky Wasabi)
contact: anita.harford@gmail.com ph 049054458 www.anitaharford.myphotoalbum.com
Anitas entire collection of competition entries were of a very high quality with fabulous expression of colours. We loved the combination of green glass beads & the attention to quality details in this necklace.
Jo Roake
contact: joroake@gmail.com
We loved Jo's quirky by funky designs utilising a range of materials to construct quality jewellery designs that have a definite kiwi flavour. this fun bracelet uses felt and hand stitched Seedbeads to build a fun, high quality look.
Jean Tidy (Joyful Expressions)
contact: jeantidy@ihug.co.nz ph 068421660
We loved this design from Jean. It is soft and feathery looking despite being made using glass beads on tigertail & we are sure this will be an eye catching piece of jewellery for anyone who wears it.
Rayne O'Brien (Dragonsart)
contact: dragon.lady@xnet.co.nz
Rayne is a talented jewellery designer with an eye for feminine jewellery that is soft at the same time as making strong statements. This necklace is a gorgeous rendition of a grape vine using silver components, wire & Amethyst chunks!
Judy Henderson (Marama Creations)
contact: dpjmhenderson@gmail.com ph 098336134
I am very much in awe of the level of skill & patience it takes to work with Sterling Silver wire like this- each jumpring is handmade & then hand joined with other to form this striking design
Helene Dehmer (Mira Design)
contact: youngdehmer@xtra.co.nz
Helene's quality & love for harmonious re-freshing colours was evident through-out all her competition entries. The designs are artistically understated & we loved this necklace & its consistent details that make it gorgeous.
Leeanne Gray (D.D.Bears of NZ)
contact: seamstress@ihug.co.nz ph 095211636
Leeanne is another NZer with patience to be admired. Her stunning necklace & pendant, constructed with a variety of stitch beadwork, was flawless & quite simply scrumptiously reminiscent of Victorian era jewellery.
Gabrielle Isaak (Kiwi Girl Creations)
contact: gabrielle.bsw@gmail.com
As mentioned above Gabrielle's designs are all very much constructed with an overall flare of creative skill & precision. We also loved this desirable necklace & earring set for its use of warm coppery colours and layered design.
Carolynne Masson (Carolynne's Creations)
contact: carolynnemasson@hotmail.com ph 075480517
This is just such a fun and funky piece of jewellery & is absolutely imaginative. This is the kind of jewellery that makes you smile when you wear it and is constructed to a high quality.
Ingrid Vlieg (attabiah)
Ingrid's jewellery is both fun and functional. This necklace was our favourite but she had many other entries that were delightful. This design uses a gorgeous mixture of Czech Firepolish glass beads strung using a Rosary Chain style eyepin technique. The designs are understated & simply elegant whilst being constructed well with excellent detailing.
Alena Peacock (Kiowa Design)
contact: izba@xtra.co.nz
We have so many skilled jewellery artists in NZ & Alena is no exception. Her designs are fun & graceful but sometimes striking and strong. She has a unique style that made this piece standout for its construction and design.
Sharon Arnold (Mozaique)
contact: sharon.keith@xtra.co.nz ph 078894903
Sharon sent in several pieces & it was a hard choice choosing between them. Totally unique designs and ideas, Sharon is artistically & technically talented. This necklace is made with headpin mounted beads spaced with handmade jumprings & strung on leather- very fun!
