Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 02, 2010

Question:

This isn’t about wire, but about doing shows.  We participate in many shows that give awards for Best in Show, 3-Dimensional Art Wearable, and etc. What exactly are these judges looking for?  How do we prepare to compete for these Awards…or is there a way to compete? Sometimes the award is free entrance into that show the following year.  Sometimes it is very substantial depending on the show and would be worth knowing how to prepare for this.

Answer:

Wow, I totally understand your frustration as I am also in this situation many times. Unfortunately there is no magic solution, as all shows are different and as artists we never know exactly how the judges are going to determine their winning choices, or what exactly they are looking for (and sometimes it’s just politics). First, check the award criteria. Does it give you all of the necessary information? If not, take a moment to give the promoter a courtesy call and ask them outright how they would prefer to have a contender display their entry, if there is a special form that needs to be given to the judges before the show and if any special labeling is preferred.

Personally, if I am entering a piece into a show competition and there is no specific display area for the entries, I display my chosen item or set in a separate display box, with excellent lighting, in the front of my booth. I chose a background color that makes the item ‘jump’ and add a plainly written card that describes both the materials and the process used to create it, as well as its name/title. If it is an unusual item, like a specialty headpiece, I also add one nice photograph of it being worn, so one can see it in use.

If you do not win a contest or judging, be sure to look over the winning entries to see exactly how the artists presented their pieces and take a few minutes (while congratulating them) to ask them how they think they won.

Whatever you do, do not stop entering contests! They can fuel your imagination and hone your skills. Best of luck in the next one!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 01, 2010

Question:

I would like to know what you think is the best way to store your Sterling Silver and Gold Filled Jewelry in between shows and sales.

Answer:

For long periods between shows, all of my jewelry pieces are stored in individual plastic bags in sectioned, flocked jewelry inserts in plastic trays (that lock together on top of one another). The ends of the trays are labeled so I know what is where when I need to pull a product in a hurry; such as Small Cab Pendants/gf, Designer Pendants, Crystal Earrings/gf and one for sterling silver, and another for argentium labeled Arg, etc. I also save the silica gel packs (that are found in many products we all purchase today) and place them under the fabric in the glass display cases I have in the show area of my studio, to help eliminate moisture-producing tarnish. I do not store my Akoya or freshwater pearls in plastic though, these are just in the above-described trays, each with a silica gel pack. (There are some folks who use small pieces of chalk in their trays/cases to reduce the moisture as well.) During show season, my pieces are just in their trays with no individual packaging, as working every weekend is just too much for all of the packaging. Whatever method you decide to use, make sure you can get to your stock easily, and be sure to check your pieces about two weeks before a show so you have time to do any cleaning that may be necessary.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here

Be Sociable, Share!

•