Beads will be included as a category for the first time this year in the annual Niche Awards. Niche Magazine is accepting handmade ceramic and glass beads in addition to the longstanding categories of fiber, metal, wood, jewelry, glass, ceramics, home furnishings, as well as others.
Since 1988 Niche Magazine has been a quarterly trade publication for fine craft retailers. It is published by The Rosen Group which also publishes American Style and produces the Buyers Market of American Craft, the world's largest wholesale crafts trade show.
Judging for this competition is based on three main categories:
- Technical excellence, both in surface design and form
- Market viability
- A distinct quality of unique, original, and creative thought
The deadline for entries is August 31, 2007. Here are photos of the 2007 winners along with links to the 2008 appplication.
Good luck to everyone who submits and be sure to spread the word on this so there is a strong showing of handcrafted beads!
The Jewelry, Fiber and Mixed & Miscellaneous Media categories may be of interest to many of you as well.
2007 Sculpture to Wear category winner - Ritual Shield brooch by Pat Gullett of Howling Moon Studios
2007 Fashion Jewelry category winner - Emunch necklace by Silver Park of SWA Design Lab 
2 comments:
Thanks for the link to the 2007 winners. Spectacular and inspiring pictures there - especially the Sculpture to Wear category you pointed out.
Thanks again!
You're welcome Elaine. I think this is a really good sign that beads are being recognized as an art form and are being noticed beyond the bead market. Hurray!
Post a Comment