For Immediate Release:
2009 Jewelry Design Business Development Grant Results Announced:
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.
Cottonwood, AZ - July 21, 2009 - Halstead Bead, Inc is proud to
announce the winner of its 4th annual national business grant
competition, VOSTENAKstudios of Cottonwood, AZ. Owner 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
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 at www.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.
For more contact:
Hilary Scott
Marketing Director
Halstead Bead, Inc.