2013 Saul Bell Emerging Jewelry Artist Competition

Rio Grande Congratulates Winners of the Sixth Annual Saul Bell
Design Award Emerging Jewelry Artist Competition

At a celebration dinner held on June 1 during JCK Las Vegas, Rio
Grande recognized three young jewelry artists as winners of the
Sixth Annual Saul Bell Design Award Emerging Jewelry Artist
competition. A panel of judges chose five finalists and, from these,
three winners emerged. The winners received gift certificates from
Rio Grande; a matching gift certificate was also given to the
instructor or school of each winner.

Many past winners of the competition have felt that the confidence
gained from participating encouraged them to pursue jewelry as a
professional career. Each of the winners also thanked their
instructors for teaching, inspiring and encouraging them. We would
like to join them in recognizing Nanz Aalund, Wendy Woldenberg and
Janice Roberts for helping develop the next generation of jewelry
designers.

This annual competition celebrates the fresh ideas and creative
spark of young jewelry artists. It is open to designers 18 years of
age and younger. Finalists and winning pieces may be viewed at

2013 Emerging Artist Winners:

First Place - $500 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
Jose Lins of Renton, Washington, USA
Name of Piece: “The Soraya”


Second Place - $250 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
Kylie Urban of Auburn, Washington, USA
Name of Piece: “Sugar Skull”

Third Place - $100 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
Mackenzee Pierog of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
Name of Piece: “A Remembrance of Childhood”

The 2013 panel of judges included Jennifer Heebner, Hannah
Connorton, Marlene Richey, Ron Beauchamp, Phaedra Barrack, G. L.
Miller, Gregg Burgard, Paula Brenton, Bill Pollack and Bernie
Butterfield.

The finalists of the 2013 Saul Bell Design Award Emerging Jewelry
Artist competition are:

Brooke Benedict of Auburn, Washington, USA
AJ Gamble of Salunga, Pennsylvania, USA

For about the 2014 Saul Bell Design Award Emerging
Jewelry Artist competition, designers are invited to call
800.952.6222 or email marketing [at] riogrande.com. Initial concepts
for entries to the 2014 competition are due by November 30, 2013.
Visit SAUL BELL DESIGN AWARD for general information
about the Saul Bell Design Award Emerging Jewelry Artist competition