KGI Worldwide Design Contest Gallery 2007
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Daeng Weaver – Bellevue, WA1st Place Winner
Fall Foliage Flower Bracelet - My love for beautiful jewelry began in 1997 selling fine jewelry. My love for beading began shortly after that which led me to my present job at Beads and Beyond in Bellevue, Washington. My love of fine jewelry carried over into designing original beaded jewelry and teaching everything from beginning off loom beading techniques to complicated, advanced pieces similar to the Fall Foliage Flower Bracelet. This design uses Swarovski crystals not only as focal beads but as connectors and embellishments which enhance the main components, a technique I have used in many of my teachings and in many of my original designs.
Mary Beth Pfeiffer – South Windsor, CT2nd Place Winner
Anastasia - I have always loved to design. It is naturally what draws me in bringing about excitement and passion. The visual art is the area I enjoy designing in the most. I take great pleasure in being given a problem, an idea, or challenge and working out a solution. I have a degree in fashion design and am presently working as a Middle School Teacher. One of the subjects I teach is art. The art curriculum for middle school students is all about applying the Elements and Principles of Design to their work. I teach them that they can work through an exercise and critique their work by applying these principles. They are very inspirational for me, and keep me honest. Anastasia is my expression of line, shape, and color that has emphasis, symmetry, and rhythm unified in the Victorian era.
David Mandel / The Show Must Go On! – New York, NY3rd Place Winner
Fredrick the Frog & Water Lilies - This fanciful trio of brooches includes frog (5"x 5"x 5") consisting of shades of green plated in rhodium incorporating new and vintage stone. He has playfully grabbed a butterfly by his trembling tongue. The water lily is in full bloom (4"x 4"x 3") in shades of pink with yellow pistils and stamens. The partially opened bloom (3.5"x 3"x 2.5") sits along side and is plated in copper. All are placed on a pair of lily pads edged in glittering Tourmaline AB stones, created out of hand sawn brass plate with and oxidized finish. This playful creation was designed to sit on a coffee table or worn separately on the shoulder of a coat. This piece will make even the most cynical wear a smile on their face.
Merle Berelowitz – New York, NY Honorable Mention
Margaritaville - Beading is my passion, it wasn’t always that way. When I retired I was first exposed to the art of beading and soon realized what remarkable opportunities this art form presented. My creativity expresses itself in my beaded pieces in a number of ways. I love nature, and enjoy the whimsical. But when it comes to the beautiful I love the sparkle and color of Swarovski crystal.
Caito Amorose – McKeesport, PA Honorable Mention
Golden Shadow of a Friend - When I received the call about a friend’s sudden death I was stopped at a traffic light. Looking up into the darkening night sky, I noticed the thinnest sliver of a crescent moon. That celestial sight was a phase of the moon we both had always enjoyed seeing and instinctively I felt his presence. This necklace is a blend of art therapy for me and a special offering to my friend and his family. Swarovski crystals are the perfect medium to immortalize the radiant glow of not only Daryl’s eyes and smile but of his amazing ever-present spirit.
Lauren Rae Smith / Stingray Jewels – Geelong, Australia Honorable Mention
Crystal Goddess Neckpiece - I started my label out of a passion for jewelry design. Fuelled by nature, fashion, architecture, and the intrinsic beauty of materials I use I personally handcraft limited edition and one-of-a-kind pieces that are designed to compliment a variety of styles.
The piece submitted is the inspiration for a new bridal collection I am working on. The “frame” of this necklace showcases #5822 spacer-bars that I have painstakingly woven together with #5000 rounds & sterling wire. The body of this neckpiece features meticulously woven sections of sterling silver chain that forms a modern “chain-maille” with which I have then woven various Swarovski crystal components.