Rio Grande honors Saul Bell competition winners
June 02, 2008
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| The top spiral of Thomas Dailing's prize-winning piece was cast in 18-karat yellow gold, and the bottom is a parabolic dish, fabricated from a sheet of 14-karat white gold. A "Votex Reflector" creates reflections, making for an illusion of the inside chambers of a nautilus shell. |
Las Vegas—Industry supplier
Rio Grande honored the winners of its Eighth Annual Saul Bell Design Award competition at an event held on Saturday evening during the Las Vegas jewelry shows.
The competition, established in 2000 in honor of Rio Grande's founder,
Saul Bell, encourages designers from all over the world to create pieces that challenge traditional perceptions of jewelry design.
On May 31, the winning designers joined the Rio Grande family for a dinner event and awards presentation at Postrio Restaurant in the Venetian Hotel and Casino.
Following a dinner that included pan-seared day boat scallops, roasted rack of lamb and a triple-chocolate mousse cake, attendees were treated to a light-hearted video presentation that introduced each of the winners through questions such as "What gets you up in the morning?" and "What would you not want to be when you grow up?"
A new category, "Emerging Artist," was introduced to the competition this year, recognizing the talents of aspiring jewelry designers 18 years of age or younger.
Taking first place in the category was Amy Malsch of Oconomowoc, Wisc., for her "Blossom" hairpiece crafted in fine silver, sterling, 18-karat and 14-karat gold, and melted wax. Second place went to Haley Holeman of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for her "Necklace with Lampwork Glass Bead," and third place went to Anne Tedesco of Parker, Colo., for her "Hollow Form Bracelet."
The top honor of the night, the grand prize in the gold/platinum category, went to Thomas Dailing of Steven's Point, Wisc., for "The Nautilus" pendant, a spectacular piece featuring a spinning faceted red tourmaline and a "Votex Deflector" that creates reflections and works with the shape of the cast top to create the inside chambers of a nautilus shell.
Additional awards presented during the evening were: Second place, Gold/Platinum: "Pistil (Inception)" by Sowon Joo of Ithaca, N.Y.; First place, Silver: "Sentinel Earrings" by John Casner of Searsmont, Me.; Second place, Silver: "Lotus Necklace" by Chihiro Makio of 314 Studio in Somerville, Mass.; First place, Hollowware: "Ascension" by Charles Funnell of Cobourg, Ontario; Second place, Hollowware: "Arachne Tea Pot" by Leslie Laine Lewis of Lubbock, Texas; First place, Beads: "Vitality" by Jennifer Wood of Port Coquitlam of British Columbia; Second place, Beads: Jonathan Rutledge of Evanston, Ill.; First place, PMC (Precious Metal Clay): "Locked Inside" by Dina Alexander of White Hall, Md.; Second place, PMC: "Fugue in White" by Barbro Eriksdotter Gendell of Springfield, Va.; and the Swarovski "Create Your Style" Award: "Mesh Choker" by Wendy Wallin Malinow of Portland, Ore.
Saul Bell began an apprenticeship in the jewelry industry at the age of eight. In 1944, he established the precursor to Rio Grande in Albuquerque, N.M., and today, the company is one of the largest suppliers to the jewelry industry. Bell loved sharing his skill and interest with anyone who asked, and the design competition is meant to honor both his spirit and life's work.
For more information about the Saul Bell Design Award Competition, visit the competition's Web site,
Saulbellaward.com.
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