DIVA Design Competition

The annual WJA DIVA Design Competition is a competition created to promote and encourage jewelry design by women. Open to all women, regardless of experience, formal training or background in jewelry or jewelry design, the competition is judged by a panel of industry experts who evaluate designs based on their originality, creativity, wearability, and interpretation of an annual theme. See winners from past years.

The 2010 DIVA Design Competition Theme is A New Dawn

This year's theme commemorates a new dawn - a new time in our culture. We have turned a corner as we enter this new decade and we can celebrate the awakening of social consciousness, financial respect and responsibility towards ourselves and each other. We still celebrate life's joys with fine jewelry, a lasting memory of love and life's accomplishments, but our splurges have added meaning now. We've layered in more value and sensibilities to our bling. This contest celebrates this vision of joy and beauty in fine jewelry.

There are 3 categories you can enter [online entries only via www.callforentry.org]:

Daytime Jewels
This category honors the best in everyday jewels - the jewelry that we all wear to be fashionable, to commemorate our loves and achievements and to add a precious accessory for work or play. Applicants should address some form of social consciousness in this design whether it is in the fair trade or environmentally low-impact of the materials or production or a commemorative theme. The winner in this category will combine aesthetic beauty with a beautiful message, as well.

Evening Jewels
This category celebrates the glory of fine jewelry - the timeless bling we love and adore. Here you can enter any fanciful jewel you like. The judges will be looking for "newness" -- a design that strikes them as modern and fresh and clever. You can address the eco-component described in Daytime Jewels but it is not mandatory. But please let us know how your evening jewel relates to Today's Woman.

New Media
This is where you can celebrate your exploration of all the new materials, techniques and components available today. We're open to everything, just tell us about it. The winner will best combine newness with prettiness and technical competency. This is the cutting edge of fine jewelry - enlighten us!

Winning Designs
Winning designs will be selected on the basis of originality, creativity, wearability and the best interpretation of the theme. First place in each category receives $500. There will be two runner-ups in each category that receive a certificate.

The design must be capable of being produced. A panel of industry experts will conduct the judging online.

Winners will be notified in advance and announced at a press conference at the JCK Show on Friday, June 4, 2010 in Las Vegas.

Winners will also be celebrated at the WJA DIVA Awards Reception on June 4, 2010 in Las Vegas, as well. Location TBA.
 
Submission Requirements
Entries are accepted online only at www.callforentry.org - after logging in (or joining if it's your first time) navigate to "Apply to Calls" from top menu and then scroll down the listing of contests until you get to WJA near the bottom. Click on Apply to this call and fill in your information. You will have had to upload your jpg images to your profile  BEFORE applying to our contest. The system is easy - if it's your first time don't let it intimidate you. The folks at CallforEntry.org (CaFE) are very helpful.

Helpful Resources
Contact WJA Diva Chair, Cindy Edelstein, at cindy@jewelersresource.com or 914-738-8485 if you run into trouble after checking these resources:

How to Apply - https://www.callforentry.org/faq.phtml
Image Prep - https://www.callforentry.org/image_prep.phtml
CaFE Help - https://www.callforentry.org/cafehelp.phtml
 
 
- Images: You may apply with 1-3 designs in any media-rendering, CADCAM, finished jewel, etc.
- Entry fee: 35.00 for 1st design, 20.00 for each additional design up to 3.
- Statement: (1000 character limit) That describes your background, training, professional accomplishments, etc.  Every woman who wishes to enter may regardless of professional training.
- Question: How does your design fit the category title? Please name which category for each entry.

Deadline: The application, images and other required materials must be submitted electronically by MIDNIGHT, April 15, 2010 Mountain Daylight Time to www.callforentry.org.

Instructions on how to format images to CaFE™ specifications can be found at Image Prep. Tech support: cafe@westaf.org