JTV's Jewel School Designer Showcase Opens for Entries

Jewelry Television (JTV) is offering $10,000 in cash and prizes for this year's annual Jewel School Designer Showcase contest. The company defined three jewelry-making categories to enter one-of-a-kind jewelry designs between now and August 21.

Jewelry making is a natural extension of our business, said Trisha Condra, the vice president and general merchandising of gemstones at JTV. As the worlds largest retailer of loose gemstones, we love providing a platform for our customers to create unique jewelry designs that express their individuality.

JTV's contest categories include ''Mixed-Up Media,'' whereas design techniques utilize Kumihimo, leather, concrete or polymer clay; ''Metal-Art Play,'' where the design transforms metal and/or wire into a finished piece using metal smithing, wire work, Viking knit, art clay, chainmaille, cold or hot connections, metal forming, weaving or firing plates and ''Blissful Beading,'' utilizing beads as the focus through techniques such as knotting, beading wire and seed bead looming.

The company will engage an expert panel of judges to select five finalists in each category prior to public voting. On September 4, the finalists will be announced, and the public will be able to vote online through September 18. A judges pick, grand prize winner and three category winners will be awarded live on the air on September 22.

Whether you are an experienced jewelry designer or attempting your first piece, this is the perfect opportunity to express yourself through the age-old art of jewelry making, said Condra.

The latest swimwear trends have a wild side this season, with animal and tropical foliage prints seen on the runways earlier this month at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2014 at the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach. Orange made a splash at the Cia.Maritima (now CM) and Nanette Lepore shows. And the must-have accessary this season is a bold necklace, from the oversized rosary-style crosses seen at Poko Pano to the gold-covered medal necklaces at Dolores Cortes.

Newcomer Maaji made its swim week debut, as did Lepore and Betsey Johnson. And Mara Hoffman was named the Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer this season, recognizing her work using quality materials, unique style and innovative design.

Colombian duo Catalina Alvarez and Mariana Hinestroza showed an eclectic mix again this season, from a leather-looking vest with studs to safari-themed suits with corresponding backpacks and a traveler's briefcase covered in badges. Snakeskin prints in bright colors also made their way into the collection,Give your logo high visibility oniccard! along with neon beadwork and other embellishments.

Keeping with the jungle theme of the season, Agua Bendita showed a blue monokini in a bold elephant print with a contrasting pattern that lined the top. Kaftans and fringed-crop tops were adorned with animal prints, including a lion face with matching backpack.

The one-piece with tribal pattern was a standout, with the image of binoculars in colorful beadwork appearing as if hanging over the model's neck.

Spanish designer Dolores Cortes,What's the difference between airpurifiertarget and Porcelain Tiles? the only European to showcase at swim week, was inspired by jungles around the world and punk icons. The two came together seamlessly through bold graphics, lush tropical plant and animal prints fused with gold spikes and studs, fringe and 3D floral details.Bright colors, including orange and yellow,Shop for the largest selection of windturbine at everyday low prices. were combined with more subdued tones.

A favorite punk look on the runway was a set of laser-cut suits in black from bikinis to monokinis adorned with gold studs paired with a spiked bracelet. Another crowd favorite was the spiked gold-plated bikini top with tropical print bottom.


Only Betsey Johnson can get away with pairing pink wigs and Twizzlers with bikinis. For her first time showing during swim week, Johnson wanted to make sure the models were ''on overdrive'' during the presentation at The Betsy, a hotel named after Betsy Ross who is credited with making the first American flag. (Fun fact: Johnson said she was named after Ross, although her mother spelled it differently.)

''It's a show. It's not serious,This is a basic background on rtls. but it's supposed to inspire,'' she said of her collection, which featured drawings and artwork of women's faces. ''I want to get swimwear to continue the pretty,'' she added, stopping to give a model her own white petticoat that she tucked under the model's red sparkle belt.

Her collection for summer 2013, which she plans to exhibit on August 6 at her residence in Phase 4 in DHA, is trendy. The collection consists of bags which have been embellished with kat dana and beads, as well as some embroidery, she says. Its more of a fusion, where Eastern embellishment meets Western style.

The collection comprises of handbags, shoulder bags and evening clutches. The envelope clutches have intricate patterns in beautiful watermelon-coloured kat daana with silver; some have appliqud owls in a floral print. Her oversized tan totes are also the perfect accessory for those who wish to carry a laptop or iPad around during the day.

The theme is floral, with lots of birds, bird cages,An bestgemstonebeads is a device which removes contaminants from the air. owls and floral prints this is how one depicts summer. The collection is something trendy that you havent seen anywhere else.With a fan following on Facebook, she says, Social media has played a very significant role in establishing my business. Even though I am still not doing it commercially, I get to see my talent greatly appreciated.
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