FAQ
What is “bridge jewelry?”Jewelry is roughly divided into three market segments:
1) Fine Jewelry - generally high end and the most expensive. Fine jewelry is primarily crafted from gold, platinum and gemstones such as diamonds, salt water pearls, rubies, sapphires etc... Fine jewelry is dominated by stone settings and castings.
2) Bridge Jewelry - spans the gap between fine & costume jewelry. This category has many names in the market including art jewelry, fashion jewelry, craft jewelry, indie jewelry, and handmade jewelry. Bridge items are high quality accessories that can be worn every day. Primary materials are silver, gold filled, vermeil, crystal, glass and semi-precious stones such as lapis, onyx, turquoise, malachite, quartz, freshwater pearls etc. Bridge work techniques include, but are not limited to the following: metalsmithing, lampwork, metal clay sculpting, polymer clay sculpting, forging, beadwork, wire work, & casting.
3) Costume Jewelry - is low end jewelry that is very inexpensive. Costume items are usually mass produced overseas and often sold in franchise stores. Primary materials are base metals, rhinestones, plastics, acrylics etc. A lot of costume jewelry is cast and set with low quality materials or machine assembled.
Obviously, there is considerable overlap in these segments in styles and materials; but these product classifications are generally recognized in the industry.
I am not sure if you would consider my business to be started within the last three years. What are the criteria for this qualification?
It is difficult to pinpoint precise criteria that define the starting point of a company. Many people phase into their business over extended periods of time and evolve from hobbyists into professional designers. Ultimately, eligibility is at the sole discretion of the Halstead Bead Business Development Grant judging committee. We believe that many criteria are best evaluated on a case by case basis. If you think there is any question as to your eligibility in this regard, it is your responsibility to convince the committee that this is a new business venture. Please add a brief explanation to your submission packet.
Please note that the following cases are NOT considered new businesses if they are merely changes to a jewelry company that has been in business for 3+ years:
- A new product line
- A new location
- New ownership
- A change in the company or brand name
I primarily sell my jewelry at craft shows, am I eligible to apply?
Maybe. This grant is designed for individuals pursuing a full-time career in jewelry. If you are making jewelry for extra income on the side, you are not eligible. You will also need to demonstrate that you are developing a branded line of products via a well thought out marketing plan. Moreover, the line will need to be for a national or broad regional market, not just within a couple of states.
I buy many of my components, is my work still considered original under the requirements?
A piece may consist entirely of purchased components if the crafting techniques and design significantly alter their appearance into a unique piece of wearable art. We also encourage the use of original castings, wire-work etc. Please note any original components you have made in your materials lists. Purchased components such as large carved pendants or handcrafted focal pieces should be avoided if you are not the artist. If you review our past finalists, you will find that several companies use component based design.
Do components have to be from Halstead Bead?
No. We welcome the full range of diverse materials available on the market.
Do I have to be a Halstead Bead customer to apply?
No; but, we do hope you will consider us for your future sourcing needs.
What if my work is nothing like the work of past winners and finalists?
We are not looking for specific styles, price points or techniques. Judging is based on originality and quality of design as well as the marketability and viability of the business. You will see a tremendous breadth in styles amongst our past finalists.
How do I write a business plan?
Beginning in 2010 we changed the application packet to include more specific essay questions and eliminated the “business plan” submission component. You will find that the specific essay questions essentially pull from the key sections of most business plans. So, if you already have a written plan it is easy to pull paragraphs to use for responses to the various essay questions. This application packet change will allow us to directly compare candidates more easily.
If you do not have a business plan written yet, this application process will get you an excellent start. You will have the fundamental framework for a business plan that would be required by a bank, an investor or a business partner.
Which is weighted more heavily, the design component or the business planning component?
They will be weighted equally. Both are critical in the success of a jewelry business.
Any tips to set myself apart?
We are looking for innovation in design. We also want to see a clearly defined sense of style. Many similar pieces are present in the marketplace and we would like to see something different; yet, the collection should be cohesive enough to represent a single brand concept.
We are also looking for thorough business planning. Show us that you have thought about marketing, finances and logistics. We want to see well-rounded individuals that bring both creativity and a business mind to the table. Please read the articles in our Hints & Tips section to see some common pitfalls we have noticed among past applicant pools.
Why can't I send in digital images?
We welcome printed copies of photos taken with digital cameras or scanners. However, we will not accept photo disks, CDs or DVDs. These formats are too time consuming to screen for viruses, print in color and review. Thank you for your cooperation.
What about my privacy and business plan confidentiality?
We understand that your application packet will include a great deal of private and proprietary information. We do not share packet contents with anyone outside the judging committee. We promise to safeguard these materials to the best of our abilities. Please accept this assurance in good faith. We receive many applications; so, we will not return signed confidentiality agreement requests.
Will you return my packet?
No. Please do not send in anything that you expect to receive back.
If your question is not answered here, please email bead@halsteadbead.com. Good luck!
