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, pearls, rubies, sapphires etc... Fine jewelry is dominated by stone settings and castings. 2) Bridge Jewelry - spans the gap between fine & costume jewelry. Bridge items are high quality accessories that can be worn every day. Primary materials are silver, copper, gold composite products, crystal and semi-precious stones such as lapis, onyx, turquoise, malachite, quartz, freshwater pearls etc. Bridge work can be strung beadwork or castings. 3) Costume Jewelry - is low end jewelry that is very inexpensive. Costume items are usually mass produced overseas and 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 in your essays and/or business plan. Please note that the following cases are NOT considered new businesses if they are merely changes to a bridge 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? There are many books and internet sites on writing a business plan. We have posted a resource list to the grant website for your reference. Writing the plan is an exercise that takes a significant amount of time and research; however, it is immensely helpful in launching a new business. The business plan is now a required component of your application packet. This will give us a deeper understanding of your skills and organization. The business portion of your submission is weighted equally with the design portfolio. 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 submissions are extremely 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!	Belle Brooke Designs
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