Business Grant Contest by Halstead Beads
Halstead Bead Sponsors $6,000 Bridge Jewelry Business Grant
Prescott, AZ -- January 10, 2007 -- Halstead Bead, Inc. is pleased to announce its Second Annual Business Development Grant for new designers entering the bridge jewelry trade. The grant will be awarded to a winning candidate in August. The winner of the 2007 Grant will receive $6,000 in cash and merchandise as well as other benefits. Applications must be received between April 15 and June 30, 2007. Complete application details can be found at http://www.halsteadbead.com/Grant/.
The Halstead Bead Grant differs from other jewelry industry competitions and awards because of its emphasis on business planning. Entrants must demonstrate not only extraordinary jewelry design, but also a strong business strategy.
Bridge jewelry is the middle segment of the jewelry industry that is facing increasing pressure from overseas designers and mass merchant retailers. Competitive forces make it very difficult for fresh designers to gain a foothold in the United States market. However, the contribution of these artists in creativity, workmanship and service is critical to the health of the jewelry industry as a whole.
Halstead Bead, Inc. has a material and philanthropic interest in supporting the dreams of new designers and fostering their development in the industry. To that end, the firm has developed The Halstead Bead Grant to be awarded each year to a new designer. The grant is also a means to promote the importance of sound business operations in the entire industry. Many past applicants have reported that the application process alone was a tremendous help in developing a company framework.
Last year's grant winner was Ananda Khalsa Jewelry of Providence, RI. The jewelry line features tiny original paintings set into sterling silver jewelry. Khalsa's work is inspired by Asian art and rich cultural symbolism. The firm used the 2006 grant to increase marketing efforts and hire production staff. Ananda Khalsa Jewelry is growing rapidly and is available in boutiques across the country, online at www.anandakhalsa.com and via other popular jewelry websites.
The grant sponsor, Halstead Bead, Inc., is one of North America's leading jewelry supply importers and distributors. The firm was established in 1973 and now supplies thousands of component resellers and jewelry designers around the globe. Halstead Bead, Inc. is wholesale only and sells beads and findings for the bridge jewelry segment in sterling silver, gold-filled, copper, freshwater pearls, glass and Swarovski crystal.
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