Taryn Bailey, the apprentice winner from David Peet Jewellers
JMF recognises emerging NZ talent
Posted September 30, 2010 | By Sonia Nair
The Jewellery Manufacturers Federation (JMF) of New Zealand acknowledged five budding young jewellers in its Awards of Excellence held at this year’s New Zealand Jewellery Fair.
The five winners were chosen out of 100 shortlisted applicants and consisted of three polytechnic students, a student from a private training establishment and an apprentice.
JMF president Greg Jones and four experienced JMF committee members were at the helm of the judging panel.
Kvetoslava Flora Sekanova from the Hungry Creek Art and Craft School in Auckland was the judge’s first pick and won for a brooch that she revealed was “inspired by a Coldplay song”.
Fourth-year student Taryn Bailey, who is apprenticed to David Peet Jewellers in Tauranga, won for her 18-carat yellow and white gold pear shaped cluster ring.
Jones called Bailey’s ring “unusual and different with its under-level.”
Zak Pitfield-De Mille from the Whitireia Community Polytechnic in Wellington won for his sterling silver and acrylic brooches and earrings.
Third-year jewellery and metalsmithing student Brendon Monson from the Otago Polytechnic Institute of Technology in Dunedin received the award for his key-shaped pendant that was made of native New Zealand stones and nylon.
Meanwhile, a handmade sterling silver set of Art deco earrings, bracelet and ring clinched the accolade for Junko Kobayashi from the Peter Minturn Goldsmith School in Auckland.
Jones told Jeweller, “I think the awards play a very critical part in recognising the talent in the industry. The employers and teachers love getting involved and the awards have been very well-received.”
The five winners received a certificate of excellence, a year’s membership to JMF and a $300 cash prize.
The Awards of Excellence is a new endeavour that launched last year in its current format, but is part of an awards system that has been running for the past three decades.
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