Susan Blennerhassett placed second in the Gold/Platinum category of the 15th Saul Bell Design Awards for her entry, Starstruck – a pair of earrings containing 1,046 diamonds weighing a total of 14 carats.
Blennerhassett explained that the earrings, which took more than 300 hours to create, rotated 360 degrees so they could be “viewed from every angle without interrupting their aesthetic beauty”.
“I wanted to create something that would make an outfit, not just complement it,” she said. “My aim was to design a pair of earrings that would steal the show on the red carpet. [The earrings] exemplify the innovation and creativity that continually fuels our passion for the work we do.”
While Blennerhassett had entered a number of design competitions in the past – her Perth-based business, Blennerhassett Fine Jewellers, has been named a winner or finalist in 23 Australian-based jewellery industry awards – the Saul Bell awards marked the jeweller’s first entry into an international program.
Blennerhassett said she had felt it was time to “raise the bar” and test her skills in the international arena.
When asked how the experience compared to entering local award programs, Blennerhassett said the scale of the Saul Bell Design Awards had been much larger – there were more than 300 entries from 35 countries – and added that there had been huge diversity in the competition.
“It is always a gratifying experience to be awarded for something you have worked for hours on end to perfect, whether that be local or otherwise, but to be in an environment with professionals from over 35 countries, and have them speak so highly of your work – it is a moment to beat,” she said.
In addition to the award, Blennerhassett received a US$1,000 (AU$1,280) gift certificate from Rio Grande, the US-based global jewellery tools and equipment supplier that hosts the Saul Bell Design Awards each year. However, she also hoped the win would result in increased exposure for her business.
“Even though Blennerhassett Fine Jewellers has been quite successful in awards to date, we are hoping this one gives us that extra something that will not only ratify our reputation, but push us to always reach that little bit higher [and give us] a chance to really show the public what we are capable of.”
Elly Cernohorsky of Mandurah, Western Australia, was also recognised at the Saul Bell awards. Cernohorsky claimed second place in the Emerging Jewellery Artist category, which recognised the talents of designers 21 years of age or younger, however, she could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
The winners of the 2015 Saul Bell Design Awards were announced on 17 May at a ceremony held in New Mexico. Winning pieces will be on display at the upcoming JCK Las Vegas jewellery show.
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