Home & Fashion Design Inspiration
with Lisa Pavelka, Contributing Editor

AMACO Hosts Designer Challenges for 2006, most recently
Memory Trends 3-D Designer's Challenge

As a leader in the artistic world, Amaco has long recognized the value of independent designers to the Arts & Crafts industry. They’ve expressed their recognition of this value through a long tradition of designer based advertising, trade show appearances, booth exhibits, and designer taught workshops. With this in mind, formal Designer Challenges sponsored by the company began earlier this year. The intention was to showcase top artists and designers in the industry to showcase their talents through the use of Amaco products. The first of these events took place at both CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) conventions for 2006 (Las Vegas and Chicago). Las Vegas ATC Winners.

Designers Sandra McCall, Karen Thomas, Lisa Pavelka, and Anne Igou take a break from demonstrating at CHA Las Vegas to reunite at AMACO's ATC reception.

Happy winner of an AMACO gift certificate celebrates with friends at the Bitty Book reception in Chicago for CHA Summer

Public Relations Director, Dawn Sandoe, along with designers: Lisa Galvin and Lisa Pavelka, have all been instrumental in coordinating these events. Participants were hand-selected from a group representing a wide variety of creative genres including sculptural, jewelry, fabric, and paper arts. Each designer/artist was given a set of parameters to follow in creating a themed artwork using a minimum of 80% Amaco materials and 20% materials of their choosing. Finished pieces were displayed at Memory Trends and each CHA show. These events drew an unprecedented number of people to the Amaco booth which is typically crowded each day. As word spread throughout the convention center, curious participants came in droves to view the stunning entries on display.

Judges representing book publishers, magazines and other media selected winners for the following categories: Most Original and Best Use of Product. For both CHA challenges, Designer’s Choice Awards were also given. Winners for the CHA Winter ATC Challenge were: Torrey Scott for Most Original, Madeline Arendt for Best Use of Product and Jana Robert-Benzon for Designer’s Choice. You can view photos of the winning entries of the Summer CHA Bitty Book Designer’s Challenge (Chicago 2006). Chicago Bitty Book Winners

Mags Bonham created "Joy" from FIMO Soft and Wire Mesh in creating a Bitty Book, companion Tiny Tome and matching pendant (not shown)

Memory Trends Challenge

A unique version of the Designer’s Challenge for the Memory Trends Show in Las Vegas, Nevada (October 10-12) was held on a smaller scale and featured only past participants from the previous 2 challenges. This year’s third challenge calls for the creation of a mixed media, three-dimensional memory project using pre-selected Amaco products in a very short amount of time.

I'm LOVING working with these products. I wouldn't have probably tried them on my own, so this contest is sure opening my eyes to possibilities and has my creativity stirred!
Cat Therien
Winner, Best Use of Product, CHA-Summer

Winner, Most Original, Memory Trends 2006.

 

WireFrames come in two shapes.

Even though the entries for the Memory Trends Challenge were exhibited at the show, judging for this event took place on-line through a special internet gallery. Once again judges from the media made the winning selections. Winners were announced live at www.amaco.com on October 10, 2006. Due to popular demand, an encore exhibit of the Bitty Book entries were on display at the Amaco booth throughout the show.

Plans are currently underway for the next Designer’s Challenge for the CHA 2007 show in Anaheim, California. While participation is by invitation only, the possibility of a juried selection for future challenges is being considered. Look for more information on the Designer Challenges in future Amaco Designer E-newsletters.

New FIMO Soft Metallic Colors

Find Elaine Jackson's ATC Project Sheet here