This week we celebrate jewelry designer and Solidscape user Allison Ice who became a finalist in Rio Grande’s 2018 Saul Bell Design Awards with her «Worldview» ring. Congratulations, Allison! Her inspiring story speaks to so many jewelry designers perfecting their craft while also developing their own unique artistic identity.

«Lately I’ve found myself struggling to rediscover the artistic identity I began to cultivate in college. I’ve been disheartened and frustrated with my own creative impulses, convincing myself that those voices of self doubt were right–that there is not a market for the narrative, gaudy, highly dramatic jewelry that I tend to dream up. This design competition gave me a platform to rediscover that side of myself–it lit a fire in me that I haven’t experienced in years.»

– Allison Ice

Check out the ring and her story in her Instagram post below.

 

Now that @riogrande has officially announced the 2018 Saul Bell Design Award Finalists, I can finally share with you all the most intense project I have ever taken on. Seeing my design among all of the other finalists is incredibly humbling, to say the least, and despite the hundreds and hundreds of hours it took to take this thing from CAD to reality, I kind of still can’t believe it’s all real. . . . Lately I’ve found myself struggling to rediscover the artistic identity I began to cultivate in college. I’ve been disheartened and frustrated with my own creative impulses, convincing myself that those voices of self doubt were right–that there is not a market for the narrative, gaudy, highly dramatic jewelry that I tend to dream up. This design competition gave me a platform to rediscover that side of myself–it lit a fire in me that I haven’t experienced in years. & holy frickin moly, did it feel good. Thank you, @riogrande, for supporting creative jewelry making, and for giving artists like myself exposure and incentive to create beautiful things that we might not otherwise have the resources or motivation to create. Thank you to my employer, @genovesejewelers for providing resources and materials for production, and support in this ridiculous venture that is sooo far from what we typically do. Lastly, the HUGEST thank you to goldsmith Steve Lumma for his unbelieveable craftsmanship and patience. I basically gave him a pile of cast pieces and six pages of assembly blueprints/gem maps, and he gave me THIS incredible ring. . . . Worldview is reflective of my own frustrations with the global socioeconomic and political climates. I wanted the piece to evoke clearly polarized emotions and phenomena that everyone is familiar with—suffering versus hope, sorrow versus joy, death versus rebirth. I wanted the viewer to experience the emotional dissonance that so many face, both vicariously and through lived experiences. Worldview is comprised of around thirty components that were 3D printed then cast in sterling silver and 14 karat gold, and set with diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, citrine, and alexandrite.

A post shared by Allison Ice (@icebyallisonice) on

The Solidscape Design Competition at JCK Las Vegas

Don’t forget that Solidscape’s own design competition seeking out innovative designs that embrace cutting edge 3D printing technology is accepting entries until April 27th! Show us your artistic identity and how you push the boundaries of creativity through your stunning jewelry!

Enter Your Design

Design Entry Requirements:

  • Submit one unique, original design per artist
  • Provide designer name, business name or other, and location
  • Grant permission for Solidscape to promote their winning design, with designer credit
  • Provide your story and choice of professional background or experience for promotion

Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:

  • Successful wax model printed by a Solidscape High Precision 3D printer
  • Technically interesting or challenging
  • Best use of technology (CAD/Solidscape 3D printing)
  • Best artistry & style

Cash prizes and a showcase at Solidscape’s booth B65079 at JCK Las Vegas in June 1-4 will be awarded to the winners. The winners will be announced online on June 1st!

Enter Your Design

Last year’s finalists and winners can be viewed on our 2017 Design Competition at Baselworld page.

Selected 2017 Design Competition at Baselworld Finalists

Selected 2017 Design Competition at Baselworld Finalists