JCK Events announced this week that it is teaming up with online marketplace UncommonGoods for its 2016 JCK Tucson jewelry show with the UncommonGoods Challenge. The challenge invites exhibitors to enter their jewelry designs in the hopes of winning a contract with the fast-growing e-tailer. Winners will be announced onsite at JCK Tucson, which takes place at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa February 2–7.

UncommonGoods, an online and catalog retailer, specializes in handmade, sustainable, and unique items—including an assortment of jewelry—that have a story to tell. “UncommonGoods is always on the lookout for up-and-coming artists who exemplify the uncommon spirit of our collection,” said jewelry buyer for the site, Sharon Hitchcock, in a press release. “Supporting creativity and the jewelry community is extremely important to us, so we’re very excited at this opportunity to partner with JCK.”

“We are huge fans of the site and love that our brands are so synergistic, in that each is focused on promoting the talents of artisans and bringing together a community of passionate designers and retailers,” said JCK Events industry vice president, Katie Dominesey, of UncommonGoods. “The challenge itself, a perfect accoutrement to the program at Tucson, is designed to highlight and honor these designers who think out of the box, utilize unique materials and design techniques, and take pride in craftsmanship. We are very excited to work with the team at UncommonGoods and to see what the entrants come up with!”

Participating JCK Tucson designers will be asked to submit one piece that fits a number of judging criteria, including originality in design, materials, and execution, craftsmanship, aesthetic, animal friendliness, and a retail value that does not exceed $750. A team at UnCommonGoods consisting of Hitchcock, product development associate Emily Reside, and public relations associate Anuli Akanegbu, will serve as the preshow judging panel and will narrow down submissions to five finalists. Hitchcock, JCK Tucson design ambassador Jacqueline Stone, and JCK magazine senior editor Jennifer Heebner will be the onsite judges and select the top three finalists.

The winner will receive $1,000 in addition to a vendor contract and marketing package with UncommonGoods, a feature in JCK magazine, and additional press coverage. Second and third place finalists will receive $300 and $200, respectively, plus media recognition and mentoring sessions with UncommonGoods’ Hitchcock.

All JCK Tucson Design Center exhibitors are welcome to enter. For more information, visit jckoline.com/tucson.

Brittany Siminitz

JCK Contributing Editor