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Hatch Jewelry Launches 3D Printing Design Challenge

Hatch Jewelry is a boutique jewelry website (could be called a “jewelry publisher”?) that curates designs for sale in their online shop. What sets them apart from other boutique retailers is that the items sold by Hatch are determined by the community. Designers submit their wares, either via open calls or contests, and a community of jewelry enthusiasts vote to decide what goes up on the Hatch shop. The site is only newly released, so to kick off the Hatch Jewelry model, they’re hosting a 3D printing design challenge.

Bronze Design ChallengeThe contest is called “Bronze It Up”.  As you might guess from the name, the goal is to create a piece of jewelry that would look great 3D printed in Matte Bronze Steel.  So, from now until February 15, 2014, you’ll be able to submit your pieces “that exhibit a unique sense of aesthetic, functionality and an understanding of the material”, as determined by the company’s Design Director, Linnea Olson-Schwartz. The judge has over 16 years working as an accessories and fashion editor for such notable companies as GQ, Elle Girl, Elle Accessories, and Surface Magazine. If your original design wins, you’ll get 500 big ones, as well as IP rights and royalties from the sale of your jewelry, 3D-printed by Shapeways.

The site’s founder, Matthew Sargeant, explains how their contests will give exposure to up and coming artists: “These challenges allow anybody, regardless of their tenure in the industry, to have a platform to sell their showcase and sell their work. It’s an opportunity that is hard to come by these days and we’re excited to see the talent we will discover at Hatch Jewelry.”  To win would mean that you’d be ranked among the site’s other successful jewelry artists, including Susan Domelsmith, Geoffrey Good, Judi Powers, Jaclyn Mayer, Christine Huber, and Joanna Bengoa.

Hatch Hub CoasterHatch Jewelry is accompanied by a sister site called Hatch Hub, which focuses on industrial design. Though I’m not sure any of the items on the site are 3D printed and they’re current contest doesn’t involve any 3D printing, I do like some of the products being offered, such as this set of coasters. The coasters are multifunctional and aesthetically pleasing; you can use them to, first, open a bottle and, then, to rest the bottle on. And, because I broke our last set of ceramic coasters, these look like they’ll stand the test of time and my clumsy hands.

From the looks of the aesthetic on both sites, it wouldn’t surprise me if you heard more about them and other 3D printed products in the future.

Source: PR Web