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Hey, it’s Jenessa.

In today’s issue:

• Deep Dive: Why Entering a Jewelry Competition Might Be the Best Career Move You Haven’t Made Yet…

•DEEP DIVE

Stop Waiting and Start Entering Jewelry Design Contests Today…

This week, let's talk about something that might feel intimidating and time-consuming—yet has the power to shape the entire course of your jewelry journey... and that's entering jewelry design competitions.

I'm talking about the "big deal" ones:

These are the competitions that professionals in the jewelry industry celebrate and raise their glasses to.

Don't let your inner critic convince you that your work isn't good enough or that you're not ready.

Why?

Because the act of entering—whether you win or not—pushes you to grow:

• It gives you a real deadline, helping you stay focused and actually finish your masterpiece.

• It strengthens your professional portfolio and opens doors to future opportunities.

• Sharing your process boosts visibility and can help attract new clients who connect with your work.

• And hey… you might win!

1. A Real Deadline = Real Progress

Are you like me, notorious for procrastination?

You're not alone. One of the biggest barriers creatives face is getting started… and then actually finishing.

That's where one of the hidden superpowers of entering a design competition comes in…

THE DEADLINE.

Studies show you're up to 75% more likely to complete a project when there's a firm due date, which makes total sense.

Deadlines give your creativity structure.

They turn "someday" into "right now," helping you fight off perfectionism and finally finish that masterpiece swirling around in your head.

Without one, it's easy to get stuck in an endless loop of tweaking, second-guessing, and "I'll get to it later."

But with a real, non-negotiable finish line found in design competitions, you focus, make firm decisions, and bring your best work to life... on time.

2. Portfolio Building = Future Opportunities

One of the best things about entering a design competition is that—win or not—you walk away with a finished, high-level piece that strengthens your portfolio

That's exactly what happened with my 2011 MJSA Vision Award submission.

Even though I didn't win that year, the piece became a valuable part of my portfolio.

It later helped me secure lucrative jewelry positions and opened doors to freelance and custom work with clients who saw my portfolio and wanted to collaborate.

Competitions push you to create your best work, which becomes a lasting asset—something you can use to pitch, apply, and grow your career long after the entry deadline has passed.

3. Process Sharing = Visibility + Potential Clients

Sharing your design competition journey isn't just fun—it's smart marketing.

Documenting the behind-the-scenes process builds trust, shows off your skills, and gives people a reason to root for you.

Whether it's sketches, CAD renderings, or a peek at your bench work, this content invites followers into your creative world.

Sharing your process creates engagement, enhances visibility, and can lead to real business from people who recognize your talent and become future clients.

4. Winning starts with entering—you miss 100% of the chances you don't take.

Sometimes, putting yourself out there really does pay off.

In 2012, during my final year working on the West Coast at Green Lake Jewelry Works—one of the top custom jewelry studios in the country—I entered a competition hosted by the Palladium Alliance, which was heavily investing in palladium as a fine jewelry metal.

The contest offered a unique opportunity: if your design was selected, your piece would go into full production, then sent to celebrity stylists for potential red carpet exposure.

Since I rarely designed jewelry for myself and was getting married that summer, I decided to kill two birds with one stone by designing my dream wedding earrings and submitting them to the Palladium Alliance competition.

To my surprise, my design was selected.

A few months later, I saw my earrings on Dancing with the Stars, worn by the host, Brooke Burke!

It was a surreal and thrilling moment for a Midwest girl with zero Hollywood connections.

And the cherry on top?

That summer, my former boss, Jim Tuttle—owner of Green Lake Jewelry Works—graciously loaned me the earrings so I could wear them at my wedding, held at a beautiful beachside property on Camano Island, WA.

It was an unforgettable experience, and it all happened because I took the leap and entered.

Your turn.

If you've been thinking about entering a design competition but haven't yet, consider this your sign to start today.

Whether you win or not, the experience will push your creativity, build your portfolio, and grow your visibility in ways you might never expect.

Remember, the first step to winning is simply entering. So why not make this your year?

Until next time, let’s continue creating jewelry people can’t live without!