Events & AwardsOct 05, 2022
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Octave Jewelry Chosen as Winner of 2022 Halstead Grant
Helmed by designer Ope Omojola, Octave embraces color and combines sharp geometric lines with organic shapes.
Ope Omojola, the designer behind Octave Jewelry, is the winner of the 2022 Halstead Grant, taking home a $7,500 cash grant and $1,000 in jewelry supplies, among other prizes. Omojola makes her jewelry in Brooklyn, New York.
Prescott, Ariz.—Octave Jewelry, a brand that combines organic shapes with sharp geometric lines, is the winner of the 2022 Halstead Grant, supplier Halstead Bead announced last week.
Ope Omojola, who was born in Nigeria and currently lives and works in New York City, is the designer of Octave Jewelry.
Omojola started her jewelry-making career by taking a weeknight class on jewelry making at the 92nd Street Y in New York.
Her work marries her interest in anthropology—specifically, how individuals communicate through dress and adornment—with her lifelong creative practice of prioritizing material, color, and movement.
The result is a bold and colorful collection that combines hand-cut stones with lampwork glass and sterling silver details.
“Ope is a rare creative talent,” said Hilary Halstead Scott, Halstead president and founder of its grant.
“She masterfully combines lapidary stone cutting, hot glass working, and metalsmithing skills to create a bold, fashion-forward jewelry collection. We were thrilled to see such an innovative combination of materials and techniques.”
As the winner of the grant, Omojola receives $7,500 cash plus $1,000 in jewelry supplies; a trip to Prescott, Arizona, where Halstead Bead is headquartered; features in Halstead print publications; detailed feedback from the grant judging committee; and a signature trophy.
She said: “I’m so honored to be this year’s Halstead Grant recipient. The application process was the culmination of months of rethinking what running a business meant to me.
“It’s incredibly validating to have explained my vision and see it supported in such a tangible way, and I'm so excited to continue to move toward my goals. Thanks to the Halstead team for the support, and such wonderfully detailed feedback.”
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Ope Omojola, who was born in Nigeria and currently lives and works in New York City, is the designer of Octave Jewelry.
Omojola started her jewelry-making career by taking a weeknight class on jewelry making at the 92nd Street Y in New York.
Her work marries her interest in anthropology—specifically, how individuals communicate through dress and adornment—with her lifelong creative practice of prioritizing material, color, and movement.
The result is a bold and colorful collection that combines hand-cut stones with lampwork glass and sterling silver details.
“Ope is a rare creative talent,” said Hilary Halstead Scott, Halstead president and founder of its grant.
“She masterfully combines lapidary stone cutting, hot glass working, and metalsmithing skills to create a bold, fashion-forward jewelry collection. We were thrilled to see such an innovative combination of materials and techniques.”
As the winner of the grant, Omojola receives $7,500 cash plus $1,000 in jewelry supplies; a trip to Prescott, Arizona, where Halstead Bead is headquartered; features in Halstead print publications; detailed feedback from the grant judging committee; and a signature trophy.
She said: “I’m so honored to be this year’s Halstead Grant recipient. The application process was the culmination of months of rethinking what running a business meant to me.
“It’s incredibly validating to have explained my vision and see it supported in such a tangible way, and I'm so excited to continue to move toward my goals. Thanks to the Halstead team for the support, and such wonderfully detailed feedback.”
The Halstead Grant also awards cash prizes to finalists and semi-finalists, $500 and $250 each, respectively.
The 2022 finalists are: Caitlin Albritton Jewelry, Stellar Metal Jewelry, and Phantasm Jewelry.
The semi-finalists are: Katelyn Elyse Jewelry, Jennifer Metesh Studios, Earthbound Silver, 9th Generation, Benjamin Ripley Jewelry, and Mae & Lang Jewels.
Pieces from both the finalists and semi-finalists are pictured below.
Launched in 2006 by Halstead Bead, the Halstead Grant was created to help kick-start the careers of emerging silver jewelry designers and promote new talent and creativity in the jewelry industry.
In order to apply, designers must answer questions about their business plan, including marketing, competitive analysis, finances and production capacity, in addition to providing pictures of their jewelry.
Calls for entries for the 2023 Halstead Grant will begin in January.
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