Be naturally inspired DESIGN CONTEST 2008 - 2 Days Left!

Source: Swarovski.com contest page:

Water and a healthy environment have always been important issues for Swarovski since its foundation in 1895. Daniel Swarovski I was already an impassioned environmentalist who recognized the importance of maintaining the purity and sustainability of natural resources beyond the creation of perfect precision-cut crystals. He saw nature as the perfect designer – as well as an inexhaustible source of ideas.
Today, Swarovski enthusiastically supports international environmental projects and draws inspiration for its designs from nature.

Be naturally inspired and enter our 2008 Design contest!

ELIGIBILITY

All designs must be new, original and not available for sale and must not have won any previous contests.

Contestants should choose to be assigned to one of the following categories –
Professional, Amateur or Student.

All submitted jewelry, accessories, home décor and paper craft designs must consist of at least 80% CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements. The remaining 20% may consist of wood, metal, paper or other material, except other cut crystals than Swarovski elements.

Participants must create and complete the finished design on their own, without outside assistance.

Participants are encouraged to use various techniques, such as sewing, gluing, knitting, crocheting, polymer clay, beading, etc.

Participants are required to submit two digital photographs of each design by May 16^th, 2008. Included with the photograph, must be a complete list of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements used to create the design, as well as the title of the design and any short story about the design (if applicable).

Submissions are not to exceed one cubic foot in dimension and five pounds in weight.
Employees and immediate family members of employees of Swarovski are not eligible to Participate.

PLEASE SUBMIT TO CYS@SWAROVSKI.COM
or mail to
CREATE your STYLE™ Design Contest 2008
Swarovski North America, Ltd.
1 Kenney Drive, Cranston, RI 02920

TIMELINE

May 16^th, 2008
Swarovski must receive all applications from professionals, amateurs and students, two digital photographs and a list of incorporated CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements for entry.

June 30^th, 2008
All semi-finalists will be notified via phone or email.

July 18^th, 2008
All semi-finalists will be required to submit their finished design to Swarovski. Once received, Swarovski will send the semi-finalist the CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements and the $50.00 gift check.

August 29^th, 2008
The 5 finalists in each category will be notified via phone or email.

October 15^th, 2008
Winners will be announced in New York

PROCESS FOR ENTRY

You may submit as many entries as you wish for contest, however you may only compete in one category: Professional, Amateur or Student. Completed application, two digital photographs (jpg or gif and not to exceed 2 Mbytes) of the design and a complete list of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements used must be submitted by registration deadline of May 16th, 2008.
Do not send finished pieces.

SEMI-FINALISTS

The top 20 designs from each category: Professional, Amateur, Student will be chosen by a panel of jurors and notified on June 30th, 2008. Semi-finalists will be required to send Swarovski their design piece(s) no later than July 18th, 2008, or Swarovski will assume the semi-finalist has chosen not to continue in the contest. All semi-finalists will receive the CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements used to make their design, plus a $50.00 gift check. Every effort will be made to send the participant the exact CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements used, but substitutions may be necessary.

FINALISTS

The panel of jurors will choose 5 finalists per category: Professional, Amateur, and Student. All finalists will be notified by August 29th, 2008. All finalists will be invited to New York on October 15th, 2008, where the winners will be announced.

FINISHED PIECES

The finished pieces will not be returned to the designers as all designs may be photographed for a professional book as well as be displayed internationally and shown as examples at our various events and trade fairs throughout the year.

Intellectual Property Rights in General

(a) Swarovski acknowledges and agrees that, as between Swarovski and each contestant who submits entries into the contest containing CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements, the designer shall own all trademark rights, copyrights, patent rights, and other proprietary rights in that piece.
(b) Designers agree to allow Swarovski the right to photograph, publish and/or display pieces with or without the designer‘s name and for no fee or royalty payment. Swarovski reserves the right to develop instructions to reproduce the design. Every effort will be made to ensure that the utmost care is given to each submitted piece, however Swarovski cannot be responsible for damage while in transit. It is the responsibility of the designer to insure pieces while they are in transit to Swarovski.

WINNERS

The winners will be announced in New York on October 15^th, 2008.

AWARDS

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

1^st place winner trip to Wattens, Austria.
(Airfare and hotel accommodations for 2 for 5 nights and 6 days, based on double occupancy; transportation to and from airport / hotel on arrival and departure date; Tour of Crystal Worlds and Innsbruck).
2^nd place winner $3,500.00 gift certificate towards CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements
3^rd place winner $2,000.00 gift certificate towards CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements

AMATEUR CATEGORY

1^st place winner trip to Wattens, Austria.
(Airfare and hotel accommodations for 2 for 5 nights and 6 days, based on double occupancy; transportation to and from airport / hotel on arrival and departure date; Tour of Crystal Worlds and Innsbruck).
2^nd place winner $3,500.00 gift certificate towards CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements
3^rd place winner $2,000.00 gift certificate towards CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements

STUDENT CATEGORY

1^st place winner $5,000.00 towards tuition.
2^nd place winner $2,500.00 towards tuition.
3^rd place winner $1,000.00 towards tuition.

APPLICATION FOR ENTRY

Online Registration

PHOTOGRAPH AND PUBLICATION

Swarovski will secure photography for finalist and winning items. All images will remain the property of Swarovski. Swarovski reserves the right to use the finished pieces in any promotions. Designers may or may not be given credit any time their piece is featured in any promotion by Swarovski.