IN DEPTH|SAJN
MetCon’s ompetition A focal point for South African jewellers Managing the entries and being directly involved with all communication regarding the competition, I saw how this event became a focal point for South African jewellers. And as someone still learning about the industry, I knew I would gain new insights from a unique vantage point. Receiving entries The response was immediately positive from the jewellers, all tagging
before expressing how happy they
The entries
each other and their friends in the
were that it was enabling the supply
I am no jeweller or any sort of crafts-
posts we put out. The entries them-
of food parcels to those in need.
man, but I was blown away by the
selves took a while to come through
I was deeply impressed by the
creativity of all the entries. The more
– understandably so, as it takes time
calibre of people who were entering:
they came in, the sadder I became
to create something beautiful. But
their clear and tangible respect for
that this was a competition and there
when they did come in, I got a good
their craft and their indelible, creative
would have to be “losers”, when
feel for who these jewellers were
spirit that far surpassed any egotisti-
none of the entries deserved any-
from the way they responded to
cal notion of “winning” something.
thing less than being called winners.
me as I communicated with each of
These were people who loved
And it was not just the brilliant
what they did and were delighted
pieces I saw that impacted me: it was
I was taken aback by a few things,
to keep doing it in an original, fun,
their stories. Some simply grabbed
but in the most wonderful way.
and creative way during a time of
my heart. Two, in particular, stood
Almost every jeweller conveyed
struggle and uncertainty. These were
out for me: Chanique Barnard, who
their gratitude for the competition
true South African artisans.
produced exquisite feather earrings,
them via e-mail.
SA JEWELLERY NEWS – JUNE 2020
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