In 2003 and 2004 Urban Maille, Golden Maille and the Creative Wire Jewelry Forum sponsored two Chain Mail Ornament Design contests. And both years my designs won the First Place prize! I am truly surprised and honored by these awards, because there were many beautiful entries in the contests. The ornament on the right won the 2004 competition. It has both silver and gold rings, in a variation of the classic Byzantine weave, with Swarovski crystal teardrop accents.

The blue ornament to the left won first place in the 2003 competition. It is done entirely in sterling silver, with Swarovski crystal accents. I have no idea how long it took me to make it, but it used almost 3 ounces of wire, and it is so heavy I can't even hang it on the tree!

I have to confess that I am a perfectionist -- I'm a real stickler for neatness and technique, so if something isn't right I'll take it apart and do it again. In June 2002 this attention to detail netted me my very first jewelry-making award: first prize in a Technical Challenge competition sponsored by the Creative Wire Jewelry Forum and The Wire Artist Jeweller magazine. Wire artists from around the globe submitted entries made by following the same set of instructions, and my piece was selected as the best.

Stephanie's prize-winning pin (design by Dianne Karg Baron)