Apply for a Jewelry Business Grant

The call has gone out again this year for the annual Halstead Bead, Inc. Business Development Grant competition. This is the fifth year this company has offered this grant which is designed to help American jewelry designers who are trying to enter into the bridge jewelry market. Bridge jewelry refers to jewelry that is in between costume jewelry and fine jewelry, which probably describes the jewelry many readers of this site make.

The grant winner will receive a $5000 cash business grant, $1,000 Halstead Bead, Inc. gift certificate, a feature in the company's catalog and on the web site, an engraved plaque, and lots of promotional opportunities. Obviously, this is a big deal! The deadline isn't until this summer, but considering the amount of work it requires to fill out any grant application, it is never too early to start. Here are a few tips to think about if you are considering applying:

Make sure you thoroughly read all the requirements before apply to make sure you know what you are getting into and that you even qualify to enter in the first place.

If you do qualify and decide to fill out the application and collect the other required materials, such as photograph, double check that you have provided all the necessary information. The easiest way to get booted out of the running to not follow the instructions.

Turn in the best quality work you can, meaning excellent photographs and well-written text that has been edited and proof-read thoroughly.

Read the company's Hints and Tips section. This information comes directly from the company, so that means you can find out details about what it might be looking for in a grant candidate.

Finally, check out previous grant winners. It is always helpful to see who has won previously.