Stuller, Inc. wraps up annual Bench Jeweler Workshop

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Austin, TX jeweler walks away with overall win in Battle of the Benches®

(LAFAYETTE, La.) – Stuller hosted its annual Bench Jeweler Workshop March 23rd through March 25th, with more than 200 jewelers from across the world visiting its global headquarters in Lafayette, Louisiana.

“Having two hundred talented bench jewelers from across the country all under one roof for an entire weekend definitely makes for a one-of-a-kind event,” says Tammy Lail, vice president of tools, metals, and packaging. “Everyone leaves with something – whether it’s innovative ideas to implement in their shop, tools and equipment to improve efficiency, or new connections that will last a lifetime.”

The 3rd annual Battle of the Benches competition consisted of three different challenges – Polishing and Finishing with Swarovski gemstones™, Parts and Pieces, and CAD and Rendering. The jewelers selected for this year’s competition were: 2017 defending champion, Jyothi Forman of Georgies Fine Jewellery, who fell ill after the first competition and could no longer compete, David Adamson of David Adamson Designer Jewelry, Patrick Dobbs representing the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Craig Farley of FCF Jewelry Designs, and alternate Brian Clark of All American Jewelry Designers, Inc. The winners were as follows:

• Polishing and Finishing Challenge – Craig Farley
• Parts and Pieces Challenge – Patrick Dobbs
• CAD and Render Challenge – Patrick Dobbs
• Overall Winner – Patrick Dobbs

“It was a tough decision because they were all amazing,” said Battle of the Benches judge, Angela Busby. “The competitors gave their all, and it definitely showed in the final product.”

“It’s a huge honor,” says Patrick Dobbs, the overall winner. “The jewelers that I competed against, they are all very talented, it could have been any of them too.” 

To see more of the event and competition pieces, visit Stuller’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/Stullerinc.