Thank you for your participation in Colored Stone's second annual Reader's Choice Award competition. It all began in January when we opened the floor for nominations for favorite designer on our Web site. The nomination process concluded with the creation of a panel of exceptionally talented individuals each possessing a unique knack for working with colored gemstones. Over the past three weeks you have voted on these distinctive jewelry designers — and nearly 1,100 votes have been collected. Here are the results:

Second Runner-up: Carol Weidman
First Runner-up: Karen Olsen Ramsey

And the first-place winner is . . .

	Noel Cheney

Noel Cheney's jewelry lines focus on large, elaborate pendants and necklaces as well as a wide variety of one-of-a-kind rings, earrings, and bracelets.

Each piece is an inspired design, combined with exceptional craftsmanship — all centered around the source of the artist’s inspiration — the stone itself.  She adds platinum, 18K gold, silver, different metal finishing techniques, industrial rubber, and silk, as well as gemstones and pearls to create a collection of “wearable art” that is both bold and daring with the elegance and sophistication of European and Art Deco inspired fine jewelry.

To learn more about Noel Cheney and to view additional work, visit her Web site at www.NoelFineJewelry.com.

As the winner of Colored Stone's Reader's Choice Award 2005, Noel will be featured in the July/August issue of Colored Stone magazine — the designer issue. This article will also appear online — look for it here in early July.

Noel received nearly 18 percent of the votes cast in the competition. Here is what some of our voters had to say about her:

"Always stunning, original, and creative designs. As I have seen Noel's work evolve over the years, I continue to be dazzled and amazed by it's unique virtues and stunning elegance."

"Her joy of life is expressed in her unusual designs. I really enjoy them."

". . . I really like the clean lines Noel has in her designs as well as the way she combines the gems with the shape of the piece. She is definitely my favorite!"

"I love her jewlery for striking yet uncomplicated elegance."

"Love your use of rubber! Talk about out-of-the-box!"

 

Congratulations to Noel Cheney and to all our finalists!

Click here to view all of the 20 finalists.

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