Submission guidelines

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION, please read carefully.

Stage 1 – Photographic Images Only – Deadline: Thursday 30th June 2011

For this stage you are required to photograph the initial stages of your work.  Your photographs should display your whole project range; we need to see moodboards, your inspiration and most importantly your embroidery samples.  Think about techniques you may be using in your final piece and any other relevant imagery.

We will be selecting our finalists from this stage so you need to show where your idea is going and ensure that your photographs display as much of the overall embroidery without any distortion.  You may have your work photographed by a professional or your institution; we shall give them credit for any imagery used.

You may submit your 5 images in any one of these formats:

1. Colour photographs sent to us in the post: Hand & Lock, 86 Margaret Street, London W1W 8TE, England.

2. J-peg images saved to CD Rom sent in the post (address above)

3. J-peg images sent over email to chiara@handembroidery.com

Each image should be saved as J-peg format, size 7 x 5 inches / 12 x 17cm.

Images not saved in this format will not be considered.

If you would like your photographs or CD Rom returned please provide a SAE (stamped, addressed envelope).

You must display your

  • full name
  • candidate number
  • whether you are in the open / student category

on your envelope / CD Rom / email.

J-Peg images MUST be named in this format:  CandidateNumber_CandidateName_ImageNumber(1-5).jpeg

You will be notified by email if selected for second stage by July 15th 2011. It is therefore your responsibility to monitor your emails.

Stage 2 – Finalists Finished Pieces – Deadline: Monday 15th August 2011

You will be required to submit:

  • Your complete finished piece of embroidery work
  • Supporting work (sketchbooks, moodboards, photographs, inspirational images)
  • Artist statement: In not more than 100 words state your inspiration, why the techniques you chose were used and your intentions.  This is a testament to your creativity and must add to the understanding of your piece.
  • An inventory of your parcel.  This will be emailed to you, please fill out all the sections and securely attach to your package/s.

-Each entry is limited to the size that can be mailed to London via Post Office, recorded delivery or courier.

-Overseas entries please note – when sending parcels ensure that you state that the contents have ‘NO COMMERCIAL VALUE’ adding a nominal value of $2.00 (USD) in any customs declarations

-Work will be received during office hours. Opening times are 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Return of work (after the Prize Giving November 2011)

1. Courier
Work can be sent back to students via courier. Standard charges as follows: – UK: £15 (GBP) – Overseas: £25 (GBP)
You must provide us with your debit/credit card details in order for us to return your work.
2. Collection
Work can also be collected from Hand & Lock office within two months from the date of judging.
Opening times are 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Return of work (winners)

The winners’ (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Commendation) entries will be held by Hand & Lock for up to one year from date of entry and may be exhibited at our sole discretion. Returns are to be arranged after this date.

Final Judging will take place in September 2011

The Judges are representatives from the sponsors and organisers of the prize;

  • Hand & Lock
  • The London College of Fashion
  • The Royal School of Needlework
  • The Embroiderers Guild
  • Embroidery Magazine
  • Madeira UK Ltd
  • Edward Green & Co
  • The Victoria & Albert Museum

Judging Criteria (out of 100 points)

  • Interpretation of the brief and overall impact – 50 points
  • Design development -15 points
  • Technique – 10 points
  • Materials – 10 points
  • Presentation – 10 points
  • Commercial viability- 5 points

Winners

  • The First, Second and Third place winners will be notified by telephone or email in September 2011
  • The winners’ work will be published on the Hand & Lock website
  • The prizes will be awarded in November 2011
  • Winners will provide a biography and photograph of themselves for use in publicity and promotion
  • Hand & Lock reserves the right to use photographs of all entries in promotion and advertising
  • The intellectual property rights in the works will rest in Hand & Lock
  • Prize winners shall make themselves available for publicity and promotion. Expenses only to be paid, there will be no appearance fees paid

Insurance: Entrants are advised to insure their own entries.
Disclaimer: Secure labelling of all work with the required details is the responsibility of the submitting artist. We will handle all entries with the utmost care, however we cannot be responsible for items that are lost, stolen or damaged whilst in transit, on exhibit, or whilst in possession of Hand & Lock.  The prizes shall be subject to variation/cancellation, without notice by Hand & Lock