Buckleguy's "Make it Great with Hardware" Contest

Create a project centered around the usage of hardware. Your entry may be either an original design or created from a pattern.

A qualifying entry must be at least one half leather, and it must make use of some sort of hardware in its design. Other materials such as fabric, canvas, or wood may be used, so long as the leather and hardware are a meaningful part of the finished piece.

There must be at least one piece of hardware in the finished product. Beyond that, there are no restrictions. Use whichever types of hardware and whichever materials best fit your projects. Smother your work with studs if you wish, or simply use a single clasp for a closure. If you choose to use fewer pieces of hardware, they should have an outsized impact on the function or appearance of the piece.

Furthermore, there are no restrictions on construction method. Use whatever methods you like for construction, closures, and decoration. Choose the methods that best serve the design, structure, durability, and intended use of your piece.

Give the project your best effort, but do not let perfection keep it on the bench—white gloves will not be required! The purpose is to make a something, learn from making it, and present it to the Guild. A promising first attempt, an ambitious experiment, or a project that taught you something is welcome here. Please be prepared to briefly explain your entry, including your design choices, materials, construction methods, intended use, and what you hoped to achieve. Entries made from patterns are welcome and will be eligible for pattern-entry prizes. Original designs will be eligible for original-entry prizes, recognizing the additional design work, problem solving, and risk involved in creating a bag from the ground up.

Entries must be newly made for this contest. Work finished from before the contest was announced or repurposed from previous projects will not be accepted.

Each entry must be submitted as either: - Pattern Entry: An item made from a published, purchased, shared, class-provided, or otherwise existing pattern. - Original Entry: An item designed by the maker, including its form, proportions, construction plan, and major functional choices. Inspiration from other leather goods is allowed, but the submitted piece should reflect the maker’s own design work.

The contest will have two voting tracks: - Buckleguy: Selected by the CEO of Buckleguy. - Guild Member Voting: Selected by the members of the Guild via a poll on bostonleatherguild.com.

A prize will be awarded for the first and second place finishers in each category by both the Guild and Buckleguy. That means there will be eight prizes in total. A single entry may receive recognition in more than one voting track if selected by both Buckleguy and Guild members.

Judges and voters are encouraged to consider the following: Craftsmanship Fit & Finish Material Usage Creativity Originality Design and Function Overall Impression

Makers should identify whether their entry is original or made from a pattern when presenting their work. For pattern entries, please be ready to name the pattern source if asked.

Best of luck!