Announcement: Congratulations to Tira Mitchell

[BrianPowley]

Tira Mitchell is going to be a Bench Pressure Challenge contestant at the Smart Jewelry Show in Chicago.
Way to go Tira!

 

[Sam]

That is one fantastic poster! Congrats Tira!

 

[Peter E]

KOOL! CONGRATS Tira!

 

[mrthe]

Wow! Love the Poster! Congratulations Tira!!!

 

[Ed Westerly]

Congrats, Tira. However, my ignorance is now on display...What is the bench pressure challenge?

 

[Tira]

Thanks guys! The Bench Pressure Challenge is a competition sponsored by Stuller where 4 bench jewelers go head to head in 3 two hour competitions. Think of iron chef. At 10am each contestant is given the same materials and at noon they judge the outcomes. The palladium challenge is setting a 6mm CZ + up to 25, 1.5mm CZs in a palladium ring. The engraving challenge is a 6mm wide gold cigar band (half round) ring and the setting challenge is 9, 2.5mm CZs in Stuller's new continuum silver in a fish tail design. It will be a bit nerve wracking, but a lot of fun and I should learn a lot too. The idea is to see how different people approach the same task.

Thanks for your words about the poster. I'm not sure who designed it, but it took me over 2 hours with the photographer to get that particular shot. I think she took over 120 pictures or so. I'm just glad it turned out well.

 

[rod]

Tira,

You are looking good, and more than a match for the other poster guys, I am sure!

We are rootin' for you, good luck!

Rod

 

[Mike Fennell]

Congratulations, Tira. We have great faith in your abilities, so Look Out Chicago! It would be fun and informative to watch.

 

[Mike Cirelli]

Good luck Tira.

 

[silverchip]

Sounds like fun, Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mdengraver]

Since everbody is rooting for Tira, I might as well root for her too. I don't want to disturb her loyal fans.

 

[BrianPowley]

Guilty as charged-----I'm a loyal fan.

 

[Dennis Sprague]

Congratulations Tira on getting into the challenge and best of luck. Remember to relax ,focus only on what you are doing and kick there Butts ! I am pulling for you.
Have fun with it.
Dennis

 

[D.DOUGLAS]

I just seen that Tira was in that as i was looking through the smart show catalog today. I am lucky enough to be there on Sunday with the company i work for.Best of luck Tira.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Hey Tira

Great poster and I was going to ask the same question about the challenge.

I don't know weather I should congratulate you or send commiserations. That's a tough challenge and I'm presuming that you will have an audience........... Nothing like a bit of pressure

Good luck and kick some butt!!

Cheers
Andrew

 

[lesholmes]

Is there a way that we can watch this?

 

[Joe Jacob]

Here is the link to the show site. They have some videos of past competitions:
http://www.smartjewelryshow.com/bench-challenge

Good luck Tira.

 

[Tira]

Andrew, No doubt it will be a challenge. I'm just very pleased that I was chosen to participate. Anything further will be a blessing. =)

D Douglas - please stop by to say hello. I'd love to meet you (although not in the middle of the stone setting challenge....) I should be there all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday and then at the events on Sunday night. It's a pretty full social schedule they have for us. A lot of living crammed into 72 hours! Yahoo!

 

[monk]

best of luck, tira. i don't think the others have half a chance against you !

 

[mvangle]

Tira, Congratulations and bring home the palladium er gold or what every the top prize is. Your competition has a real challenge ahead. ;-)