Christina Fandino, founder of Los Angeles based TIN HAUS, has won the 2020 Halstead Grant for new jewelry businesses. Christina receives a $7,500 cash grant, $1,000 in jewelry supplies, a trip to Prescott, Arizona, features in Halstead print publications, a detailed feedback report from the judging committee, and a signature trophy.
Designs by TIN HAUS are inspired by abstract art, nature, ancient cultures, social causes, and the spirit of everyday people. All pieces are handcrafted in Christina’s Los Angeles studio using traditional jewelry fabrication techniques. Her designs are bold-minimalistic statements for self-expression.
Christina is committed to sustainable and responsible sourcing for her jewelry. Her pieces incorporate raw, recycled 14kt and 18kt gold as well as .999 and .925 silver. TIN HAUS jewelry is available online at tin-haus.com as well as via select stockists.
Grant founder and Halstead President, Hilary Halstead Scott said, “Christina nailed it. She represents the best of both jewelry collection artistry and strategic planning.” Halstead Scott noted Tin Haus was a Grant finalist in 2018 that made significant progress in the last two years. “It’s exciting to see participants leverage the grant experience into business results. This program is about so much more than winning an award.”
The Halstead Grant application requires more than jewelry portfolio photos. Questions cover a business plan including marketing, competitive analysis, finances, and production capacity. The program provides free education resources to help jewelry business start-ups to succeed.
Guest judge Sarah Rachel Brown said, “Christina's application clearly depicted that she is putting in the work to create a sustainable and successful business. As a judge, I was impressed by the multiple ways in which she is simultaneously broadening her knowledge and skill sets to better serve her business. She truly deserves this financial boost to help her get to the next level.”
Judge Kelli Vanyek Greene added, “Being a finalist and receiving a personalized feedback report can really push your jewelry business to the next level. It has been inspiring to watch Christina’s growth from 2018-2020!”
The Halstead Grant recognizes two tiers of strong entries as finalists or semi-finalists. Results within each group are in no particular order. The Finalists are S. Howell Studios, Avery Lee Design, Littlest Fish Designs, and Thimbles for You. The Semi-Finalists are Mind’s Eye Collective, Angely Martinez Jewelry, LEO Handcrafted, C. Albritton Designs, and SPYLXN. The finalists receive $500 and semi-finalists receive $250.
The 2020 judging committee included Halstead President Hilary Halstead Scott, Halstead’s Marketing & Creative Manager, Kelli Vanyek Greene, and guest judge Sarah Rachel Brown. Brown is an adornment artist in Philadelphia who creates the Perceived Value podcast, focused on how artists earn a living. The Halstead Grant began in 2006 to bring the business plan concept to the jewelry community. The program continues to grow. New for 2021 is the Halstead Business Plan Toolkit. Halstead is also proud to announce the January 2021 Jewelry Business Forum – a digital conference to help jewelers grow their businesses and adapt to the changing jewelry world.
