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Battle of the Rings 2025

Battle of the Rings 2025

Click here for entry form

BATTLE of the RINGS, otherwise known as the RING SMACKDOWN, is a head-to-head, tournament style, single-elimination competition, juried exhibition, and virtual event with a top prize of $500. This year 32 selected rings will compete daily, April 14-30, 2025. The last rings standing will be crowned, The Ring Smackdown Champion. The competition is open to all: students, hobbyist and professionals.

COMPETITION and VOTING: Matches between selected rings will be posted daily for exactly 24 hours, as a poll to our Instagram story. Friends and followers are encouraged to participate by voting for their favorite rings. Each match is worth three points, one from the winner of the Instagram poll, two additional points are given by the jury. The ring with the most points advances to the next round.

SELECTED RINGS and PROCESS: Two jurors will select 16 exceptional rings each to be drafted to two teams for competition, The Shanks and The Mandrels. To level the playing field, all 32 rings will be professionally photographed at a minimum of three angles and videos of each ring will be made to highlight vital features. Selected rings will be posted twice daily to our Instagram and FB feed throughout the competition. All selected rings will be exhibited and available to purchase through our online gallery and brick and brick and mortar shop, Danaca Design Gallery, in Seattle, WA.

ALTERNATES: Each juror will select up to 2 alternates to participate in completion in the event that a ring is unable to compete. Alternate rings will be photographed and represented in the gallery and are subject to the same rules as competing rings.

PRIZES: Top: $500 and all the glory. Runner up: Lindstrom plier set (more details TBA) and lots of glory. Special Category this year: Innovative use of Mechanisms, in loving memory of  Nash Quinn. (TBA).

THE RULES:

  • One submission per artist
  • The ring must be an original design created by submitting artist
  • The ring must not exceed 4x4x4 inches
  • The ring must fit fingers between US size 5-10
  • No restriction on the nature of material used or shape within above parameters.
  • All selected rings must be shipped to Danaca Design and the artists will be responsible for return shipping if the ring does not sell.
  • The retail price of the ring must be a minimum of $400 and not exceed $1,600 USD.
  • All selected rings must be available for purchase through Danaca Design Gallery, 50/50 split; for the duration of the exhibition dates.

  • Play fair and have fun! This competition is designed to be a fun and promote exciting and inventive jewelry. Any participant may be disqualified at any point during the competition for practicing poor sportsmanship as determined by the organizers.*

TIMELINE:

Click here to view the entry form 

March 2: deadline to submit entry form

March 10: artist notification

March 24: selected rings due to gallery (5625 University Way NE, Seattle WA 98105)

Exhibition Dates: April 4 - May 10, 2025

Opening Reception: April 4

Competition Dates: April 14 - 30, 2025

Closing Reception: TBD

Unsold Rings Return Shipped: May 12-16, 2025

FEES:

Entry Fee $20 

NEW - Participation Fee - If your ring is selected, we will require an addition participation fee of $30.  This fee includes:

  • A full Color Exhibition Catalog showcasing all participating artists and rings.
  • Professional Photography, from three different angles including photos with a hand model to showcase how the ring looks when worn.
  • Gallery Exhibition insurance
  • Marketing & Promotion of Battle of the Rings and your work through several channels, including social media & email marketing, to maximize exposure and sales potential.

JURORS: Marissa Saneholtz and Dan Rees

Team Shanks juror Marissa Saneholtz makes narrative based jewelry and objects using humor and sarcasm. She is co-founder of the Smitten Forum, an annual traveling residency program and currently teaches at Bowling Green State University. Saneholtz’s work has been published in several books including Humor in Craft by Brigitte Martin and Narrative Jewelry: Tales from the Toolbox by Mark Fenn. Her work can be found in many public and private collections including the Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI, The Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Little Rock, AR.

Team Mandrels juror Dan Rees came 4th at the Strongest Man Under 90kg in the New Forest, England 2024 … which is a lot to fit on a medal! He’s also a self-taught jewellery designer and content creator based on the Sussex Coast. Known online as @Zebranowoodcraft he specializes in making minimalist rings with non-traditional materials for free spirited customers all over the world.

 

 

*poor sportsmanship can include accusing competitors of cheating, buying votes, virtual name calling, etc… All concerns must be brought directly to the organizers attention.