Contest rewards creative veneer use

Veneer Technologies now is accepting entries for the Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge Awards, sponsored by FDM and CabinetMaker magazines.

The competition recognizes achievement in the use of natural veneer or wood product applications through cash awards and other recognition to designers, craftsmen, distributors and distributor’s sales representatives. Entrants may submit up to three items. The competition categories are: Furniture, Store Fixtures, Cabinetry, Architectural Woodworking, Specialty Items and Student Design.

Cash in the amount of $3,000 will be awarded to the grand-prize winning entry. The distributor of the veneer for the grand-prize will receive $2,000 and the corresponding salesperson will receive $1,000. Six $1,000 prizes also will be given out to each of the category winners. A $1,000 bonus is available for the grand-prize winner if entered by March 31, 2009.

There is no entry fee, and entries are accepted through June 1, 2009. The official announcement of winners will be made at AWFS Las Vegas, July 15-18, 2009.

A table featuring pau ferro, holly, lacewood, wenge, laurel burl and pear veneers was chosen as the top entry out of 168 in the fourth annual competition, announced in Atlanta during the 2008 IWF show. Gregg Novosad of Divine Design, Palatine, Ill., was awarded the $5,000 grand prize for excellence in woodwork featuring natural veneer and wood product applications. Certainly Wood, distributor to Divine Design, received a cash award of $3,000 and salesman Jim Carroll received $2,000 in recognition of their participation in the supply chain.

I was lucky enough to see this table in person. It's amazing what you can do with veneer. Think you have the creativity to win? If so, for entry materials, visit http://www.veneertech.com/.