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Illume Connect

Exotic Leather Accessory Competition – Novice Division

Exotic Leather Accessory Competition – Novice Division

$75.00 USD
$75.00 USD
Sale Sold out

Novice Leather Accessory Competition

Novice class is for leathercrafters who have been working in the industry, either as a hobbyist or full-time artisan, for less than 5 years.

Each leathercrafter may enter up to three accessories(entry fee required for each entry). The accessories must be made within the past 12 months and be in "new" condition.

  • Accessories made in or during a training are not allowed.

Online entries are open from July 1st-December 20th, 2025

Three judges will independently and separately score each entry based on a universal score sheet. All contestants will receive their score sheets via email after the show.

Accessories must be at the Southwest Leather Masters Competition registration desk at the SOUTH POINT by 5pm Wednesday, January 8th for judging and will remain on display until 5pm Saturday, January 10th.

  • In-person delivery will be Wednesday, January 7th from 9am-5pm.
  • If shipping your accessory entry, it must arrive on or before Friday, January 2 to be eligible for judging. Please ship entries to:
    • IllumEvents
      Attn: Savannah
      95 W Main Street
      Salina, UT 84654
  • If you WILL NOT be present to pick up your entry on Saturday, January 10th at 5pm, please include a RETURN SHIPPING LABEL and any special instructions.

Accessory can be for sale during the competition. Contestants are responsible for all sales.

  • IllumEvents Las Vegas will not take any sales commission. 

Rules

Eligible Entries: 

Accessories made primarily from exotic leather are welcome, including but not limited to:

  • Wallets
  • Card holders
  • Belts
  • Cuffs/bracelets
  • Watch straps
  • Clutches
  • Small pouches
  • Eyeglass or knife cases 

Note: Larger items like handbags and footwear are not eligible.  

Material Requirements: 

The main visible material must be a legally sourced exotic leather. Supporting leathers (e.g., lining, edge reinforcement) are permitted, but exotic leather must be the dominant feature. 

Functionality Requirement: 

Accessories must be fully functional and wearable/usable, not display-only or conceptual. 

Original Work: 

Each entry must be designed and constructed by the submitting maker.  

Awards 

The Southwest Leather Masters Competition Awards Ceremony will be held at 4pm on Saturday, January 10th in the IllumEvents Las Vegas tradeshow area. 

Each registered tradeshow attendee will cast one vote towards the People’s Choice Award which will be awarded a prize package. 

Please make sure you understand the rules and guidelines as entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Also be sure to study the judging sheet for a full understanding of what will be judged in the competition.  

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