The 11 Winners of the ‘Hedda Schupak-Baum Centurion Excellence in Design Awards’

Phoenix, AZ–The annual Centurion Design Awards took special meaning this year as it was renamed as the “Hedda Schupak-Baum Centurion Excellence in Design Awards.” The name change is in honor of Hedda Schupak, whose unexpected death in October was shock to all of those who knew and loved her in the jewelry industry.

Schupak’s husband, Jim Baum, spent the past two years doing the design awards with her. This year, he was on his own and was exceptional at the job, attracting a record number of voters among retailers, promoting Jewelers for Children, which is where the money raised ends up going, and selling several of the pieces before the awards show began. The awards event was sponsored by Jewelers Mutual.

On stage during the January 29 award ceremony, Baum talked about Schupak’s love of design and her love for the jewelry industry, where she spent all her career and much of her life.

“She loved good design. She understood that good design made people feel great, whether you’re wearing it on your back, whether you’re wearing it around your wrist, or when you’re walking into your home and your home looked beautiful. You felt good. And that is what so many of you are selling,” he told the audience. “Sure, we’re selling rocks, we’re selling gold, we’re selling silver; but we’re selling feeling good. When you can do that, you can make your business last longer, you can make more money, you can do more for your children, and you can do more for the community.

He continued, “This is what Hedda wanted. Hedda wanted people to feel good but most importantly she wanted this industry to survive, and this industry to thrive. So many of you are friends of hers. I’ve had such a good fortune to meet some of you over the past couple years. I never came to one of these until a couple of years ago, she dragged me into it. I’m here tonight and she’s here in spirit. As long as Howard has me here, I’m coming back.”

The winners of the “Hedda Schupak-Baum Centurion Excellence in Design Awards” and their respected categories are as follows: