Austin Shines Event Features local Jewelry Designers competition
If there’s one thing Austin does best, it’s celebrating and supporting its local talent. From art and fashion to food and design, this city has always had a special way of lifting up the creatives who give it character. Many of these makers proudly stay rooted right here in Austin, keeping their businesses — whether storefronts or studios — true to their local zip codes.
Among those who’ve built something beautiful in the heart of downtown is Elizabeth Gibson, founder of Eliza Page, who is celebrating 20 years in business. Her boutique on 2nd Street has become more than just a jewelry store — it’s a destination. For two decades, shoppers have walked through her doors to find timeless pieces from her own luxury collection, along with treasures created by other local designers who call Austin home.
Back in 2010, Gibson introduced the Austin Shines event — a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship that quickly became a beloved part of the local jewelry scene. Now, fifteen years later, the revived 2025 competition continues that legacy, once again shining a light on the incredible talent found throughout Austin and Central Texas.
For these rising jewelry designers, the competition offered far more than bragging rights. Winners earned a coveted spot inside the Eliza Page boutique, where their work was showcased alongside established names. They also received cash prizes, business and marketing consulting, PR exposure, and the invaluable experience of placing their collections in a respected local retail space.
From a group of applicants, 20 Shining Star finalists were selected, each challenged to create a ten-piece collection and a special charity piece featuring a rustic salt-and-pepper diamond (1–3 carats). The unique stones were provided to each designer with a meaningful twist — every charity piece was donated and sold, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting The Center for Child Protection.
From there, the field was narrowed to ten remarkable finalists, each shining in their own way — a perfect reflection of Austin’s creative spirit and community heart.
Among this year’s standouts was the design team of Andrea Brown and Tiva Rose of Anvil + AuRA, who captured the Bronze Award in the People’s Choice competition — a well-deserved recognition of their artistry and creative vision. “It’s just been a great ride! It’s so fun to design around such unique stones,” said Brown.
“We’re two friends who came together, we were both into jewelry. We started wholesaling to local stores and eventually we were able to get into our own shop which is located at the Hill Country Galleria,” added Rose.
The space is not only home to their retail collections but all the jewelry is made on site as well.
Winner of the People’s Choice Shining Star – Claire Sommers Buck Jewelry and Winner of the Judges’ Shining Star Award – Jamie Turner Designs
Here is the list of the talented ten finalists, Afra Jewelry Studio, Anvil + Aura, Cara Carter Jewelry, Claire Sommers Buck Jewelry, Fail Jewelry, Hine Fine Jewelry, Jamie Turner Designs, Lee Jones Jewelry, Lisa Crowder Jewelry, and Haley Lebeuf
You can see the collections inside the Eliza Page store till the end of October. Other local collections will continue to be featured and purchased year round.
