2025 Novice Belt Competition
2025 Novice Belt Competition
Novice Belt 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 belts (entry fee required for each entry). The belts must be made during the current calendar year (2025) and be in "new" condition.
Belts made during a training or in a school are not allowed.
Online entries are open from May 1st - October 30th, 2025
Belts can be for sale during the competition. Contestants are responsible for all sales.
Pendleton Leather Show will not take any sales commission.
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.
Belts must be at the ROY RALEY ROOM by 9am Thursday, October 30th for judging and will remain on display until 5pm Saturday, November 1st.
Check-in for belt entries will be Wednesday, October 29th from 1-4pm and Thursday, October 30th from 7-9am.
If shipping your belt entry, please ship to:
Pendleton Convention Center
1601 Westgate
Pendleton, OR 97801
Please note: If your competition entry does not arrive before 9am on Thursday, October 30th, it will not be eligible for judging.
If you will not be present to pick up your entry on Saturday, November 1st at 5pm, please include a return shipping label and any special instructions.
Rules
Any style belt (tooled, untooled, lined, unlined, stitched, laced) is acceptable for entry
Constructed of leather only
Must be functional and ready to wear
Please make sure you understand the rules and guidelines as entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Also be sure to study the scoresheet for a full understanding of what will be judged in the competition.
Awards
The Northwest Leather Masters Competition Awards Ceremony will be held at 4pm on Saturday, November 1st in the Pendleton Convention Center.
Each registered tradeshow attendee will cast one vote towards the People’s Choice Award which will be awarded a prize package.