NICHE magazine maintains the right to merge any category that does not obtain an appropriate number of entries.  The number of finalists per category will be proportional to number of entries accrued.  There is a maximum of five and minimum of two finalists per category.

2012 Professional Categories

Basketry
Ceramics: Hand-Built
Ceramics: Molded
Ceramics: Wheel-Thrown
Fashion Accessories (not jewelry)
Fiber: Art Quilts
Fiber: Decorative
Fiber: Surface Design
Fiber: Wearable
Furniture: Cabinetry
Furniture: Tables & Seating
Glass: Blown
Glass: Cast/Slumped
Glass: Fused
Glass: Lampworked
Home Furnishings: Decorative Accessories
Home Furnishings: Goblets
Home Furnishings: Teapots
Jewelry: Fashion (valued up to $100 wholesale)
Jewelry: Fine (valued over $100 wholesale)
Jewelry: Gold (at least 50% of piece)
Jewelry: Gold with Stones
Jewelry: Sculpture to Wear (conceptual)
Jewelry: Silver (at least 50% of piece)
Jewelry: Silver with Stones
Jewelry: Wedding
Judaica
Metal: Cast
Metal: Enameled
Metal: Fabricated/Forged
Metal: Hollowware
Mixed & Miscellaneous Media
Polymer Clay
Recycled
Wood: Carved
Wood: Painted/Colored
Wood: Traditionally Joined
Wood: Turned

2012 Student Categories

Ceramics: Functional
Ceramics: Sculptural
Fashion Accessories (not jewelry)
Fiber: Decorative
Fiber: Wearable
Furniture
Glass: Functional
Glass: Sculptural
Jewelry: Fashion
Jewelry: Fine
Jewelry: Sculpture to Wear (conceptual)
Metal: Non-Wearable, Functional
Metal: Non-Wearable, Sculptural
Mixed & Miscellaneous Media
Recycled
Wood