Two Design Contests

Katie Hacker is hosting a design contest featuring her Katiedids components.  Deadline is May 1st, details are on her blog.  Along with winning some fun prizes your design will be displayed at the Beadalon booth at Bead & Button.

Cynthia Thornton of Green Girl Studios is hosting a design contest on her blog as well.   This challenge asks you to design something using the studded bead project in Cynthia's book. You can win one of her amazing new mechanical owls and a pile of other goodies.  Check out her blog for details.  Deadline is May 2nd.

Jewelry Contests

Here are some upcoming contests - stretch those creative muscles, create something show-stopping and see what happens!

Rings & Things' Your Design Rocks Contest - Deadline February 28th

Bead Star - Deadline April 1st

Bead Dream Contest - Deadline April 4th

Halstead Grant - Deadline June 6th - Check out the awesome hints & tips for businesses that sell handmade jewelry.

And since most of these contests are based on the photos you send in, here are some articles on taking better photos.  You might also consider hiring a photographer who specializes in taking photos for juried shows and competitions.  If you are planning on selling at larger shows, this is a great investment.

Photography Guide Etsy
Photo Tips from the Crafts Report

The Challenge of Color

“I am as curious about color as one would be visiting a new country, because I have never concentrated so closely on color expression. Up to now I have waited at the gates of the temple.”
~Henri Matisse

I am not real good with setting goals, but I like a good challenge. So this year I challenged myself to add COLOR to my designs. To quit waiting at the gates of that temple.

I sought out beads and components from artisans that would do just that and in so doing pushed the boundaries of my preferred color palette. I tend to make things that are dark, earthy. Bright colors are a actually challenge for me. But a challenge with great potential.

Since I have been pushing myself this year, I have had people say that they do associate color with me, and that makes me happy that perhaps I am pushing my self-imposed boundaries.

I thought it might be good to share some of the colorful art beads that I have been using this year... and some that I am lusting after ;-).

'Challenge of Color - Cool' by TesoriTrovati

These are beads and components in a decidedly cool hue that I have been lusting after!

ahouston $16.00	Artybecca $10.00	missficklemedi... $
swoondimples $20.00	MarshaNealStud... $18.00	designtalented... $
maryhardingjew... $20.00	humblebeads $10.00	Artybecca $14.00
Meital $100.00	gaea $9.50	Paintingwithfi... $15.00
Floridity $10.00	LushLampwork $6.50	Hint $22.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

'Challenge of Color - Warm' by TesoriTrovati

This is a sampling of things that I am lusting after in a more warm hue.

rafya $18.00	NorthcottWilso... $	jennifermorris... $53.00
margrietje $28.00	MenagerieStudi... $9.00	lynndavis $8.99
Floridity $9.00	Julsbeads $20.00	Nimblejacks $8.00
LushLampwork $32.00	Sigaliot $28.00	Brilynn $27.99
elukka $18.00	boonepottery $3.00	maryhardingjew... $12.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

There have been some really outstanding challenges and contests and blog hops this year as well. Recently, Lorelei hosted a challenge to use similar components from Michaels, Lori Anderson hosted two highly successful Bead Soup parties and there are numerous contests, like the SoftFlex Flex Your Creativity Steampunk Challenge (voting is now open until December 15th - go vote for your top three favorites and get inspired!). And of course, the grandmother of all challenges is the monthly Art Bead Scene. It is really amazing to see the incredible variety of talent at work. You can't help but be inspired.

Here are some great challenges going on right now. Why not get inspired?

Art Bead Scene October Challenge
Artbeads.com What Inspires You? Necklace Beaded Contest
Rings & Things Your Designs Rock Contest
Fire Mountain Gems Six Themed Contests

Be sure to check out the news of contributing editor Lorelei Eurto and artist Erin Siegel who are writing a book and need your help with a general call for submissions. With their blessing, I am encouraging you to fill out the interest form found on either blog, upload your best ideas to the Flickr group and prepare to be amazed by some truly awesome talent (I have seen some cool stuff already in that Flickr pool)! All it takes is confidence in your ability to shine. (Oh, and a really great use of fiber, too ;-)

I had been offering a monthly challenge on my blog called "Inspired by..." earlier in the year. I took a few months off from hosting due to the commitments I had for my gallery exhibit. Now I am ready to start that up again with a new set of challenges. But I need some input... market research as it were, since YOU are the reason that I enjoy doing these...

• Do you like to participate in challenges/blog hops/contests?
• Which is your preference: challenges for the fun of it, blog hops for the variety and community-building, or contests for the possible glory?
• Would you participate just for the satisfaction of doing it and stretching your creative wings, or would you rather there be a potential to win a prize? If so, what sort of prizes are you interested in playing for?
• Do you like to have a short amount of time to complete it (say, one or two weeks)? Or do you prefer a longer time frame (one month or more)?
• Is there a theme that you would like to see done?

Do tell!

Enjoy the day!

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com.
Check out her brand spankin' new website at Tesori Trovati.

Editor's Note: We really want to know the answer to those questions here on the ABS.  Answer all 5 in the comments below and I will draw one random winner for a $30 gift certificate to Humblebeads on Etsy! Winner will be drawn on Monday, November 1st.