A Dream Come True: a Bead Dream that is............

Ever since I started designing and making jewelry, I wondered how people got into magazines and won competitions (I used to drool over the Saul Bell Winners year after year).  I thought, someday, I want that, to be known for my art.

I have had my eyes on the Bead Dreams competition for a few years now.  You can read up on it here.

http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/Events/Contests/2010/12/BeadDreams%20Competition.aspx

It is an annual competition put on by the Bead and Button show.  Every year, I see the pieces online when its time to vote for Peoples Choice, and every year I wish mine were there.

Year after year I wish that I had taken time to create something amazing to enter.  Every year, it passes by.

This year I decided I was going to try it.  What did I have to lose?  I felt like my work is finally in a place, where I think I can compete.  But having never entered a competition, I really had no idea if I could make the cut.  I started planning my pieces back in February.

The way it works, is you submit by category, and it is a $50 fee per entry.  You take pictures of your pieces, and tell a bit about them and submit them.  If you get selected as a finalist (a HUGE honor) your pieces ship to the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee to be judged for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  All pieces, whether they get a ribbon or not are on display there for the duration of the show.  

So, I submitted two polymer clay pieces and a metal clay piece.  And then I held my breath and sat on nails and paced and paced.  I finally told myself to not be upset if I don't get in, that I tried, and it is all a learning experience and there is always next year.  But guess what.........................

I got both of my polymer clay submission in !!!!!!!!

I danced around like a crazy person.  This is such a dream come true for me.  

So if you are going to Bead and Button, please look for these pieces.

Zen Circles

And this set called 

Sea Swept

I owe a lot of thanks to Joan Miller, Karen Totten and Lisa Peters.  They gave me wonderful advice and encouragement as I was creating these sets.  I couldn't have done it without them.  (Joan has won ribbons at Bead Dreams a few times, and will be there again rocking the Handmade Bead and Button Category- so look for her too).  Thanks for your honesty and encouragement ladies!

They will be getting shipped off this week.  Now, I hope for a ribbon.  It would be so amazing, I am pretty sure I would cry.......but I am just so thankful to make it this far.  

If you go to Bead and Button, please send me a picture of my pieces in the case.  It would be much appreciated.

Wish me luck!