Sunday, April 6, 2014

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.


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!

17 comments:

  1. I'm very excited for you Staci! These are both amazing pieces of work. Their acceptance is well deserved!

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    1. Thank you so much. such an honor. I am so happy that they are just going there!

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  2. Gorgeous pieces!! Congratulations! Very best of luck to you :)

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  3. Staci~ You are inspiring me yet again as I make my way along this creative journey. So fantastic for you to be selected, fingers crossed for a big shiny ribbon :-D Best of Luck!!

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    1. :) fingers crossed, but I can honestly say I am happy to just be a finalist!

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  4. Wow these are fabulous pieces! How can you not win!!!!!!!

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    1. Well- there will be other amazing pieces there too ;) I am anxious to see how many polymer finalists there are- and who they are!

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  5. I'm so thrilled for you, Staci! Your work has always been a favorite and I'm glad you're getting the recognition you deserve. Congrats and best of luck in the finals. You are awesome!

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  6. I'm SO excited for you! I wish I were going to B&B so that I could see them in person. But maybe I'll get to see them later in the summer. ;)

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    1. I should have them back before beadfest august. so you can see them then ;)

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  7. Congrats Staci! How wonderful! You did a great job. You are becoming quite the expert in polymer clay techniques. I've always thought your pieces look like something out of a museum.

    I love the Sea Swept set. It looks like shells and driftwood. Is the one piece a brooch?

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    1. Thank you! I used actual shells on my desk for color inspiration! yes, it is a ring, necklace and brooch (but it can also be a pendant). the brooch is about 4.5" across too. these are BIG

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  8. I can't wait to stand in their presence. And I will tell every passer by that this artist, right here, is a friend of mine! I am so excited for you! I have tried my hand at this contest, but I am not nearly on the same playing field. I am so excited for you and I will not be surprise at all when you win! Enjoy the day, Miss Staci! Erin

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    1. You are very much on the playing field, as I just got a BOOK with a couple of your necklaces in it! and they are amazing!!!!!!! please take a picture for me- or better yet, a selfie in front of them when you go :)

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  9. Congratulations Staci! I love them both, but LOVE the Zen Circles - the details, the shapes, the colors . The photography is fantastic. Can't wait to see them in person and bet there will be a couple of ribbons. :)

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  10. Fantastic pieces, I keep my fingers crossed for you and wish you very best of luck!!!!! xx

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