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!
