You all did a wonderful job of crossing your fingers toes and eyes for me.... I won!
Rather I was one of the winners. I don't know what I won yet as the prizes still need to be divvied up, but the prize doesn't really matter. I get to jump up and down and do happy dances because I won!!
Sadly none of my picks won (other than my admiration). I obviously have no idea what the judges are looking for lol Although my last pick on my blog post didn't win, the maker did... for one of her other pieces, yay Elsie!
The list of winners....
Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae Binsfield
Kris won several awards and this earns her bragging rights as the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party® contest. Congratulations, Kris! Grand Prize, Wire Work,Judges Choice
Judges Choice
Fusion Beads, Emma Todd of A Polymer Penchant.
Kalmbach Publishing, Debbie Rasmussen of A little of this, a little of that. (this one was one of my favs, not sure why I didn't get it included in my picks hmm)
Nina Designs had a tie!
Nina Designs, Silvia Serricola at Pipa the Latest
and Malin de Koning at Beading by Malin de Koning
PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Melissa Mesara at one-eared pig beads
Best Use of Seed Beads
Both Beaducation AND Kalmbach Publishing chose Karin Slaton of Backstory Beads
Both Fusion Beads and Nina Designs chose Debbie Rasmussen of a little of this, a little of that
(that's three wins with two pieces for Debbie -- way to go!)
Lima Beads, K. Hutchison of Jumbled Hutch
PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Lily Krist of Handmade by LilK
Wire Work
Beaducation, Eva Sherman of Eva Sherman Designs
Fusion Beads and Lima Beads chose Kris Lanae Binsfield of Cherish Designs (see above, Grand Prize winner)
Kalmbach Publishing, Susan of Libellula Jewelry
Nina Designs, Kristina Hahn Eleniah of Peacock & Lime
PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Jean A. Wells of Jean A. Wells Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry
Fiber
Beaducation and Lima Beads chose Claire Hasemeier of Blue Quail Designs (a Facebook entrant!)
Fusion Beads, Stefanie Teufel of Stefanie's Sammelsurium
Kalmbach Publishing, Cheryl McCloud of One Thing Leads to Another
Nina Designs, Agi Kiss of MoonSafari Beads
PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Heidi Kingman of Heidi Kingman Jewelry
Best Use of Color
Beaducation, Tari Kahrs of Pearl & Pebble
Fusion Beads, Agi Kiss of MoonSafari Beads
Kalmbach Publishing, Christina Miles of Wings N Scales
Lima Beads, Keren Panthaki of Vas Dea
Nina Designs, Megan Milliken of MaeMaeMills
PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Dana Hickey of Wind Dancer Studios <--- That's ME!!!
Out of the Box
Dish made by Adlinah Kamsir of DreamStruck Designs
Zack's Choice
Chosen by Zack as his absolute favorite, Leslie Wayment of AA Beads & More
Out of the Hat Winner
Pulled out of a hat of alllllll the entrants,
Mary Tanner (a Facebook entrant!)
Lori's Hat Winner
Lori took all her absolute favorites(and that was TOUGH to narrow down)and then drew one out of a hat.
Susanna Lehto of Othel Lehto
And last but not least,
Runner's Up
Kat Douglas of Washoe Kat's
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca of Eliz-Eliz and All that Craft
Jennifer Cabic of What I Believe...
Danielle Kelley of Imbue the Muse
Melissa Trudinger of Bead Recipes
Amber Dawn of Inventive Soul
Evelyn Duberry of ShebaMakeda Glass Art
CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS!! Congrats to everyone not on this list as well. You are one talented group of artisans!
On the Homefront.....
We have a couple bills to pay first, but I finally get my new computer!!!!! I am so excited. Paige has been the absolute sweetest to share her laptop with me for the last EIGHT months I know there were times when she wished she didn't have to ahem finals, eight page term papers, research for those papers. She actually went to the University's library and used their computers so as not to split up where she had all her info. I need to do something REALLY special for her. Her birthday is coming up too so I need to get on it!
Thanks for stopping by! I'll post again when I know what I won :D
See ya next time!
musings about life, jewelry and building the home of my dreams
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Revelations, Doubts and Imagination Run Amok
Meet the earrings that have caused me a great deal on introspection as of late.
They're a simple style, clean and dainty, very comfortable to wear. Hoops are readily found in many shops, a breeze to make, and quick too. So why the introspection? I found the exact earrings in sterling silver in Sun Dance recently......for more than double what I charge.
My college major was business management, so I am confident in my pricing structure. At least I was. The business woman in me is chiding me to revisit that structure. Etsy's workshops have all been focussing on pricing lately too, which only adds to it.
I think to myself if the items I make and sell are also found elsewhere for more than double I am seriously undercharging for my work. On the other hand I live in an economically challenged region in the US and I don't want to seem to be overcharging. See the dilemma?
I thought I had solved that by charging a healthy- for this area - hourly wage, and by the time all the math was done for factoring price, my wages would be boosted and still reflect a fair price. A recent workshop hinted that I should be charging almost quadruple for my wages, seriously? hmmmm the price of those hoops would support that theory as well.
ah but the flip side to that coin..... several of my pieces take far more time to create than a simple pair of hoops. Hours and hours would kick my prices out of the reach of all but a few. While I wouldn't mind selling to those few :D I am not completely artsy (business major remember lol) I can be practical and do realize that being able to sell to more than a few is actually a good thing! Truly when I say from my heart and hands to yours, that's what I mean. I want you to have my jewelry. For that to happen the price must be affordable...... but still, I need to be fair to me. My prices need to reflect that.....
On the Desk: is an explosion of beads and wire. I'm not kidding! My brain keeps kicking out ideas that my hands MUST try NOW before the last piece is done!! My UFO's have multiplied like bunnies. What's worse is I've been ummm borrowing precut pieces for this from that because it's the right size and I really want to see if it works sigh. Monkey brain! Swinging from idea to idea as if they were branches. It has actually gotten so bad that my To Do list actually reads:
Dust
mortar rocks
lay stepping stones and soaker hose
write blog post AND ideas for later (it bothered me I was behind!)
sketch ideas BEFORE exploring & FINISH at least ONE UFO
finish painting Paige's room (touch ups and bath)
etc etc
I did manage to actually finish one pair of earrings. I finally got around to using that gorgeous Seraphanite I bought with my winnings some time back, sweet sweet earrings. I was actually a little worried they looked a little too much like a pair Cleo has in her shop. That is a problem when you have similar tastes with a friend who also makes gorgeous jewelry. You really don't want to look as if you're borrowing (or worse) their ideas, even if they inspire you.
Well this blog post could easily have been turned into several!! So I'll leave it for now and see you next time!
They're a simple style, clean and dainty, very comfortable to wear. Hoops are readily found in many shops, a breeze to make, and quick too. So why the introspection? I found the exact earrings in sterling silver in Sun Dance recently......for more than double what I charge.
My college major was business management, so I am confident in my pricing structure. At least I was. The business woman in me is chiding me to revisit that structure. Etsy's workshops have all been focussing on pricing lately too, which only adds to it.
I think to myself if the items I make and sell are also found elsewhere for more than double I am seriously undercharging for my work. On the other hand I live in an economically challenged region in the US and I don't want to seem to be overcharging. See the dilemma?
I thought I had solved that by charging a healthy- for this area - hourly wage, and by the time all the math was done for factoring price, my wages would be boosted and still reflect a fair price. A recent workshop hinted that I should be charging almost quadruple for my wages, seriously? hmmmm the price of those hoops would support that theory as well.
ah but the flip side to that coin..... several of my pieces take far more time to create than a simple pair of hoops. Hours and hours would kick my prices out of the reach of all but a few. While I wouldn't mind selling to those few :D I am not completely artsy (business major remember lol) I can be practical and do realize that being able to sell to more than a few is actually a good thing! Truly when I say from my heart and hands to yours, that's what I mean. I want you to have my jewelry. For that to happen the price must be affordable...... but still, I need to be fair to me. My prices need to reflect that.....
On the Desk: is an explosion of beads and wire. I'm not kidding! My brain keeps kicking out ideas that my hands MUST try NOW before the last piece is done!! My UFO's have multiplied like bunnies. What's worse is I've been ummm borrowing precut pieces for this from that because it's the right size and I really want to see if it works sigh. Monkey brain! Swinging from idea to idea as if they were branches. It has actually gotten so bad that my To Do list actually reads:
Dust
mortar rocks
lay stepping stones and soaker hose
write blog post AND ideas for later (it bothered me I was behind!)
sketch ideas BEFORE exploring & FINISH at least ONE UFO
finish painting Paige's room (touch ups and bath)
etc etc
I did manage to actually finish one pair of earrings. I finally got around to using that gorgeous Seraphanite I bought with my winnings some time back, sweet sweet earrings. I was actually a little worried they looked a little too much like a pair Cleo has in her shop. That is a problem when you have similar tastes with a friend who also makes gorgeous jewelry. You really don't want to look as if you're borrowing (or worse) their ideas, even if they inspire you.
Well this blog post could easily have been turned into several!! So I'll leave it for now and see you next time!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
I really do think I should l have posts (at least topics to expand on) on stand by for this poor neglected blog. I really don't mean to neglect it, there are just only so many hours in a day and I find myself wishing for more hours on a regular basis.
Well, except for this last weekend, the thought of more hours in a day was a terrifying thought. That's how busy I was and how exhausted I was by it all! Thankfully it seems the fast forward pace I was running at is returning to normal play. Whew! I don't think I could keep up the pace for very much longer either.
The good news is, I finally got some of my garden planted up in pots and moved up here. They're waiting patiently to be tucked into their new home! I still have a lot of work ahead of me but it just warms my heart to look out my door and see my roses. I really didn't realize how much I missed puttering in the garden.
Pulled out my landscaping plans - really just an informal sketch - circles with numbers that remind me where I wanted to put what plant, and now I can get to work.
So now that you have an idea of what's been going on in my personal life and why I've been absent (sort of) I can update you on my jewelry goings on.
Beads n Blessings, Art With Heart Cycle 3 is under way! My kit arrived and I'm really excited to get started!
I joined a Color Challenge group and that is turning into so much fun. The group votes on a color scheme for the week and then creates something using those colors. It's a very diverse group of artists so their offerings are always fun to see, from web site graphics, to business cards, to custom aprons, to lamp worked beads, to jewelry, it's just a blast!
I've also joined a treasury team and have had the honor of being included in some very nice treasuries. I belong to other groups, but have never been chosen for theirs, so this is really quite exciting for me! It's even given me the pleasure of discovering some new shops I'd not seen before and also provided me with some inspiration.
Coupled with the Color group I will have a new piece to share with you in another blog post very soon I hope. And with Etsy's newly remodeled profile pages I hope to be able to use it to help tell the story of how I create the pieces I do. Should be interesting, and yup more work!!
Until next time!
Dana
Well, except for this last weekend, the thought of more hours in a day was a terrifying thought. That's how busy I was and how exhausted I was by it all! Thankfully it seems the fast forward pace I was running at is returning to normal play. Whew! I don't think I could keep up the pace for very much longer either.
The good news is, I finally got some of my garden planted up in pots and moved up here. They're waiting patiently to be tucked into their new home! I still have a lot of work ahead of me but it just warms my heart to look out my door and see my roses. I really didn't realize how much I missed puttering in the garden.
Pulled out my landscaping plans - really just an informal sketch - circles with numbers that remind me where I wanted to put what plant, and now I can get to work.
So now that you have an idea of what's been going on in my personal life and why I've been absent (sort of) I can update you on my jewelry goings on.
Beads n Blessings, Art With Heart Cycle 3 is under way! My kit arrived and I'm really excited to get started!
I joined a Color Challenge group and that is turning into so much fun. The group votes on a color scheme for the week and then creates something using those colors. It's a very diverse group of artists so their offerings are always fun to see, from web site graphics, to business cards, to custom aprons, to lamp worked beads, to jewelry, it's just a blast!
I've also joined a treasury team and have had the honor of being included in some very nice treasuries. I belong to other groups, but have never been chosen for theirs, so this is really quite exciting for me! It's even given me the pleasure of discovering some new shops I'd not seen before and also provided me with some inspiration.
Coupled with the Color group I will have a new piece to share with you in another blog post very soon I hope. And with Etsy's newly remodeled profile pages I hope to be able to use it to help tell the story of how I create the pieces I do. Should be interesting, and yup more work!!
Until next time!
Dana
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Making progress
I have completed my first locket, thanks in large part to the inspiration Mary provided me (see my last post) I'm quite happy with it for it being a first and have a number of variations of it floating in my head :)
Art with Heart Beads n Blessings Cycle 3 is now taking pre-orders. This cycle's charity is Step Up for Cancer. I lost my Dad 23 years ago to Cancer, lost my Grandpa (Mom's Dad) a week after 9/11, lost my Aunt (Dad's Sister) in May. My younger cousin is battling her third round, I can't think of a better cause, I'm all in! I've made my order and have my design worked out, as much as I can without knowing what the surprise element will be! I am really looking forward to this cycle!
I've got a fairly decent routine going now. Rocks, box, or garden is my morning routine mantra. Stack some rocks, unpack or repack a box, or weed the garden. The rock work is really coming along now, my house is staring to look like a home, and the weeds .... are still overwhelming (it's a brand new rather large bed)- but give it some time.
I've also discovered another blog to follow, she's just moved to her own domain http://www.newdressaday.com and I gotta say, I read all the way back to her very first posting and I am really impressed with this young lady's creativity, she's really quite an inspiration. On just one dollar a day, she is creating a new outfit to wear each and every day for an entire year. What she can do to a MuuMuu is just amazing. The girl has definitely got an eye for style and color. Check her out and see if you don't agree!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
My Beads n Blessings Contest Necklace is Done!
It's done! It's done! My necklace is done! I have a couple little tweaks to do - I noticed a loose bead that needs snugging up and am contemplating adding one or two more crystals either to the focal or to the clasp, and I think I'm going to make a pair of matching earrings. But it's done and I'm so excited because it is so very pretty and sparkly and I'm really hoping I can catch the sparkle on camera! Penelope, the little Magpie, has tried to steal it and Paige wants to take the pics :o) So I know I've got a good one here!
This is the contest I entered
http://www.beads-n-blessings.com/art_with_heart_beading_competition
To the beads in the kit I added from my stash some Vintaj brass chain and filigree, some coordinating seeds and xillion cut Swarovski crystals in Gold Shadow.
I'm still waiting to hear back on whether it's ok to post pics, so you get the post before I've even had a chance to take them, but I will post as soon as I get the ok!
This is the contest I entered
http://www.beads-n-blessings.com/art_with_heart_beading_competition
To the beads in the kit I added from my stash some Vintaj brass chain and filigree, some coordinating seeds and xillion cut Swarovski crystals in Gold Shadow.
I'm still waiting to hear back on whether it's ok to post pics, so you get the post before I've even had a chance to take them, but I will post as soon as I get the ok!
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