Challenge yourself

I am not very competitive. And I don't like head to head conflict.

So when Steven Weiss from the Beadsmith approached me to participate in a "beading tournament"- (later to be known as "The Battle of the Beadsmith"), let me say I was less than enthusiastic.  The idea of pitting a design of mine directly against another beader's design did not appeal to me at all.  It also just scared me!  I envisioned huge cat fights, snarky remarks, and all around bad feelings.  No thanks!  Why would I want to open myself up to that?  Just plain scary!

First of all, the contestants are all amazing beaders.  If you don't believe me, check out the work on this page. Battle of the Beadsmith Facebook page  Steven adds more pictures almost every day- one more impressive than the next. Be prepared to spend a few hours drooling over some dynamite work! You can also check out how this whole thing is set up- and join the group while you are there!

So why is it that I am participating in this "battle"?  Not quite sure.  Everybody seems so nice and friendly, and frankly, supportive of each other.  The snarky remarks are few and far between, and poor Steven, who has been doing a wonderful job promoting and organizing this whole thing, has had to absorb most of them.  I guess with this many people, you are bound to nerk off  somebody!  But as a general rule, everyone has been great.  So I said yes in a moment of weakness- cuz really- it sounds kind of fun!  And honestly, I am really honored to be asked!!  Challenging yourself is good, right?!

I have always relied on competitions to push me into trying things that I would not otherwise try.  You know- think outside the box. We (I) often get caught up in making things that I know will sell, not stretching my abilities.  I don't like spending too much time on one piece, because I know I will not be able to sell it for enough to pay for my time.  And the quickest way to work, is to do something you already know how to do.

But with contests, all bets are off. I try to do something  original, whether it will be salable or not. I do not keep track of how much time I have invested, which in itself is pretty freeing.  But this risk also means there are flops.  Valuable time spent on things that don't work out. So be it.

Usually with a contest, you can quietly send in your submission, and if it isn't accepted, nobody even knows unless you tell them.  Here, it is right out there in front of everyone- if you are "voted off the island" in the first round- everyone knows it!  Yikes!

But OK, enough whining.  I'm putting on my big girl pants and getting to work.  Not sure what I am doing yet- I have a couple of ideas, but they keep changing.  I wish I was one of those people that make beautiful sketches of their designs, and know exactly what their inspiration is.  Not me!  I sit down with a big pile of beads and components, start arranging and beading, and see what comes to me.  Not very efficient- but it works for me.  If I try to force myself to stick to a vision I have- it never works out...and it isn't as much fun!   One of the things I enjoy most is just seeing what a final piece looks like.  It is always a surprise.

Oh, yeh- I have my partner for the first round. (notice: partner not competitor- trying to stay calm here!)  Her name is Elka Leonhardt Rath. I was not familiar with her work ,so it has been nice to learn a little more about her. She does excellent beadwork. When I found out she was my partner, I immediately messaged her and introduced myself. Turns out she will be at the Bead and Button show, and we have arranged to meet there. I love that!!  

So I have to get back to staring at my pile of beads, hoping for inspiration. I have my first show of the season this weekend, so I won't be getting too much past the thinking stage I'm afraid- too too busy!  

Here is the list for the 1st round: 

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  1) Jacquie Champion-Canada vs Irina Chikineva-Russia

  
  

  
  

  2) Anastasia O'sarantseva-Ireland vs Annie Hatvani-Hungary

  
  

  
  

  3) Lea Palickova-Czech Republic vs Alla Maslennikova -Russia

  
  

  
  

  4)  Christina Neit-USA vs Christine Boyer Maj-USA

  
  

  
  

  5) Hannah Rosner-USA vs Kassie Inman-USA

  
  

  
  

  6) Olga Haserodt-Germany vs Melissa Ingram-Australia

  
  

  
  

  7) Ulyana Rakcheyeva Seryankina-USA vs Joanne Browne-Australia

  
  

  
  

  8) Mouna Marini-France vs Nancy Dale-USA

  
  

  
  

  9) Nella Moskvichjova-Russia vs Linda Roberts-USA

  
  

  
  

  10) Denise Kangas-Czech Republic vs Ibolya Ingesne Barkoczi-Hungary

  
  

  
  

  11) Heather Kingsley Heath-United Kingdom vs Katherine Gezey-Ukraine

  
  

  
  

  12) Alla Vizir-Ukraine vs Sandra Dokter van Esveld-Netherlands

  
  

  
  

  13) Olga Shumilova-Russia vs Patrick Duggan-Australia

  
  

  
  

  14) Ella Des-Belgrade Serbia vs Neva Brown-Australia

  
  

  
  

  15) Christian Rodriguez-USA vs Marta Koudelova-Czech republic

  
  

  
  

  16) Ann Braginsky-Israel vs Edgar Lopez Disenos-Dominican Republic

  
  

  
  

  17) Susan Brackett-USA vs Callie Mitchell-USA

  
  

  
  

  18) Jill Thomas-United Kingdom vs Maryanne Villalba-Australia

  
  

  
  

  19) Tammuna Lezhava-Georgia vs Kinga Nichols-USA

  
  

  
  

  20) Iva Jar-Czech Republic vs Olga Petterson-Sweden

  
  

  
  

  21) Guzialia Reed-Japan vs Katka Vaclavikova-Czech Republic

  
  

  
  

  22) Marsha Wiest Hines-USA vs Eva Dobos-Hungary

  
  

  
  

  23) Orsolya Fuzesi-Hungary vs Cynthia Newcomer Daniel-USA

  
  

  
  

  24) Betty Stephan-USA vs Elka Leonhardt Rath-Germany

  
  

  
  

  25) Eva Csizmadiz Lajosne-Hungary vs Mikki Ferrugiaro-USA

  
  

  
  

  26) Jennifer Chasalow Van Benschoten-USA vs Ekaterina Kalinina-Russia

  
  

  
  

  27 Sharayah Sheldon-USA vs Miriam Cielo Shimon-Israel

  
  

  
  

  28) Sue Horine-USA vs Misan Tejre-Sweden

  
  

  
  

  29) Anneta Valious-France vs Lynn Day-United Kingdom

  
  

  
  

  30) Alexandra Sydorenko -USA vs Katalin Budaine Nagy-Hungary

  
  

  
  

  31) Rosita Pisarchick-USA vs Helena Tang-Singapore

  
  

  
  

  32) Dini Alves-USA vsLaurence Dethier-Belgium

  
  

  
  

  33) Nausikaa Gahllof-Sweden vs Eliana Maniero-Italy

  
  

  
  

  34) Rachel Belson Smith-USA vs Amy Katz-USA

  
  

  
  

  35) Kathy King-USA vs Karyn Healy White-Australia

  
  

  
  

  36) Roxan O'brien-USA vs Julia Turova-Russia

  
  

  
  

  37) Marina Nosova-Russia vs Lauren Macregor-Australia

  
  

  
  

  38) Anna Bystryk-Ukraine vs Terri Richards-USA

  
  

  
  

  39) Sigifredo Contreras-Mexico vs Anna Lindell-Sweden

  
  

  
  

  40) Noel Wyres-Australia vs Carol Dean Sharpe-USA
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Can I just finish this necklace?!?!

Have you ever worked on a piece that seemed like you would never get finished?  I just did!!

It is a collar that I am entering into the FMG seed bead contest at the end of the month.  Actually, I am entering two pieces.  The first one came together easily, and was finished weeks ago.

But this one.....!!!  It is something quite different for me and I was pretty excited about it.  I started working on it in Dec., and had all the components finished for quite awhile.  It sat in my studio in a tray, and I would continually rearrange the components, even taking pictures of them in different arrangements until I came up with one I thought I liked.  About a month ago I assembled it, and made a few more components to add to it

Here is a sneak peek of some of the components- I don't want to show you the whole piece until after the competition!

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I wanted it asymmetrical- but that has always been a struggle for me.  And this was no exception.  It just didn't work out like I pictured it.  So I started tearing it apart and rearranging it again.  OK- I liked it.  Then I added black connecting parts.  I loved it!  ....until the next morning that is.  Too dark.  So I tore it all apart and modified the connectors.

Still not happy- I decided to add a big fringe.  I finished this one night, fairly pleased with it, until, again, morning came and I decided the fringe needed to be longer.  Added length to the fringe, but, NO, I DIDN"T LIKE IT!  Tore off the whole fringe.

By this time I was getting really frustrated.  My son and wife are coming for a visit for a few days and I really should be getting the house ready.  I have my first show in 2 weeks, and I have bundles of stuff to do for that!  And the "Battle of the Beadsmith" is pressing in on me- I  need to get started on that piece.  So last night I decided to finish the clasp etc. and just be done with it.  I could live with it, even though it is not what I envisioned.

This morning, I took some photos of it.  And yes, you guessed it, it turned out that I could not live with it as it was.  I tore out part of it and re-positioned a couple of components.  Done. I think it's OK.

Here is a picture of the back- actually- I really like the back!!

So, now I have to get started on my other projects.  Happy this is done.  Wait- if I just added one more bead over there..........

Using Leftovers

I use my leftovers.  Well, I admit, sometimes they get lost in the back of the refrigerator until they turn green and have to be thrown out. But I'm talking beads here!

 I hate wasting things, and that includes my time.  So, sometimes when experiments go wrong, I am able to salvage parts to be used in another project.  I am not talking about using parts of vintage jewelry and old beads here. (although I do plenty of that!)  I am talking about using a leftover component that didn't work in one design, or was just leftover from one piece, and using it in another.

 For example:  This was a leftover component from a large piece I am making for a FMG contest.  It is composed of a bunch of these smaller pieces, and I got carried away and made way too many.  So this little necklace used up one of those components.

This one is a special order necklace I recently made.  I made the neckchain and decided it was a little clunky for the size of the pendant.  So I made this chain instead.  It's a little hard to tell in the picture, but it has smaller beads.

 Which left me with an extra neckchain.  So I decided to use the first one in a little bit bigger necklace.  Turns out, the customer preferred the second one and purchased it!

This necklace was all about leftovers.  I had all these little cabochons and over the course of about 5 years I would make a few more and set them aside.  I wasn't quite sure what I would ever do with them, until I brought them out and played with them a bit.

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Then of course I had a few pieces leftover, so I made a bracelet!! (but there weren't enough for earrings!)

Last year I entered this piece in a contest.

The large polymer piece was my second attempt.  The first attempt was leftover....so I made a necklace of course!

Do you remember the "Australian Wedding Piece"? (no, she never sent pictures!!)  I used a lot of leftovers from that!  Most of them were experimental components that didn't pan out in the original piece.

Here are a few of the leftover pieces- there actually are lots more!

So, save your leftovers- you never know how you will be able to use them.  And the good thing is, they have a really long shelf life!  I have never had to throw one out because it was growing a nice crop of mold!!

Bead Dreams- One yes, One no!

I received my letter from the Bead and Button competition today.  I entered two pieces, and one was accepted as a finalist!  I am so pleased and excited!  Of the two pieces, I could never guess which one would have a better chance.  Good thing I entered 2 of them!

I don't like to publish pictures of pieces before the contest (ruins the surprise!), so I will show you the one that was NOT accepted. I titled it "Guardians". Those of you that are FB friends have been watching this one take shape for quite some time.

This is actually a piece that a customer of mine commissioned. She had a really big and heavy smoky quartz crystal point that she wanted included in the piece. She also wanted these 2 big wooden dragon earrings. (yes, they are earrings!) to be a part of it . I wasn't sure it would all work out.

Let me explain the earrings: The main part of the dragon went behind the ear, then the tail was a separate piece that attached on the front and held the earring on.  Here is a picture of the piece when I was working on it, without these upper tails attached.

One other small problem- one of the tails was missing!!  I ended up making a tail to match from polymer clay!!  It's the one on the left:

Although these dragons are glued on, I decided they should be reinforced and "tethered" them with beading.  I also built up the beading underneath in those places to support them better.  I also beaded around the top and bottom of the crystal to give it extra support.

So that's the story about how this came about. My customer has not seen it yet- she loves big intricate work, so I hope she likes it!  Here are the pictures of the finished piece:

the clasp

And just a peek at the piece that was accepted as a finalist:

Deadlines- Art Show Applications

I am knee deep in paperwork.  Applications to art shows.  Sales tax.  Income tax.  Bead dreams submission.  It all seems to hit at once 


I am working on art show applications today.  What a pain- each show has different requirements- some want digital pics and mail-in application. Some want online application and mail-in pics.  Some are all online. Some even still want slides!! (Are they kidding?  I don't think you can even buy slide film anymore!) And on and on.  Well, you get the idea. I feel like the medical offices must feel- dealing with the different requirements for all the various insurance companies.


So here is a bit of an overview of Art Show applications and examples of some of the things that are required.


Some shows ask for a  Resume.  Not too hard, just look up artist resume on Google and you can find the format you need- pretty straight forward.


Some shows ask for an Artist's Statement.  Now this was a little harder for me.  One of the things I find hardest is using "artist jargon" and still being satisfied that it sounds like me.  If you want an artist statement-to-go, you can always use this artist statement generator!! http://www.artybollocks.com/#abg_full
Or this one if you want it more personalized http://10gallon.com/statement2000/
Of course I am kidding!


I did find this page that was very helpful.
http://www.mollygordon.com/resources/marketingresources/artstatemt/
By using the questions to brainstorm, I was able to come up with an artist statement that I was fairly happy with- although not happy enough to post it here for public scrutiny!


I have the same trouble with the description of my pieces. I guess I need to take a writing course!  Even the measurements of the piece gives me trouble- how do you measure a necklace?  Is the height the length of the chain plus the focal piece?  or just the main part?  I still don't know the answer to that- I kind of switch off between the two.  I'm not sure anyone reads that part anyway.


And speaking of photos- I love digital applications.  But you need to become pretty familiar with photoshop or another photo program to figure out the requirements for these applications.  Different sizes in pixels or inches, different formats, different dpi, booth pic or no booth pic, black border to fill the space not used by the pic- or not...each application is different.  By the way- if you run into an application that STILL requires slides, here is a link where you can get your digital pics converted to slides.http://www.gammatech.com/ I have used them before and they are fast and nice quality.  But WHY????  Come on people- step on up to digital!


Now, paying for the shows.  Lots of shows require separate checks for deposit and show.  I get it- that's OK.  But I applied to one promoter's shows that asked for 2 separate checks for each of the 4 of their shows I was applying to!  8 checks!  So much for beading- I had writer's cramp after writing them all. Show fees vary widely- I have paid as little as $10 for a weekend, and as much as $1000.  They go up from there.  The non-refundable jury fees vary a lot too- I have often paid $40, not knowing if I would be accepted or not. So, I need quite a stockpile of money in the spring to cover all the show applications, as I do about 15 shows a year.  


My favorite applications are through Zapplication and JAS.  You upload your photos and other info one time, then choose which ones you want to include in your application and complete it all online.  Even using paypal or credit card to pay online.  Once you have your account set up and pictures loaded, it is super easy.  More expensive, but usually worth it to me.


Each show application has it's own deadline- it isn't always logical.  It would be nice if, say, 4 months before the show, each application would be due.  But some are earlier and some later.  I just payed for 3 shows I will be doing in Oct and Nov- the application was due in Jan.!  


Don't let this ranting of mine discourage you.  Just take one at a time and work your way through. And know I feel your pain!


So, back to figuring out these applications.  Then on to taxes. I would love to get back to creating my artwork at some point!!  


Just so this isn't a whole post without pictures, I thought I would share this photo. This bright collar always makes me happy. The polymer clay cabochons were made by my talented friend Nanetta Bananto.

A Good Day

I know that I have been absent from this blog for LONG.  I know that I said I was going to be blogging about art fairs.  But I am back, and I am beginning right off the bat by getting off topic.  Well, sort of.  It ties in somewhat.  Anyway....


If you follow fellow beaders on Facebook, you undoubtedly noticed a lot of really excited beaders yesterday with news that their pieces were juried into the new Lark book in the 500 series.


I am one of those excited folks.  Three of my pieces were accepted to be published in this book.  And if that weren't exciting enough, my collar "Cathedral Windows" is featured on the cover of the book!  I can't get over it- I keep thinking it is a joke and someone did a cover mock-up and will contact me shortly to say- "Ha ha- we sent one of these covers to everyone, but with their picture on the cover!"  I'll believe it when I actually have it in my hands.


So here is the link  
Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry- the book is coming out in August but you can preorder it.


This has given me a big lift right when I needed it.  Do you ever get discouraged looking around the internet and seeing all the fabulous beading out there?  This is what has been happening to me lately.  I have been looking around Etsy and see all the AMAZING beading and have been feeling very humbled.  And a bit intimidated. And kind of stuck, if the truth be told!


To add to this, I recently created some jewelry with Be Elegant clasps by Beadsmith. (more on this in a future post)  About 26 other beaders also created jewelry for this project- and once again I am overwhelmed and insecure.  I am so critical of my own stuff- especially compared to the others!  I am not writing this to get people to tell me mine is good, but I am thinking I can't be the only one that feels this way! Sometimes I just have to stop looking at beading on the internet, and focus on my own. (live in my own little world?)  I can get so hung up on comparing my work to others, that it paralyzes me as far as being creative. 


OK- now to tie in to the art show theme.  The good with the bad.  This means rejections.  And I have gotten plenty.  I have gotten accepted into some very prestigious art shows, and at the same time been rejected by little crafty low end shows.  I have entered the same piece into a contest and it is not even a finalist, then have it juried into an gallery exhibit.  Two of the pieces in this book were entered into different contests and didn't win anything.  So we have to keep in mind that it is all subjective, and just keep on trying. In the end, I am my own judge and the only one I have to please.  


Still, it is so wonderful to have recognition, and acceptance letters are fabulous. I always try to remember that it would be no fun if you always won, and all your applications were accepted.  No challenge.  The highs would be nowhere as good! So for now, I will just soak in this good news, and get back to filling out applications for this summer's art shows and hope for the best!!