Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Magickal Hands — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:48:22 GMT

are they posting the results today and where to I look to find them?

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Leana@3 — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:14:45 GMT

Ramie...don't feel silly...I thank you for introducing me to a new and very pretty stone... :) Leana

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Ruhammie — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:34:23 GMT

Leana...Thank you for that definition. I didn't even think of checking there, I feel silly now! Thanks again.

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

JerryR@4 — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:30:30 GMT

Aloha- the beads that I have bought that are sold as opalite or sea opal are all glass, they are a milky, transparent glass with a blue sheen. I have also seen it sold as moonstone which it definitely is not. The natural form of opalite sounds really pretty, but I have never seen it that I am aware of. Mahalo Jerry

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Leana@3 — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:45:49 GMT

catdaddytn--->I was just on Fire Mnt Gems website trying to identify a stone of mine...and under gemstones was listed marble! There are actually several different types of marble that are considered semiprecious gemstones...and many of them are gorgeous stones...who knew??!! Leana

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Leana@3 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:34:23 GMT

Hey, RamieL! This is the definition in Wikipedia of opalite: "Opalite is a purple lavendar chalcedony type stone with either patches of darker or lighter mauve and/or white. Formed predominantly from dolomite and fluorite with traces of quartz and other mineral, resembling opal, commonly polished or used in jewellery." Opalite is also listed under many sites as a gemstone. This is just my opinion, but I think it's a safe bet to say: using opalite as one of your gemstones would NOT disqualify your piece. This is a very pretty stone! Hope this helps & good luck!! Leana

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

catdaddytn — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:28:06 GMT

This is exciting. I'm new to beading, so I'm not so sure about my skills. I haven't decided to enter yet. Marble is not listed here and I realize that other semi-precious stones/beads may be eligible, but not listed. My bead lady said yes marble should be included. In my online search, marble is and is not listed with semi-precious stones. What do you think? One of my necklaces is not a copy, but I was inspired by an online project. Is this OK? Actually, I've read so many books and websites that I'm probably always inspired. thanks. Cynthia

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

margieKat — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:11:41 GMT

I finished my piece and then became concerned that I had worked "outside" the rules. Does a simple wire design done on a wig jig break the rules? If it does, then I have another piece I can enter. Please try to answer this quickly as the time is running short and thank you for the help!

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Ruhammie — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:15:57 GMT

I just finished my piece and was doing a little rsearch for my 50 words or less paragraph. I came across some info that is troubling me and I hope someone may be able to answer. I used opalite, however upon my research, I have found in several sources that it is a form of fluorite (which is still a gemstone, so okay). Other sources say that it is a manmade glass from China (which would not be a gemstone?) At all the websites for beading supplies, it is typically listed under gemstones. I'm concerned that I will not qualify because it is one of three semiprecious gemstones I used. Can someone answer whether it qualifies or not? I would appreciate any help.

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

PiecesofD — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:52:49 GMT

Excuse me for adding this, but I feel it neccessary and I apologize to anyone that it might offend... This is my first beading challenge, as I'm sure it is for many others here, as such, I just wanted to make sure my piece was considered. The instructions do not mention chains and I questioned it (as did another potential contestant... it is a BEADING challenge after all). Again... this is my first challenge... and I do not feel like I deserved to be portrayed as someone that does not read directions (I read them many times so as to not miss anything) or am in some other way inept, especially from another contestant (as is the impression I got from the last post, while seeking an answer to my question(s) from STAFF). Again, I apologize if this offends anyone, but the last post is the first negative item I have encountered in this venue, and, frankly, made me reconsider my entering the challenge, as well as my membership (unsuccessfully, I might add). Thank you, fellow beaders, for allowing me to state my peace. D

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Leana@3 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:49:04 GMT

Oh, my gosh fellow beaders!! Please read the rules. It specifically says: * "Design an original bracelet or necklace "* *"using 3 or more different semiprecious gemstones. This means three different stones (for example, turquoise, garnet, amethyst), not three different shapes of the same stone. Your design may include any other types of beads or findings in addition to the gemstones." Meaning varying colors of the same stone=1stone! Hooks, clasps, spacers, bead caps, crimp beads and crimp covers are findings, so yes they can be used! * " Techniques are limited to the ones described in the book: stringing, simple overhand knots, simple wire loops, wrapped loops, simple wirewrapped beads, and wire spirals. You may combine multiple techniques if you like." That means no crochet, no peyote, no macrame...and no bending the rules! Part of entering your design in a contest is your ability to follow the quidelines and creating a design that follows those quidelines. *There is also a list of semiprecious gemstones. Pearls, coral and agate are in that list! Most of the questions asked, have the answers right there in the quidelines. LOL...we beaders are a funny lot!! So anxious to get started on our projects and get busy creating we sometimes forget: READ the INSTRUCTIONS! I wish everyone good luck and happy beading!

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

JoS@24 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:09:34 GMT

This is the first contest I've entered and am excited to see what everyone has done. I sent in my contest information for the semi precious beads contest last Friday. Will you be sending me an e-mail or some sort of notice that you have received my information and pictures? Thanks.

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

PiecesofD — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:51:31 GMT

I'm considering entering a challenge in another magazine as well, but the folcus is on the clasp. Could I enter the same piece in both challenges? (Probably not, huh?) Regardless, I have another design to enter, but it uses chain, gemstone pendant and strung beads. Is chain allowed? Also, the pendant is something called purple fire agate. I'd never heard of it... Is it allowed? Thanks! This is going to be fun!

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Rosiew1 — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:25:05 GMT

I have a necklace using 2 semiprecious stones and then there is a hanging micro-macrame piece which includes 2 other types in small quantities. The hanging part is removeable and the plain necklace can be wore separately. Will this work for the contest? I do many pieces like this featuring one of a kind glass beads. Rosalie Weiss Please advise.

re: Design Challenge: Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads

Cath@17 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 07:21:00 GMT

In the process of sending my picture - I'm happy with what I came up with and quite excited about this challenge - one question rises: is it allowed to add a picture of what inspired us? I think it is sometimes nice to "explain" where a design has its roots (when possible). Thank you!