re: How to Win Beading Competions: 6 Tips from a Contest Judge

Knitting-Daily — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:38:30 GMT

Comments

Good tips. Another good tip is to not weigh so much on entering/ getting accepted into such big contests, and just create for yourself. Organizations that put together these contests are looking for a certain type of image to put on their magazine cover and they are looking to use your creation to sell their product. If your piece does not fit their idea of that image, your piece will never be accepted no matter how spectacular it is... Create for yourself first, and you will always be a winner. :D

Comment by: The Lone Beader | April 18, 2008

cool tips. thanks

Comment by: tubaishi r | April 19, 2008

Wow, Lone Beader, those are really inspiring words. I have a question about this contest. I'm a beadweaver (I don't even know what type, but I use fishing line and connect all the beads together by crossing the two ends of the fishing line through them to make complex 3-D patterns like animals). Anyways, I read on the contest rules that the pattern must be simple. I don't think I've ever made a simple pattern that didn't involve beadweaving. So I can't enter the contest?

Comment by: Allegra C | April 19, 2008

I'm having a similar dilemma to Allegra. I do more beadweaving than anything, but I also braid multiple strands of beads into bracelets as well. Would this be acceptable for the contest?

Comment by: Onye N | April 19, 2008

Help...the Bead Star contest will be my very first and after I read the directions, I still had one question: It says to be sure that the "entire design is clearly visible". Does that mean lay it out flat? I took pix of mine on an upright display, as if someone were wearing it, but that means the back doesn't show in the pictures. I don't want to send this in until I get it right. HELP! Thanks.

Comment by: Sandra D | April 21, 2008

Great questions! I've let the contest organizers know about these questions and we should hear from them soon. There is also an email address on the rules page that you can use if you have a question that needs immediate attention.

I'd love to see a beadweaver take home the prize in the seed bead category (using whatever is deemed a simple technique). I mean, who better to enjoy a prize of hundreds--or even $1,000--worth of seed beads???

Comment by: Michelle M | April 21, 2008

Hi everyone,

The contest organizations sent me these answers:

1. Correct: This time around, we are not accepting any needle-and-thread, beadweaving projects--only simple stringing and wireworking projects. See the FAQs at beadingdaily.com/beadstar for more information. 2. By “entire project must be clearly visible” we do mean that the WHOLE piece must show. Usually laying the design flat is the best way to achieve this. -The Contest Organizers

Comment by: Michelle M | April 23, 2008

Hi,my name is Melanie and I have already asked the people of beading daily this question but, and received my answer, however I was wondering what all you other beaders thought... I have two creative boys (9&14, the 14 yr old being ADHD) who love to bead with my friends and I, they want to join in contests out there too...does anyone else have kids who join contests or anything that maybe i could find for my boys? I hope Beading Daily comes up with one but maybe there are others out there! Thanks Melanie

Comment by: melanie h | April 23, 2008

I struggled nd retook pictures and couldn't get them to look the way I wanted. I finally sent something at about 8:30 last night, hoping to make the Early Bird Deadline; then I went straight into a hot bath and to sleep. This morning I found that all three of my entries had been rejected because the pictures were too big. Since I don't know how to size them, now I don't know what to do. How disappointing. Now I do understand the disclaimer in the rules that says it isn't their fault if it doesn't work due to "defecs in the operation...or software used by the entrant or by IWP." I'm just really upset and disappointed. Can anyone tell me how to size my hard won pictures? Thanks for listening to me rant.

Comment by: Sandra D | April 25, 2008

I can tell you how to resize your pictures. It depends what softwar you are using when you save your picture. In some cases: When you save you have an option to save at different quality levels the higher the quality the larger the picture file size. In other programs such as Photoshop you go to Image then Size and set the picture to the size below. Double check your file size before you send it by going into Windows Explorer find your file. You need to be in the right View so go to the View Menu and choose from DETAIL view, then check the file size. Make sure the file isn't bigger than 500kb. The rules are 640x480 at 72 dpi, and their file size must not be more than 500KB each. You may contact me directly and I can give you specific help at LowCostJewelry@bellsouth.net I made a low cost lightbox out of a 1x2 wood and very lightweight white muslin with 6 clip on lights from the local WalMart. Use the 26W fluorescents. I used white very lightweight posterboard or cardstock (large sheets). The large black office clips hold the muslin and the cardstock to the frame. Make a three sided framed only box. The clip lights allow for some awesome lighting effects, like downlighting. I also use a remote hookup to my computer from my camera that lets me see the picture and make adjustments before I take the shot. It is a very low cost set up but the result is nothing but top dollar compared to what I had before. Don't have time to make a lightbox? It takes about an hour. I got the best results with natural light in the morning and the later afternoon. Just use a white background for the contest. I am still learning everyday.

Comment by: Rebecca L | April 25, 2008

Thanx so much for all the wonderful information, it has clarified all but one question, for me personally. I understand the deadline date as May 6, 2008 but the time is in question. Is it 12:00 a.m. or 11:59 p.m.? I'm not trying to be dense or anything but I just found out about the contest and as I am still working out the final details in my design those extra hours could mean the difference between being accepted or being rejected due to late entry. Kinda important from my perspective. Thank you for putting up with my ignorance outside my own little world. Foxfyr64

Comment by: P.L. M | May 4, 2008