I
love that you are all so eager to learn the chosen finalists, and we’re bursting to
reveal! It was a challenge to
select only 20 from each category. Of course I can't leak anything, but I can
tell you that a majority of the submissions were NOT chosen as winners for
reasons that entrants could easily have improved.
As
the day for voting draws closer, keep these things in mind as we did in
selecting the final winners.
Top
ten reasons why entries might not have been chosen:
10.
Was simply too simple. This was a design contest. Though probably lovely when worn, a classic
strand of pearls does not a competition winner make.
9.
Was entered in the wrong category. A mistake in your entry form, no doubt, but
we could not second guess. For any contest, please read the rules and
enter thoughtfully and carefully.
8.
Was too complex to be written in a single page of instruction. That was stated
in the rules--must be able to fit on one page. Some stunning entries would have
been way too lengthy (and advanced for readership) for the Bead Star magazine.
Entering the right contest for your work is as important as what you enter. We
have many contests appropriate for more advanced construction, check “Contests”
on the home page.
7.
Did not use a majority of the category materials. The rules require a predominance
of that category material or technique. If you entered a multi-strand of pearls
with a single glass bead in the glass category, it probably didn’t float.
6.
Was not jewelry. Nice purse embellishment, but not in this contest. It had to
be jewelry.
5.
Was not finished
jewelry. Some gorgeous individual beads, but they had to be presented as a
focal bead in a piece of jewelry to be considered in this contest.
4.
Had bead weaving. As a lover of seed beads, I know the compulsion to stitch
those jewels together. But the rules state, only simple stringing, wire work
and crimping techniques are acceptable in Bead Star. Many of you who worked
peyote or other stitches into your entries may hear from editors about future
projects, but your entries were not chosen if they had seed bead stitching.
3. The rules say no more than one entry
per category. Single entries in each category are fine, just not more than one
in any given category. Several people renamed the same piece to enter twice in
a single category. Tsk. Tsk. But
fear not: duplicate entries clearly by mistake were not held against you.
2.
Not original. If your entry clearly copied a design we recognized from print or
a classroom project, and was not an original use of materials of technique, it
was not chosen. We see and publish a lot of designs as editors. Nice craft,
pretty beads, perhaps, but "been there, done that" designs didn't
make the grade.
1.
The number one reason entries were booted: poor photography. We had to wonder
if some people looked at the photos they entered before uploading them. Quite a
few were almost unrecognizable: tiny images, completely blurry images, or shot
in the dark. If you use Photoshop, learn to use it right and do not over do it.
Some entries were so high contrast we could not identify the materials.
Contrived
photography was also a possible strike against an entry. Over-propped shots
distracted and obscured the jewelry.
Though some shots did not deter us if the piece was truly outstanding,
overall, shots with tons of flowers, poorly chosen backgrounds, or the artists
name and logo emblazoned larger than life were passed over. Don’t shoot on your
rumpled bedspread, or something that camouflages the piece itself. Dark chain
on rough tree bark, for instance, is not the best choice.
Please note, this was not a photography contest, and most contest entries should be on completely simple, light or dark backgrounds. Finalists
and winners are not chosen based on photos no matter how clever or
professional.
Do
not rely on us during a contest to teach you how to use a digital camera, take
adequate shots, or upload the correct size. We’re sorry we could not personally
answer the flood of questions regarding your individual photos.
That
said, we recognize the HUGE need for instruction on how to shoot your own work,
so stay tuned. We’re working on a way to get that information out to you!
Meantime, we suggest you practice, practice, practice!
Thank
you all again for the tremendous response to the 2009 Bead Star contest. Enjoy
the finalists’ gallery, which will open for voting starting May 15th.
Leslie,
editor in chief Step by Step Beads, Creative Jewelry and Bead Star.