While I've spent the last 17 years of my life in the beautiful state of Michigan, I was raised in the equally stunning state of Arkansas, which has more than one claim to fame. It is not only the quartz crystal capital of the world, but home to the Crater of Diamonds State Park. And I got the opportunity to partake in both those wonders recently when I returned there to visit family. And, for a while at least, I got to pretend I was striking it rich!

It was just as glorious as I remember as a child.

Now, don't get me wrong. The Crater of Diamonds is literally a crater.... of dirt.... almost 38 acres of dirt, situated above a (now thankfully quiet) volcano. But, within those piles of pebbles, more than 30 diamonds were discovered by patrons in the month of April alone, and more than 75,000 since the park began! Okay, not everyone scored it with a 7.44 carat diamond like Kalel Langford found this March (after only 30 minutes of dirt-digging, I might add), but it's about the process, right?

For $10, you get to spend a day digging in some dirt, and if that doesn't bring you back to childhood, I don't know what will. While we searched for a place to settle, with our spades and sifters, we meet a couple who'd been digging in the same spot for three days straight. We read signs about the biggest park diamond finds, some requiring holes as deep as 9 feet! Though we were definitely neither that prepared, nor that dedicated, we were happy with our two square feet of dirt.

For about 45 minutes.

Okay, so apparently I lack the patience of my youth. My 7 year old niece was starting to fidget and the dirt was no longer cutting it. The sun was beating down and my entire body began to bloom a beautiful (but deadly) shade of red. So, off we went on our two-hour drive home.

But not without scoring some quartz!

I may not have helped my niece find a diamond, but I can definitely buy a box of dirt and bury some tumbled semi-precious stones and diamond-cut quartz so she can still experience the wonder of discovery. And, if nothing else, I still remember the yellow diamond I found at the crater in my youth.

Which I then dropped in the dirt, because.... bees. Sigh.

But it's about the process! And family. And friends. And 45 blissfully sunburned minutes in nature.

I have to say it was an excellent trip.

If you're a fan of anything creative... anything at all... and you haven't visited the Finish It! February 2017 GALLERY OF ENTRIES board on Pinterest, you are denying yourself some serious eye candy. And come on now.... who doesn't enjoy spending time eye-balling some art? I have to admit it, that I was joyfully selfish during the 30 plus days receiving entries, because that means I had 30 more days than everyone else to marvel at the absolute power of creative expression. So, you guys are awesomesauce!

And, as usual, I was not even the least bit disappointed. Over 60 entries, 60 opportunities to appreciate this beautiful language of wire and, sure... there might have been a drop of jealous "wish I'd thought of that" drool here and there, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, let's get to it, shall we. The votes have been tallied and the results are in. We have your winners: Group Favorite and Judged Favorite. There were some multiple votes, which had to be discounted and, for the first time in Finish It! history, we have a TIE! I had a third party step in to be the tie breaker to receive my finished pendant, however, both of the group favorites will receive their choice of 10 tutorials.

Each winner will receive any 10 of my tutorials (winners choice), and the Group Favorite will receive my finished version of the lesson provided in the contest. So, winners, keep an eye out on your email, as I'll be reaching out to you soon!

And thank you everyone for totally amazing me with talent and the support you've shown one another, and the enthusiasm in approaching this challenge. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Until then, happy weaving!
Nicole