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April 2019 "Finish It!" Design Challenge WINNERS

5/24/2019

5 Comments

 
Okay, so here's the thing. It was pointed out to me, after the contest had closed, the gallery of entries posted, and the finished tutorial sent to all participants (by the way.... if you haven't received it or don't see it in your spam folder, give me a shout out), that I failed to use the 14 gauge round wire in my own piece!

Yes, that 14 gauge round wire that drove so many of you crazy was accidentally left in the list of materials used, as I'd originally intended to use it for a coiled bail but opted for the jump ring instead. So.... I'll be doing my own "Finish It!" challenge, including the 14 gauge round wire, just so I can understand the pain of my fellow participants. lol. 
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Anyway, that means I'm even MORE impressed with the entries, because the participants took the steps I provided (which didn't include that pesky 14 gauge wire) and had to incorporate that nonsense piece of wire in there somewhere! And boy did I open every single email submission I received and say to myself "Why didn't I think of that?" Because every single entry was outstanding. 

By the way, if you haven't already seen the Gallery of Entries, check out the gorgeous work by clicking the link highlighted above! You wont be disappointed. 
Now for the winners! We had both a "group favorite", voted for by the participants of the challenge (and only the participants, to help avoid a popularity contest), and a "judged favorite" chosen by a panel of seven individuals, myself included., who were non-participants in the challenge. So let's begin! 
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GROUP FAVORITE
Dalila Caria

​With an overwhelming number of the votes, this was not a surprising win. Creating a mask, utilizing such symmetry, and working that darn 14 gauge wire into the framing at the bottom is truly masterful work and looks stunning. I mean, I'd wear it all day every day and not even as a pendant, but as an actual mask! To mirror those swirls is a feat in and of itself and I'm immensely impressed with this craftsmanship
JUDGED FAVORITE
Lori Kalafos


I mean, seriously? I admit to being partial to owls anyway, but this incorporates so many different types of weaves that I'm really impressed. Even added in a coiled coil and hid that 14 gauge round wire like a boss! The little spikes beneath the eyes add so much dimension to the design and are such a nice compliment to the curves above the eyes, that it all flows together so beautifully. 

​Both of these participants deserve all the recognition they receive, because the work speaks for itself and demands notice and some real appreciation. These artists have a command of design that I'm, quite frankly, super jealous of right now and super inspired by. 
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Both winners will receive 10 tutorials of their choice and a $25 cash prize (payable via PayPal), and Dalila will receive my finished pendant (sans that 14 gauge round wire!). But honestly, guys, let's be straight.... the struggle to judge this was real, and I imagine that sentiment is shared by all the participants who cast their vote. Because every entry was a wonderful peek inside the character of its creator, and inspires in me the motivation and creative drive to get some work done! Thank you so much to everyone who participated, and I hope you will all check out the entries linked above and share some love with the contestants. 

See you in the next challenge! Stay creative!

​Nicole
5 Comments

April 2019 "Finish It!" Design Challenge GALLERY OF ENTRIES

5/16/2019

5 Comments

 
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Whooo boy! You guys never cease to amaze me and thrill me with your entries in the design challenges, and this challenge was no exception. Fifty-four outstanding entries traveled through my inbox and into this challenge and were coming to play hard ball! 

If you were curious about the completed design (which the entrants worked from), you can check it out to the left, but honestly..... mine pales in comparison to the work received during this challenge. I am absolutely blown away and totally, utterly inspired by the beautiful and creative pieces. 
View the GALLERY OF ENTRIES here (please view from desktop or laptop as the link is proving finicky from phones and tablets)
I often hear a lot of folks say that tutorials somehow negate the creative force, that following the instructions of another lacks a sense of originality. And this design challenge proves exactly why that's nonsense! Instruction is not law, it's not immutable. You are allowed to work with the flow of a lesson, or row down your own river. It's a jumping-off point, but not canon. I love to see how others change designs, allow mistakes to happen, cut wires too short accidentally and have to improvise. Those moments always spoke to me on a personal level, and offered me the opportunity to own the process, which is exactly what these entrants have done. They OWNED it! 

(Please note: I received 54 emails and responded to each. I checked my spam folder daily to make sure I didn't miss a single entry. If you attempted to enter and do not see your entry in the gallery, please send me an email ASAP. I will add your entry to the gallery as quickly as I'm able.)


The gallery of entries will be available for VOTING, however, through May 23th, 2019. Voting is open only to those who participated in the contest. To vote:


  • Please only ONE vote per participant. If the same person comments with their vote on multiple entries, all comments will be dismissed, and the vote invalidated. Please, only vote once.
  • Please use the word "VOTED" in the comments of the entry to cast your vote. 
  • If, for any reason, you cannot place your vote yourself, contact nicole@nicolehannajewelry.com (or through the contact page here on this website) with your choice and I will vote on your behalf.

A note to non-participating viewers and commentators…. please reserve the term “VOTED” for participants only, to avoid confusion during the judging process, but do feel free to comment as a show of appreciation for the beautiful work submitted. These entries are worthy of the recognition they receive and then some.

On May 24th, votes will be tallied and the “Group Favorite” (most voted by participants) will win my completed version of this project, any ten tutorials of their choice and a $25 cash prize via PayPal. In the case of a tie, I will place the deciding vote.

Also, a “Judged Favorite”, chosen by a panel of four jewelry artists and three “consumers” (who are not participating in the contest), will also receive any ten tutorials of their choice and a $25 cash prize via PayPal.

Every contestant should receive the finished version of this tutorial as a thank you for his or her participation. This tutorial will be sent as a reply to all the participants, within the next day or two. Please check your spam folder or contact me at nicole@nicolehannajewelry.com if you do not receive your copy of the tutorial by the end of the weekend.

Thank you all so much!

Happy weaving!
Nicole
5 Comments
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  • Home
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Learn To Wire Wrap
    • PDF Tutorials
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  • Shop
    • SIGNATURE COLLECTION
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    • PDF Tutorials >
      • Beginner Wire Weaving
      • Intermediate Weaving
      • PDFs for Cabochons
      • Advanced Weaving
      • Wire Wrap Workshops