I want to start off by thanking everyone again,  both for the participation in the contest and for the encouraging comments left to those who braved the rules and entered a design. It's so inspiring to see where everyone uniquely ended up, all from the same simple start. The 22 entries received were truly a masterclass in ingenuity, with each piece speaking to the personality of its artist. As mentioned in the previous blog post, to be told that this is the first time in years many of these participants felt inclined to pick up their wire and tools to create is a massive boon to what's become a rather bruised and battered spirit these last few years. Through your willingness to indulge me, and enter a design, you've inspired me and pushed me to continue to create. From creativity, creativity is born. I hope this cycle is indefinite.

As with the previous iterations of the challenge, there are two winners to announce. The first is the Group Favorite, receiving the majority of the votes cast by the participants. Of the 22 participants, the entry to receive the majority of the votes cast was the beautiful piece by Ellen Lasky! I can absolutely see why this piece won the hearts of the participating artists, with a fun (yet elegant) flow. And so appropriate for the summer months in which we find ourselves! While there is never a profound prize for the "Finish It!" Design Challenge (meant mostly as a fun exercise among artists), Ellen has won my final finished design (showcased in the previous blog post) and a handful of cabochons with which to continue her wire wrapping journey. 

Next is the Judged Favorite, picked by a majority from a panel of 4 wire wrappers (not participating in the challenge) and 3 muggles lol. It was almost unanimous amongst us that the beautiful peacock-inspired design by Sandy See take the title. And I admit to being more than a little tickled that the two winning designs are both inspired by animals! Symmetry is a personal nemesis of mine in that, while I love to attempt it, I admittedly rarely succeed at making something .... thoughtful. I personally found Sandy's piece a thoughtful exercise in symmetry, while also maintaining a fun spirit. Sandy has also won a handful of cabochons to continue wrapping with. 

Congratulations to both of the winners, and a truly heartfelt bellow of gratitude to the fellow participants and the community as a whole. If you have yet to view the Gallery of Entries and show your love to these wonderful artists, please take a moment to visit the link!

Now, I definitely appreciate that the summer months are a TERRIBLE time to host a contest, lol, so I hope to have the next one during a more opportune month or season. If you'd like to participate in the next challenge, leave a comment letting me know which month you'd prefer! Until then.... 

happy weaving and stay creative!
​Nicole

So, I recognize that the bustle of summer makes for a terrible time for a contest, but I'm so thankful for the 22 entries received in this round of the "Finish It!" Design Challenge. Its been incredibly inspirational and encouraging to see the creative depth in each of these entries, all of which started from the same steps, yet evolved to envelop their own story and personalities!

And, as someone with a chronic illness, who understands what it is to lack the energy or inspiration to create, I was especially touched to have received so many messages from those who said this challenge was the first time in years they've picked up their wire and revisited their love for wrapping and jewelry making. It made me feel excited again, to see the spark come alive for so many who thought it lost. Thank you so much for talking the time to inspire ME with your amazing resilience, creativity, and enthusiasm!

Now I would like to say that Pinterest, where the Gallery of Entries is, is easier to navigate than ever but, if you know social media at all, even a little, you'll know that's a bold-faced lie. These sites never make anything easy, do they? So, O have the gallery up for viewing at the link at the bottom of this post, but can't link directly to the July 2024 "Finish It!" Design Challenge album. It should, however, be the first to show. You can view all the entries there!

Now, about the voting.... only participants are able to vote for their ONE favorite entry, by commenting "VOTED" beneath the submitted image. However, despite what seems to be a new cap that Pinterest has placed on the number of comments you can leave in a day (at least according to the experience of those who have tried so far), I encourage everyone to revisit these images, as time allows, and leave some encouraging words for all the brilliant entries, when you're able. For reference, the picture above is what my design became, and you can definitely see the vast difference (better differences to boot, I might add) the entrants brought to the table.

I'll tally up the votes on Wednesday and announce the Group and Judged Favorites. Each will win a little bundle of cabochons, to hopefully continue revisiting that spark, and the Group Favorite will also win my completed version of this project. Stay tuned for the winner!

Get on ovet to the link, https://pin.it/1Za9F0yEE, and check out those entries! And thank you so much to those who entered for being such an amazing inspiration.

Happy weaving, and stay creative!

​Nicole
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