Below are some resources for starting a business or building a website. These posts are not all-inclusive and are based on my personal experience building my home-based brand. I am in no way an expert on entrepreneurial endeavors, and continue to stumble my way through this journey. Hopefully, these posts will help you avoid the same stumbles.

• Building A Business: The Basics
• Making Your Art Your Business
• Determining the Value of Art: Product Pricing
• Product Photography (The Basics)
• Product Photography (Models)
• Product Photography (Backgrounds)
• Photo Editing (For Product Photography)
• Selling Platforms I & Selling Platforms II
• Jewelry Making Supplies & Materials
• Best E-Tools for Handcrafted Jewelry Businesses
• Business Bookkeeping
• Self-employment Myths

Other Resources

• Product Pricing Calculator
• Archetypal Business Practice
• Building A Brand Board
• Growing Your Business
• Sites for Solopreneurs

even makes them a little uncomfortable. Because creative discomfort sometimes paves a beautiful path towards individual expression. And this contest was so full of gloriousness that I'm seriously considering more wire-only challenges in the future. While stones and beads are complimentary and lovely accessories, it's the wire work I fell in love with all those years ago when I made the first tentative steps towards my future, so I'm more than a little biased with my love of wire. And this contest, with these entries, just fueled that love even more! 

There are two categories judged in each "Finish It!" Design Challenge. A group favorite, where only participants are allowed to cast a single vote for their favorite entry. And a judged favorite, reached by a consensus of 7 non-participants, including consumers and other wire-artists. 

The group favorite will receive my finished version of this pendant, and any 10 Nicole Hanna Jewelry tutorials of their choice. The judged favorite will also receive any 10 Nicole Hanna Jewelry tutorials of their choice (not that any of the entrants need my help!). 

And everyone gets bragging rights! Because I know this wasn't an easy challenge. There was an obscene amount of wire involved, and the focus stayed entirely on the design utilizing that wire, without the distraction of beads or stones. 

So please.... take a look at the winners below: Penny Sanchez and Daune Price-Hannah, and give them the warmest and most-deserved congrats! 

And definitely stay tuned for more "Finish It!" Design Challenges. While I have no more planned for this year, I do already have them tentatively scheduled for next year, with some new approaches in consideration! And if, in the next contest, we break 100 entries, I'll be offering a few more goodies for our winners and participants, so definitely stay tuned! 

Until then, beautiful souls, stay creative and happy weaving! Any many thanks to the truly amazing and talented folks who entered! By accepting the challenge, you filled these past few weeks for me with inspiration and joy. 

Nicole

numerous to count, and rightfully so. Each piece is deserving of all the recognition it receives. Because.... let's be honest.... I was annoying with this contest, I can admit it. I mean, no stones? No beads? Just plain wire? But every single entrant rose up to the challenge. And I was amazed every day as more and more entries tumbled through my inbox, and I ended up witness to 64 beautiful creations!

And guys, I gotta admit I might just be doing more Finish It! Design Challenges with wire-only requirements. I love a pretty stone, no doubt, but sometimes there's an unfair advantage when the focal becomes the stone and not the design around it. Plus, these wire-only entries all bellowed their own stories. And I'm nothing if not a sucker for a good story.

So let's get to the judging, shall we?