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? The gallery of entries will be available for viewing… well… indefinitely or, at the very least, until Pinterest falls into the dark abyss of the internet, at which point the images will (hopefully) be moved to another file sharing system. In the meantime, click the link above to view the wonderful creations.
The gallery of entries will be available for VOTING, however, through October 15, 2017. Voting is open only to those who participated in the contest. To vote:
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 October 16, votes will be tallied and the “Group Favorite” (most voted by participants) will win my completed version of this project and any ten tutorials of their choice. 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. Every contestant should receive the finished version of this tutorial as a thank you for his or her participation. Please expect this tutorial to be delivered during the judging week. If you have not received the tutorial by the time the contest is judged, or have trouble accessing the file, please contact me at nikki.hanna@gmail.com Thank you all so much! Happy weaving! Nicole To read more about the September 2017 Finish It! Design Challenge, please visit this post.
6 Comments
Enter between September 14 - October 6. Open world wide. The purpose of the "Finish It!" challenge is to encourage the participants to extend themselves, their talents and creativity beyond the limitations of a single set of instructions and create pieces uniquely their own. Tutorials have been an integral part of my personal evolution as a jewelry artist, from such talents as Eni Oken, Iza Malzcyk, IMNIUM and Lonely Soldier. And my progression from the steps and instructions provided to me by others has been a worthwhile journey towards my own creative self-discovery. Tutorials need never represent a "cookie cutter" aesthetic, nor the only design possibility, but rather a gateway to limitless possibilities, and the entries received for these contests have proven, time and again, the truth of that statement. Here’s the gist: At the bottom of this post is a link to a tutorial or, more accurately, the beginning of a tutorial, and ending abruptly less than halfway through the instruction. Your job is to create a piece beginning with the steps, as explained in the file, but ending with your own imagination! (NOTE: Tutorial no longer available... contest closed) I've decided this time I'll challenge you all in a different way.... no beads or cabochons may be used at all. This is a wire only challenge! Contest Rules
While this is mostly intended to reward you with a sense of accomplishment, the “Group Favorite” will win my completed version of this project and any ten tutorials of their choice. A “Judged Favorite”, chosen by a panel of four jewelry artists and three “consumers” (none of which will be participating in the contest), will also receive any ten tutorials of their choice. Every contestant will receive the finished version of this tutorial simply for participating. This tutorial will arrive as a reply to your submission email, after the contest is closed to new entries, so check your spam folder if you do not receive it by October 15. Also, be sure your email host will accept incoming attachments. I've had many emails rejected because the mail box was full, or security settings did not allow attachments. Happy weaving everyone, and I hope you have fun! Note: Please access this file via a laptop or desktop computer. Some mobile devices are uncooperative with PDF downloads, and I may not be able to address requests for manual email delivery of this file in a timely manner (thus using up your submission time). Good luck everyone and happy weaving! Nicole 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. Group Favorite Winner(s) Judged Favorite Winner Anne Watt 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 I've always enjoyed these contests because they detail exactly how versatile a single set of instructions can be, and how easily (or not, as the case sometimes is with creative endeavors) these steps can be utilized in one-of-a-kind design. And the difficulty or ease are always (I hope) well-rewarded with truly amazing work that each and every one of these entrants can be proud of. The above picture is my finished design...my vision behind the provided instruction, and the gallery of entries can be found here, for the perusal of entrants or casual observers alike, to see for yourself just how unique each entry is.
If you submitted an entry, but do not see it listed in the gallery, please email me at nikki.hanna@gmail.com with your entry as soon as possible, and it will be added immediately upon receipt. The gallery of entries will be available for viewing… well… indefinitely or, at the very least, until Pinterest falls into the dark abyss of the internet, at which point the images will (hopefully) be moved to another file sharing system. The gallery of entries will be available for VOTING, however, through April 15, 2017. Voting is open only to those who participated in the contest. To vote:
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 April 16, votes will be tallied and the “Group Favorite” (most voted by participants) will win my completed version of this project and any ten tutorials of their choice. 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. Every contestant should receive the finished version of this tutorial as a thank you for his or her participation, within 24-48 hours. If you have not received the tutorial by that time, or have trouble accessing the file, please contact me at nikki.hanna@gmail.com Thank you all so much! Happy weaving! Nicole
The purpose of the "Finish It!" challenge is to encourage the participants to extend themselves, their talents and creativity beyond the limitations of a single set of instructions and create pieces uniquely their own. Tutorials have been an integral part of my personal evolution as a jewelry artist, from such talents as Eni Oken, Iza Malzcyk, IMNIUM and Lonely Soldier. And my progression from the steps and instructions provided to me by others has been a worthwhile journey towards my own creative self-discovery. Tutorials need never represent a "cookie cutter" aesthetic, nor the only design possibility, but rather a gateway to limitless possibilities, and the entries received for these contests have proven, time and again, the truth of that statement. Why is the photo above all wicked swirly like that? So you cannot discern what the finished piece is meant to look like, according to the completed tutorial, but rather to allow your imagination control of the reigns.
Here’s the gist: At the bottom of this post is a link to a tutorial only 11 pages long, and ending abruptly less than halfway through the instruction. Your job is to create a piece beginning with the steps, as explained in the file, but ending with your own imagination! And blowing my mind... that's part of your job too. And you can do it, because it's been done every single time I've held one of these contests. If you are in doubt... just you wait... you'll surprise yourself. Contest Rules
“Group Favorite” will win my completed version of this project and any ten tutorials of their choice. 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. Every contestant will receive the finished version of this tutorial simply for participating. This tutorial will arrive as a reply to your submission email, so check your spam folder if you do not receive it by the end of March. Also, be sure your email host will accept incoming attachments. I've had many emails rejected because the mail box was full, or security settings did not allow attachments. Happy weaving everyone, and I hope you have fun! Note: Please access this file via a laptop or desktop computer. Some mobile devices are uncooperative with PDF downloads, and I may not be able to address requests for manual email delivery of this file in a timely manner (thus using up your submission time). Good luck everyone and happy weaving! Nicole You know, I gotta say.... I hope there is never a day when you all aren't amazing me with your talent and creativity. I really love these design challenges, and enjoy so thoroughly how a few simple steps can evolve into so many completely unique designs. This speaks volumes to your skills and innovation, and it's a pleasure to be a part of that in some small way. I'm already looking forward to future challenges and hope to see each and every one of these contestants amaze me yet again. If you haven't checked out the entries in this contest, you may do so buy visiting the August 2016 FINISH IT! Design Challenge Pinterest Board. I encourage anyone reading this to visit, applaud and enjoy the remarkable pieces submitted. They each deserve heaps of praise. Pin and re-pin these lovely works, I say! They deserve to be shared. As with all FINISH IT! contests, two winners were chosen. One was chosen by his or her peers and one was chosen by a panel of 7 non-participating judges, including myself. The choice was a painful one to make, because there were just too many gorgeous entries. Like... you know... all of them. But alas, a decision was reached and here are your winners! These amazing entries definitely caught the eye of many and rightfully so! Beautiful work. Deborah wins my own finished pendant, designed for this contest, as well as any 10 Nicole Hanna Jewelry tutorials of her choice, and Ann-Sophie also wins any 10 Nicole Hanna Jewelry tutorials of her choice. Congrats, ladies!
Now, while you all take in the beauty of these entries, if you've yet to see them (or again and again if you're like me and can't help revisiting them), I am off to think up a design for the next challenge! Stay tuned and happy weaving! Nicole
And now I encourage you all, whether you entered or not, to visit this Pinterest board and take a look at the entries submitted and appreciate the beautiful work. You wont be sorry for the time you'll spend viewing the truly original, gorgeous designs.
And if you have entered, now it's time for you to cast your vote on a fellow entrant. Here is how the judging will work:
“Group Favorite” will win my completed version of this project and any ten Nicole Hanna Jewelry tutorials of their choice. 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 Nicole Hanna Jewelry tutorials of their choice. Every contestant should have already received the finished version of this tutorial as a thank you for participating in the contest. This tutorial will arrive as a reply to your submission email, so check your spam folder if you did not receive it. I hope you enjoy viewing the entries as much as I did as they were received (and the many times I revisited them since). I always look forward to these contests and the differences, personalities and aesthetics each entry embodies. And I'm already looking forward to the next "Finish It!" contest (hopefully in November). Thank you so much to all who participated, and to all who encourage those who participate! Happy weaving! Nicole The purpose of the"Finish It!" challenge is to encourage the participants to extend themselves, their talents and creativity, beyond the limitations of a single set of instructions and create pieces uniquely their own. Each contest has resulted in a wealth of beautiful and original artistic expressions, and I expect this one will produce no less the amount of brilliance. You have all amazed me with, not only your exuberance and enthusiasm, but your results as well, and I’m excited to see what this contest will inspire within you. Here’s the gist: At the bottom of this post is a link to a tutorial only 9 pages long, and ending abruptly halfway through the instruction. Your job is to create a piece beginning with the steps, as explained in the file, but ending with your own imagination! And blowing my mind... that's part of your job too. And you can do it, because it's been done every single time I've held one of these contests. If you are in doubt... just you wait... you'll surprise yourself.
Contest Rules
“Group Favorite” will win my completed version of this project and any ten tutorials of their choice. 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. Every contestant will receive the finished version of this tutorial simply for participating. This tutorial will arrive as a reply to your submission email, so check your spam folder if you do not receive it by the end of August. Also, be sure your email host will accept incoming attachments. I've had many emails rejected (especially from AOL and hotmail accounts) because the mail box was full, or security settings do not allow attachments. Happy weaving everyone, and I hope you have fun! Note: Please access this file via a laptop or desktop computer. Some mobile devices are uncooperative with PDF downloads (I'm looking at you, iPad!), and I may not be able to address requests for manual email delivery of this file in a timely manner (thus using up your submission time). Good luck everyone and happy weaving! Nicole This. Was. Insane. The amount of talent seriously blew me away and I still get loads of inspiration and all that warm giddy gladness just viewing every single one of the entries. View the GALLERY OF ENTRIES. And when I narrowed down the top three favorites in each category, I was seriously saddened that I didn't have a prize for each and every person who gave it their all in submitting an entry. You all never cease to amaze and delight with your skills, innovation and dedication to your craft. I'm honored to have seen it in action, to have received those emails with your entries. It was a pure privilege. Before I announce the winners, here's a rundown of their prizes:
Wire Weaving Winner: Beth Meyers Cabochons & Un-drilled Gemstones Winner: Erica Teeter I mean, really..... these are incredible.
And to the winners, stay tuned because you'll be receiving an email from me shortly requesting your shipping information so I can send your goodies off to you! Thank you so much everyone who participated. Thank you for gracing me with your time, your energy, your creations. Thank you for voting and showing support to your fellow contestants. We had over 70 amazing entries and they each deserve a hearty round of applause. I hope to see an entry from you all in the upcoming "Finish It!" contest, beginning August 1st. Until then.... weave on my good and gentle friends. Weave on! Nicole I'm not going to lie... this was hard. Like.... really hard. I needed help narrowing this down to just three in each category because there were way too many beautiful entries. But my husband and kids were no help at all so, as cliche as it sounds, I sat with and meditated on the submissions these last couple days and settled on my top three in each category. Now I leave the burden of final voting on each of you who participated in the challenge. You now have to choose just one finalist in each category (and you cannot vote for yourself) and leave those three names in the comments below. The winner in each category who receives the most votes will win the prizes as outlined in the Design Challenge 2016 blog post. But anyone reading this, I encourage you to visit the Pinterest board with the submissions and give each of those entries a thorough round of applause, because the work of these incredible and varied artists was amazing and fearless. There were 72 magnificent pieces to enjoy and I can't thank you enough, all who entered, for giving me the opportunity to view them. Now for the categories and finalists.... Wire Weaving Cabochons & Un-drilled Gemstones Mixed Media Tough job, right?
Now I leave it to you, contestants, to vote for your favorites in each category. I know it's not fair, but you can only choose one winner for each category, and list them in the comments below. My heart goes out to you, fellow artists.... it's a difficult choice to make. This post will be open to comments through the end of this month and reminders will be posted often so each contestant will have an opportunity to cast their votes. Good luck finalists! View the entire GALLERY OF ENTRIES here! |
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